Rumor has it that when Canadians travel abroad, especially in the Middle East and increasingly in Western Europe after the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq, they tend to wear something authentic to the distant corners of their country to recognize each other as true Canadians in foreign lands.

The United States–which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month–is doing things a bit differently in the chamber today. About two weeks ago, Ambassador Rice solicited feedback from young people around the world for the kinds of topics and issues they would like taken up by the Security Council.

The United States is doing something out of the ordinary during its month long presidency of the Security Council. On December 21 Ambassador Rice will chair a special session dedicated to voicing the concerns of young people around the world.

A decade after he spoke for the United States at the United Nations, a Palm Springs man has been tapped to take the country's message abroad in another diplomatic role.

The power of culture can often be underestimated as a diplomatic tool, but cultural exchange can not only serve as a universal icebreaker, it can tear down walls and build bridges between the most hardened of enemies. It may not turn foes into instant friends, but it does allow nations to find points of commonality that transcend politics.

S/GWI and USUN’s approach to women’s issues stems from the fundamental principle, expressed during the 1995 Beijing UN World Conference, that women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights.