fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
United Nations official urges the Security Council to concentrate on South Sudan
By: Robert Jones
Tags: Sudan, Arabic, South Sudan, United Nations

Since 2019, a series of intercommunal fighting and flooding has seriously affected different areas of South Sudan. With hundreds of lives lost in the midst of the crisis, this has culminated in widespread devastation of livelihoods and property and mass displacement.

The Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), taking cognizance of the crisis, called on the international community to direct its attention to the Arab nation as it makes efforts to improve its political and peace-building fronts in the wake of the 2018 peace agreement.

UNMISS Leader David Shearer recently addressed a virtual meeting of the Security Council, highlighting that South Sudan faces a worsening economic situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, with a fear of catastrophic levels of food insecurity, massive famine is looming over the country.

“Millions of South Sudanese people have been pushed to breaking point. Violence continues to be one of the main drivers of severe food insecurity in South Sudan,” said Mark Lowcock, chief of UN Humanitarian Affairs, speaking to the representatives of the Council.David Shearer also hailed the successes and success of the transitional government, headed by Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, during the meeting.

The peace agreement signed in 2018 by rebel factions led by President Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Riek Machar, was aimed at ending the long-running civil war and maintaining peace in the region. The two sides have formed a government of national unity in February with the signing of the agreement.

In 2020 alone the United Nations gave South Sudan approximately $40 million in an attempt to aid countries in crisis. In addition, NGOs and aid bodies operating on the ground have also stepped up their efforts to help South Sudan achieve its targets. Nevertheless a UN panel of experts announced earlier this month that the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement in South Sudan has hindered the country’s numerous humanitarian initiatives.

UN humanitarian assistance has been blocked by the authorities in areas where fighting has resumed, the study said. As conflicts erupted in different parts of the region, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the National Security Service blocked the United Nations Missions’ various humanitarian efforts in the country, the panel said.

The panel also revealed, as per a Reuters report, that the signatories of the agreement failed to comply with the deadlines and backtracked aspects of its political, economic and security provisions.

Recently, James KonyiKorok, chief of South Sudan’s Pibor Administrative District, also raised worrying concerns about the country’s growing cases of child marriages. Speaking to the Anadolu Agency, in an effort to avoid child marriages, he urged NGOs, human rights organisations and the international community to come forward and formalise legislation to support poverty-stricken communities.
Fourth Industrial Revolution and its Harbinger Danil Kerimi
By: Akshay Aggarwal
Tags: Business Strategy, United Nations, Fourth Industrial, Technology, World Economic Forum

Society 3.0 Ep #2 with Danil Kerimi

Hey there Mavericks, can’t stare at your screen any longer? I have something that might just keep you away from it and at the same time, help you dwell towards making your work more impactful.

Well, you already know that I started a podcast series “Society 3.0” recently. Since the first episode in the podcast series got a decent response, I was encouraged to come back with another one where I bring perspectives from someone that will help you captain your ship in these turbulent and uncertain times.

So here goes! We have an amazing change agent, Danil Kerimi sharing his big picture perspective gained while guiding innovators at organisations like World Economic Forum and United Nations. Danil has worked with governments, large enterprises, start-ups and investor communities alike in accelerating and securing digital transition around the world and applying newfound capabilities for solving biggest challenges in health, food and environmental ecosystems.

There are some amazing high points in the podcast where Danil shares learnings from his work with regulators enabling those in the trenches with their quest to usher in the future of society. His passion for unlocking entrepreneurial potential of individuals and organisations is beyond intriguing.

Some of the points that i as a noob podcaster was able to scrape out are -

Danil’s ‘turning point’ in life where he left the UN and describes it as his “best decision ever”.

Being in two of the biggest ever halts in economic activity, he analyses the probable areas to contribute in the moment.

He reflects and shares the motto that should work on entrepreneurs in general, as per the exact words of Danil’s “What’s important is to always look for an opportunity side of the crisis and to answer questions like how to keep the company afloat”.

He bats around how this pandemic is the opportunity to reshape, reset and reconstruct the way society functions.

the way society functions. He describes this pandemic as ‘the period of transformational change’ and a strategy to resume and revisit assumptions.

Hope you will find this episode useful and spread the word amongst your likeminded friends.
One of the biggest impediments to denuclearization is figuring out how to monitor and verify the…
By: Robert Potter
Tags: Atomic Design, Nuclear, Nuclear Weapons, United Nations

One of the biggest impediments to denuclearization is figuring out how to monitor and verify the existence of a given nuclear warhead at a specific location without revealing any design aspects or confidential secrets about that warhead. James E. Doyle, an independent nuclear security researcher, writes:

“A strategic nuclear verification initiative that includes developing the capabilities for making nuclear warheads items of account in a future treaty is essential for progress towards a safer, more resilient, and sustainable global community. It is in America’s interest to lead the way.”
What is the United Nations we need? a trauma-informed voice
By: Traumaventure Cecilia M Cardesa
Tags: United Nations Day, Trauma Informed Systems, Peace, United Nations

Now more than ever our voices matter. Click here to access the original UN75 Message, and below is a copy of my message commemorating the UN’s 75th anniversary:

Earlier this year, I stood in the living room of Eleanor Roosevelt’s home in New York City at a fundraiser where I shared about my work on gender equality. In particular, I shared a trauma-informed approach to mental health diversity, inclusion, and belonging after life-altering events.

