Sunday, November 13, 2016
GDBB 6 - The UNs Post-2015 Development Agenda & Leadership
Use one of the current events sources linked at http://hwc-spring2017.blogspot.com/2016/11/approved-sources-for-hwc-current-events.html to find at least 2 recent news article that relate to, support, or refute Brown & Weiss's assertions about the future of the United Nations. Your comment should include the titles of and links to the news article. Then, briefly summarize these articles with an explanation of how these sources relate to the arguments presented in the briefing book. Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!
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United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon visits Lesbos refugee camp
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36574767
This article is about UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who visits an immigrant camp on the Greek Island of Lesbos. The refugee camp is filled with calls for help and the Secretary General is looking for solutions to the migrant problem. One suggested solution is to pay Turkey to stem the flow of refugees. This article connects to the topic because it shows a real life example of migrants who qualify for refugee status and how the UN is planning on dealing with them. It shows the UN in action trying to help the refugees, which was mentioned in Great Decisions.
Mali: United Nations peacekeepers killed in attack
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36408943
This article explains to the reader an event that happened in which five UN members were killed. The article details the situation and why the UN members were heading to Mali, before listing all the militant attacks that occurred in the area. It even uses a map to show where the most militant areas are. This article relates to the topic because it shows the risks UN members must take in order to do their job. It also exemplifies the factor of "coherence" that Great Decisions spoke about. Although the attack was tragic, it could have been avoided if the UN had planned the trip more thoroughly. This article shows the risks against UN members and their apparent lack of coherence at times.
Wonder Woman dropped after short time as UN ambassador: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/12/wonder-woman-un-ambassador-gender-equality
ReplyDeleteUnited Nations Summary: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3159028.stm
Wonder Woman was made a honorary UN ambassador too immense criticism for several reasons. Firstly, Wonder Woman is emblazoned with the US flag which is in conflict with the UN promise of international cooperation. Additionally, it is argued that the figure is enforcing woman stereotypes, despite her stated goal of challenging stereotypes & fighting discrimination. Her time as an ambassador ended after only a short time longer than two months. The summary from BBC begins by covering the various organizations within the UN and what their goal is. It then changes gears and talks about leadership and dives into some of the issues present in the UN system. Some issues present are unfair power distribution, corruption in high level officers, and overspending on unnecessary things. In my opinion, Brown & Weiss were accurate in saying that the UN had some internal issues.
UN Security Council urges end to Israeli settlements
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/passes-resolution-israeli-settlements-161223192709807.html
This article begins by stating that the UN Security Council has passed a resolution that orders Israeli building on Palestinian territory to be stopped. Palestine is excited because the resolution promotes peace, rather than a solution through occupation. Israel has rejected this resolution and refuses to accept its terms, and the US almost supported Israel, but did not vote. Israeli settlements on Palestinian land block possible routes to peace, and it seemed as though Israel might change its ways, but in the end, it did not. This article connects to the topic because it includes a resolution from the UN Security Council and the results of that resolution.
With new UN chief, what hopes does Latin America Harbor?
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monitor/2017/0108/With-new-UN-chief-what-hopes-does-Latin-America-harbor
The article starts by informing the reader that the new secretary-general for the UN, António Guterres, has just taken his position, and that people are unsure what his term will bring. Two of the candidates for secretary-general were from South America, but neither of them were elected. Many of Latin America's concerns are referenced in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and the first one on the list is getting rid of poverty. Latin America also wants sustainable development and renewable resources, like much of the rest of the world. Something that Latin America doesn't share with the rest of the world is its high homicide rates, and many people face danger on a daily basis in South American countries. Finally, Latin America wants the UN to reform its institutions, the Security Council in particular because of the danger rates in different countries. This article relates to the topic because it discusses the concerns of countries within a continent, and problems that the UN can help solve.
Ban Ki-moon leaves UN, regrets not ending conflicts
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/ban-ki-moon-leaves-regrets-conflicts-161231141724783.html
Global leaders warn Aung San Suu Kyi over Rohingya
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/ban-ki-moon-leaves-regrets-conflicts-161231141724783.html
The first article of the two that I have chosen is about Ban Ki-moon leaving the UN. He said as he left that he wanted to make sure that the United Nations would continue to make good decisions. He was the UN's secretary general and wanted to make sure that with him leaving, they would continue to make priorities. The second article is about Aung San Suu Kyi over Rohingya. About 10 world leaders write to the UN about her, and not taking action about the failure to ensure Rohingya rights. This is a failure of the United Nations to not ensure safety.
