The same technological advances that turn your mobile phone into a mapping device are being harnessed in global efforts to address poverty, climate change and natural disasters.
The integration of maps, software and data to capture and analyse details from locations anywhere on the planet is known as geospatial information.
Following years of inter-communal violence and fighting, there are many now across the Central African Republic (CAR) who “want to pursue peace and justice."
That’s according to Professor Sarah Knuckey, Director of the Human Rights Clinic at New York’s Columbia University.
She recently visited CAR for two weeks, together with a team made up of lawyers, students and forensic scientists, in order to help support peace and justice initiatives.
The team offered support and expert advice to government bodies, NGOs and civil society groups.
People travelling to the Rio Olympics are being advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date.
WHO reports that Brazil has made strides in tackling diseases such as measles, but the influx of thousands of international athletes and sports fans could potentially put gains at risk.
Dianne Penn spoke to Nyka Alexander, a WHO spokesperson who has been deployed to the country for the Games which start on Friday.
The number of casualties in the conflict in eastern Ukraine has reached its highest level in a year, the UN human rights office has reported.
It found that 12 people were killed and 57 injured in June: the highest figure since August 2015.
The crisis in eastern Ukraine has entered its third year, pitting Government forces against separatist rebels.
The UN Human Rights High Commissioner is urging both sides to make civilian protection a priority.
Elections this year in Somalia represent “a very unique moment” in the country’s political history, according to the senior UN official there.
Michael Keating said the vote, which should take place before the end of the month, will foster a greater sense of “local ownership” as well as more participation by women.
Somalia last held elections in 2012, the first time the country had gone to the polls in decades.
The first female Force Commander in UN history is stepping down after what she called a “fantastic two years”.
Major-General Kristin Lund headed the UN force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the first woman ever to command a UN peacekeeping operation.
Her last day in charge was 29 July.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to her service saying that her “leadership greatly contributed to the UN efforts in Cyprus.”
Cristina Silveiro asked Ms Lund to sum up her time in charge.
Duration: 3’54”
Creating partnerships with all levels of government in South Sudan is the best way to “foster peace” and deliver life-saving aid during the on-going crisis.
That’s the view of UN humanitarian chief, Stephen O’Brien, speaking in the middle of his mission this week to the world’s youngest country.
A political, humanitarian and health crisis has grown over the past three weeks, sparked by renewed fighting between forces loyal to the country’s two top leaders.
Despite an ever-changing global security landscape, children continue to pay the highest price in wartime.
That was the message delivered by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council on Tuesday.
Ban Ki-moon also reiterated his support for a UN report on children caught up in armed conflict which had raised objections among some observers.
Dianne Penn reports.
Duration: 2'14"
Over half the children born each year are “not being put to the breast soon enough.”
That’s according to Tamara Kummer, from the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, speaking at the beginning of World Breastfeeding Week 2016.
UNICEF has released a report showing that it is crucial for newborns to be given access to their mother’s milk within the first hour of life.
Deganit Perez asked Ms Kummer, communication specialist with UNICEF, what the particular focus was of this year’s campaign.
Duration: 4'25"
Making sure that everyone gets access to food is one of the main challenges facing the international community according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
The UN agency says there is enough food to feed the more than seven billion people on the planet but a lack of equality means that many people, especially in parts of Africa, are going hungry.
