The fourth Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4) warns about the major threats to the planet such as climate change, the rate of extinction of species and the challenge of feeding a growing population. The UNEP’s publication is a comprehensive and authoritative UN report on environment, prepared by about 390 experts. It identifies priorities for action and describes the changes since 1987, 20 years after the WCED produced its seminal report (Our Common Future).
This document served as the basis for discusions at the Ibero-American Meeting on Migration and Development, which took place in Madrid from 18 to 19 July. It was presented by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE) - Population Division of the ECLAC. The topics discussed at the meeting were the major issues on the migration agenda, including human rights. (Document in Spanish)
The Euro-African Ministerial Conference on migration and development, proposed initially by Morocco and Spain with an active support of France, ended on 11 July in Rabat after adopting a final declaration and a plan of action advocating a partnership for an optimal management of migratory flows in a spirit of shared responsibility
This report of the Pew Global Attitudes Project on Muslim factor in Europe highlights that Muslims living in Europe worry about their future, but their concern is more economic than religious or cultural. Many say they have had a bad experience as a result of their religion or ethnicity. However, they do not generally believe most Europeans are hostile toward people of their faith
The WESS is a publication of the UN Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD), which provides objective analysis of pressing long-term social and economic development issues, and discusses the positive and negative impact of corresponding policies. Diverging growth and development is the theme of 2006 report, which shows that in the industrialized world the income level over the last five decades has grown steadily. This has not occurred in many developing countries, thereby causing a rise in already high world inequality
UNODC's 2006 World Drug Report provides one of the most comprehensive overviews of illicit drug trends at the international level. The analysis of trends, some going back 10 years or more, is presented in Volume 1. Detailed statistics are presented in Volume 2. Taken together, these volumes provide the most up-to-date view of today's illicit drug situation
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Report presented to the General Assembly on May 2006. In this document, Kofi Annan proposed a standing forum led by all 191 Member States which governments could use to share ideas and discuss best practices and policies related to international migration and how this phenomenon ties in with global development
The AIDS epidemic appears to be slowing down globally, but new infections are continuing to increase in certain regions and countries. The document also highlights the important progress in country AIDS responses, including increases in funding and access to treatment, and decreases in HIV prevalence among young people in some countries over the past five years
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International LabourOffice (ILO) have jointly produced the first handbook to assist States in their efforts to develop new policy approaches, solutions, and practical measures for better management of labour migration in countries of origin and of destination. It was launched at the 14th OSCE Economic Forum in Prague
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report on human trafficking for sexual exploitation or forced labour. The document shows that people -most of them are women and children- are usually trafficked from poor countries to more affluent ones, and identifies 127 countries of origin, 98 transit countries and 137 destination countries. The report also stresses that global efforts to combat trafficking are being hampered by a lack of accurate data, reflecting the unwillingness of some countries to acknowledge that the problem affects them
The Government of China together with the European Commission and the World Bank co-sponsored an International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Influenza in Beijing. The conference assessed the financing needs at the country, regional and global levels. During this event the international community pledged US$1.9billion in financial support and discussed coordination mechanisms. Also, the paper Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza: UN System Contributions and Requirements. A Strategic Approach was included as background material for the discussions at the Conference
The latest UNHCR report -presented on 19 April in London- examines the changing dynamics of displacement over the past half decade. While the number of refugees worldwide has reached its lowest level in 25 years at 9.2 million, the rise in internally displaced people to some 25 million has put the international system for dealing with human displacement at a critical juncture. The current challenges include the plight of tens of millions of internally displaced people, widespread confusion over migrants and refugees, and tightened asylum policies and growing intolerance
This WHO Report contains an expert assessment of the current crisis in the global health workforce and ambitious proposals to tackle it over the next ten years, starting immediately. The report reveals an estimated shortage of almost 4.3 million doctors, midwives, nurses and support workers worldwide. The shortage is most severe in the poorest countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where health workers are most needed
The number of people on HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) in low- and middle-income countries more than tripled to 1.3 million in December 2005 from 400 000 in December 2003, according to World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) report. Sub-Saharan Africa, the region most severely impacted, led the treatment scale-up effort, with the number of people receiving HIV treatment there increasing more than eight-fold to 810 000 from 100 000 between 2003 and 2005. By the end of 2005, more than half of all people receiving HIV treatment in low- and middle-income countries resided in this continent, up from one-quarter two years earlier
