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Begin New Search Political Geography United Nations Content Type Policy Brief Publishing Institution United Nations University

1. Water Security the Global Water Agenda

Author:
Sefano Burchi, Pasquale Steduto, Eelco van Beek, Patrick MacQuarrie, Anton Earle, Anders Jägerskog, and David Coates et al
Publication Date:
03-2013
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This Brief offers a working definition of water security developed from contributions made by the broad range of organizations, agencies, programmes and institutions that form UN-Water. Through this Brief, UN-Water aims to capture the constantly evolving dimensions of water-related issues, offering a holistic outlook on challenges under the umbrella of water security. It highlights the main challenges to be addressed, the role water security plays in policy agendas, and possible options for addressing water security challenges.
Topic:
Security, Health, Natural Resources, and Water
Political Geography:
United Nations

2. Sexed Pistols: The Gendered Impacts of Prolific Small Arms

Author:
Albrecht Schnabel, Vanessa Farr, and Henri Myrttinen
Publication Date:
01-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Every day, small arms and light weapons (salw) kill, maim, wound and threaten millions of adults and children. The victims are combatants and civilians in war zones or communities in degraded “peacetime” environments characterized by large-scale criminal or political violence, and can also be found in “societies at peace” where SALW may be used in cases of domestic violence or shooting sprees. Due to their widespread availability, mobility and ease of use, prolific SALW play a significant role in maintaining social dislocation, destabilization, insecurity and crime in the build-up to war, in wartime and in the aftermath of violent conflict. Small arms are misused within domestic settings as well as in public spaces, and they affect everyone in the community regardless of sex or age.
Topic:
Political Violence, Arms Control and Proliferation, and Gender Issues
Political Geography:
United Nations

3. Protracted Refugee Situations and Peacebuilding

Author:
Gil Loescher, James Milner, Edward Newman, and Gary Troeller
Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Despite the need for a multifaceted approach to protracted refugee situations, the overall response of policy makers remains compartmentalised. Security, development and humanitarian issues tend to be discussed in different forums, each with their own institutional arrangements and independent policy approaches. Meaningful comprehensive solutions for protracted refugee situations must overcome these divisions and instead incorporate the recent policy initiatives of a wide range of actors. This type of broader engagement—with a catalytic role by UNHCR—cannot occur without the sustained engagement of all branches of the UN system. In this way, the establishment of the UN Peacebuilding Commission provides both a timely opportunity and a possible institutional context for this type of cross-sectoral approach.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Disaster Relief, and Humanitarian Aid
Political Geography:
United Nations

4. The Ethical Challenges of International Human Rights NGOs

Author:
Jean-Marc Coicaud and Daniel Bell
Publication Date:
10-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
International human rights and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are major players on the world stage. They fund human rights projects, actively participate in human rights and humanitarian work, and criticize human rights violations in foreign lands. They work in cooperative networks with each other, with local NGOs, and with international organizations. They consult and lobby governments and international organizations, sometimes participating in high level negotiations and diplomacy for global policy development. They cooperate and negotiate with economic and political organizations in the field for the implementation of their projects, whether this be monitoring or assistance. In short, they are generating a new type of political power, the purpose of which is to secure the vital interests of human beings on an international scale, regardless of state boundaries.
Topic:
Government, Human Rights, International Organization, and Non-Governmental Organization
Political Geography:
United Nations

5. Foreign Direct Investment: Key Issues for Promotion Agencies

Author:
Sergey Filippov, Iornara Costa, and Mariana Zanatta
Publication Date:
10-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
The growing importance attached to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) is evidenced by the steady rise of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) worldwide, especially from the early 1990s. Since its launch in 1995, the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) has registered a growing number of members representing cities, regions, countries and free zones from all over the world: from 112 in 2002, 161 in 2004, rising to 191 members from 149 countries in 2006. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) there were around 500 IPAs in more than 160 countries in 2004.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Development, Economics, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
United Nations

6. International Criminal Accountability and Children's Rights

Author:
Vesselin Popovski and Karen Arts
Publication Date:
07-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
It is common knowledge that children suffer from armed conflicts—both directly, as victims of atrocities, and indirectly, as their childhood, education, family life and expectations are ruined. According to UNICEF, during the last decade more than two million children died as a direct result of armed conflicts, and more than three times that number of children were permanently disabled or seriously injured. An estimated 20 million children have been forced to flee their homes and more than one million have been orphaned or separated from their families. Some 300,000 child soldiers, boys and girls under the age of 18, are involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide.
Topic:
Crime, Human Rights, and International Law
Political Geography:
United Nations