Can the next man do better?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.economist.com/news/international/21708676-ant-nio-guterres-right-man-almost-impossible-job-can-next-man-do-better?zid=301&ah=e8eb01e57f7c9b43a3c864613973b57f
To the surprise of many, the next Secretary General of the UN was the former social-democratic prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Guterres, who won the respect of all the UN global powers in the election. He seems to be exactly what the UN needs at a time like this with conflicts and wars waging in the Middle East as well as the decreasing impacts of the UN, because he he has several qualities that make him more than capable. Most likely, his goal will be preventing wars before they happen along with dealing with economic development and human rights. This article connects to the topic because they both point out how the UN is not currently at its peak and how it's future success or even existence could heavily depend on the impacts of the next Secretary General along with their abilities to quell the other conflicts and economic issues plaguing several nations.
The toothless United Nations must seize this last chance to save itself
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/29/united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres
With all of the problems and occurrences in the world going on, the importance of the UN is brought into question. Recently, it has seemed that the UN is at a low and many probably feel like abandoning it would be the best option as it seems useless. This was in part due to the ineffectiveness of the previous Secretary General and his under-the-radar approach to things, but the new Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, appears much more capable and exactly what the organization needs to become a helpful world power again, so giving up on it might still be premature. The world was already embroiled in conflict and if the UN continues, it could be exactly what the world needs. This article relates to the topic because they both discuss how the UN's future is uncertain but could be saved by the new Secretary General if he pursues the right course of action.
STUDY: UNITED STATES WEAK ON UN DEVELOPMENT GOALS
ReplyDeletehttp://www.euronews.com/2015/09/16/study-united-states-weak-on-un-development-goals
This article is mainly about how the United States, in a study, is not keeping up with UN goals. According to progression of this goals, the United States ranks 29th out of thirty-four countries. The author of this article states what categories the U.S. is lowly ranked in, such as obesity, highest municipal waste per capita, high poverty rate, and wide poverty gap. Although the United States is lacking in some sections of the goals, the article also lists what this country is highly ranked in: air quality, good living spaces, gross national income, considerable space.
360 VIDEO: HOW THE UNDP IS HELPING SAVE LIVES IN UKRAINE
http://www.euronews.com/2016/11/23/360-video-how-the-undp-is-helping-save-lives-in-ukraine
This article is mainly about how, in Ukraine, there is a shortage of medicine and drugs. The UN helps by supplying needed medicine to the people of Ukraine. Before the UN got involved in this problem, many children would not get needed vaccines, causing disease outbreaks. Now, the UN owns a storage facility in Ukraine that is full of important vaccines and medicines for different types of common illnesses.
Senate Panel Grills S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley in Her Bid to Become U.N. Ambassador
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2017/01/18/510472507/senate-panel-grills-s-c-gov-nikki-haley-in-her-bid-to-become-u-n-ambassador
This article talks about Nikki Haley, Donald Trump's pick for the US ambassador to the United Nations. She had to undergo a Senate confirmation hearing to be cleared for office. During the hearing, Haley affirmed her willingness to help reform the UN, and discussed the importance of allies. If she can prove to be of help in reforming the UN, then this could be a step in the right direction to better focus the UN.
After Disparaging United Nations, Trump and New U.N. Chief Talk
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-un-idUSKBN14O1ZA
This article is about new UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres's phone conversation with Donald Trump about US-UN relations. After a few of Trump's tweets ridiculing the UN, Guterres responded, but not hotly. He acknowledged that the UN had much untapped potential going to waste. This is another positive step for the UN, that the new secretary-general sees the organization's potential and has expressed utilizing it.
“Senate Panel Grills S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley In Her Bid To Become U.N. Ambassador” http://www.npr.org/2017/01/18/510472507/senate-panel-grills-s-c-gov-nikki-haley-in-her-bid-to-become-u-n-ambassador
ReplyDeleteNikki Haley, who is South Carolina’s former governor and was against Trump during the elections was picked to be the next United States ambassador to the United Nations. Haley stated that she does not think that the United States should trust Russia and that she believes Trump will take the advice that his administration gives him. Lastly, Haley thinks that it is important that the United States has alliances. This article related because as talked about in the GDBB, the article discusses the next U.S. ambassador to the UN. It also provides new information that was not available at the time of publication.
“Sluggish global economy forestalls UN effort to end extreme poverty” https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-01-17/sluggish-global-economy-forestalls-un-effort-end-extreme-poverty
One of the United Nation’s goals is to, “end poverty in all its forms everywhere, however according to this article, the goal will most likely not be accomplished. The target percentage to “make a dent” in poverty is seven percent and the world economy only expanded 2.2 percent in 2016. The world economy rate is only projected to grow by tenths of a percent in the following years. The United Nation’s least developed countries are not even expected to hit the target growth percentage within the following years either. If this trend continues, then almost thirty-five percent of the poverty-stricken population will still be in poverty. Lastly, developing countries still provide the most growth. This article relates because it talks about how the UN most likely will not reach one of its goals of ending poverty in all of its forms everywhere.