My name is Cecilia Maria Cardesa, and I am the Founder of TraumaVenture. Standing in Eleanor Roosevelt’s living room was a moment decades-long and many generations in the making:

Speaking for me has been a long time in the making based on growing up in a dictatorship where voices were politically silenced.

Speaking for me has been a long time in the making as it has been difficult to express myself after psychological trauma altered the chemical composition of my brain and my communication abilities.

I spoke through my grandmother’s sage counsel and my mother’s belief in dialogue and transformation.

I want to thank Eleanor Roosevelt for her courage, resilience, and conviction. Her steadfast conviction gave young girls like me hope that the United Nations would listen to the quiet whispers at night for peace amidst the loudest noises of charismatic oppressors.

TraumaVenture’s philosophy is a person-centered design approached through the lens of phenomenology; We (I) believe space must be held for women and marginalized communities to speak and have their voices heard. By reframing conversations to be equitably represented, we can get to the essence of how to create a path forward.

To the United Nations, please continue to serve as a beacon for freedom, equality, and solidarity.

On this 75th anniversary, we know that no community is immune to issues, challenges, and crises. The next 75 years is today; this moment in time to create a better path for humanity and for the United Nations to be at the epicenter of our interconnectedness.

May peace and good be our compass.

Onward

Dr. Cecilia M. Cardesa

#UN75 #UnitedNations #MakeUN75Count #TransformationThursday #MyVoiceMatters #MyVoiceCounts #eleanorroosevelt #argentina #healingjourney #mentalhealth
The UN should aim for 2021 Sustainable Development Goals
By: Navi Radjou
Tags: Innovation, Sustainability, United Nations, Development, Leadership

Remember the boiling frog parable ?

Given the dual socio-ecological urgency we face, the United Nations should boldly rename its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as… 2021 Agenda for Sustainable Development to compel its member countries to achieve its 17 SDGs as early as 2021.

And the United Nations Global Compact can put similar pressure on its member companies.

These firms can learn from Decathlon, the world’s largest sports retailer, which boldly renamed its Vision 2030 as Vision 2021 so it can engage all its employees and ecosystem partners to co-build inclusive/regenerative communities worldwide starting in 2021 rather than wait till 2030 to co-create a better world.

I am 50 years old now. I don’t want to wait till I am 60 in 2030 to live in a Sustainable World. Do you ?

Read my article on Decathlon’s sustainable transformation:

https://thinkers50.com/blog/ceos-forget-v-shaped-recovery-lead-y-shaped-reinvention-to-be-better/

Read Charlie Felgate’s article on Decathlon’s Vision 2021:

https://lnkd.in/gT_2Kdh

Graphics: Adobe Stock
SURGE mission to Someland over Zoom: Prepping UNDP’s crisis professionals in times of COVID-19
By: Undp Surge
Tags: Humanitarian, United Nations, Crisis, Undp, Surge

It is hard to predict a crisis — even harder to predict its aftermath. But an effective way to prepare for one is to have a pool of experts, who have been on the frontlines before, ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

To prepare the next batch of its crisis professionals, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Crisis Bureau held the 20th SURGE Advisors Induction Workshop from 23rd November to 3rd December. A total of 27 UNDP staff from across the globe attended the workshop that took place virtually for the first time — alternating between Zoom, Microsoft Teams and interactive digital whiteboards.

Participants were provided an in-depth knowledge of the organization’s crisis response mechanism through a combination of discussions and group exercises. Once equipped with the required tools, they were asked to come up with a plan for a crisis unfolding in Someland — a make-belief country that captured the reality of complex crisis contexts, especially in the COVID-19 era.

“Coming up with a SURGE plan, a 3-month strategy to put the country on the path to recovery, within 24 hours was an exhilarating experience,” said Irina Goryunova, participant of the workshop and Head of Program at UNDP Kazakhstan.

The plans were presented in front of a Crisis Board that comprised senior UNDP managers, who are part of actual crisis boards. “I appreciate the challenge of putting together a plan in 24 hours. This is not easy but this is how it is,” Luca Renda, Head of UNDP’s Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility Team.

Crisis Bureau’s Deputy Director George Conway appreciated the work put in by the SURGE Academy in setting up the training. “Crisis is the new normal and managing multi-dimensional risks is a core part of our work. SURGE Academy’s role in raising UNDP’s organizational capacity to deal with an uncertain world is well-appreciated,” he said.

