UN: Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About

[gottaB]

To shine a spotlight on some of the important international issues and developments that often do not get sufficient media attention, the United Nations Department of Public Information presents a new initiative - "Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About."

This list includes a number of humanitarian emergencies, as well as conflict or post-conflict situations and spans other matters of concern to the United Nations, although it is far from embracing all of the many issues before the Organization.

The stories are not ones that have never been reported, but are often second-rung issues that need more thorough, balanced and regular attention. The list itself is a snapshot of the most compelling stories that, at this point in time, the Department of Public Information believes are in need of more media attention. And the top story is merely the first among equals.

The list includes the plight of child soldiers in Uganda, who are emerging as central figures amid deadly violence and a growing humanitarian emergency; the crisis of children orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa; and overfishing as a threat to marine biodiversity.

Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About....

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Undersecretary Shashi Tharoor gave a press conference yesterday, but the press release didn't list all the stories--although it did link to a video of the event.

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. For the curious, here's the list

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THE STORIES

Uganda: Child soldiers at centre of mounting humanitarian crisis

Central African Republic: a silent crisis crying out for help

AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa: a looming threat to future generations

The peacekeeping paradox: as peace spreads, surge in demand strains UN resources

Tajikistan: rising from the ashes of civil war

Women as peacemakers: from victims to re-builders of society

Persons with disabilities: a treaty seeks to break new ground in ensuring equality

Bakassi Peninsula: Recourse to the law to prevent conflict

Overfishing: a threat to marine biodiversity

Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation

[gottaB]

2. I think the child soldiers issue in general is underreported

http://www.irinnews.org/webspecials/childsoldiers/default.asp

What stands out in your mind?

[kimchi]

3. Let us become aquainted with these stories.

I immediately read "Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation", and while not a shocking or new headline, I was struck (again) with our modern society's hubris in wishing to explore and subsequently destroy every glen and grotto of the earth. Especially if there is something there we want, and even if those lifeforms just want to be left alone. "Ghosts of death" is what they call us.

from the story: "Gas and oil companies, loggers, miners and entrepreneurs are viewed by indigenous groups as “ghosts of death” for the toxic legacy they can leave behind and which can poison rivers and forests considered as a source of life for these communities."

It really pisses me off when I hear a derogatory comment about the UN or Amnesty International. Most people have no idea how much money and commitment it takes to find these stories and try to spread the word. Yes, I know: most people realize they can't handle the truth and prefer their own version of the world, to varying degrees.

Just feeling very pessimistic at the moment.