With new UN chief, what hopes does Latin America harbor?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monitor/2017/0108/With-new-UN-chief-what-hopes-does-Latin-America-harbor
The United Nations recently appointed its newest secretary-general, António Guterres. Guterres took office on January 1st. The author of the article says that in Latin America, the election of a European man produced mixed-emotions, as for the first time, half of the candidates for secretary-general were women, two of whom could have been the first Latin-American secretaries-general. One of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is to end poverty and hunger. This is critical in Latin-America, as around 25% of Latin America lives in poverty. Latin America also has problems with sustainable development and crime that need the UN’s help. 8% of the world’s population lives in Latin America, but it has almost 33% of the homicide cases in the world. This article relates to the chapter because it goes in-depth into the Sustainable Development Goals, the new UN secretary general, and the problems Latin America is facing.
Will António Guterres be the UN's best ever secretary general?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/01/will-antonio-guterres-be-the-uns-best-ever-secretary-general
This article is about Antonio Guterres’ background in politics and how that equips him for his newest title of UN Secretary-General. Guterres became the Prime Minister of Portugal in 1995. He modernized the Portuguese Socialist Party and set up a guaranteed minimum income and universal nursery school. Guterres is known as very intelligent and extremely hardworking. In 2000, Portugal took the rotating presidency of the European Union. Guterres made a point of making sure smaller countries were heard as well as larger ones. Guterres also served as the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005-2015. Guterres may be one of the most qualified secretaries general in the UN’s history. This article relates to the chapter as it expands upon the secretary general of the UN.
The 'Responsibility To Protect' In Syria And Beyond
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2012/02/06/146474734/the-worlds-responsibility-to-protect
The article presented in the NPR article explains how it is the United Nations responsibility to protect a rebel city in Benghazi when Libyan forces threatened to attack them and the civilians. It is the United Nations responsibilty to protect these civilians according to the Responsibility to Protect Act of 2005. I can make various connections to this from the Global Decisions book, specifically how the United Nations focus on international peace and human rights. The United Nations needed to take action in this conflict based on the information presented. Libyan forces threatened the lives of civilians, this applies to the Responsibility to Protect Act of 2005, so the UN would have every right to react.
Analyzing The Impact Of The U.N. Resolution On Israeli Settlements
http://www.npr.org/2016/12/24/506849890/analyzing-the-impact-of-the-u-n-resolution-on-israeli-settlements
"We're going to start the program today with two big votes at the United Nations. In just a few minutes, we'll talk about a U.S.-backed measure aimed at bringing peace to South Sudan that failed. But first, reaction continues to pour in after the Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements. The U.S. abstained from the vote, even though it could have exercised its veto power, and that is a major break from traditional U.S. action." (Quote by host Allison Aubrey of NPR.) This quote builds on the idea of an undecided problem that the United Nations must face. This could be the reason of people failing to recognize the problem. The term complaceny applies to this from the GDBB. In the NPR article it explains how Donald Trump is opossed to this whole idea, this could mean he is being apart of that one term. Could he be failing to recognize the real problem at hand? It may so be.
The U.N.'s Rundown Of Some Of The World's Biggest Problems
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/07/23/486924567/the-u-n-s-rundown-of-some-of-the-worlds-biggest-problems
This article summarizes the new goals for the U.N., as well as goals they have improved on and conquered. In general, some of their biggest goals are to end poverty, inequality, and handle climate change by 2030. Even though it is a little early for progress to be tracked, it is still being worked towards. Some positive news from the report included poverty being cut in half, less hungry children, and more people have water. However, some things that still need to be worked on include pollution, overweight children, and many children are still not being educated. This relates to the book because the book highlights most of the same goals for the U.N. as well as areas of growth.