What is SURGE?

SURGE is UNDP Crisis Bureau’s signature solution to support country offices with high-level technical and operational assistance in the aftermath of a conflict or a disaster caused by a natural hazard.

The advisors are typically deployed for seven to 14 days following a crisis to develop a SURGE plan, or for longer durations (up to three months) to implement that plan.

“SURGE planning is done by very seasoned people who have been in UNDP for several years. This is by design so when they are deployed they can make decisions quickly,” Janthomas Hiemstra, Head of Crisis Bureau’s Country Support Management Teams and the pioneer of SURGE.

Over the years, 455 SURGE advisors have been deployed in 79 countries. In 2020 alone, the UNDP’s Crisis Bureau deployed 24 SURGE advisors to 6 different countries, including after the explosion in the Port of Beirut, Lebanon.

SURGE in Action
Economic Development | UNIDO supports training of trainers on health and safety of workers
By: Unido Somalia Programme
Tags: United Nations, Covid 19, Entrepreneurship, Occupational Health, Somalia

MOGADISHU, November 18th 2020 — Keeping workers in various Somali industries and sectors healthy and safe is crucial to protect public health and help businesses to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic — this is especially so as the cost of preparing the workplace and workforce for COVID-19 prevention is often lower than responding when infections and outbreaks occur.

In this context, UNIDO designed a three-day programme on COVID-19 occupational health and safety training for Somali trainers, with a particular emphasis on the risks in Somalia’s most critical economic sectors — fisheries, agriculture and livestock.

The training was aimed at experts from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Somali Chamber of Commerce, at both federal and state levels, the Enterprise Development Units in various regional cities, and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions. The experts will transfer the knowledge gained from the training to the Somali workforce in different organizations.

The training was funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and involved the collaboration of Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon.

Original story on: https://unsom.unmissions.org/round-activities-un-system-somalia-november-2020
UNICEF Day — Whitelion Infosystems
Tags: Unicef, Children, United Nations

This UNICEF day, let’s praise the efforts of UNICEF that strive to provide a good lifestyle to kids across the world.

The work the United Nations has been doing for the upliftment of children is applaudable. Let’s salute them and support them. Unicef Day
International Update : People running out of food, water in Ethiopia’s Tigray — UN
By: Roshan Bhatia
Tags: News, Breaking News, Unitednation, Onlinenews, Ethiopia

People in Ethiopia’s conflict-ridden Tigray state reportedly are running out of food because of a lack of access for the UN and its partners, it was announced.

In a statement on Thursday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that while the full extent of the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s northernmost regional state remains unclear, food for the displaced has run out, reports Xinhua news agency.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said that it has also received worrying reports of refugees leaving camps in Tigray due to violence and the lack of food and services.

The US has been complaining for weeks that the Ethiopian government has not granted access to the needy in Tigray and adjacent states. Communication lines were also reportedly down.

“The delivery of essential humanitarian assistance to the region by the United Nations and its partners depends on a security risk assessment of the roads leading to Tigray and a humanitarian assessment of basic needs,” OCHA said.

“The UN and its humanitarian partners reiterate the urgent call on all parties to the conflict in Tigray to allow unconditional, unfettered and safe humanitarian access to the whole region, where people are now in their fifth week without food, water, and power,” it added.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has said that regaining access to refugees and other people in need in Tigray is urgent and critical.

The number of refugees who have fled Tigray for Sudan is now up to 49,500, said the UNHCR.

A three-month humanitarian preparedness plan, covering from last month through next month, targets an additional 1.1 million people likely to be affected by the crisis in Tigray and parts of the adjacent Amhara and Afar regions, OCHA said.

The crisis erupted early last month during clashes between Tigray rebels and the federal government, cutting civilians from necessities, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes and refugee camps running out of supplies.

Source: https://insightonlinenews.in/international-update-people-running-out-of-food-water-in-ethiopias-tigray-un/
Where do you sit on airlines?
By: Paul Argyle
Tags: Climate Change, United Nations, Travel, Environment, Airlines

Are you green or blue?

This week my linkedin feed gave me two consecutive articles from the United Nations. The first one, in green, urged me to consider that “We need a systemic shift to a more sustainable economy that works for people and the planet”.

The second, in blue, supported the view that “”Aviation is an important engine of our world, and will play a critical role in lifting the world to recovery from #COVID19. “

I have worked all my life in the aviation industry, however felt uncomfortably conflicted by this apparently nonsensical juxtaposition of messages.

However, it made my pause to think, where is the balance between securing the survival of the planet and the economic need to keep airlines and people flying ?

