A Conservationist, Woman Leader, and Peacemaker

Posted by Wenchi Yu / October 21, 2012

Members of the Turkana tribe near Shaba in Kenya, 2012 [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Wenchi Yu serves in the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues.

Since 2008, the drought-induced food crisis that affected many countries in the Horn of Africa not only cost the regional economy billions of dollars, but also exacerbated regional instability, insecurity in distressed communities, and tribal competition for scarce resources.

Josephine Ekiru, a 26-year-old conservationist from the Turkana tribe near Shaba in Kenya, was determined to do something for her community after witnessing the devastating impact of frequent conflict on both the region's people and wildlife. She started by talking to the women in her community, hearing about their common concern of losing husbands and sons in the conflicts. She also reached out to women of the other major tribe, the Borana, with which the Turkanas were in conflict. After years of work, she gained trust from both groups. In May 2010, Josephine's work helped unite the two tribes… more »

Photo of the Week: Observing World Food Day

Posted by Sarah Goldfarb / October 19, 2012

A Kenyan man shows millet he has grown at his farm in Siranga in western Kenya, July 18, 2012. [USAID/Kenya photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Sarah Goldfarb serves as DipNote's Associate Editor.

Every year on October 16, the international community unites around World Food Day to increase awareness about global hunger. Today, nearly one billion people suffer from chronic hunger, and more than 3.5 million children die from undernutrition each year. As President Barack Obama said in his message recognizing World Food Day, "The United States has a moral obligation to lead the fight against global hunger, and we have put food security at the forefront of global development efforts. Through initiatives like Feed the Future, we are helping partner countries transform their agriculture sectors by investing in smallholder farmers -- particularly women -- who… more »

Internet and Academic Freedom in the Digital Age

Posted by Michael H. Posner / October 18, 2012

Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner responds to your questions live in a Facebook chat on May 25, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Michael H. Posner serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

In today's world, Internet freedom lies at the heart of academic freedom. An open online platform where information and ideas can be exchanged unimpeded is essential to the rigors of contemporary scientific and intellectual exploration. At present, however, Internet freedom remains threatened worldwide. And this poses as much of a danger to scientists and other academics as it does to human rights activists.

Last week, I had the opportunity to discuss the impact of these challenges on the academic community in a keynote address entitled "Science and Academic Freedom in the Digital Age" before a crowd of… more »

Palestinian “Diamonds” of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Posted by Joshua W. Walker / October 17, 2012

Members of the U.S. delegation to the Partners for a New Beginning Celebration of Innovation Conference pose for a photograph with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah, October 7, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Dr. Joshua W. Walker is senior advisor for the Office of the Secretary's Global Partnerships Initiative.

The image of the Palestinian Territories, for most outsiders who have never had the chance to visit the ruggedly beautiful terrain, typically only involves the political stalemate that overshadows the incredible creativity and inventiveness of the Palestinian people. In many ways Palestinians seem to have entrepreneurship in their DNA. I had the opportunity to witness this first hand on a recent visit to the region, where I accompanied U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships Kris Balderston. He was leading a delegation of American entrepreneurs and investors seeking to harness this entrepreneurial spirit and celebrate the culture of innovation in the West Bank.

Palestine for a New Beginning, the Palestinian chapter of… more »

Nepal: Security Sector Reform Helps Build Peace and Security

Posted by Jack Detsch / October 17, 2012

Nepalese army soldiers march during Nepal's National Democracy Day celebrations in Katmandu, Nepal, February 19, 2010. [AP Photo]

About the Author: Jack Detsch serves in the Office of Plans, Policy, and Analysis (PM/PPA) in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

Security Sector Reform is a critical mission for the U.S. Department of State. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, we help nations turn the page on past practices and establish effective and accountable security institutions that respect human rights and can positively contribute to promoting regional peace and security. As Nepal continues to emerge from a decade long civil conflict, these reform efforts are making a difference.

On November 21, 2006, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ended a 10-year civil war with Maoist insurgents and abolished the monarchy. The conflict left Nepal with significant challenges, including internal population displacement and the decline of a once-vibrant tourism industry.

For Nepal's peace to survive, the new government also needed to enact robust reforms to rebuild its army, police, and other security… more »

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