Tag Archives: AIDS

Clinton in Kazakhstan / Climate Talks in Cancun / World AIDS Day

Posted on by

In Kazakhstan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses the OSCE Summit and speaks about the role of civil society activism at a town hall meeting. After returning from Asia, Clinton will host foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan in Washington. Faith can be a force for healing among nations, says U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice. At the COP-16 talks in Cancun, countries strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, today is World AIDS Day; read how the United States is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Clinton Urges Stronger OSCE
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to expand its role in promoting human rights, preventing regional conflicts and enhancing security across the continent. Speaking in Kazakhstan, Clinton also outlined U.S. priorities for the OSCE, the first of which is to increase the group’s role in supporting stability in Afghanistan.

The Role of Civil Society Activists
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says governments cannot build strong democracies, thriving economies or stable societies by themselves. “Governments hold so much of the future in their hands, but they are not the most powerful determinant. That is the people themselves, and particularly the organizations that bring people together in civil society,” said Clinton, speaking at a town hall meeting in Astana.

U.S. to Meet Allies on North Korea
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan in Washington for discussions concerning recent North Korean activities and their impact upon regional security.

Faith Among Nations
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice says faith can be a force for partnership and healing among nations.

Climate Talk at COP-16
Leaders from more than 190 countries are attending the COP-16 climate meeting in Mexico to try to build on commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions made during last year’s gathering in Copenhagen. Though a legally binding treaty remains elusive, some 140 countries have signed on to the Copenhagen Accord, and more than 80 have submitted greenhouse gas reduction targets.

World AIDS Day
Increased U.S. support for antiretroviral treatments will help deliver life-saving drugs to more than 4 million people living with HIV around the world by 2013, the State Department says. “By investing in what we know works, we can save millions more in the future,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says in marking World AIDS Day.

Elections in Egypt / Networking in North Africa / Letters to the White House

Posted on by

The U.S. expresses disappointment with Egyptian parliamentary elections. In North Africa, business leaders are networking with young entrepreneurs. View a photo gallery of posters created by young people from around the world in honor of World AIDS Day. And finally, learn about a book of letters sent by kids to the White House.

U.S. Expresses Concern over  Egyptian Election
The Obama administration expresses disappointment over the conduct of Egypt’s November 28 legislative election, citing reports of irregularities, intimidation, civil rights restrictions, and a lack of international monitors. The Obama administration wants to continue to work with Egyptian authorities and civil society groups to help their country “achieve its political, social, and economic aspirations consistent with international standards,” says National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer.

Talking Business in North Africa
Business leaders and young entrepreneurs from the U.S. and North Africa will develop strategies to promote job creation at the first U.S.-Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference in Algiers, December 1–2. Hosted by the U.S. State Department and the U.S.-Algeria Business Council, the event will create a platform to discuss business ventures in North Africa and encourage support from both the government and private sector.

Photo Gallery: “Celebrate Life” on World AIDS Day
In honor of World AIDS Day on December 1, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief invited young people from around the world to create posters reflecting the theme “Celebrate life.” In this photo gallery, see some of their submissions.

Letters to the White House
“I Live Real Close to Where You Used to Live: Kids’ Letters to Michelle Obama (and to Sasha, Malia and Bo)” is a new book featuring dozens of letters that children all across the country wrote to the first family. At right, Michelle Obama and the family dog, Bo.

Clinton to Kazakhstan / The U.N. and North Korea / The Skinny on Obesity

Posted on by

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is heading to a summit in Kazakhstan. The U.S wants tighter enforcement of U.N. sanctions on North Korea. You asked why so many Americans are obese; we have some answers. And finally, on the eve of World AIDS Day, we take a look at posters created by young people and a Kenyan doctor who is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Clinton to Attend OSCE Summit
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, will attend the 2010 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Summit December 1–2 in Kazakhstan. “We hope that this event will shine a light on positive developments in Central Asia and the role that the OSCE has played, and can play in the future, in promoting its principles throughout the OSCE region,” says Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake.

U.S. Calls on U.N. to Enforce North Korea Sanctions
The Obama administration called on the United Nations Security Council to tighten the enforcement of U.N. sanctions against North Korea following recent reports that Pyongyang has acquired centrifuges capable of enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons. U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan Rice says U.S. concerns about North Korea’s nuclear activities “have only been heightened” by “North Korea’s deadly, unprovoked attack” on November 23 against South Korea.

The Skinny on Obesity
This essay, by Marion Nestle of New York University, is excerpted from the Living Book “You Asked.” Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health, is the author of Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health and What to Eat.

Photo Gallery: “Celebrate Life” on World AIDS Day
In honor of World AIDS Day on December 1, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief invited young people from around the world to create posters reflecting the theme “Celebrate life.” In this photo gallery, see some of their submissions. At left, a submission from India.

A Leader in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Dr. Frederick Sawe is deputy director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Walter Reed Project HIV Program, a prevention, research and treatment project run jointly by his home country of Kenya and the U.S. military’s international HIV program. Read about his success.

Bringing American Music to Belarus / A Leader in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Posted on by

A New York professor takes American music to Belarus. A doctor in Kenya is having some success in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Live from COP-16, climate change webcasts. The stakes are high in the global fight against corruption. Looking for information on Iran? Try the Encyclopaedia Iranica. Since last year, the number of partnerships between American and Russian universities has nearly doubled. And finally, learn what a group of students did to raise awareness and money for flood victims in Pakistan.
 

American Music in Belarus
New York choral conductor, baritone, and music professor Ira Spaulding has traveled to over 55 countries, spreading a passion and appreciation for American jazz and traditional American Negro spiritual songs. Recently returned from a concert and teaching tour to Belarus, Spaulding called his latest visit a “truly wonderful experience.” At right, Spaulding performs with the State Chamber Choir of Belarus in Minsk.
 
 

The Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Dr. Frederick Sawe is deputy director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Walter Reed Project HIV Program, a prevention, research and treatment project run jointly by his home country of Kenya and the U.S. military’s international HIV program. Reaed about his success.

Webcasts: Cop-16, Climate Change
Through its webcasts, CO.NX is providing you access to dozens of live, 90-minute programs taking place at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP-16. Programs — hosted at the U.S. Center at COP-16 in Cancun, Mexico — run from November 29 through December 10.

A Global Effort Against Corruption
Officials attending major international gatherings have vowed to turn anti-corruption commitments into action as the stakes in the global fight against bribery, graft and embezzlement have grown greater.

Iranica: An Online Encyclopedia
Encyclopedias have been around for 2,000 years, but websites like the online Encyclopaedia Iranica are reinventing them. With Encyclopaedia Iranica, the reader can click on any of hundreds of featured entries that pop up randomly on the online version’s home page and also jump from one article to another with a click.

U.S.-Russia University Ties
Since the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission was formed by Presidents Obama and Medvedev in July, 2009, the number of partnerships between American and Russian universities has nearly doubled.

Flags for Flood Awareness
To increase awareness of conditions in Pakistan and encourage support for its 160 Pakistani alumni, Plymouth State University student leaders covered the New Hampshire campus lawn with 25,000 neon green flags, each representing 800 persons displaced by flooding. They call the display the “Flood of Flags” and it helped raise more than $3,000 for flood relief. At left, student leaders Bryan Funk (left) and Sam Wisel (right) were among the organizers.