A BIG HAND FOR EQUALITY

Gender equality is central to meeting the needs of the worlds poorest and most vulnerable people – men and women alike – concludes a new ACT Alliance report launched to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.

“Clapping with Both Hands: 15 Studies of Good Practice in Promoting Gender Equality” celebrates innovative ACT programmes championed by brave women and men in 13 countries – from Guatemala to Indonesia, Mozambique to Nepal – that have enhanced the voice of women in workplaces, government and society at large.

United Nations appeals for $498 million to address the challenge in 29 countries

GENEVA - Mine action initiatives in 29 countries, territories or peacekeeping missions will cost $498 million in 2011, according to the 14th edition of the annual Portfolio of Mine Action Projects, released today by the United Nations in Geneva.

The portfolio is an annual snapshot of the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war in countries or territories with mine action programmes. The portfolio also provides proposals for

27 countries, territories, missions

This 13th edition of the annual Portfolio of Mine Action Projects features overviews and project outlines for 27 countries, territories or missions affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war.

277 projects

There are 277 projects in the 2010 portfolio. Africa accounts for the largest number: 103.

95 appealing agencies; one in five projects from national NGOs

The 2010 portfolio continues to receive a high level of participation by an array of appealing agencies, including

The [airport] transit zone is an improvement for foreigners because they can exercise their rights before they even enter French territory. -Eric Besson, minister, Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity, and Solidarity Development, May 11, 2009.

I said I didn't want to return. The [police] woman told me 'we will handcuff you...put you in the plane, and send you back to your country.' -Ousmane R. who arrived alone at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport at the age of 16 in June 2007.

From January 2008 to July 2009 around

Korab Mula (27) from Albania lost his two arms and injured both legs when he stepped on a mine and then fell on another one in June 2000. With international assistance, he was fitted with conventional prosthetic arms, but they give him problems and he cannot use them which has caused him to feel dejected and depressed. Only with more advanced electronic prostheses, which are not available in Albania, does Korab stand a realistic chance to train up for a job, and even get married. "I want to live with hope," Korab says, "I believe

Report of the Secretary-General

Summary

This is the first annual report on United Nations efforts to strengthen engagement on the rule of law at the national and international levels. The Organization has set an important, broad agenda to this end. The focus remains on finding better ways to support Member States and their populations to build a just and secure national and international order governed by the rule of law.

Dix ans après l'entrée en vigueur du Traité sur l'interdiction de l'emploi, du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines antipersonnel et sur leur destruction (Traité d'interdiction des mines antipersonnel), la société civile, les États et l'ONU ont beaucoup fait pour mettre fin aux souffrances causées par les mines terrestres. Plus de 41 millions de ces mines ont été détruites. Des terres ont été déminées et rendues aux communautés. Un nombre croissant de populations à risque disposent des connaissances et des compétences pour réduire les

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) has released the 8th Edition of "To Walk the Earth in Safety," a report summarizing the accomplishments of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, the world's largest such operation.

In 2008, the Department of State provided $123.1 million in mine clearance and weapons destruction assistance to 35 countries. Among the report's success stories is Cambodia, where U.S.

The EC-funded website allows migrants who are currently residing in Austria, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland to have 24/7 access to comprehensive information on return and reintegration conditions in 20 countries of origin, from Afghanistan to Ukraine, including Albania, Angola, Armenia, Brazil, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,