IAEA's Scientific Forum 2010: Cancer in Developing Countries - Facing the Challenge

Hello Bloggers,

As you may have heard or read, this year's Scientific Forum taking place on the 21-22 September 2010 will focus on cancer in developing countries. The IAEA has shown great initiative in this global epidemic and feel that it is time to inform and educate the world of the developed technologies available and expertise available. A great event running alongside the General Conference 2010, which is IAEA's most important annual conference, involving Member States and other influential VIPs.

Thoughts??

Sorry...

Dear Bloggers!

Sorry for not updating my blog for over 2 months!!! This was due to my internship with the International Atomic Energy Agency which I started towards the end of June. As I am nearing the end of my internship I have found some time to start writing again about current global issues that are of great interest to me and hopefully of significance to you...

 

News Flash: Indian Plane Crash!

An Air India Express flight which departed from Dubai has crashed killing around 160 people. The crash took place in South India near the city Mangalore.

R.I.P

The Conservative Party: "Vote For Change"

Hello Bloggers!

This is a one minute campaign released by the Conservative Party:



What are you thoughts?

The Labour Party: "Our Vision For A Future Fair For All"

Hello Bloggers!

With the England General Elections coming up this Thursday, I thought I would post a few things surrounding the two main parties. This is just a little video released by the Labour Party. It outlines their manifesto in a humorous way. Check it out:

... and what did you think?

Islamic Veil Ban in France!

Hello Bloggers!

It has come to my attention that the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy is implementing a legislation that would ban Muslim women from wearing veils in public places.

Sarkozy has repeatedly said "that such clothing oppresses women and is not welcome in France" (The Huffington Post).

A parliament spokesperson has revealed to the press that a bill banning the use of burka-like veils will be passed in May.

France has the biggest Muslim community in Europe and many politicians around the world worry there will be a cultural clash between the Muslims and the Western people, due to this upcoming ban. Yet, Sarkozy believes the ban is necessary for national security and the promotion of gender equality. However, Sarkozy is forgetting that the burka is not a religious requirement, Muslim women choose to wear it. The burka is their interpretation of dressing modestly which the Qu'ran instructs. So the gender equality part is a bit confusing. Some people reveal too much, so shouldn't others be able to cover themselves up if they please? Are dress codes really an obstruction to national or cultural values?

This debate has been ongoing since 2009 and legislation against Islamic veils will be finalised this summer. I guess France is following in the footsteps of Belgium, who is next?

What are your thoughts on this? Isn't this a violation of human rights? Or do you believe this is a necessary step to take in order to optimize national security and promote gender equality nationwide?

Ash Cloud Dilemma

Hello Bloggers!

As all of you might have heard, the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland has caused air travel chaos across Europe, stranding 1,000,000 of travellers!!! 

Airline companies such as British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Ryan Air and many others have been canceling both short-haul and long-haul flights due to the very high risks the fine particles of rock and glass erupted by the volcano may cause.

Scientists have proven that when these fine particles composed of glass and rock are "sucked into aircraft engines and rapidly heated can quickly clog vital intake valves with molten glass, causing the engine to overheat and fail." However, Air France, Lufthansa and KLM have carried out test flights through the ash cloud without any kind of damage to the aircraft.

"We observed no irregularities either during the flight or during the initial inspection on the ground," Peter Hartman, KLM's chief executive who was aboard Saturday's flight, said.

Lufthansa flew 10 long-haul planes from Munich to Frankfurt through the ash cloud and reported there was not even an indication of a scratch on any of the planes. 

No one knows how long the ash cloud will last, so the question arises, are flight bans really necessary even after test flights have proven otherwise? Are civil aviation authorities being overly precarious? Thoughts??

Video: Reasons for Obama's Nuclear Security Summit

Hello Bloggers!

This is a short video on the background of the nuclear summit taking place now:



Thoughts?

Obama's Nuclear Security Summit

Hello Bloggers!

President Obama's 2-day summit on nuclear safety will take place tomorrow (Monday) in Washington DC. It is expected to be one of the largest global gatherings of world leaders (46 countries) after the UN charter was signed back 1945. The main focus of the summit is to discuss the safeguarding of nuclear weapons and plan preventative measures that will keep nuclear materials away from terrorists, who intend build to use them for mass destruction. The summit will also run with specific emphasis on Pakistan and India as the "U.S. administration is trying to balance its policies in Afghanistan with the rising ambitions of the two neighbours."

