Saudi Arabia blasts U.N. Security Council, rejects offer to join

(Analysis)

Last October 18^th, Saudi Arabia refused to participate United Nation’s Security Council. The Saudi foreign ministry argued that the council (U.N. Security) is incapable of keeping the peace internationally.

“To have the Palestinian cause remaining without a fair and permanent solution for 65 years, which resulted in several wars that threatened international peace and security, is evidence and proof of Security Council’s inability to performs his duties and responsibilities,” he said.

In the same way, he also blamed the U.N. Security Council for not preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction in the region, especially in Iran. Finally, the foreign ministry brought up the Syrian civil war, blaming again the council, for not punishing the government after a poison gas attack there killed hundred of civilians.

In our opinion, the Saudi foreign ministry is telling something that everybody knows, but anyone wanted to say (due to the possible repercussions, this could bring). However, he’s actually right, what was the U.N.’s position after the Syrian civil war? And Palestine? The U.N always says they are trying to solve the problem; however, they don’t do anything.   

Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/18/world/meast/saudi-arabia-un-security-council/index.html?iref=allsearch

How To End World Hunger

(Analysis)

One of eight people will suffer hunger tonight. 98% of the hungry people live in developing countries, in 12 years the world population will increase to 8 billion. In other words, we have a problem, the world has a problem. According to the article, the problem has two sources: number one, women not having enough land, not being taken seriously in the global market and having physical impediment in their farms. And number 2, farms and agricultures that are not well connected or do not belong to the important markets. The solutions are to facilitate these markets to farmers and giving more opportunities to women. To finish, the article mentions a big project from Heifer International: Rural Entrepreneurs for Agricultural Cooperation in Haiti, which consists in a 5-year plan to rebuild rural communities and improve economic opportunities with the objective of helping more than 20,000 vulnerable rural families.

The article talks about big revolution in aspects related to the food supply to the world. We think that it is an awesome plan and intention, but what it says is easier said than done, first problem we detected, this information is published online so we can read it… but are farmers and rural areas reading it to? We think there is a problem on the public the article is publishing it, it does help to inform the general public, but in the end the ones that need to implement changes are the farmers. 

Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/22/world/iyw-heifer-international-pierre-ferrari/index.html?iref=allsearch

World Food Day: How to Help End Hunger

(Analysis)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 165 million children (mainly under the age of five) are so malnourished, that they would never reach their full physical and cognitive potential. Moreover, almost one quarter of the world population, lack vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health. As a result, different health problems (like diabetes, overweight, etc.) could be developed.


Each October 16, takes place the FAO's (Food and Agriculture Organization) annual World Food Day, and this time, the organization is seeking to raise awareness about global hunger and stimulate discussions for solutions.

We think the FAO scored a point, by promoting discussions (mainly debates and public forums) for possible solutions. However, we think this is not the best way of eradicating global hunger. Instead, the UN should start a campaign, maybe recollecting food or money, and throughout each country's government, food could be equally distributed to the poorest people on earth. In short, we need actions, not words to solve this growing problem.

Link: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/10/16/world-food-day-2013/?iref=allsearch

U.N. sued for 'bringing cholera to Haiti,' causing outbreak that killed thousands.

(Analysis)

In 2010 a disastrous earthquake crumbled Haiti, what most of the world does not know is the tremendous epidemic that happened after that and how it is still a big problem today. Human rights lawyer filled a class action law suit in the U.S. against the U.N. of gross negligence and misconduct on behalf of victims of a cholera outbreak in Haiti. You might be wondering why? the U.N. sent peacekeepers soldiers from napalm there to help with the situation Haiti was having after the earthquake, the thing that no one foresaw was that after some investigations, scientist and researchers related a sewage leaking from the U.N. base that held the soldiers and went to the Artibonite River. Another crucial fact is that cholera isn't native of Haiti, in addition the U.N. punished anyone who talked about this before now. The lawyers are requesting that the U.N. financially compensate for the 8,300 deaths and the 650,000 survivors of the illness. The U.N. says they have legal immunity according to an international convention. With more and more cases emerging each month, the problem gets bigger and bigger.

We think the U.N. messed up by not taking precautions and now that the error was made they aren't taking responsibility of their actions because of the consequences and the repercussions it might have, so Haiti has to struggle while the U.N. evades problems.

Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/09/world/americas/haiti-un-cholera-lawsuit/index.html?hpt=hp_t4