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Bangladesh: Poetry as a Bridge to Understanding
Thu, 10/30/2008 - 00:00In Bangladesh a Supreme Court decision this May recognized the right to citizenship for a formerly stateless population, the Bihar, an Urdu speaking minority.
Bangladesh is an extremely young country, formed only 37 years ago after a violent conflict to sever its ties with Pakistan, achieved independence and preserve its Bengali culture.
President’s Corner: Candidates Offer Sharply Different Visions for the UN
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 14:13
Both leading presidential candidates promise a new emphasis on multilateral engagement and problem solving, but Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama have sharply different views on the relationship between the U.S. and the United Nations.
DR Congo: Latest Fighting Leaves Civilians in Peril
Mon, 10/27/2008 - 18:34
Demonstrations in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have escalated since violence between armed groups re-erupted in August.
Somalia: Seeking refuge in Djibouti
Fri, 10/24/2008 - 00:00
We met Hassan, a young Djiboutian working in a store, on our first day in the country. As we were chatting, we explained why we came to Djibouti and our desire to talk with Somali refugees. “They’re our brothers and sisters,” he said, “and you can find them everywhere.”
War's Heartache Not Over for Separated Families
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 11:16
"One day she disappeared." The young Ethiopian professor said sadly of the classmate he had admired, "I don't even know where in Eritrea she is."
DR Congo: An Update on North Kivu
Mon, 10/20/2008 - 10:44
Two items on the situation in eastern Congo caught my eye recently. The first is a slideshow of photos taken by an international fashion photographer, of internally displaced people in one of the Mugunga camps located outside Goma in North Kivu. The portraits depict the range of emotions experienced by the people forced to live in the difficult situation of these camps.
Burma: On the Road to Mandalay
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 02:32Monasteries in Burma, as in many Buddhist countries, are places where those in need go for help: for religious education, meditation skills, counseling and, increasingly in this underdeveloped country, for food, education, shelter, and health care.
Northern Uganda: Assisting the Elderly
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 04:22October 1st was the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, which this year called for a “Convention on the Rights of Older People.” In displacement situations, the elderly have particular needs that are often forgotten, which made me think back on my recent mission to Uganda.
AFRICOM: Disparity Between Aid and Defense
Wed, 10/01/2008 - 00:29
Today marks the launch of AFRICOM, the U.S. Africa Command that was created to consolidate and coordinate U.S. Security programs in Africa, but which could also lead to a greater militarization of aid on the continent. In July, Refugees International released a report that highlighted the disparity in funding between the Defense and State Departments. AFRICOM is just one example of how the Pentagon controls an increasing amount of foreign aid that used to be directed towards civilian agencies.
