10 June 2019 (UNRWA)* — A performance assessment of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) commissioned by some of the world’s top donors has found that the Agency is “competent, resilient and resolute”, with an overall rating of “highly satisfactory” in four of the 11 areas of the assessment. UNRWA engagement in the region is considered highly relevant as it delivers critical support for the Palestine refugee population, to the host authorities and to the wider development processes of the region.
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 12 2019 (IPS)* – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been forced to justify its existence at the United Nations ahead of a pledging conference later this month.
UNRWA came under fire by Jason Greenblatt, US Special Envoy for International Negotiations, at a Security Council meeting late last month.
Allegations and criticism raised by Greenblatt did little to aid the already precarious financial situation of the Agency. Last week, UNRWA held a press conference at the UN in an attempt to raise awareness — and funds for their work.
An in-depth look at workers’ participation in the climate and ecological breakdown, and how this might be transformed into ecological care, and leveraged for change.
Anti-fracking protester, London 2019 | SOPA Images/SIPA USA/PA Images
11 June 2019 (openDemocracy)* — For too long, we have related to climate change mainly as consumers and voters. We have been responsibilised as meat eaters and airplane travellers, we have been urged to vote for the party with the most green agenda, but we have never been addressed as workers.
With the likes of John Bolton and Elliot Abrams directing US foreign policy, the US government has abandoned all pretense of “plausible denial” for its illegal regime-change initiatives. The “humanitarian” bombs may not be falling but, make no mistake, the US is waging a full-bore war against the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela.
Back in 1998, Venezuela had had nearly a half a century of two-party rule. A duopoly, not unlike the Republican and Democratic parties in the US, alternated in power imposing a neoliberal order. Poor and working people experienced deteriorating conditions of austerity regardless of which party was in power.
12 June 2019 — With thousands of people from around the world coming together at the Women Deliver conference (us included!) beginning on June 2nd in Vancouver, there was bound to be some major developments! Here’s your quick rundown on the most important stories to come out of the past two weeks.
Canada’s First Women, Peace and Security Ambassador
After much anticipation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that Jacqueline O’Neill has been named Canada’s first-ever Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security! Sending a huge congratulations fo Jacqueline, whose decades of experience makes her the perfect candidate for this vital job.
12 June 2019 (UNHCR)* — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is concerned at a recent decree from the Government of Italy that contains several provisions affecting refugees and migrants, including fines for NGO vessels engaged in saving lives at sea.
11 June 2019 (UN Environment)* — Twenty-eight-year-old Jenifer Colpas is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Tierra Grata. It is a social enterprise that sets out to address the need for basic energy, water and sanitation services in Colombia.
.
Her team trains women in good water and sanitation practices.
They install low-cost bathrooms with ecological toilets that do not require water, saving 270,000 liters of water per year. Her system protects water resources while generating natural fertilizer to use on the farm.
ROME (FAO)* – FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva on 11 June 2019 warned about the important cultural, social, environmental and heritage loss linked to the erosion of sustainable local diets, including the Mediterranean diet.
Redoubling efforts to promote the Mediterranean diet could lead to better health for all and help curb the rising levels of obesity while fostering sustainable food systems
On World Day Against Child Labour []12 June 2019], FAO urges greater attention to addressing child labour in local food supply chains
The number of children in child labour in agriculture has increased by 10 million since 2012. Local children carrying bundles of cassava sold at a street market in Bassongo, Central African Republic.
Rome/Brussels (FAO)* – FAO on 12 June 2019 urged nations to pay greater attention and allocate more financial resources to addressing child labour in domestic and local food supply chains and in subsistence farming where the vast majority of child labour in agriculture occurs.
