Urban population is growing. In 2014, it accounted for 54 percent of the total global population, up from 34 percent in 1960. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), urban population growth is concentrated in the less-developed regions of the world. It is estimated that a majority of people will be living in urban
Photo by Selvan Tamilmani Multiple factors such as political instability and limited export growth had made emerging markets less attractive in the recent years but the trend looks to soon be reversing. In 2016, emerging-market economies grew just three percentage points faster than developed nations. And even though it is lower than what it
The tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands deepen as diplomatic crisis reaches a boiling point. In the most recent threats, Turkey placed sanctions against the Netherlands after Turkey’s Foreign Ministry ordered a Dutch diplomat to create a formal protest, which demonstrated “disproportionate force” against protesters after the recent expulsion of a Turkish minister. The Dutch
Photo by: Hadynyah The first International Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated by the United Nations in 1975. But it is only two years later, in December 1977, that the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. The UN invited these member States to choose March 8
The touchy subject of rape is often viewed as an act of violence, however some countries view it as a basis of purity or honor. According to the Equality Now charity, this act is “still ignored in the law by most governments.” In three particular countries, Belgium, Greece, and the Netherlands, each fail to adhere
Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. The steadily growing impact investment market in recent years has attracted an increasing number of individual and institutional investors, including development finance institutions, banks, private foundations, pension funds, and insurance companies. According to a Report by
Photo By Nikita Sypko On February 20, 2017, the state of famine was formally declared in several regions in South Sudan. Indeed, from February to July 2017, in the regions of Leer and Mayendit, famine has been declared and in Koch, it has been classified as a region where famine is likely to happen. When a
The aftermath of Brexit has left a number of European Union (EU) citizens living in the UK in a state of panic. New laws, in regulating certain documents, have largely affected the population with some even having to leave the country in response. The net immigration rises consistently, forcing the Government to put new laws
Photo by Roman Manger The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Education is set to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” UNESCO is the UN body that was entrusted with the leadership to coordinate and monitor the Education 2030 agenda. Unfortunately, UNESCO report finds that only 64 countries met
In the recent crises, the talk of refugees and migrants fleeing in light of a better life has left many countries with no choice but to open their arms. Many countries seemed willing to open their doors at the start of the refugee crisis, however, growing pushback, coupled with major spike in domestic terrorism, have
Agriculture is an important source of livelihood for millions of people across the world. It contributes to economic growth, provides employment, generates trade revenues for many export-oriented countries and, more importantly, large segments of the poorest populations who reside in rural areas and make a living off agriculture to escape poverty. From land to sea,
Every year since 2013, The World Government Summit has taken place in Dubai. This global platform aims at shaping future policies around the world by setting an agenda for the “next generation of governments.” The fifth annual Summit began on February 12, 2017 and representatives of 139 countries and global leaders from all sectors were
The leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is facing worrisome future progressions in Syria and Iraq and is reverting to another area to “recruit, network, train and brainwash a new generation of recruits:” The Philippines. This Islamic ‘vilayet’ in Mindanao contains five predominantly Muslim provinces within the island. Specifically, Basilan, already holds a
Today tablets, laptops, and multimedia are increasingly used in classrooms. Technology in education might be commonplace in the developed world. But the same is taking place in many African countries. At the University of South Africa, curriculum is taught through distance learning, and has over 310,000 South African and international students enrolled. Mauritius has connected
The ninth meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Group of 20 (G20) took place in Berlin on January 22, 2017. It was the first of a series of ministerial meetings and working groups in preparation for the upcoming G20 summit that will take place in Hamburg, Germany from July 7 to 8, 2017.
In the most recent out-break between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, the town of Avdiyivka was left with little access to electricity and water with temperatures dropping to 18 Celsius (0 Fahrenheit). Both Ukrainian military and the Russian-backed separatists brought in heavy artillery close to the front line which violates a peace deal which was put
The 6th annual United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum was held in New York between 30 and 31 January 2017. The Forum brings together youth leaders from around the world and gives them the opportunity to engage with policy-makers and other youth delegates and representatives. The two-day event featured interactive dialogues and
The African Union is a continental union of 55 countries established in South Africa in 2001. Its headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the Assembly of the African Union composed of heads of state and governments meet semi-annually. The 28th session took place this month and the summit was held under the theme “Harnessing the
The worry of being left stateless is among the children of this generation. According to the United Nations, at least 10 million people globally do not have citizenship to any country. The UNHCR recently reported in November a call for a campaign to end childhood statelessness by 2024. In order to create this global call
Three most expected points of this year’s agenda During the opening event of the forum, China’s president Xi Jinping made a plea for globalization in the opening speech. He was the first leader of the People’s Republic of China to come to the conference since Jiang Zemin, in 1979. Social inclusion is one of the
