The 8th of September commemorates United Nations International Literacy Day (ILD) which was established in 1966 to draw attention to a fundamental right, that is, the ability to read, write, and access knowledge. Today, however, the word “literacy” also refers to the capacity to access online information, understand it, evaluate it critically, and use it responsibly. UNESCO emphasizes that: “Literacy is a key to making transformation inclusive, sustainable, relevant, and meaningful. Beyond reading and writing on paper, literacy in the digital age allows people to access, understand, evaluate, create, communicate,...

The International Youth Day (IYD) celebrated every 12th of August was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. It aims to draw attention to the youth challenges, opportunities and their fundamental role in building fairer, more just, and more peaceful communities. The IYD 2025 theme, “the Contribution of Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond”, promoted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), emphasizes the “unique role of young people in translating global ambitions into community-driven realities.” It is believed that...

The Committee on the Rights of the Child is composed of independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by its States parties. It also monitors the implementation of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. All states parties are required to report to the committee on how the rights are being met.  On May 9 and 10, 2023,...

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – 85th Session on Venezuela 18 May 2023 The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system. It requires countries to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in all areas and promotes women’s equal rights to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. On May 18, 2023, Venezuela was reviewed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The...

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – 85th Session on Spain 16 May 2023 The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system. It requires countries to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in all areas and promotes women’s equal rights to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Issues of Concern & Spain’s Progress The main concerns the committee had was Spain’s treatment of migrant, refugee, Roma, and disabled women and...

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a cyclical review process of all 193 UN Member States. Once every four years the human rights situation in each State is reviewed. The State under review declares what action has been taken and the measures to be adopted to improve human rights within the Country. During the UPR, specific recommendations are made by the Member States of the Human Rights Council to the State under review. The 43rd UPR session was held from May 1 to 12 in Palais des Nations, Geneva. Among other...

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a cyclical review process of all 193 UN Member States. Once every four years the human rights situation in each State is reviewed. The State under review declares what action has been taken and the measures to be adopted to improve human rights within the Country. During the UPR, specific recommendations are made by the Member States of the Human Rights Council to the State under review. The UPR sessions for Argentina, Benin, and Zambia were held between the 23rd and 30th of January...

In the occasion of the 30th Convention on the Rights of the Child anniversary, ratified in 1989 by the highest number of Countries (196) and in the fastest way than the others, a three-day commemorative celebration was held in Palais des Nations on the 18th, 19th and 20th of November in Geneva. The event, that took place in the symbolic city of the Convention writing and negotiation, was the peak of a series of events organized throughout 2019. Moreover, the “30 Years of Children’s Rights” book has been published in...

The 19th  November 2019, among the numerous events that marked the 30th  anniversary ceremony of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See organized the side event “The Right to Education - Towards a Renewed Commitment to Education” which was held in Room XXIV of the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of the Philippines, Zambia, Poland, Lebanon and the Sovereign Order of Malta as well as by the associations: Caritas in Veritate Foundation, OIDEL, OIEC,...

October 15-19 the Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights debated on the zero draft legally binding international instrument regulating transnational enterprises activities. It is a burning topic, because if the proposed international instrument is adopted it would oblige states to respect human rights in business transnational activities. On Wednesday the 17th, a group of faith-based NGOs organised a side event titled “High-level religious voices for a future treaty”. Franciscan International, Caritas Internationalis, Misereor, CIDSE, CAFOD, Fastenopfer and Brot für die Welt convened to integrate...