Archive for April 8th, 2015

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08/04/2015

It Should Be Clear What to Expect from the World Social Forum

Human Wrongs Watch

By Roberto Savio*

Rome, April 2015 – The last International Council (IC) of the World Social Forum (29 and 30 March 2015) in Tunis was characterized by the usual sequence of three-minute statements, without any conclusions. This time, the presence of several people who intervened vehemently, without being members of the IC or representing anyone, added more confusion.

Source: International Forum of National NGO Platforms IFP

Source: International Forum of National NGO Platforms IFP

ICs are usually held without any control of participants, often in inadequate space, with problems of sound and translation.

And with the passing of the years, the numbers of those who question the present format of the WSF are increasing, with a consensus to postpone the issue until a serious debate on a future occasion.

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Posted in Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Market Lords, Middle East, Mother Earth, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples, War Lords | 2 Comments »

08/04/2015

Saving Passengers of the Good Ship 'Titan… Earth'

Human Wrongs Watch

By Robert J. Burrowes*

On 15 April 1912, the ‘Titanic’, the largest ship afloat at the time it entered service, sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. The large and unnecessary death toll – more than 1,500 passengers and crew – was the result of many factors.

**Titanic sinking (Colourized) | Artist: Willy Stöwer, 1912 | Source/Photographer: Magazine Die Gartenlaube, en:Die Gartenlaube and de:Die Gartenlaube | Wikimedia Commons

**Titanic sinking (Colourized) | Artist: Willy Stöwer, 1912 | Source/Photographer: Magazine Die Gartenlaube, en:Die Gartenlaube and de:Die Gartenlaube | Wikimedia Commons

Understanding the psychology that underpins these factors teaches us why so many people died in the ‘Titanic’ disaster. This, in turn, gives us insight into how we might be able to improve our chances of averting the sinking of the Good Ship ‘Earth’ and losing most of its passengers in the years now immediately ahead.

Two key factors in the sinking of the ‘Titanic’ were the ship’s design, including the limited number of watertight compartments in the hull, and the ship’s speed at the time of the incident despite the risk of hitting an iceberg (which could only be detected visually, rather than technologically, in 1912).

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Posted in Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Market Lords, Middle East, Mother Earth, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples | 2 Comments »

08/04/2015

Anniversary of Rwanda Genocide – 'Let's Have the Courage to Counter the Cruelty Taking Place Before Our Eyes’

Human Wrongs Watch

The world must make use of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda to look back on the past – and to squarely confront the challenges of the present, renewing collective resolve and summoning the courage to prevent such atrocities from happening again, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 7 April 2015 said.

The UN family in Rwanda commemorates the 21st anniversary of the genocide. Photo: UNDP Rwanda

“Our annual sombre observance is all the more meaningful this year as we mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, said Ban in his message on the Day,” which honors the memory of the more than 800,000 people – overwhelmingly Tutsi, and also moderate Hutu, Twa and others – systematically killed across Rwanda in less than three months just over two decades ago.

It is also an occasion to recognize the pain and the courage of those who survived.

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08/04/2015

World Health Day – How Safe Is Your Food?

Human Wrongs Watch

With the United Nations health agency highlighting food safety on World Health Day, the Secretary-General on 7 April 2015 called for unified efforts to ensure that production, distribution, and preparation of food is done safely.

At an open market in Haute-Savoie, France, a vendor offers a variety of vegetables, all produced meeting standards recommended by WHO. Photo: WHO/V. Martin

“The health, agriculture, trade, and environment sectors need to work together,” said Ban Ki-moon. “We all have a role to play in keeping food safe – from farm to plate.”*

Ban pointed to the more than 200 diseases that can come from contaminated food and to the constantly evolving threat from new production, distribution and consumption methods, as well as the emergence of resistant bacteria.

“With the food supply chain stretching around the world, the need to strengthen food safety systems within and among countries is becoming more critical,” he said.

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