I am still thinking, are you ?
It’s Human Rights Day; Free Paul Rusesabagina
By: Alyson Chadwick
Tags: Kagame, Genocide, Rwanda, United Nations

Paul Rusesabagina, human rights activist and humanitarian

On December 10, the world recognizes International Human Rights Day. This is the perfect time to release human rights activist and humanitarian, Paul Rusesabagina. His heroism was documented in the film, “Hotel Rwanda.” He has been credited with saving 1,268 people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In 2005, President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom “remarkable courage and compassion in the face of genocidal terror.”

On August 27, Rusesabagina was kidnapped, bound, tortured, and taken to Kigali, Rwanda, where he was arrested and initially charged with “criminal mischief.” The charges against him were expanded but the real reason for his arrest and imprisonment is simple; he is an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame.

This is the ultimate crime for Kagame. For people inside Rwanda, there is the unwritten rule that you do not criticize Kagame, his actions or his government. You also do not challenge his narrative of what happened during the genocide in 1994. Far from being the savior of the nation he now leads, he has been implicated in war crimes committed at the tail end of the genocide. The only thing that prevented his prosecution was intervention by the United States.

So complete is Kagame’s control over his people, he holds reenactments of the 1994 tragedy every year. This has nothing to do with remembering the genocide or commemorating its victims. This is a way to control a population by reminding them what could happen. The world takes time to commemorate the Holocaust. No one takes the time to reenact it.

Outside of Rwanda, Kagame’s reach is large. The long arm of the Kagame machine can be seen in the many ceremonies that take place across the globe where Rwandans pledge loyalty to the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). During the ceremony, Rwandans recite this: “If I betray you or stray from the RPF’s plans and intentions, I would be betraying all Rwandans and must be punished.” This is not something a free society requires.

It is against that backdrop that Rusesabagina was taken and arrested. While Rwanda does not have an extradition treaty with Belgium (where Rusesabagina is a citizen) or the United States (where Rusesabagina is a permanent resident), there is a process when one country wants to arrest the citizen of another nation. That was not followed here. Kagame admitted as much when he boasted that the plan to get Rusesabagina back to Kigali went flawlessly. There is no way Rusesabagina would have gone back to Rwanda voluntarily. Kagame and his regime violated international law by taking Rusesabagina this way.

For several months after his kidnapping, Rusesabagina was denied access to the lawyers he hired. He has been denied communication with his family. His health has suffered and his basic human rights have been violated.

The theme for this year’s International Human Rights Day is “Stand up for Human Rights.” There are few better ways to stand up for human rights than by releasing human rights hero Paul Rusesabagina.
Short biography of Mother Teresa in english
Tags: United States, World, India, United Nations, London

Short biography of Mother Teresa in english

Name: Agniesz Gonkashi Bonzshiu.

Born: August 27, 1910 Yugoslavia.

Father: Drana Boyaju. (Kathlick)

Mother: Nikola Boyaju.

Died: September 5, 1997

Early Life:

Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910 in Scotje (now in Masedonia). His father, Nikola Boyju, was an ordinary businessman. Mother Teresa’s real name was ‘ Agnes Gonjha Boyjiju ‘. In Albanian language, Gonjha means a flower bud. When she was only eight years old, her father went to Parlok Sidhar, after which all the responsibility of his rearing came to his mother, Drana Boyju. She was the youngest among five brothers and sisters.

At the time of his birth, his elder sister was 7 years old and brother was 2 years old, and the other two children had passed away in childhood. She was a beautiful, studious and hardworking girl. Along with reading, he loved the song. She and her sister were the main singers in the nearby cathedral. It is believed that when she was only twelve years old, she realised that she would put all her life in human service and at the age of 18 she decided to join the ‘ sisters of Loreto ‘.

mother teresa short biography,

what did mother teresa do,

Who is Mother Teresa biography?,

Read full article
¡La ONU vota sobre el Cannabis!
Tags: War On Drugs, Medical Cannabis, United Nations, Cannabis, World Health Organization

Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more

Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore
Pakistan - a muslim pedophile nation
By: Alt News Media Inc
Tags: United Nations, Christianity, Sex, Women, Pakistan

Dear pedophiles of the world, come visit Pakistan.

We have just the right laws for your liking in Pakistan. Here you can kidnap any child of your right choice from her home or on her way to school. Please bear in mind that you get only two week’s time after which your local police station will file an official report. You then have two day’s time for you to sign and to get the child’s thumb impression for accepting Islam. You can they present a locally made marriage certificate in the courts and they will send her back with you. The courts follow muslim sharia laws that allow for marriage of any child who has got her first period. The courts will also specifically deny the parents from meeting the child and grant you her complete custody. On the day of your return flight, you can divorce her by just saying the words “talaq” three times in public. Also, you can sell her back to her parents, for which you can contact the local police station for arranging this meetup for a 10% commission.

If this will not boost the tourism industry in Pakistan we are not sure what will. We also don’t mind you picking up young boys of the streets as well.

