Global perspective Human stories

The Lid is On

UN News/ Conor Lennon

PODCAST: Resurgence of The Gambia – Tackling period poverty

Many women and girls in The Gambia are affected by “period poverty”, meaning that they are unable to afford menstrual products, which puts them at risk of infection, and discourages them from attending school.

In the second of our Lid Is On episodes recorded in The Gambia, one of the world’s least developed countries, Conor Lennon from UN News heads to Basse, in the rural Upper River Region, to find out how the UN is addressing period poverty, and providing employment for vulnerable women and girls.

Music: Within the Earth, Ketsa

Audio
11'42"
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

PODCAST: Top UN official in Ukraine reflects on a year of war and suffering

It’s been a year since Russian forces invaded neighbouring Ukraine, the beginning of a conflict that led to the displacement of more than 14 million Ukrainians, and around 40 per cent of the population in need of humanitarian aid.

Several months into the fighting, Denise Brown took up her position as Resident Coordinator, the most senior UN official in Ukraine. She told Conor Lennon from UN News that, despite the huge challenges faced by the Ukrainian people, their defining feature has been their courage, and their determination.

Music: Within the Earth, Ketsa

Audio
12'34"
Climate Visuals Countdown/Moniruzzaman Sazal

PODCAST: The link between migration, the climate crisis, and human rights

It is becoming increasingly clear that the climate crisis is having a major impact on migration flows, with millions forced to move from their homes as a result of a disaster, or because they have been affected by slower-moving environmental changes that leave their homes uninhabitable, such as desertification or sea-level rises.

Audio
11'56"
ADB/Gerhard Joren

PODCAST: Filling the 4 trillion dollar development gap

$4.3 trillion: that’s the estimated cost of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a blueprint for a fairer future, covering all of the big issues facing the world, from eradicating poverty and hunger, to building societies free from fear and violence, and taking urgent action on climate change.

To help bridge that funding gap, UN chief António Guterres set up the Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance (GISD) in 2019, made up of prominent business leaders from across the world.

Audio
24'8"
UN Photo/Mark Garten

PODCAST: A UN wish come true

Californian teenager Kale Ilac’s dream is to become a diplomat. The 16-year-old, who is battling cancer, is hopefully on the way, thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, who arranged for Kale and his family to take a special tour of the UN in January, meeting senior diplomats and UN officials.

On this episode of The Lid Is On, we follow Kale on his visit, which has inspired him to lead a life in service of others.

Music: Within the Earth, Ketsa

Audio
14'4"
UN News/Ben Lybrand

PODCAST: Getting the word out – letting the world know how the UN is making a difference

On today’s episode of The Lid is On, Conor speaks to Melissa Fleming, the head of Global Communications at the United Nations, and host of award-winning podcast series, Awake at Night, on the growing dangers of online disinformation, the global impact of the Ukraine war, and the importance of communicating effectively about the positive difference the UN makes to millions around the world.
Audio Duration
23'14"
Daniel Johnson/UNOG

PODCAST: A New Year, Palais des Nations special, with Daniel Johnson

In our first Lid Is On of 2023, we take a trip to Geneva, to meet our Palais des Nations correspondent Daniel Johnson, who gives us a virtual visit of the venerable building and its surroundings, and looks back at some of his favourite moments from 2022, in particular the interview that earned him a hug (a rare occurrence for journalists)!

Music: Within the Earth, Ketsa

Audio
15'53"