UN alarm that most of al-Shabab’s force in Somalia are kids
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/un-alarm-that-most-of-al-shababs-force-in-somalia-are-kids/2017/01/19/a132fcf8-debf-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html?utm_term=.f8b048229b95
This article discusses how the United Nations is reacting to the information that children are being used by al-Shabab, an Islamic extremist group in Somalia. The U.N. estimated that around 60% of its fighters are children, the group sending them to front lines, operate explosives, and become spies. Also, the Somali National army was using kids to fight as well, despite signing a plan to stop that. The Secretary-General of the U.N. urged groups to stop using children, as it goes against human rights laws. This relates to the book because it discusses how the U.N. faces many problems and how it handles them, by at first warning countries and then taking more action if needed.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Bite/2017/0111/UN-backs-higher-standards-for-treatment-of-farm-and-research-animals
ReplyDeleteUN backs higher standards for treatment of farm and research animals
This article is about the UN and the new policy recommendation that they have set in place to improve animal health, food security, and nutrition. The article starts by saying that the 43rd session of the UN Committee on World Farming Security approved a new policy with broad implications for livestock welfare. These recommendations include include access to veterinary services, improving animal health management, and promoting the use of antimicrobials. Research has shown that inhumane treatment of animals leads to decreased profits and thus the recommendations will ultimately help to increase profits. The article then discusses how in the U.S. there is a lack of enforcement in the human ways to treat farm animals. The UN Committee on World Farming Security is only one committee of many involved in the UN which helps to support the humane treatment of farm animals and this helps to improve nutrition.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/0118/State-Department-sends-another-500-million-to-UN-Green-Climate-Fund
State Department sends another $500 million to UN Green Climate Fund
This article is about the $500 million the Obama administration gave to the UN’s Green Climate Fund. The article starts by discussing that this money would go towards developing nations in order to help them lower carbon emissions. The U.S. promised the UN $3 billion during the 2014 Paris Accords, and this fund is important in order to help reduce the effects of climate change. Many worry that as Donald Trump takes office the U.S. will not be leading the fight against climate change and all progress will be lost. The article then goes on to say that countries that see the U.S. not contributing may cease to contribute as well which is unlikely. These countries may pressure Donald Trump into sticking with the Paris Accords and to keep contributing to the fund in efforts to fight climate change. This relates to what was said in this chapter of the Great Decisions Book because one of their developmental goals generally to lower the effects of climate change and countries contributing to these funds are essential in order to do so.
Samantha Power: U.S. Needs U.N. Help Before Threats Come Home To Roost
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2017/01/16/510128877/samantha-power-u-s-needs-u-n-help-before-threats-come-home-to-roost
The article depicts that the US needs to use the UN to help the, fight off threats. The UN assists with gaining allies in the world. Power continues to speak and speaks against Russia and their alleged hacks to our election as well as bombing Syrians who are trapped in basements. She describes how the US leads in assisting nations and getting nations to step up for others as well as how Obama sent health workers and soldier to West Africa to help contain the Ebola epidemic. She says that Obama helping with Ebola and assisting nations is a high point she enjoyed about her job. She will soon be leaving and Governor Nikki Haley will be taking over. This article relates to Great Decisions because it gives insight on the perspective of the ambassador of the UN and what her thoughts are.
U.N. Rejects U.S. Calls For Sanctions On South Sudan
http://www.npr.org/2016/12/24/506849897/u-n-rejects-u-s-calls-for-sanctions-on-south-sudan
This article describes what the situations may be like in the UN. Where Powers believed the people of South Sudan who started the violence should be punished the UN disagreed. "Widespread rape and ethnic cleaning" was reported by UN officials but still that did not change the minds of people in the Security Council. Other countries "abstained" from this problem but they kept pressing on.
India in a ‘Race Against Time’ to Meet Millenium Goals
ReplyDeletehttps://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/india-in-a-race-against-time-to-meet-millenium-goals/?_r=0
In this article, India is running out of time to reach the expected goals for poverty and health improvement. According to the Great Decisions, the MDG meets every few years to discuss plans for the United Nations to help improve usually developing countries. According to this article, India has three years left which is apparently not a lot of time to reduce the amount of AIDS in the country amd improve the average income of the working community.
What have the millennium development goals achieved?
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/datablog/2015/jul/06/what-millennium-development-goals-achieved-mdgs
This article states the many accomplishments of the Millennium Development Goals. Ome example is decreasing the amount of people earning less than $1.25 daily. The goal was reached by going from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 386 million in 2015. This was accomplished but the other goal that was related was to decrease world hunger by 50%. This goal was not reached which is a challenge faced when trying to help develop countries. Some goals can be achieved by risking the failure of others.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/un-forecasts-modest-economic-recovery-but-no-robust-revival/2017/01/17/c16a9fe6-dcce-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html?utm_term=.91faf6c287d5
ReplyDelete"UN forecasts modest economic recovery but no robust revival"
In this article, the author describes how the United Nations have predicted the rate of economic growth in 2017-18. "In its annual economic report, the U.N. said the world economy expanded by just 2.2 percent in 2016, the slowest rate of growth since... 2009." For the next two years, the UN predicts from about 2.7-2.9% will be the rates at which the world economy will expand. Though this is not drastically huge, it will allow the economy to be more stable than in years past. This relates to the topic because it describes how the UN gathers data on the world's statistics and predicts the outcomes for the foreseeable future.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/gambia-president-adama-barrow-takes-oath-senegal-170119170745954.html
"Adama Barrow sworn in as Gambia's president in Senegal"
The article details the transfer of power in Gambia. The incumbent president and dictator, Yahya Jammeh, had refused to give up his seat as the president, but through UN intervention, the rightful winner of the election, Adama Barrow, managed to become the next president. This relates to the topic in Great Decisions because it shows the power of the United Nations coming together to shut down dictatorships and set up democracies to aid the people. Despite the controversy surrounding the UN in the past few years this is what must be done and is very commendable.