For reference watch — https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30v2wh

Every year more than 1,200 minor Christian, and Hindu girls are kidnapped, raped, forced converted and married off in Pakistan. These girls are never heard from again. In case of girls like Sonia Bibi, she was shot dead for raising her voice while being kidnapped.

While the minorities — Christians, Hindus, Amhadis and Shias are killed are tortured every year — these crimes are done for systematically breaking the spirit of minorities. The minorities who were at 15% of the population are now at 1.5% in population as of 2016. The Shias and Ahamdis (though muslims) are shot dead and no cases are taken ahead in courts. The police and judges have a warped sense of pride in the torture and killing of non-muslims. No cases will be filed and no criminal will be prosecuted.

A final shocking update to 13 year old Arzoo Raja case, the child met her parents after being rescued for the first time on 5th December, 2020. And the child repeated her rapists massage to the parents “Go to the Supreme court, say you are sorry, take back the complaint against the rapist Azhar Ali (and everyone) and then you can take back your child Arzoo”. For the past one month after rescue, she was placed under police protection in a shelter home. The lawyers, policemen and muslim community meet her everyday and continues to teach her what to say in courts.

Please find more evidence by reading up on the response by courts in cases of girls like Maria Shahbaz, Huma Younus, Farah Shaheen, Jameela (raped while her family was made to hear her screams for refusing to convert), deaf-mute Komal, Shiza Maqsood, Mahek, Nisha, Arzoo Raja and many more.
UN’s Trillion Tree Campaign, the low-tech solution to climate change
By: Thomas Crowther
Tags: Climate Change, Ecology, Climate, United Nations, Climate Crisis

Last year, a Swiss laboratory published a report revealing that there are 1.7 billion hectares of unused land where over a trillion new trees could have room to grow. The founder of that laboratory, Thomas Crowther, told The Agenda with Stephen Cole why he believes that planting trees is one of the most effective ways of mitigating climate change.

“There is huge potential for carbon drawdown,” he says, “larger than any other carbon drawdown solution available to humans… and it’s a low-tech solution.”

Crowther is also the Chief Scientific Advisor to the UN’s Trillion Tree Campaign. When asked whether he was optimistic that he could plant a trillion trees in the next decade, he said: “Even if we don’t achieve a trillion trees, every single step in the right direction is valuable for its biodiversity and for climate change.”

CLICK: FOR MORE STORIES FROM THE AGENDA WITH STEPHEN COLE
Hopeful Rivals: Bridging the Farmers and Herders divide
Tags: Herders, Farmers, Peace, United Nations

For some of us in Nigeria, casualties from the notorious farmer-herder crisis are just mere statistics we see almost every day in the news. We almost never think of it after the 9:00pm NTA news. But for some, this translates to loss, fear and anguish in their lives.

Agba Amos sets out early every morning with his family to work on their vast farm which contains produce like yam, rice, millet etc not far from their home in Keana. On the other end of Keana, Ramatu Musa Abubakar’s daily routine is to prepare food for her teenage boy before he sets out to graze their family cattle in the town.

The framer-herder crisis in Nasarawa State dates back to 2017. While studies have outlined land struggle and weather to be triggers to this conflict, other factors have also played a huge role. For example, the same crisis occurring in Benue State as a result of the anti-grazing law which took effect on 1st November 2017, has forced a large number of herders into the State.

According to Agba, “We asked them (herders) why they were hostile towards us, and they replied that since they were driven out of Benue, we too will not stay here and farm. We reported to the King and Local government chairman for help.”

Farmers in the area have complained of herders leading their cattle into their farms and the cattle eating anything they come across, destroying their crops and leaving little for them to harvest.

Herders on the other hand complain of hostility from farmers and lack of accommodation for them to graze their cattle.

As Ramatu recounted, “farmers don’t leave pathways for our cattle, and when the cattle pass their farm, they get angry and attack our children. Sometimes they report us to the enforcement agents and they ask us to pay exorbitant fines, i don’t think that’s fair.”

Both communities have suffered tremendous losses while this crisis has carried on for years. International Crisis group in 2018 reported that from 2017 to 2018, 1,500 lives have been lost and several others displaced as a result of this crisis; 1,300 from January to June 2018 alone, 260 of which were reported in Nasarawa State.

Apart from the devastating humanitarian toll this has caused, it has also affected food and economic security across the communities and Nigeria at large. The conflict puts a halt to the farming and graving activities because people who are dependent on farming and herding are too scared to carry on with their economic activities.

Locals from the farmer and herder communities have expressed hope in the resolution of the conflict so as to be able to lead peaceful lives and coexistence. “we want to sit and talk with the herders so we can live in peace,” Agba said. “We want to come to a compromise with farmers so that everyone can live in peace and we will not encroach on each other’s land, Government should help us,” Ramatu added.

