The world is over-armed and peace is under-funded
This sobering letter by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on disarmament states that "massive military spending and new investments in modernizing nuclear weapons have left the world over-armed -- and peace under-funded". Billions of dollars allocated to military spending is difficult to explain in a context of the global financial crisis since more investments are needed in social and economic development in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Last month, competing interests prevented agreement on a much-needed treaty that would have reduced the appalling human cost of the poorly regulated international arms trade. Meanwhile, nuclear disarmament efforts remain stalled, despite strong and growing global popular sentiment in support of this cause.
THE WORLD IS OVER-ARMED AND PEACE IS UNDER-FUNDED
The Secretary-General of the United NationsLast month, competing interests prevented agreement on a much-needed treaty that would have reduced the appalling human cost of the poorly regulated international arms trade. Meanwhile, nuclear disarmament efforts remain stalled, despite strong and growing global popular sentiment in support of this cause.
Water in the 21st century
The award-winning documentary FLOW investigates what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century: the World Water Crisis. It builds the case against the many ways in which the world's dwindling fresh water supply is being privatised across the globe. Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. The film is also a call-to-action, urging its viewers to stand up for their right to clean water.
UN World Water Day 2012
Every year on March 22nd, the UN-Water partnership of 28 different UN organizations celebrates World Water Day as a way to focus public attention on key water-related issues and the need to sustainably manage freshwater resources. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) observed this year's World Water Day at its headquarters in Rome with high-level addresses and a panel discussion on this year's theme 'Water and food security', featuring international water experts.
Stop Kony 2012
Admitted. The story is a bit one-dimensional. Some facts are slightly distorted. But it is beyond doubt that Invisible Children, the organisation behind the Stop Kony 2012 campaign, are sending out a very powerful message about change and awareness.