As we think about the post-2015 development agenda and try to make sure that the much bandied notion of “women’s empowerment” (WE henceforth) gets its due attention, it may be time to stop and think further about what the term implies and includes. Broadly speaking WE is about gender equality in all walks of life, and in particular, about giving women the same rights of choice and control over the circumstances of their lives that […]

August 18, 2014 marks 500 days until the target date for the Millennium Development Goals – eight goals to improve lives around the world. We recently asked Leith Greenslade, a Vice Chair of the MDG Health Alliance in the office of the UN Special Envoy for Financing the Health MDGs, about where we are on the health-related MDGs. Jenni Lee: Both child and maternal mortality rates (MDGs 4 & 5) have been cut nearly in

I’m not sure what’s on your calendar for August 18, but it’s an important day for so many people who are working to build a better world. Why? On August 18, there will be only 500 days left until the target date to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs are the world’s “to-do list” to alleviate poverty and improve millions of lives. The world embraced these eight goals at the United Nations in

Right now, conflicts around the world – Syria, South Sudan, Gaza, Central African Republic, and more – have put more pressure than ever on humanitarian aid groups and the United Nations. While the news can be overwhelming, what gives me hope are the stories of individuals, both those who manage to persevere in some of the world’s more dire situations and those who run toward these situations to help. On World Humanitarian Day today, we

The word “partnership” is one of those ambiguous terms that can be difficult to define. To partner means “to join with someone or something” – the word “with” being the most important as it means a mutually agreed upon, shared way to work together. The very nature of partnerships is that they differ depending on the relationships between parties – no two partnerships are alike, and this is what makes the process so exciting. The

On Monday, thousands of people and organizations from across six continents and more than 70 countries – from Colombia to China, Ghana to Georgia – spoke out about the importance of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight global goals to alleviate poverty and promote opportunity. Throughout the day, partners shared solutions and opportunities for MDG progress in a conversation that included over 10,000 contributors and reached more than 43 million people. With under 500 days

Climate change will be at the center of global attention next month as dozens of global leaders – reportedly including U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping – assemble at the United Nations for a Climate Summit, along with thousands of ordinary citizens from all over the world. On September 23, the Climate Summit, called by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will bring together the world’s political leaders to discuss how best to accelerate progress

As vital stakeholders in ever-growing global challenges, youth need a strong voice at the United Nations. To help connect young Americans to the work of the UN, please join me in welcoming Jackson Dougan as the 2014-2015 U.S. Youth Observer! A recent graduate of Oregon State University, Jackson resides in Hood River, OR, where he conducts scientific research related to climate change. He is an impassioned LGBT and minority rights activist and is dedicated to

Reliable electricity is essential to powering emergency medical equipment, storing blood and vaccines, and performing basic health procedures, especially after dark. Without reliable electricity, pregnant women deliver in the dark or are unable to undergo an emergency cesarean section at night. Children do not have access to life-saving vaccines or critical emergency care. Women do not have full access to vital pre- and post-natal maternal health care services. And communities, lacking critical infrastructure, are less