The UN's List of “Stories the World Should Hear More About,” 2006
The United Nations Department of Public Information began keeping a list of “Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About” in 2004. The stories are not ones that have never been reported, but are often second-rung issues that need more thorough, balanced, and regular attention. Below is the 2006 list:
Liberia: Development challenges top agenda as the nation recovers from years of civil strife. Setting off on an obstacle-strewn road of transitioning from a vicious war to stable peace and development, the nation grapples with an array of critical challenges that often escape the glare of world media.
Lost in migration: Asylum seekers face challenges amid efforts to stem flows of illegal migrants. Against the backdrop of escalating migratory flows and growing concerns over security, the institution of asylum finds itself in need of protection as the line gets blurred between victims who flee persecution and migrants who seek economic opportunity.
Democratic Republic of Congo: As the country moves boldly towards historic vote, humanitarian concerns continue to demand attention. As the world is applauding the determination of the Congolese people and leadership to take a crucial step in the country's transition from a bloody civil war to peace and democracy, the steep humanitarian challenges facing the devastated nation must not be forgotten.
Nepal's hidden tragedy: Children caught in the conflict. Caught in the violence that has plagued the country for over 10 years, Nepal's children have become the often overlooked victims of the ongoing strife, their plight exacerbated by poverty and abuse.
Somalia: Security vacuum compounding effects of drought. Against the backdrop of a fragile peace process and encouraging prospects for reconciliation, the persistent insecurity in many parts of the country presents mounting challenges on the humanitarian front as Somalia struggles with the effects of its worst drought in a decade.
Protracted refugee situations: Millions caught in limbo, with no solutions in sight. While news of major refugee emergencies often dominate headlines, the plight of millions of people who have languished in exile for years—and sometimes decades—remains a low-profile high-risk situation with serious humanitarian and security implications.
South Asian earthquake: Relief effort saves lives, stems losses, but reconstruction tasks loom large. In the wake of a successful relief effort that helped to prevent additional casualties in quake-devastated areas, the aid community is facing a new crucial task of restoring livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of people left homeless and destitute by the disaster.
Behind bars, beyond justice: An untold story of children in conflict with the law. Amid important strides in global efforts to ensure a protective environment for the youngest members of society, an alarming number of children in many parts of the world are held in detention without sufficient cause, often for offences that are not considered criminal when committed by adults.
From water wars to bridges of cooperation: Exploring the peace-building potential of a shared resource. Despite widespread perceptions that water basins shared by countries tend to engender hostility rather than collaborative solutions, water is an often untapped resource of fruitful cooperation.
Côte d'Ivoire: A strike away from igniting violence amidst a faltering peace process. As Côte d'Ivoire gears up for October elections, postponed from 2005, the country is on a knife's edge with fears that a renewed eruption of violence will destroy any progress towards political reconciliation. So-called "hate media" is playing on people's fears, stoking the violence, and is a major threat to peace and reconciliation.
Source: United Nations Department of Public Information. www.un.org/events/tenstories/.
Trending
Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