In order to aid in peace building amongst the farmer and herder communities, United Nations Development (UNDP) seeks to let affected communities tell their story and their hope for ending the conflict.
Will Historic UN Vote Help Grow Cannabis?
By: Womble Bond Dickinson
Tags: Cannabis, Legalization, United Nations

Photo by Frederic Köberl on Unsplash

In a significant move forward for cannabis research and legalization, a United Nations Commission voted to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. What does the vote mean for the future of cannabis?

While some may view the vote as largely symbolic, the historic vote speaks directly to the recognized value and therapeutic potential of cannabis.

A Vote Recognizing Cannabis’ Therapeutic Value.

The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs vote followed a January 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resins from Schedule IV. In making the recommendation, the WHO recognized the therapeutic potential of cannabis.

The United States voted in favor of the removal which passed 27 to 25 (with 1 abstention). In a statement explaining its vote, the US noted, “the legitimate medical use of a cannabis preparation has been established through scientific research, and cannabis no longer meets the criterion for placement in Schedule IV of the Single Convention.”

A Vote to Stimulate Cannabis Research.

The Schedule IV classification had placed cannabis in the strictest control schedule that discouraged use even for medicinal purposes. The vote will likely spur additional research regarding the therapeutic and palliative benefits of cannabis. In fact, in explaining its vote, the US specifically cited “the potential to stimulate global research into the therapeutic potential and public health effects of cannabis, and to attract additional investigators to the field, including those who may have been deterred by the Schedule IV status of cannabis.“

A Vote that Impacts Legalization Efforts?

While individual governments will continue to debate the legalization of cannabis, the UN vote provides clear evidence of a changing landscape favoring legalization efforts worldwide. In fact, on the same day as the UN vote, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, H.R. 3884, cleared the House Rules Committee and is headed for a vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Among other things, the MORE Act aims to remove marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act.
UN Vote: Cannabis is Officially a Medicine
By: Katya Kowalski
Tags: Drugs, United Nations, Cannabis, Cannabis Medical, Policy

The decision was voted on by the Commission for Narcotic Drugs. A series of recommendations on reclassifying cannabis were considered, the key being the removal of it from Schedule IV of 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The five remaining recommendations were turned down.

The reclassification passed 27 to 25 with one abstention — so, a narrow win. The US and many European countries were in favour. Whereas countries such as China, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and Russia voted against.

This decision will undoubtedly advance the expansion of medical cannabis research and bolster legalisation efforts globally, hopefully encouraging improvements for patient access.

Cannabis is certainly ‘coming of age’ with medical use and CBD increasing massively in recent years. This has allowed cannabis to be increasingly seen as a health and wellness product.

However, this is not new — the use of cannabis medicinally can be traced back thousands of years. The prohibition of the drug is rooted in prejudice and racism, disregarding traditional medicine.

Now, we are catching up. The UN’s decision is a catalyst of change to legalise cannabis globally. The vote will impact the way cannabis is perceived, removing some of the stigma attached to the drug with the UN’s stamp of approval.

The UN’s stamp of approval helps normalise and legitimise cannabis use medically. However, this decision will not loosen international controls — reform is likely to still be a slow process.

Although a huge historic victory, the vote has no immediate effect internationally. Governments still have the power to decide how cannabis is classified within their country.

China stated they will continue to strictly control cannabis to protect citizens from harm. And although the UK voted in favour of reclassification, they still strongly support international control for cannabis as it presents “serious public health risks.”

Clearly, there are still barriers to accepting cannabis as a recreational drug. We must address this disjointed message of cannabis being a medicine but still “posing significant health risks.” International drug policy remains complex with vastly differing messages.

Regardless, this vote is a step in the right direction.

Countries often look to the UN for guidance on global conventions, in which case this ruling should help. Despite the ruling being ‘symbolic’ in many ways, it should still boost legalisation efforts in countries following the UN for legislation. There is certainly potential for national rescheduling to occur, removing obstacles for medical cannabis.

This incredible news will likely encourage the regulation of cannabis at a global level. Hopefully, this will allow for greater medical access and further research to understand the full therapeutic potential cannabis has.

Although not a major change legally, this is a massive change for the UN to explicitly recognise and recommend the use of cannabis medically.

We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves as this is only a start to solving the problem, but it is a good start.
193 Seats Out Of 195 ClaimsA Majority
By: Pierre Trudel
Tags: Human Rights, Theequest, United Nations, Womens Rights, Love

There are 193 countries at the United Nations out of 195 in the world. If we have all world leaders sitting at the same time in these 193 seats, could we dramatically solve world issues?

Would any of them make negative comments about all people of the world having the right to live a decent life without fear?

Would they agree that women and men are equal in all countries on earth?

Could they agree to accept all minorities such as the Black Life Matters to exist with the rest of the world?

Should they agree that all minorities, such as The LGBTQI are all men and women, need to be respected equally with other human beings?

