United Nations
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The Policy Barriers to Reducing Meat Consumption
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The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has consistently emphasized the need to reduce animal-based food consumption in Western countries in its annual report, The State of Food and Agriculture. In particular, reducing red and processed meat for public health and environmental reasons1. The 2024 edition emphasizes sustainability and health,…
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Modern Families: An Interview with UN Women on Progress of the World’s Women 2019–2020: Families in a Changing World
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Ginette Azcona is a Research and Data Policy Specialist at UN Women and currently leads the data and statistics work for UN Women’s flagship reports, including UN Women’s Progress of the World’s Women, Survey on the Role of Women in Development, and the 2018 SDG report Turning Promises into Action. She…
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Achieving Sustainable Development By Prioritizing Gender: An Interview with Ginette Azcona
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On January 1, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—adopted by 193 United Nations member countries in September 2015—officially took effect. Among the goals is a commitment to achieve gender equality and end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.…
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‘All Countries Have a Stake’: Dr. Kennette Benedict Talks Nuclear Security and Global Responsibility
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People and nations worldwide cannot be assured of their safety as long as nuclear warheads remain ready for launch. How do we address the unspeakable dangers of nuclear war in today’s political climate? Dr. Kennette Benedict speaks about current and future nuclear security considerations in light of global responsibility and…
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The Future of US Foreign Policy: An End to Liberal Internationalism?
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Liberal internationalism, despite what the phrase may imply, does not favor the views of Democrats over Republicans. Instead, liberal internationalism features bipartisan values—including freedom, democracy, an open global economy, and respect for human rights. Defined by international engagement, it promotes liberal states’ engagement with other states’ affairs and wider global…
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Is Israel’s Wall Corroding Peace in Gaza?
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Despite the official Israeli demilitarization of the Gaza Strip in 2005, international organizations argue that Israel holds de-facto control over the strip since it controls all but one of the border crossings in addition to holding direct command of Gazan air and maritime space. The two recent major conflicts between…
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COP21 – Insights into Climate Negotiations from Halldór Thorgeirsson
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Halldór Thorgeirsson, Director for Strategy at the UN Climate Change Secretariat, shares his insights into international political negotiations, the implications of the Paris climate agreement, and why it is so important to empower cities, private companies, and consumers in an effort to limit the effects of climate change.
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The Economic Role of Refugees: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
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The massive inflow of refugees in Europe has received unprecedented attention from the media, international agencies, and policymakers, and has generated an intense debate over adequate policy responses. However, refugees in Europe make up a fraction of the world’s forced migrations. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 86 percent of…
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Why the UN Can’t Stop Civilian Slaughter
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Though the perceived function of the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations is to protect civilians in conflict, it is often unable to fulfill its role in safeguarding vulnerable lives. What hinders the organization from preventing loss of civilian life, and why? Authors Bellamy and Hunt explore the expectations attached to…
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The Evolution and Challenges of UN Targeted Sanctions
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In 1990, the United Nations Security Council imposed several economic sanctions on Iraq in response to Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. These measures were aimed at restoring international peace and security; however, they failed to accomplish their goals while raising political, economic, and humanitarian concerns. This was also the case…
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Editor’s Note: Forecasting Effects of Climate Change
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An introduction to a series on climate change.