According to the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund (IDB-MIF), Latin American and Caribbean workers living abroad sent a record USD 53.6 billion in remittances to their homelands during 2005, up 17 percent from the previous year. This new estimates were presented at the seminar A Global Revolution in Banking: Remittances and Microfinance held ahead of the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the IDB, which will take place here April 3-5
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. European institutions -such as Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the European Union’s European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) - make a joint statement on this occasion
In a study released by the Lisbon Council, OECD education expert Andreas Schleicher says that six years after European Union leaders vowed to create “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world,” spending on education in Europe at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) remains well behind Japan and the United States. "If Europe wants to retain its competitive edge at the top of the global-value-added chain, the education system must be made more flexible, more effective and more easily accessible to a wider range of people"
The GID is a new tool for researchers and policy makers to determine and analyse obstacles to women’s economic development. Developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE), it covers a total of 162 countries and comprises an array of 50 indicators on gender discrimination
This report uniquely focuses on this issue of national reporting of sex disaggregated statistics in such areas as demographics, health, education, work, violence against women, poverty, human rights and decision-making. This is the fourth World’s Women report since 1991. The previous three focused on statistical trends in the situation of women. Five years ago, the World’s Women report emphasized that there was a lack of sex disaggregated data and that the improvement of national statistical capacity – the ability to provide timely and reliable statistics – are essential for improving gender statistics
The GEO Year Book 2006 is the third annual survey of the changing global environment produced by the United Nations Environment Programme, in collaboration with many world experts in environmental research and action. The Year Book includes global and regional overviews. It highlights the linkages between environmental well-being, vulnerability and poverty; records recent findings on the value of ecosystem services; and describes new research findings on polar and ocean changes that may prove a turning point in the urgency of our awareness and response to global change
The themes of the 2006 Global Economic Prospects (GEP) are international remittances and migration, their economic consequences, and how policies can increase their role in reducing poverty. The GEP explores the gains and losses from international migration from the perspective of developing countries, with special attention to the money that migrants send home. The report also considers policy initiatives that could improve the developmental impact of migration, with particular attention to remittances.
The annual AIDS epidemic update reports on the latest developments in the global AIDS epidemic. With maps and regional summaries, the 2005 edition provides the most recent estimates of the epidemic’s scope and human toll, explores new trends in the epidemic’s evolution, and features a special section on IV prevention.
The Pew Hispanic Center is dedicated to improving understanding of the diverse Hispanic population in the United States and to chronicling Latinos’ growing impact on the nation. The Center conducts nonpartisan research on Latino trends in demographics, economics, education, immigration and identity, and its polls and nationwide surveys explore Latino attitudes on public policy issues as well as their beliefs, values and experiences. This report was originally published as a chapter in Trends 2005, a Pew Research Center reference book that examines current developments and long term trends on issues such as politics, religion and public life, the media, the internet, the Hispanic people, the states, and national and global public opinion.
What is Avian Influenza? Which viruses cause highly pathogenic disease? Do migratory birds spread highly pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses? What is special about the current outbreaks in poultry? Which countries have been affected by outbreaks in poultry?... (World Health Organization, October 2005)
In April 2004, the CARIM coordinating unit based at the European University Institute and its network of thirty or so experts in Mediterranean Arab countries, Israel and Turkey met in Florence to lay the foundations for a comprehensive survey of migration-related demographic and economic data, legislation, and policies, centred on the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean. A year and a half later, CARIM is now publishing its findings in Mediterranean Migration Report 2005. The report contains a regional overview, followed by ten sections—one for each of the Med-MENA countries—each comprising two to four reports on the demographic, economic, legal, and political dimensions of migration, and an appendix of statistics and maps. All the statistical material in the report—as well as in the CARIM database posted at www.carim.org—are original national data.
There are many reasons for moderate pragmatists to be irritated by the culture wars that are consuming American politics. They are polarising an already polarised electorate; they are reigniting the politics of personal destruction; and they are filling the airwaves with mind-numbing debates about filibusters. But the biggest reason is that they are diverting attention from other pressing problems. Immigration is a good example.
During 2004, the human rights of ordinary men, women and children were disregarded or grossly abused in every corner of the globe. Economic interests, political hypocrisy and socially orchestrated discrimination continued to fan the flames of conflict around the world. The “war on terror” appeared more effective in eroding international human rights principles than in countering international “terrorism”. The millions of women who suffered gender-based violence in the home, in the community or in war zones were largely ignored. The economic, social and cultural rights of marginalized communities were almost entirely neglected. This Amnesty International Report, which covers 149 countries, highlights the failure of national governments and international organizations to deal with human rights violations, and calls for greater international accountability.
