How is a nearly 70-year-old organization keeping up with the times? The United Nations is getting innovative with some thinking that is quite literally out of the box. Late last week, lawmakers on Capitol Hill got a firsthand look at some of the most exciting new ideas coming out of UN agencies as they look for new ways to confront the world’s most grave crises. Miss the reception? Check out some of the top ideas […]

Over 220 million women and girls around the world want to plan or prevent their next pregnancy, but lack access to quality contraceptive information and services. Meeting this unmet need for family planning education and services could reduce maternal mortality by one-third, infant mortality by one-fifth, and unsafe abortions by three-quarters. In addition to saving lives, providing family planning services creates a ripple effect that allows girls to stay in school, women to earn higher

We are in the middle of two important weeks for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight goals set in 2000 at the United Nations to reduce poverty and improve lives. Right now, a number of partners around the world are stepping action to build MDG momentum because progress on the MDGs means progress for millions of lives. Here’s a recap: 1.    On June 25, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Governments

Big news came out today: The annual report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight goals established in 2000 by world leaders at the United Nations – shows that the world is making significant progress in reducing poverty and improving lives. This didn’t happen by chance; it happened by choice. The MDGs have provided common goals for the global community to rally around and spurred partners into action. No doubt, there is a lot

Right now, the world faces two defining challenges: climate change and extreme poverty. Roughly 1.2 billion people don’t have access to electricity, which means children don’t have light to study at night, business owners don’t have electricity for their shops, and health clinics don’t have power to perform life-saving surgery at night. At the same time, our current energy use is causing the climate to change in ways that threaten the air, land, and water

“Human rights are for everyone, no matter who you are or whom you love,” wrote United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in May. He also wrote, “Equality begins at home.” This week, the UN put these powerful words into action right from its headquarters: The UN announced that it has widened its internal staff policy to recognize the marriage of all same-sex couples wed in a country where same-sex marriage is legal. This important step is

Adolescent girls have the power to transform their families, communities, and our world. But in order to do so, they need the education, tools, and services to transform their own lives. Unfortunately, far too many girls cannot reach their full potential because of a lack of sexual and reproductive health and rights. They are often forced into early marriage, drop out of school, and have children before their bodies are ready. This World Population Day,

Every Monday over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight goals established in 2000 by world leaders gathered at the United Nations. These goals form the world’s “to-do list” to give millions of vulnerable people the opportunity to stay healthy, get an education, and build a better life for their families. This week we’re kicking off by highlighting MDG 1. Here is what you need to know: What

Big news: Last week, the Girls Count Act of 2014 was introduced in the U.S. Senate – and we have to act now! Here’s what you need to know: What’s the issue? According to UNICEF, one out of three children in the world is not registered at birth. What’s the problem? Not having a birth certificate often prevents a girl from going to school, seeing a doctor, and getting a job when she’s older. What’s