Comments for United Nations Development Programme

Comment on See you this weekend! by Kimihiko Jiminy Sugino

Kimihiko Jiminy Sugino — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:36:57 +0000

A veryyyyyy large thank you to the chairs from the delegate from Somalia. The conference was fun, and the dance was amazing! I’ve never had a better experience in my lifetime I found BART very easily, thank you for the directions!

Comment on Micro-finance and Women by Australia

Australia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:42:01 +0000

Australia is excited to discuss Female Empowerment at this year’s summit and is a big advocate of Micro-finance programs such as CARE. Australia believes that economic self sufficiency is the first and most important step in order for women to gain true social equality and independence. The delegation hopes to aid in the further establishment of financial programs aimed at the empowerment of women worldwide.

Comment on Energy Development in Indonesia by Russia

Russia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:13:29 +0000

Russia agrees with France and sees that sometimes environmental regulations hurt economic development. Also, pollution does not make itself immediately visible. Economic development is much more tangible in its results. Economic progress can be measured in months and years rather than decades for pollution. That stark difference makes it easy enough to justify any harm to the environment. Especially since many developing countries do not have the ability to extract resources in an efficient manner, they think little of the environment.
In order to achieve a harmonious balance between economic progress and environmental protection, developed nations must be willing to show other countries efficient ways of extracting resources and also provide them the equipment – either by selling it cheaply or lending it on a short-term lease. As the developing countries become wealthier, it is easier for them to find the balance between progress and preservation independently.

Comment on Micro-finance and Women by Russia

Russia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:07:01 +0000

CARE has certainly had a profound impact on women around the globe. Women face a wide array of problems such as the lack of education, less employment opportunities, and less salary for the same work as compared to men. Many women in the world also have little say in their own family financing, and are subjugated to their husbands in their households. The CARE program has made significant efforts in alleviating the poverty of these “powerless” women.

Russia believes that microfinancing provides a great way to empower women financially, thereby providing a solution to alleviating the rampant poverty throughout society. In India, a woman by the name of Saima Muhammad (”The Women’s Crusade”, NY Times) started an embroidery business from less than a hundred dollars given to her because of microfinancing. Saima Muhammad supported her entire family from the profits of her business, including her unemployed husband. This microfinancing gives impoverished women a chance of economic freedom and a chance to financially support themselves. As women make up much of the poor population, their contributions would help reduce poverty.

Comment on Micro-finance and Women by The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:22:09 +0000

In response to the delegate from Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom would like to clarify that we did not state we wanted to focus only “on the aspect of empowering women who currently have jobs,” but rather “focus on how CARE has helped women currently working in factories” within our blog post. The United Kingdom believes it is imperative to empower women who do not have jobs, to help fufill the Millennium Development Goal.
Since the delegation of France mentioned how CARE has helped poor women, we just wanted to share how CARE has helped women with jobs but that have less rights. Sorry if there was any confusion, but to clarify, the United Kingdom is not solely focusing on women with jobs. Thanks. Hope to see you in debate to discuss this further! :]

Comment on Micro-finance and Women by Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:55:28 +0000

Liechtenstein believes that CARE and Microfinancing programs are essential in helping the movement for women’s empowerment. It is in such foundations that even the slightest progression to gender equality can be made. As previously mentioned by France as well as the UK, micro-financing gives women a sense of political power. However, no matter how much money is loaned through micro-finances, empowering women will be impossible unless the governments are willing to change. In order to help improvise the system of micro-financing, so that women can gain political,economic, and social power, Liechtenstein believes that CEWAD along with each country’s own national Gender Equality Act should be instated. When Liechtenstein passed its Gender Equality Act in 1999, females in the workplace was merely 22%, it has since increased to 65%. The change in government regulations has helped for a steadier system of micro-financing, which then enables females start up their own businesses.
The UK mentions that they “want to focus on the aspect of empowering women who currently have jobs.” We, however, believe that we should focus on helping women that currently don’t have jobs. If the focus is centered on women who currently have jobs, then what is to say when the other women are left behind? We should steadily help all women attain some kind of workmanship. The Millenium Development Goals along with micro-financing should be implemented in order to help all women get a running start to their future careers. Empowering women is a long process, but these short-term steps, like microfinancing will eventually and steadily bring this problem to a halt.

Comment on Going Green and Developing by Kuwait

Kuwait — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:47:33 +0000

It is no surprise that climate change directly affects community health, and it seems that Costa Rica is on the right track to preserving not only the environment, but simultaneously the health and well-being of their citizens. Kuwait agrees with this article in the development and environmental sustainability is attainable as Kuwait held the Global Development Network’s 10th Annual Conference in February of last year. ( http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/02/02/6562/kuwait-conference-gdn/) The main focus of this conference was “Natural Resources and Development” and included presentations by K.S. Kavikumar and Stephen Howes, who talked about climate change in relation to developing nations and developed nations, respectively. Kuwait is extremely concerned with the current rates of climate change, especially its impact on local water. It has been reported that “since 1985, seawater temperature in Kuwait Bay, northern Arabian Gulf, has increased on average 0.6°C per decade. (http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-11/nocs-cci113009.php) Water changes are of a huge concern for Kuwait seeing that one of our main income sources, other than oil of course, is fishing as opposed to agriculture. If climate change continues to negatively impact our water sources, many of our citizens’ jobs and lives will be in jeopardy. About 90 to 93% of Kuwait’s daily consumed fresh water comes from desalination plants, however, these plants will have to be deactivated if water temperatures reach 37-38°C. Although developing nations may struggle more than developed nations in mitigating climate change, it is still of utmost importance to developing nations such as Kuwait to reach climate change goals, as the long term effects of look grim and devastating to economies, health, and overall well-being.