Could they agree to terminate using a negative term such as “minorities” in any country on earth and that we should be recongnized only as “Human Beings”?

Would any of them dare face the world on live television, with all type of media that exists today, and share any reason to object, to any of the aforementioned statements above?

Many of the World Problems are just that, World Issues. Climate change, Global warming, Codvi19, and many others need worldly attention, but Human Problems are much more important, in order to save the planet.

If you as readers agree with Thee Quest, join our Publication and help us fight the fights that are Human.

Amen

Copyright © 2020 Pierre Trudel aka Louise All Rights Reserved
HUMAN RIGHTS & RULE OF LAW
By: Mohsin Durrani
Tags: Human Rights, Human Rights Council, United Nations, Rule Of Law, Equality

The term “Rule of Law” is derived from the French phrase ‘La Principe de Legality’ (the principle of legality). Rule of Law means that Law is supreme and is above every individual. No individual whether if he is rich, poor, rulers or ruled are above law and they should obey it. Laws are made for the welfare of the people to maintain harmony between the conflicting forces in society. Justice and the rule of law are also fundamental for development.

Rule of law has been part of the United Nation’s agenda for quite some time. The Secretary General has defined rule of law under the following terms: “For the United Nations, the rule of law refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards. the rule of law is a key element that provides context and, at the same time, qualifies the operation of other elements which are central for the observance of human rights.

We still live in a world where widespread human rights violations are the norm rather than the exception. Rule of law is seen as directly integral to the implementation of rights. The notion of rule of law is widely present in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In its preamble, it is stated “that human rights should be protected by the rule of law”.

What needs to be understood is the importance of rule of law when it comes to promoting equality, equal access, equal opportunity which are all fundamental to sustainable development, and how important it is to fighting inequality, which, of course, is at the heart of the human rights debate.

Furthermore, the rights enumerated in its Articles 3 to 11 all describe basic aspects of the rule of law; life, liberty and security, ban on slavery, recognition before the law, equality before the law, effective remedies by a competent tribunal, protection from arbitrary arrest, fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal & presumption of innocence.

The rule of law promotes inclusive economic growth and builds accountable institutions that underpin sustainable development. The rule of law helps make basic services such as education, health and sanitation available for all. The rule of law empowers citizens to address underlying causes of inequality and exclusion. The rule of law and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.
Australia and the Netherlands Commit to Work to Repeal the Death Penalty for Apostasy and Blasphemy
By: Smpf Media
Tags: Holland, Australia, Blasphemy, United Nations, Apostasy

PRESS RELEASE 27 November 2020

Australia as part of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance will be prioritising the repeal of the death penalty for #apostasy and #blasphemy laws at the UN.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne stated to the Ministerial Forum of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance last week:

“When it comes to the use of the death penalty for apostasy or blasphemy, we have been strong in our advocacy, including in the Asia Bibi case in Pakistan. So, we look forward to joining with Alliance members to multiply our efforts as we work against the death penalty in similar instances.”

You can read Minister Payne’s full statement here.

The Netherlands has also joined Australia in their efforts, as shared by the Religious Freedom and Belief Ambassador Jos Douma on twitter this week.
From India in solidarity: Ending the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women
By: World Food Programme
Tags: Violence Against Women, India, United Nations, Women, Hunger

What happened with gender-based violence during lockdown?

Reported cases more than doubled during the pandemic — we can only imagine how unreported cases must really have increased. The extent of suffering is actually much larger than what is being seen.

Home is not necessarily a safe space for victims of domestic violence — daily, all the time, you’re enclosed with the perpetrator.

You are not able to call for help. You are really suffering in silence.

WFP’s Ardhana ‘at peace’ at home. Photo: WFP India

How is GBV linked to food insecurity?

Research shows domestic violence is very closely correlated with families’ level of income. It’s actually higher among lower-income households, and more food-insecure ones.

The increased incidence of domestic violence is linked to loss of livelihoods, loss of access to food — so there is a direct bearing. The more the food insecurity, the more mental stress that is caused, within households, and the more it perpetuates in the form of domestic violence.

How many people does WFP provide food assistance to in India?

WFP doesn’t provide direct food assistance in India — we are there to work with the Government, providing technical assistance to strengthen the existing food safety nets, as well as advocating for any different new approaches that might be required to make schemes more inclusive.

Why would you say gender issues are important?

Gender is critical here because we cannot envisage a hunger-free world if all women, men, girls and boys do not have equal opportunity, equal access to food, equal voice in decision-making.

Kriti shared some ‘together’ time with her family at home, and absolutely loved it. Photo: WFP India

How does that work in practice?

