Last week, the United Nations Foundation partnered with the U.S. Embassy in France, Swarovski, and UN Women to commemorate International Women’s Day by convening leading dignitaries, celebrities, and experts to discuss both the challenges and successes on gender equality and women’s empowerment.  During the event, I moderated a conversation with Jane Hartley, U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco, Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Executive Board of Swarovski, Kristin Hetle, Director of Strategic Partnerships for UN

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Girl Up Teen Advisor Sophie Tegenu, and originally appeared on the Girl Up blog. This post launches a new blog series, “Her Goals: Our Future,” which over the coming months will highlight the connections between girls and women and the Sustainable Development Goals. 17 is a magic number. Apollo 17 went to the moon; Michelle Obama was born on January 17; John Lennon met Paul McCartney when he

Today the world celebrates International Women’s Day, so I want to share some of the stories we’re reading about the challenges and opportunities facing girls and women. The United Nations has made empowering girls and women a key priority, and last year world leaders gathered at the UN and adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. These stories are examples of how girls and women are changing

Today is International Women’s Day, a moment when the world comes together to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women everywhere. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our progress – and draw attention to the challenges that still face girls and women around the globe every day. That’s particularly true this year, as the world gets to work to achieve the new global goals for sustainable development, one of the most comprehensive

Interested in connecting with the ideas on the forefront of global change? One of the best ways is to follow the concepts – and their authors and advocates – that are making headlines and headway this year. They have caught my attention for their unique approach to advocacy, journalism, and public engagement.  Last week I posted a list of some of the people I am following. This week I am introducing 26 concepts (and their creators,

As an infant in India, Minda Dentler contracted polio, which resulted in the paralysis of her legs. She has never let the disease slow her down though: She is a triathlete, a mother, and a Champion for the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign, which supports the work of the United Nations to provide access to vaccines for children around the world. Dentler was recently in Washington, D.C. for the Shot@Life Champion Summit, where I had

This weekend I will be heading to Austin, Texas for the SXSW Social Good Hub (SXgood Hub, for short) to connect with innovators who are driving change around the world. This is the third year that SXSW and the United Nations Foundation are coming together to host a two-day program to highlight ways that music, film, and interactive content inspires people to take action for social change. Whether or not you are able to be

Children in the primary school in Sitalapati village, Sindhuli district, Nepal, on September 14, 2015.Photograph by Prashant Panjiar This post is part of the blog series, “Her Goals: Our Future,” which highlights the connections between girls and women and the Sustainable Development Goals. *** The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development maps out a bold vision for the future: a world that is healthier, more equitable, more prosperous, more peaceful, and more sustainable for everyone. But