We missed the rally, but the cause is important.

Click here for more information on GMO's. 
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/05/22-9

Indigenous people are meeting at the UN from May 20 - 31. Why did they come to the UN?

 

Second Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. 

The Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (2005-2015) was proclaimed by General Assembly. The goal of the Decade is the further strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment and social and economic development, by means of action oriented programs and specific projects, increased technical assistance and relevant standard setting activities;
The five objectives of the Decade are:

1. Promoting non-discrimination and inclusion of indigenous peoples in the design, implementation and evaluation of international, regional and national processes regarding laws, policies, resources, programmes and projects;
2. Promoting full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in decisions which directly or indirectly affect their life styles, traditional lands and territories, their cultural integrity as indigenous peoples with collective rights or any other aspect of their lives, considering the principle of free, prior and informed consent.
3. Re-defining development policies that depart from a vision of equity and that are culturally appropriate, including respect for cultural and linguistic diversity of indigenous peoples.
4. Adopting targeted policies, programs, projects and budgets for the development of indigenous peoples, including concrete benchmarks, and particular emphasis on indigenous women, children and youth;
5. Developing strong monitoring mechanisms and enhancing accountability at the international, regional and particularly the national level, regarding the implementation of legal, policy and operational frameworks for the protection of indigenous peoples and the improvement of their lives.

The theme of the Decade is: “Partnership for Action and Dignity”. A trust fund has been established to support projects the promote the goal and objectives of the Decade.

What is CLIMATE CHANGE costing you?

THE PROGRESS REPORT

The True Cost of Climate Change

By ThinkProgress War Room on Apr 29, 2013 at 4:50 pm

Extreme Weather is Extremely Costly
We’re now six months out from Superstorm Sandy, which should serve as a reminder that we’re experiencing more damaging extreme weather events linked to climate change. And with the mounting frequency and severity of these events will come mounting costs.
A new report from our Center for American Progress colleagues finds a rather dramatic level of federal disaster relief spending – an average of $400 per household annually. You should check out the full report, but here’s an infographic that lays out the key facts:

 

The World We Want: YOU Can Tell the UN What Issues Need to be Addressed by the UN Over the Next 15 Years.

At least 56 countries have come together to exchange inputs and ideas for a shared global vision of "The Future We Want", in an inclusive and open debate with relevant knowledge on development challenges, opportunities and solutions.

The consultations will seek to ensure that the vision of the world we want to live in takes into account the perspectives from a broad base of civil society, marginalized groups, and others previously left out of discussions on development priorities.

These thematic areas resulted from the many international groups that responded to the request for their input.
For further information: www.worldwewant2015.org

Explore this web site to learn from others and how you can make your voice hear in this international conversation.
 

New Phase in US and UN Relationship

Excerpts from UN Dispatch 
"Thursday Ban Ki Moon became the first sitting Secretary General to pay a visit to the Pentagon. This was a big deal for the United Nations, though not all together unexpected given Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's longstanding support for the United Nations. ... [T]his meeting may mark a new phase of America's relationship to UN Peacekeeping." UN Dispatch (4/23)