UN Wire Fri, Oct 25, 2013 -Right to food is taking hold globally, UN food envoy says

October 25, 2013 FOLLOW THE UN FOUNDATION   News covering the UN and the world SIGN UP | FORWARD | ADVERTISE | DONATE Top Story Right to food is taking hold globally, UN food envoy says Olivier De Schutter, United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food, says there's growing acceptance in Zambia, Uganda and several Latin American countries that access to food is a basic right. Right to food "brings coherence and accountability" and puts "food security of all citizens at the top of the decision-making hierarchy," he argues. The Guardian (London) (10/25) Share: Above the Fold Countries consider UN resolution on Internet privacy Development aid to rebound slightly in 2013, group says No turning back on women's progress in Afghanistan, rights advocate says UN, France and Mali begin joint effort to oust militants UN Radio Quote of the Day @UNFoundation: “Twitter is telling us what it is we’re about to be told,” @CorinaDuBois on the power of social media during disasters. #DigitalDiplomacy Share: UN Dispatch "The French military today says it is in the midst of a large scale operation in northern Mali against terrorist groups. This offensive comes one day after an Al Qaeda affiliate is claiming responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed two UN Peacekeepers and two civilians." UN Dispatch (10/24) Share: United Nations Countries consider UN resolution on Internet privacy Brazil, Germany and several other countries may be drafting a United Nations resolution on Internet privacy, writes Colum Lynch. The existing International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights, which covers privacy issues, was enacted before the modern Internet. ForeignPolicy.com/The Cable blog (10/24) Share: Armed groups in DR Congo must release child soldiers, UN envoy says Google/Agence France-Presse (10/24) Share: Myanmar must protect minorities from violence, UN official says Reuters (10/24) Share: OCHA asks donors to fund earthquake relief in Philippines Yahoo/Agence France-Presse (10/25) Share: UN human rights panel considers N. Korean accountability The Guardian (London) (10/24) Share: Appeals court says Kenya's Ruto must be present during ICC trial Reuters (10/25) Share: Health & Development Development aid to rebound slightly in 2013, group says Development aid from the 15 biggest donors is expected to rebound by less than 1% in 2013, says the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre. The primary driver of the marginal increase in aid is European governments pledging to give 0.7% of gross national income, DPC says. IRINNews.org (10/24) Share: Women & Girls No turning back on women's progress in Afghanistan, rights advocate says A young population and the progress of women's rights will keep Afghanistan from reverting to a repressive society, says Sima Samar, head of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. Access to education and participation in politics help women to make a difference, she argues. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/India Ink blog (10/25) Share: Saudi women organize protest against ban on driving The Guardian (London) (10/25) Share: Peacekeeping and Security UN, France and Mali begin joint effort to oust militants About 1,500 troops from the United Nations, Mali and France are working jointly to quash militant rebels in northern Mali. "It is the first time we have seen forces of significant size working together," says Col. Gilles Jaron of France. Al Jazeera (10/24), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (10/24) Share: Internal refugee situation worsens in Syria Shortages of humanitarian aid and food are making life increasingly difficult for the Syrian populace. "If we continue to deal with this crisis as a short-term disaster instead of a long-term effort, the region will face even more severe consequences," argues Neal Keny-Guyer of Mercy Corps. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (10/24), ABC News/The Associated Press (10/25), Reuters (10/25) Share: DR Congo fighting resume after failed peace talks Voice of America (10/25) Share: North Korea releases 6 South Korean detainees Voice of America (10/25) Share: Pakistan rules Musharraf must stay in custody Reuters (10/25) Share: Madagascar voting begins in first election since 2009 BBC (10/25) Share: Position Title Company Name Location Deputy Director, Family Planning 2020 Task Team United Nations Foundation Washington, DC Donor Outreach and Engagement Manager, Family Planning 2020 Task Team United Nations Foundation Washington, DC Knowledge Manager, Family Planning 2020 Task Team United Nations Foundation Washington, DC Program Manager Social Science Research Council Brooklyn, NY Click here to view more job listings.