The EU is facing unprecedented demographic changes that will have a major impact on the whole of society. Figures in the Green Paper on Demographic Change by the Commission show that from now until 2030 the EU will lack 20.8 million (6.8 per cent) people of working age. In 2030 roughly two active people (15-65) will have to take care of one inactive person (65+). And Europe will have 18 million children and young people fewer than today.
The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Alvaro Gil-Robles, presented his report on the respect for human rights in the Russian Federation to the Committee of Ministers. The report was prepared in the light of two extensive visits. It focuses on police behaviour, prison conditions, the fight against racism and xenophobia and the respect for human rights in the Chechen Republic, amongst others
The EU is facing unprecedented demographic changes that will have a major impact on the whole of society. Figures in the Green Paper on Demographic Change launched by the Commission show that from now until 2030 the EU will lack 20.8 million (6.8 per cent) people of working age. In 2030 roughly two active people (15-65) will have to take care of one inactive person (65+). And Europe will have 18 million children and young people fewer than today.
The 2004 Revision is the nineteenth round of official United Nations population estimates and projections prepared by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. The 2004 Revision is the first to incorporate the full results of the 2000 round of national population censuses. It also takes into account the results of recent specialized surveys carried out in developing countries to provide both demographic information and data to assess the progress made in achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The comprehensive review of past worldwide demographic trends and future prospects presented in the 2004 Revision provides the population basis for the assessment of those goals. The 2004 Revision confirms the variety of demographic dynamics of our times. While the population at the global level continues to increase, that of the more developed regions as a whole is hardly changing and virtually all population growth is occurring in the less developed regions. Especially rapid population growth characterizes the group of 50 least developed countries. Underlying these varied patterns of growth are distinct trends in fertility and mortality.
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, on 18 September 2004 the Security Council adopted resolution 1564 requesting, inter alia, that the Secretary-General 'rapidly establish an international commission of inquiry in order immediately to investigate reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Darfur by all parties, to determine also whether or not acts of genocide have occurred, and to identify the perpetrators or such violations with a view to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable'. The Commission submitted a full report on its findings to the Secretary-General on 25 January 2005
In assessing the potencial risks from climate change and the costs of averting it, however, researchers and policy-makers encounter pervasive uncertainty. That uncertainty contributes to great differences of opinion as to the appropiate policy response, with some experts seeing little or no threat and others finding cause for immediate, extensive action. Policymakers are thus confronted with a wide range of recommendations about how to address the risks posed by a changing climate (A CBO Paper)
In the debate about Turkish EU membership and free movement of labour it is often overlooked that the EU cannot exercise a zero migration policy even if permanent safeguards were used. Even under the currently prevailing strict regime, there is an annual net migration from Turkey to the EU-15 in the order of 35,000 people. Any slowdown or suspension in Turkey’s accession process is likely to lead lower growth and higher unemployment in Turkey.
Today there are 550 million people who work, but still live on less than US$ 1 a day. These "working poor" represent 20 per cent of total world employment. In spite of the record levels of global unemployment, the reality for most of the world’s poor is that they must work – often for long hours, in poor working conditions and without basic rights and representation – at work that is not productive enough to enable them to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. While it is clearly the case that employment is central to poverty reduction, it is "decent and productive" employment that matters, not employment alone.
