UNICEF unveils $70 million boost for Zimbabwean schoolchildren

Zimbabwe has received a cash injection of $70 million to ensure access to schooling and improve the quality of education for children in the Southern African country, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced.

EU leaders admit Lisbon is unnecessary

Following an interview with the Swedish Europe Minister, Maria Asenius, a headline on EurActiv(German) reads: “EU can function without Lisbon Treaty” (including quote marks).

It reports that several “leading EU politicians digress from the thesis that the Lisbon Treaty is necessary for the effective functioning of the enlarged EU. The new message is that, without the Lisbon Treaty, the EU would be as capable of acting as hitherto.”

Swedish Europe Minister Maria Asenius is quoted saying, “We cannot wait forever for a decision on this issue. We need a new Commission to continue EU businesses. With or without the Lisbon Treaty. We’ve got no choice.”

This comes hot on the heels of Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt’s admission that the Lisbon Treaty is not necessary in order for Ireland to keep its EU Commissioner, as claimed by the Irish government and the ‘yes’ campaign.

This kind of honesty - that the EU will continue to function as normal without Lisbon, and that it isn’t, in fact, important enough to warrant the sacrifice of so much democracy - is most welcome at this stage in the debate.

UN mission finds evidence of war crimes by both sides in Gaza conflict

The United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict at the start of this year has found evidence that both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants committed serious war crimes and breaches of humanitarian law, which may amount to crimes against humanity.

UN increasingly involved in democracy building, says Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spotlighted the growing trend for emerging democracies to seek help from the United Nations, in a message marking the International Day of Democracy.

Trust and renewed multilateralism keys to tackling today’s crises – Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the importance of trust – both among States and in the United Nations – in tackling a range of global crises, while calling for a renewed multilateralism that delivers results for the world's people.

Europeans for Democracy

For those of you unable to make it to Dublin for our recent event, “Europeans for Democracy”, which brought together various people from across the EU to discuss their reasons for rejecting Lisbon, you may wish to read the transcript or listen to an audio recording over on our events page.

Lots of food for thought, and we would welcome your comments.

Kenya: UN Ambassador Jolie visits ‘dire’ camp for Somali refugees

Visiting the world's largest refugee camp, housing refugees from Somalia, on the Horn of Africa nation's border with Kenya, Academy award-winning actress and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations refugee agency Angelina Jolie today characterized the site as “one of the most dire” she has ever seen.

The evolution of the Origin of Species

See an animation showing how Darwin tinkered with his most famous work after its initial publication in 1859

Ban emphasizes ‘power of prayer’ in tackling global challenges

Faith has a key role in addressing current global challenges, ranging from disarmament to climate change to the economic crisis, and in bringing people together to promote peace and progress, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

UN increasingly involved in democracy building, says Ban on International Day

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spotlighted the growing trend for emerging democracies to seek help from the United Nations, in a message marking the International Day of Democracy.