Space technology helping UNDP improve the livesof people in need

Space-based applications and technologies are helping the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)  to deliver its projects in a faster, more efficient and safer way, according to a senior official there.  Bruce McCarron, the Director of UNDP’s Office of Operations, Legal and Technology Services, cites the example of using satellite imagery to monitor the reconstruction of buildings in Mali, destroyed by extremists.  Mr McCarron was speaking at a conference, held recently in Dubai, on how the space sector can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The event was organized by the United Arab Emirates authorities and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).  Mr McCarron spoke to                                                                    Dianne Penn.

Prepare African youth today to be leaders tomorrow:South Sudan official

If Africa’s young people are not encouraged to become the leaders of tomorrow, it will only hurt those in power today.  That’s the opinion of Robert Ladu Luki, Chairperson of the National Land Commission in South Sudan.  He was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently for a UN-backed conference that looked at young people’s access to land.  Mr Ladu Luki spoke to Ernest Cho about his proposal to enshrine youth empowerment in national constitutions.

Legal definition of sexual violence, an imperative for Sudan

Transforming the human rights situation in Darfur requires clear and distinctive definitions of sexual violence and adultery.  That’s according to the Human Rights Section Chief for the region’s UN mission (UNAMID), Isha Dyfan, who explained that separating these two societal issues encourages women to come forward with accounts of sexual violence, without fear of being accused of adultery.  In the last eight years, UNAMID’s Human Rights Section, along with other international organizations and civil society, have helped bring about some major changes in Sudanese criminal law.  Ms Dyfan spoke with Setyo Budi about her team’s contribution.

Presenter:  Matt Wells

Production Assistant:  Fatima E. Mendez

Duration:  10''00"