The concept is built into in the technical assistance we provide to ensure that Government programmes are also able to reach every woman, man, girl and boy equally and cater to all the different intersectionalities that exist within gender and inclusion.
Following Monday’s Houthi attack on associate oil facility in Jeddah, the dominion urged the world…
Tags: USA, United Nations, UN, Saudi Arabia

Following Monday’s Houthi attack on associate oil facility in Jeddah, the dominion urged the world organization council to “stop the threat” to world energy security, Yemen’s political process, and regional stability.

In a very letter to the 15-member body, Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdallah Al-Mouallimi same the dominion would “spare no efforts” to guard its territory and citizens. “It has been known that the Houthi militia, backed by Iran, is to blame for the terrorist attack,” Al-Mouallimi wrote within the letter.

He known as on the international community to follow in the footsteps of the U.S.A. by designating the militia a terrorist organization.

The analyst same that whereas the world organization continues to hunt an answer to the problem, “we still see these attacks backed by Islamic Republic of Iran and dead through Sanaa.” Saudi Aramco said on weekday that a Houthi strike on its plant in Jeddah molding a hole in an oil tank, triggering an explosion and hearth in another assault on the Kingdom’s energy infrastructure.

The roof of the tank suffered “major damage,” said Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, manager of the North Jeddah Bulk Plant. The manager said distribution from the plant, that provides refined merchandise together with jet fuel to the country’s west, was restored within 3 hours even if the broken tank — one in all thirteen — remained out of action. Meanwhile, the Arab coalition same it had destroyed 5 mines ordered by the Houthis within the Red Sea.

The mines were of the Iranian-made “Sadaf” type. The coalition had destroyed a complete of regarding 163 ocean mines left by the Houthis. “The Houthis still cause a threat to maritime security and regional stability,” Al-Shehri said.
3 Mistakes Early Construction Tech Start-Ups Make
Tags: Construction Tech, Mistakes To Avoid, Startup, Construction

2. Not Leveraging Construction Practitioners’ Knowledge

Now, you may have a genuine “Why-story” (and the answer may just be: “construction is a b.i.g. market”) and be an outsider. And it’s OK. You will set new eyes on the construction industry and that’s fantastic. You will see opportunities everywhere to the point that it will become overwhelming. You will wonder how it is even possible that things are done the same way as they used to get done 50 years ago. Yet, don’t jump to the conclusion on what the solution could be: instead, talk to construction folks around you and start by asking them what they perceive the problem to be.

For example, an entrepreneur shared their observation of seeing a lot of “avoidable” rework on a tenant improvement project during the installation of finishes (e.g., acoustical wall panels). As a result, they wanted to create an app that guides workers (i.e., “how-to”) during the installation to guarantee the quality of the installation. What the entrepreneur assumed here was that rework in this case was caused by unskilled labor. However, had the entrepreneur asked a few questions directly to the workers, they would have understood that the rework in this case was rather due to a misalignment of incentives: the worker was paid by square footage of installed wall panel and was therefore incentivized to go as fast as possible.

My recommendation is to talk to people doing the work and ask them open-ended questions (craft your questions carefully as the quality of your questions will determine the quality of their answers!) and learn to listen. This leads to my next point.
Paver Block moulds by dittofix
By: Dittofix-India'S Largest Paver Moulds Manufacture
Tags: Paver Moulds, Paver, Construction

we ar India paver block moulds manufacturer from past 10 years we have expertise in paver moulds manufacturing business, and we have also a very satisfied client base and a number of products provide by dittofix.

we are known for our quality, and services in industries. if you are dealing with that once you connect with us, then you will also become a permanent member of our business.
Mechanical Concrete
By: Users Note
Tags: Civil Engineering, Innovation, Road Construction, Technology, Construction

Mechanical Concrete is a road building revolution. Mechanical Concrete is a cylinder aggregate confinement technology. Mechanical concrete invented by Samuel G. Bonasso, P.E., F. ASCE. It confines all types of aggregate materials in a free standing, self-supporting steel geo-cylinder, similar to a single geocell. The mechanical concrete bottom line is a quantum leap forward in strength, scalability, and economy for confinement technology. It reuses a major social waste product like auto tire.

Samuel G. Bonasso is a civil engineer. He is a writer and an adjunct professor of civil engineering at west virginia university. He served publicly as WV Secretary of transportation and as a senior official for the USDOT in washington, DC.

He discovered Mechanical Concrete in 2004 and received a US Patent for the technology in 2008. Mechanical Concrete is filling tire derived cylinders. The mechanical concrete system of road building transforms waste tires into ‘geo-cylinders’, which function as lateral reinforcement elements and make road construction more affordable, faster and more sustainable. South African construction company Tiro Sechaba secured the licensing rights to the mechanical concrete technique and has been granted patent protection in South Africa.
Get High Performance Caterpillar Marine Engines from Al-Bahar
Tags: Automotive, Marine Engines, Power System, Construction

Al-Bahar brings to you the widest range of Caterpillar marine engines. Get high performance machines at affordable rates at the most trusted Cat distributor in UAE.