Last weeks President Obama signed a new treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear stockpiles of both U.S. and Russia. The U.S. is currently in the process of negotiating with the "four other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions," CNN reports. The Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) put into place only allows recognized 'Nuclear Weapon States' possess such weapons.The Obama administration has made it clear, they will attack non-nuclear countries that are in compliance with non-proliferation agreements, with a generation of newly developed weapons.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an interview, "that the new policy left Iran vulnerable to a U.S. nuclear attack because Iran refuses to comply with non-proliferation agreements."

All of the recent events and the summit tomorrow aim to meet one of Obama's objectives, which is "to mobilise a unified global effort against nuclear proliferation." Republicans among others have heavily criticized Obama's strategy as being "weak and troublesome."

Do you think Obama's strategy to fight the spreading of nuclear weapons destroys ambiguity of a nations' foreign policy, as uncertainty in foreign policy is viewed as being good by many scholars? Would you consider Obama's strategic efforts as being weak? Any thoughts? 

News Flash: Polish President Dies in Plane Crash

The Polish President Lech Kaczynski and another 90 passengers have died in a tragic plane crash!

Several other government officials and the Presidents wife have also died in this air crash. The crash took place near Smolensk airport in Western Russia.

A polish Journalist said "the fact that much of the Polish political establishment appears to have been wiped out on this single flight has really come as a profound shock to the Polish nation," he said. An early presidential election has been announced by Polish Authorities, to elect a new leader for the people of Poland. 

Any thoughts?

9/11 and the media

Hello Bloggers!

The events of 9/11 are of great interest to me and therefore I decided to do my dissertation on how Al-Jazeera and CNN analysed post 9/11 with reference to Arab and US cultural values.

I want to explore how different cultures interpret the media coverage on post 9/11 events. I think it's fascinating to investigate how these values are embedded in the media content.

Therefore, I wanted to ask you all, what are your thoughts on the 9/11 events? Do you believe in the conspiracy theories? Do your cultural values interfere in the way you interpret media content?

Voice your opinions!

Twin suicide bombings in the Moscow subway system!

Hello Bloggers!

Two female suicide bombers are responsible for the bombings in the Moscow subway system which has killed 39 commuters and injured many in yesterdays (29 March 2010) morning rush hour. Bombs went off on two separate subway stations (Lubyanka and Park Kultury) with 40 minutes apart. President Medvedev said "that those responsible for them will be found and destroyed". No group or terrorist organisation has claimed the responsibility for these attacks in Moscow, but Russian Authorities are blaming North Caucasus rebels as they were responsible for previous attacks between Moscow and St. Petersburg in November 2009.  




The UN Security Council and the General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon have released a statement regarding the terrorist attacks, claiming that "terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threat to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation". The UN has also expressed their 'determination to combat all forms of terrorism".

What are your thoughts on the Moscow bombings? What do you think of female suicide bombers? Is a new trend emerging?

Osama Bin Laden: Theatens Revenge!

Hello Bloggers!

Osama Bin Laden has released a new video statement via Al-Jazeera, often called the mouthpiece of the Al Qaeda leader.

In this video Osama Bin Laden threatens to kill any captured Americans if the White House pulls through with their plan to execute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed one of the “masterminds behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks.” 

Osama Bin Laden accuses Obama of stepping in the footsteps of Bush and escalating the war in Afghanistan. Osama also expresses his feelings towards the U.S. support towards Israel that has resulted in continuous U.S. occupation in Palestine. As to the White House, no direct comments were made regarding the threat but they have increased measures to destroy the Al Qaeda network.

What are your thoughts on this new threat? Should Americans be worried? Do you believe a terrorist attack like the 9/11 is likely to happen again in the U.S.?

Arms trafficking

Hello Bloggers!

Yesterday at a Security Council meeting the issue of weapons trafficking (smuggling of weapons or ammunition) was raised. UN Officials are worried that it is threatening peacekeeping processes in Central Africa. Selling of small arms and light weapons have become a popular black market structure in Central Africa and it is valued at around 300,000,000 dollars annually!

The Security Council has started encouraging states in the sub-region to join forces in order to effectively pursue measures to limit the illegal trade, implement arms embargoes and to create regional information networks on the circulation and trafficking of weapons. Many UN reports have concluded that arms trafficking dramatically increases the risk of gender-based violence and recruitment of child soldiers as well as threatening peace, security and sustainable development.

I think arms trafficking fuels wars and in the hands of terrorists these light weapons have the power to kill hundreds of innocent and vulnerable people! It violates international law and puts many people at risk.

What are you thoughts on arms trafficking and what other issues arise from it? What would you recommend in terms of limiting the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons?

UNICEF: Child marriage violates human rights!

Hello Bloggers!

