2008 Woodie Awards
World Leaders Gather at United Nations
International
Mary Kate Nevin '09
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: World
midst a world of conflict-the worst global financial crisis in decades, lingering conflict between and within nations, unusually high food and fuel prices, terrorist attacks and security threats worldwide, numerous natural disasters, and continued underdevelopment in the Third World-the United Nations commenced its 63rd session of the General Assembly last week.
With security tight, heads of state and delegation representatives from across the world gathered at the U.N. Headquarters in New York to discuss matters of pressing international importance.
The U.N. announced that its program of the week's work was based on six key principles: Democratization of the United Nations, including evaluations of the work of the Security Council and of the Bretton Woods institutions, as well as revitalization of the General Assembly; financing for development to end hunger, poverty, and lack of access to clean water and basic health services; climate change in a divided but ecologically interdependent world; achieving the goals of the United Nations Decade: "Water for Life" program; implementation of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy, with full respect for human rights; and human security as a part of international peace and security, including disarmament and nuclear control.
The conference began with a meeting on Africa's development needs on Monday, Sept. 22.
The Assembly acknowledged that economic growth is opening new windows for Africa. However, poverty is still widespread, and climate change and a global food crisis have impeded Africa's efforts to eliminate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
World leaders recognized that the way forward for Africa requires integrated and coordinated actions by Africa and the international community to find a comprehensive approach to long-term development.
"We stress that eradicating poverty, particularly in Africa, is the greatest global challenge facing the world today," said the declaration published by the General Assembly, reaffirming its commitment to address Africa's special needs.
With security tight, heads of state and delegation representatives from across the world gathered at the U.N. Headquarters in New York to discuss matters of pressing international importance.
The U.N. announced that its program of the week's work was based on six key principles: Democratization of the United Nations, including evaluations of the work of the Security Council and of the Bretton Woods institutions, as well as revitalization of the General Assembly; financing for development to end hunger, poverty, and lack of access to clean water and basic health services; climate change in a divided but ecologically interdependent world; achieving the goals of the United Nations Decade: "Water for Life" program; implementation of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy, with full respect for human rights; and human security as a part of international peace and security, including disarmament and nuclear control.
The conference began with a meeting on Africa's development needs on Monday, Sept. 22.
The Assembly acknowledged that economic growth is opening new windows for Africa. However, poverty is still widespread, and climate change and a global food crisis have impeded Africa's efforts to eliminate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
World leaders recognized that the way forward for Africa requires integrated and coordinated actions by Africa and the international community to find a comprehensive approach to long-term development.
"We stress that eradicating poverty, particularly in Africa, is the greatest global challenge facing the world today," said the declaration published by the General Assembly, reaffirming its commitment to address Africa's special needs.
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