Comment on Slums in Haiti by The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:32:19 +0000

The chair brings up a good point in that one of the major problems within developing countries that are hit by natural disasters is the lack of infrastructure within the country, specifically the housing. Many of the homes are out dated and provide little stability for the people living in them. As seen in the most recent earthquakes of Haiti, and the 8.8 earthquake in Chile, the lack of fortified infrastructure is becoming a major problem. In order to create safer buildings, specifically homes for those affected by natural disasters, the United Kingdom suggests the implementation of the NGO Build Change. In Haiti alone, Build Change estimated that 225,000 houses collapsed, almost the equivalent of the death toll of 230,000 people. Build Change has also worked in cities like Bam, Iran; Banda Aceh, Indonesia; and Sichuan, China. This organization helps to develop economically efficient housing and help to stimulate demand for improved housing. In addition, the United Kingdom would like to establish a partnership between the Red Cross and Build Change, as the Red Cross helps to train community members and give them the skills necessary to build safe houses. One project involved the entire community in the tsunami-affected village of Seurapong on Pulo Breuh Island in which the community created a committee that would design a multi function building in the center of the village. The Red Cross helped to monitor this program and gave them the financial support they needed. With the initial fortification of houses by Build Change, people will have safer homes and if a disaster ever arises again, the community can be prepared to rebuild as they would have the necessary skills from the Red Cross.
Another aspect to look at is the delivering of supplies to an area that is hit by a natural disaster. One of the main problems with aid and relief agencies is the actual shipping process to the disaster areas. This is why the United Kingdom supports the use of the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot, which is a supply warehouse for NGOs, UN agencies, governmental agencies, and international agencies to store their supplies like food and water. By storing supplies with the UNHRD, the supplies are shipped within 24-48 hours of the call given by the agency due to the fact that the UNHRD has five strategic bases around the world in which the supplies can be shipped from. It also encourages collaboration between other agencies that are also sending supplies so that air costs will be cheaper. With this solution, the United Kingdom hopes that the international community can be better prepared for disasters.

Comment on Going Green and Developing by The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:05:18 +0000

The United Kingdom fully agrees that it is possible for larger countries to balance development as well as sustainability. It is also necessary that these two features be intertwined as many countries are not engaging in sustainable development and are therefore degrading the environment. We have also tried to create more accountability from businesses, public sectors, as well as waste management agencies. In 2009 we passed Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009 SI 153, which forces those that create environmental risk to pay fees if they violate these regulations. While not feasible for all countries, the United Kingdom encourages more governments to create laws that establish some sort of fines or punishments for those responsible for environmental damage.
In addition, to create more sustainable development, the United Kingdom feels that the governments should become more involved especially when dealing with community health, an issue that is becoming increasingly wide spread. This is why the United Kingdom would like to implement the Interagency Working Group on Climate Change and Health, which works with governments to identify research needs that governments need to focus on while also revealing the federal resources and capacities that are able to address these needs. It also assists governments by working with federal scientific agencies to create strategic plans that address the health effects of climate change within the nation. Through this, the United Kingdom hopes that governments will take a more active role and be encouraged to address issues involved with climate change.

Comment on WHO Publishes Draft Discussion Paper on Gender, Climate Change & Health by The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:23:02 +0000

Not only has the interconnectedness of gender and climate change and health been noted by WHO, it has also been brought to attention by the 52nd session of the Committee on the Status of Women in 2008. During this session, the committee examined the relationship between these two topics and one thing that the United Kingdom feels is of extreme importance is the fact that in most communities, especially in more rural areas, women are responsible for “household water supply, energy for cooking and eating, as well as for food security”, however, these essentials are being affected by the changes in climate. In addition, these women have limited to access to resources hat could be used for sustainable development due to gender inequalities within countries. This is why the United Kingdom feels that it is vital that women are given the opportunities to become more active and involved in environmental decision making, whether it be within small communities or on a national level, as women are the ones who will establish change within their daily lifestyles that will be better for their health as well as the environment. It also gives them the opportunity to be more active in the decision making sphere as well.
What the United Kingdom also feels is pertinent information when discussing with these two topics, is the fact that according to the International Labour Organization, more than three-fourths of the world’s poorest inhabitants, those that are living on less than US$2 a day, are dependent on the environment for their livelihood. This includes sustenance farming, agricultural jobs, or basic necessities like water and wood. Women play a vital role as most of the world’s poorest people are women and are therefore more impacted by fluctuations in the environment. One way that the United Kingdom feels that we can combat this issue is through an initiative by the ILO that has helped to not only provide jobs for communities, but it also helps to create a more sustainable environment by creating eco-friendly jobs. This initiative helps to link the private and public sector by working with companies within developing countries to create these types of jobs. While this solution does not directly deal with community health, it is ultimately a long term goal that the United Kingdom feels should be focused on in order to reduce the effects of climate change on health. This initiative also tries to link gender inequality and the environment by keeping in mind that women are “key contributors to climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes.”