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has shown a crucial support against child marriage. In Bengal nearly 1/2 of all girls are getting married and about 1/3 pregnant before the legal age of 18! Children miss out on their childhood and most importantly the opportunity of getting a proper education. 

UNICEF defines child marriage to be a violation against human rights and have identified a few consequences associated to it: denial of education, health problems and abuse. Due to this, the need and urgency of implementing laws that prohibit these types of marriages is stressed.

Around 225 children and UNICEF have gotten together to launch the movement called "My Childhood, My Right" in West Bengal. Children are recognising what is rightfully theirs and demanding it! 

I think the government of West Bengal have to implement laws against child marriage, mainly to protect children and encourage the improvement/development of communities, therefore, instead of getting married; children need to gain proper education. I believe UNICEF's effort is the right way forward to voice the problems of the unheard.

What is your opinion on child marriage and how much do you know about it? 

Hope you are enjoying the weekend!

Chile after massive earthquake!

Just a quick newsflash:

After the devastating earthquake on the 27 February 2010, the UN and its Member States are assisting the people in need. The earthquake was of 8.8 magnitudes and has killed 723 people as well as affected around 2,000,000 people! There is no electricity, food or water!

On top of that, there is the risk of a Hepatitis A outbreak as the result of the earthquake. The Chile Government has requested around 800,000 vaccines to avoid the risk; Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is seeking to secure donations of 800,000 doses of the Hep A vaccine from pharmaceutical companies around the world.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is helping Chile with offering 30 tonnes of food, packaged and ready for transportation from Ecuador, to feed the starving.

After Haiti, NOW Chile, what a disastrous start in to the year!

Death penalty: Should it stay or go?

Good Morning Bloggers!

A UN report has concluded in its findings that the support for abolishing the death penalty is increasing. What are your thoughts on the death penalty? Should it be abolished?

I personally think it should be abolished because I believe living behind bars is a bigger punishment for those who have committed crime! 
What are your reasons for supporting or disagreeing with the death penalty?

Voice your opinions!

Mission in Haiti

Good Evening Bloggers!

Tonight I am blogging about the shocking number of people in need of aid in Haiti!

The UN reports 'there is still a lot to be done' after the really bad earthquake in Haiti. There are about 1,000,000 people homeless and 230,000 deaths. Can you believe ONLY 330,000 people have been given emergency shelter? 70 per cent of resources have yet to be collected to build an interim shelter for the remaining homeless before the rainy season kicks in!

The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) reckons that realistic goals have to be set in time for the monsoon season.

What do you think are the 3 most important things the UN has to prioritize in Haiti, before the rain starts washing away the last hopes of the people in need?

I think the UN should prioritize in shelter, food and health care!

Feel free to voice your thoughts and debate!

UN Peacekeeping

Hello Bloggers!
 

To kick-start my blog I thought of telling you all the purpose of my blog. As I am very interested in the United Nations Organisation and in global politics, I thought of creating a blog that would filter through UNO news and global political issues. I have dedicated a couple of my final year assignments to UNO issues and feel I have enough knowledge to blog about current matters. For one of my course units (Ethics), I decided to do my research report on 'UN's Reputation as a Peacekeeper'. I investigated one specific issue which was the 'Sex Scandal in the DR Congo' with reference to UN's issues/crisis management elements and media coverage. Are you aware of UN peacekeeping missions? Majority of the time it is not really covered in the media, however, when something 'big' occurs it does get decent media coverage. Eager to find out more about the peacekeeping scandal in the DR Congo and the effect it had on UN's reputation, I researched a lot.

There were many media outlets such as the BBC, that felt strongly about the issue and reported how the UN covered up claims regarding rape of women and children in exchange for money. On the other side the UN was blaming the media of blowing things out of proportion and exaggerating to gain public attention. However, this was back in 2004, after 1 year in 2005, the UN admitted to the claims and implemented their new issues management scheme. Preventing the issue before it is an issue. 

As part of the new scheme, the UN dedicated a unit to conduct and discipline (CDU), which is a pre-deployment training programme for peacekeepers. The programme runs to educate potential peacekeepers specifically on misconduct and sexual abuse. As well as that in 2008 the UN Secretary General Ban-Kimoon, addressed the sexual violence issue as a threat to international peace and security. Therefore the Security Council implemented the sexual exploitation and abuse policy under the resolution 1820. Both have been proven to be efficient in optimising professionalism and conducting missions in an ethical manner.

What are your thoughts on the UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo? Do you think the UN should have been transparent from the beginning? What would you recommend in terms of improving UN peacekeeping missions in the future?

Voice your opinions!