Pop star Justin Bieber, a Canadian, says because he has indigenous heritage, he is entitled to free gas when he travels in Canada.
This, says Edward John, Chairman of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, is one of the many misconceptions about the indigenous that abound.
The media – television, radio, film, social media – can help correct these misconceptions.
Girls comprise more than half of the estimated 67 million children worldwide who remain out of school, according to the UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI).
Frederick Rendina and Oren Rudavsky explore what it takes to ensure girls receive an education in their film ‘To Educate a Girl’ which tells about girls in Nepal and Uganda who are pursuing their right to go to school amid poverty and in the aftermath of conflict.
Rendina talks to Femi Oke about what they learned.
Duration: 2'35"
One year after the revolution in Libya, the country remains littered with numerous unexploded ordnance (UXO), unattended heavy weaponry and ammunition, and newly laid minefields.
The UN Mine Action programme, known as UNMAS, is clearing the country of UXO and securing ammunition stores, in addition to coordinating the work of international NGOs operating there.
UNMAS describes its work in Libya as crucial because it reduces the threat these weapons pose to life and limb.
Dianne Penn reports.
Duration: 3'09"
The contributions of one the world’s greatest advocates for freedom, justice and democracy—former South African President Nelson Mandela—were celebrated in the General Assembly on Wednesday.
Since 2010, the world has commemorated 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day, in honour of Mr. Mandela’s birthday and his nearly seven decades of service to humanity.
Dianne Penn reports.
Duration: 2'36"
Students from various African nations as well as other countries throughout the world gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa recently to participate in a dialogue and discussion about Nelson Mandela.
That was part of their way of honouring his life and legacy for this year’s Mandela International Day, observed on 18 July. They also pledged to perform community service in his honour after returning home.
Stella Vuzo from the UN Information Centre in Dar es Salaam spoke with Tanzanian student Nuru Kessy about her experience.
Duration: 1'37"
The former president of Botswana says maybe he could have done more to decriminalize laws that hamper AIDS progress.
Festus Mogae, who is now part of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law, says while millions of dollars have been invested over the past 30 years to expand lifesaving HIV prevention and treatment, many countries have enacted and enforced laws which undermine this.
Fighting corruption must be a priority for governments. That was the message at a high level forum held Monday by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The theme was “Accountability, transparency and sustainable development: Turning challenges into opportunities.”
Several of the speakers said the world must continue to wage a serious fight against corruption, which is among other things, a serious threat to sustainable development.
Julie Walker reports.
Duration: 2'20"
The value and virtue of public service are honoured each year by the United Nations when it celebrates UN Public Service Day. The commemorative day, which occurs on June 23, recognizes that democracy and good governance cannot take place without competent civil service workers.
This year, a concert honouring the day was held on June 25th, with the participation of, among others, classical musician Wang Liang. Mr. Wang is the principle oboist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and has a long list of honours.
New figures released by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs show the number of rhino being poached has reached record levels.
The number of black rhinos in the wild is estimated at 5,000 and that of white rhinos at 20,000.
The Academy Award winning actress and advocate Geena Davis has been appointed the Special Envoy for Women and Girls, for the UN’s International Telecommunication Union.
She will be a leading spokesperson for the Tech Needs Girls campaign and will promote the empowering role technology can play in the lives of women and girls.
Duration: 5'00"
