global issues

August 14, 2016

Sports are for fun. However, behind the fun lies the power that can unite people. Sports teach an individual to be responsible and discipline. The good principles of sports spread a good message to people who watch sports. Sports are more than a recreational activity, both to those who play and those who watch.

International Youth Day observed under the theme ‘The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production’ represents the opportunity for youth at home and abroad to reflect on the work, progress and struggles of all youths, regardless of race, class or ethnicity. [...] it is important that Local and Central government provides opportunities and an enabling environment to maximize the potential of youths across all sectors and reduce the challenges that hinders development.

Uganda faces a particular impediment: a stubbornly high birth rate, and the prospect of seeing a population of 38 million nearly triple by 2050. [...] To achieve middle-income status, Uganda must cut its birth rate sharply and quickly, experts say, as well as foster educational opportunities for adolescent girls.

Monday, August 1st, was “J Day,” during which international students and other exchange visitors fan out across the United States to engage in community service and celebrate American culture. This celebration comes right after the recent party conventions where divergent philosophies on immigration and other global issues were on display. Those differences could over time negatively impact the general public’s views of international exchange programs. 

To bring back the topic to cultural diplomacy, I think Syrian refugees would be doing themselves a great favor if they show more keenness to integrate and respect the culture of their new home countries. In addition, Arab countries could do more by expressing gratitude and support (be it verbal or material) to the righteous positions taken by the likes of Angela Merkel...​

In 2016, NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) launched a policy paper competition “Peace and Security in the 21st Century - a youth perspective” for students from all Allied countries. The purpose of this initiative was to learn about the views and visions of young people on current security challenges.

Businesses have been warned that in order to thrive in a low-carbon future they must first "navigate a mosaic of global realities", that has seen water scarcity hit a variety of regions and threaten to destabilise infrastructure [...] that is the warning from the third annual Earth Security Index (ESI 2016) – released on behalf of the Earth Security Group - The report warns that businesses must align themselves to societal priorities in the countries that they operate as part of a new “business diplomacy for sustainable development”.

Missoula has a head start. Thanks in large part to the initiative of several young mothers who started an organization called Soft Landing, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is re-establishing an office in Missoula that will serve up to 100 incoming refugees from Syria and elsewhere in the year ahead. The IRC is an officially sanctioned Voluntary Agency (VOLAG) under U.S. refugee policy. 

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