The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2004 reports on progres and setbacks in efforts to reach the goal set by the World Food Summit in 1996 -to halve the number of chronically hungry people in the world by the year 2015
This report present first results from the PISA 2003 assessment, which focused on mathematics. It shows that average performance inthe group of the 25 OECD countries for which data can be compared has increased in one of the two content areas of mathematics that was measured in both 2000 and 2003, while performance in science, reading and the other comparable area of mathematics has essentially remained unchanged. However, this report also looks at a wider range of educational outcomes that include student's motivation to learn, their beliefs abouth themselves and their learning strategies
The 2004 edition of the social Panorama of Latin America analyses the major demographic changes that have occurred in the region over the past few decades, examines the socioeconomic status of Latin American youth, looks at institutional and programmatic guidelines for youth policies and describes how household structures and family roles have changed. As in past years, recent trends in poverty and income distribution in the Latin America countries are also reviewed
How do human numbers affect the capability of governments to influence events beyond their borders or affect the disposition of a country’s interactions with outside actors? And how can we use population indicators to anticipate, with some reasonable hope of accuracy, the impact yet-unfolding demographic forces on the balance of international power? In this paper the authors attempt to examine these questions in the context of the world’s most populous and most economically dynamic region: Asia. Their focus is on the impact of prospective changes over the period 2000 to 2025
The annual AIDS epidemic update reports on the latest developments in the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. With maps and regional summaries, the 2004 edition provides the most recent estimates of the epidemic’s scope and human toll, explores new trends in the epidemic’s evolution, and features a special section on women and AIDS
Do the dynamics of human population -rates of growth, age structure, distribution and more- influence when and where warfare will next break out? The findings of this report suggest that the risk of civil conflict that are generated by demographi factors may be much more significant than generally recognized, and worthy of more serious consideration by nacional security policymakers and researchers
As representatives of a number of a major human rights organizations, we urge you to take further immediate steps to address the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. Resolution 1564, adopted on September 18, 2004, does not contain adequate measures to bring security to civilian populations in Darfur and to end the ongoing violations of internationa human rights and humanitarian law. It is essential that the Security Council quickly establish an effective force to protect civilian populations by passing a resolution extending and strengthening the mandate of the existing African Union monitoring force
The International Religious Freedom Report for 2004 is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. The law provides that the Secretary of State shall transmit to Congress each year "an Annual Report on International Religious Freedom supplementing the most recent Human Rights Reports by providing additional detailed information with respect to matters involving international religious freedom." This Annual Report includes individual country chapters on the status of religious freedom worldwide
Countries are making real progress in carrying out a bold global action plan that links poverty alleviation to women's rights and universal access to reproductive health. Ten years into the new era opened by the 1994 International Conference in Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, the quality and reach of family planning programmes have improved, safe motherhood and HIV prevention efforts are being scaled up, and governments embrace the ICPD Programme of Action as an essential blueprint for realizing development goals
The average level of real income in the richest countries is 50 times that of the poorest. The richest tenth of South African population enjoy levels of consumption per person almost 70 times those of the poorest tenth. Citizens of the world also experience profound differences in influence, access to legal systems, power and social status, whether at the level of individuals, between men and women, or between groups. This WDR will explore the relationship between equity and development strategy
This report summarizes global levels and trends in the population of concern to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR): refugees, asylum-seekers and others of concern. The data, reported by UNHCR country offices, generally reflect the view of the host country. The statistics contained in this note should be considered provisional and subject to change
World population statistics tell a powerful story about how people and nations around the world are changing. The data can be used to gauge progress in a particular country, make comparisons across countries, and help project future trends
The annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was presented on 25 June at Vienna, coinciding with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. Although the situation remains serious, the report indicates some encouraging signs as regards trafficking, consumption and treatment of drug addiction throughout the world. It also highlights the cut-back in opium poppy cultivation (the base for opium and its derivatives) in South-East Asia and a sustained reduction, for the fourth year running, in coca cultivation in the Andean region (Colombia, Peru and Bolivia
The Fourth Annual Trafficking in Persons Report (Department of State, USA) reflects the growing concern of the President, Members of Congress, and the public over the serious human rights, health and security implications of human trafficking around the world.This report represents the collective work of embassies, as well as governments and NGO partners throughout the world who are committed to ending the scourge of slavery
Report issued by Civitas (The Institute for the Study of Civil Society) on immigration's positive or negative contribution to the economy
'Waging war is no excuse for ignoring human rights'. With these words, Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), presented on 26 January the World Report 2004: Human Rights and Armed Conflict, a compilation of 15 studies on a variety of topics related to war and human rights. The report is critical of military intervention in Iraq, stating that the invasion ended a brutal regime but that the Coalition's leaders are wrong to describe it as a humanitarian intervention
This is a survey and análisis –with commentary- of migration sigues and the related development policies for the sending countries. “Migration and development” is considered “unsettled” and “unresolved” area for good reason. The policy issues are surprisingly deep and run to basic issues such as the nature of development as opposed to simply poverty reduction. North-north migration (between developed countries), south-south migration (between or within developing countries), and north-south migration (from developing to developed countries) are all covered although most attention is on the north-south variety. Attention is paid to the question of the dynamic mechanism underlying migration being one of convergence or divergence. (World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3117, August 2003)
