In his inaugural speech, President Barack Obama asserted that the United States remains “the most prosperous, powerful nation on earth.” No matter how powerful a nation is, however, its priorities still need to be rearranged and sometimes compromised, especially when dealing with key allies and partners. This much was evident by U.S. Secretary of State […]
“I’m a normal teen; I’m just really passionate about social justice.” (Teen Voices Interview) Sejal Hathi is only 17 and still in high school, nonetheless she has found her calling and a way make an impact on girls around the world. When Sejal was only 15 she founded Girls Helping Girls, an international organization which […]
Federal authorities Friday moved alleged al-Qaida operative Ali al-Marri to the civilian court system following six years of solitary confinement in a Navy brig in South Carolina. U.S. officials announced al-Marri would be transferred to Illinois to face in the civilian courts charges of providing material support to al-Qaida and for conspiracy. Each count carries […]
“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.”– Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 1995-2004 We can no longer stand by in silence and turn a blind eye to the plight of children around the world who suffer needlessly from abuse, […]
Escape from India’s slums, or any slums for that matter, may sound as simple as winning the lottery. Often we find ourselves thinking, “If only I had money…”, thinking that it will solve all our problems, but the reality is far from the dream. In all aspects of international development, money is merely a quick […]
The only surviving attacker from the Mumbai attack last November was charged in Indian court today. Ajmal Kasab faces more than 11,000 pages of criminal charges. 35 other Pakistani nationals were charged with conspiring to support the attacks; according to the Hindustan Times, they include two officers in the Pakistani army and three top-level leaders […]
Ravaged by war, displaced, and thrown into “refugee camps” in Northern Uganda, women and girls are having to struggle for basic rights. Eighty percent of women in Uganda engage in agriculture and yet only 8 percent own land. Land disputes have threatened the resettlement of thousands of former IDPs. Many IDPs are leaving the camps […]
Are you a young person looking to give your voice to speak out against sexual exploitation? What would you say? Would you say something if you were given one minute to speak out about the sexual exploitation of children? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then please see the theoneminutesJr., a UNICEF […]
As we wait for the last verdicts from the domestic court in Sierra Leone, Reuters reports that the Charles Taylor trial is in financial jeopardy. Money quote: The U.N.-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, which is pursuing those held most responsible for atrocities during the country’s 1991-2002 civil war, faces a budget shortfall of more […]
A U.N.-backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone is expected to deliver its verdict Wednesday for three rebel commanders charged with crimes against humanity. “There is a great need for the activities of the Special Court, which is a chapter of the war, to be quickly concluded so that the nation can move on,” said […]
This week, BBC’s new movie examines the fall of Margaret Thatcher. Divisions within the Conservative Party regarding European integration as well as public backlash against Thatcher’s tax policies, which did not take income disparities into account, were the main reasons why Thatcher’s long reign as prime minister (1979-1990) finally ended. London’s Independent took the BBC […]
YEMEN: Threat to legislation outlawing child marriage Although Yemen’s parliament has agreed to set the minimum age for marriage at 17, there are concerns the decision may be rescinded as some members of parliament (MPs) say the amendments violate Sharia (Islamic) law. AFGHANISTAN: Taliban forces students out of schools into madrasas The closure of schools […]
The true costs of the Global Gag Rule may never be known. But it’s done with for now thanks to President Obama who reversed it in January. Two hundred and fifty health and human rights organizations from around the world sent him a signed letter of thanks. Poor reproductive health is the leading cause of […]
As the violence in the Congo continues, so does the continual rape of women and girls. With limited resources the fight to aid those victimized by rape is a battle all its own, however it is an endless battle that Dr. Denis Mukwege and his staff at Panzi hospital in Bukavu vow to continue to wage daily. Sadly […]
“Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds.“ – Albert Einstein Violence often stems from the launch of a new idea, a new way to move forward…from a resistance to change. The opposition to such ideas is often met with violent conflict, sweeping up the minds and lives of young children as it continues […]