UN Agora Blog

KAS New York

Towards Sustainable Peace: An Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Mathias Voss

International Day of UN Peacekeepers

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of UN peacekeeping and the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) interviewed Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Mathias Voss, Counsellor and Deputy Military Advisor at the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations, to discuss the changing nature of peacekeeping operations in the 21st century, examine how the UN and Germany are addressing new operational challenges and preparing personnel for peacekeeping missions abroad, and highlight Germany’s engagement in UN peacekeeping as a troop and budget contributor.

June 1, 2023
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo - Loey Felipe

On Multilateralism and Diplomacy

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

What is this multilateral system? For many students and teachers of international relations, and according to the Oxford Dictionary, multilateralism is “the principle of participation by three or more parties, especially by the governments of different countries”.

Azza Karam
April 24, 2023
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo / Manuel Elias

Preserving the values of multilateralism to promote peace and security, and human rights

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

Following the devastation of World War II, a new phase of global integration began, in which international institutions for technical, financial, and commercial cooperation developed, while trade in manufactured goods expanded. The United Nations came into being with the maintenance of international peace and security as its central mission. 

José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs
April 9, 2023
UN Agora Blog
Shutterstock

Gendered Justice: Breaking Barriers and Building Narratives - A perspective from Pakistan

International Day of Women Judges 2023

Women of Pakistan face cultural and social barriers where they are cast in a given gendered role, which is conditioned and limited. Although more women are educated now and the number of working women has increased, women do not have a fair share of representation in leadership and decision-making positions.

Ayesha Malik
March 10, 2023
UN Agora Blog
Antje Boetius

Diversity in science. Filling the dream gap

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

It appears especially astonishing for a wealthy country like Germany, where I am from. Despite high socio-economical investment in the academic education of women, who now make up the majority of university graduates, we seem stuck at 27% female professors, and less than 15% in top leadership positions as presidents of universities, or directors of non-university institutions. Even in the new digital disciplines and enterprises, the figures are dire – only 18% female participation in IT professions, and even less as owners of start-ups.

Dr. Antje Boetius
February 11, 2023
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo / Loey Felipe

The key to eliminating gender bias is to change perceptions of women

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Women are less likely than men to occupy positions of power but also technical roles. When women are less visible, this situation can foster gender bias and gender stereotyping. It also deprives high-level decision-making and research and innovation of the female perspective.

Shamila Nair-Bedouelle
February 11, 2023
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Inequality and the paradox of educational investment

International Day of Education

As of today, we are told by the experts that the combination of longstanding poverty, increasing inequality, wrong policies, and the impact of the pandemic, are leaving a vast majority of children in less developed countries with so little education that only three out of ten would be able to read and understand a simple text by age ten.

Leonardo Garnier
January 24, 2023
UN Agora Blog
Eloisa Lopez / Reuters

Why the International Human Rights Day is important to the work of frontline human rights defenders

Human Rights Day 2022

International Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on December 10 to commemorate the day in 1948 when the United National General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Nicholas Opiyo
December 10, 2022
UN Agora Blog
A. Preusch

The importance of multilateralism for neutral Switzerland

United Nations Day 2022

Never before has civil society been so actively engaged in global politics as today. While in Iran, the population is fighting for women’s rights following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini and causing women worldwide to cut their hair in support, climate activists are closing roads in Berlin and Geneva and occupying Black Rock headquarters in New York.

Maria Isabelle Wieser
October 24, 2022
UN Agora Blog
UNDEF

Promoting Democracy around the world: Reflecting from the United Nations

International Day of Democracy

This year, 2022 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the International Day of Democracy. In 2007 The General Assembly adopted a resolution to observe the 15th of September each year for promoting and consolidating the principles of democracy worldwide.

Mikiko Sawanishi
September 15, 2022
UN Agora Blog
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About this series

Welcome to the UN AGORA Blog by the New York Office of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Democracy, Peace and Security, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law are key pillars of our work around the world, but specifically here in New York and in liaison with the United Nations.

 

Join us in our virtual discussions and follow the international experts whom we are inviting to contribute to our UN AGORA Blog in order to honor specific international UN Days or to draw attention to current topics in the realm of peace and justice globally.

 

…..and by the way, AGORA stands for the open space, the meeting ground in ancient Greek cities for citizen activities. Homer enjoyed it, and hopefully, you will too!

Ordering Information

Editor

KAS New York

Andrea Ellen Ostheimer

Andrea Ellen Ostheimer bild

Director KAS New York Office

andrea.ostheimer@kas.de +1 646 852 6500

Dr. Mónica Castillejos-Aragón

Mónica Castilliejos

Program Manager / Rule of Law

monica.castillejos@kas.de +1 646 852 6500