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Global Risk

World More at Risk from Markets and Mother Nature - Global Risks 2013 report

Persistent economic malaise coupled with frequent extreme weather events an increasingly dangerous mix
National resilience is crucial to tackle unpredictable global threats; new country rating system launched
Health and hubris, digital wildfires and environmental/economic stress are the three risk cases for 2013
The report analyses 50 global risks, with breakdowns for China, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America

Read the Global Risks 2013 report in full.

New Website launched for PARIS21

The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21), a unique initiative that aims to promote the better use and production of statistics throughout the developing world, has just launched its new website!

The website provides quick access to a wealth of the most up to date information about statistical development around the world and in developing countries. Do you want to know more about how statistics are being used in a specific country or region? Are you trying to promote a better use of statistics and want PARIS21 to help with advocacy efforts? Are you searching for reports and publications related to the status of statistical development? Simply log in to our newly designed website, where you can access the latest information on the Partnership's activities and upcoming events, and enjoy free access to a rich online statistical library and other statistical resources.

In addition, PARIS21 is now present on social media:

Become a fan of PARIS21 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter for instant access to updates on statistical development, news from our network around the world, commentaries from experts, statistical analysis, and opportunities for statisticians
Access videos through the Vimeo Channel, which provides advocacy video materials on the importance of statistics.

New Report by BRAINPOol on Beyond GDP indicators

The central assumption of the BRAINPOoL project is that indicators, if effectively embedded in the policy making process, are an effective transmission mechanism to connect research and policy. The creation of ‘Beyond GDP’ indicators can be seen as key to re-orienting policy, in turning an otherwise unfocused desire for change into concrete plans.

This report:

Presents the range of different indicators and indicator initiatives
Explores the intentions of indicator promoters and producers
Reviews why some of this activity is successful and some not so effective, as understood by the indicator producers and promoters themselves.
Presents in detail information on a few representative initiatives

Global Food

Global Food Waste

It is estimated that 30–50% (or 1.2–2 billion tonnes) of all food produced on the planet is lost before reaching a Human Stomach.

Read the "Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not" Report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Watch the Tristram Stuart's Ted Talk on 'The global food waste scandal'
See the great CNN Info Graphic on "Food waste: From farm to fork and landfill"
Listen to the BBC 'World have your say' Podcast on How to Reduce Food Waste

Global Food Security

The Guardian, Global Development Food Security articles and blogs

Find out about the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

2013 International Year of Water Cooperation

2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation Official Website

The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services. The Year will highlight the history of successful water cooperation initiatives, as well as identify burning issues on water education, water diplomacy, transboundary water management, financing cooperation, national/international legal frameworks, and the linkages with the Millennium Development Goals.

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The International Annual UN-Water Zaragoza Conference 2012/2013
The International Annual UN-Water Zaragoza Conference 2012/2013 'Preparing for the 2013 International Year. Water Cooperation: Making it Happen!' took place in Zaragoza, Spain, from 8 to 10 January 2013, it focused on how to make cooperation happen

Reflecting on 2012 and looking to 2013

As 2012 comes to an end we reflect on a year filled with triumphs, disasters and progress. Looking ahead to 2013 we think of and listen to others aspirations for the future. From all of us here at Wikiprogress we wish you a very happy New Year and look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2013.

United Nations Year in Review: Looking back at major events of 2012

Storms and climate change made headlines. Countries struggled between turmoil and transition. From violence in Syria to militant occupation in Mali to a new cycle of violence in Gaza - the UN was called to protect civilians and find solutions. Looking beyond today's crises, more than 190 countries discussed in Rio the framework of "A Future We Want".

2012 Year in Review: The Atlantic The stories that defined 2012, the best moments in pop culture, and more. See the Year in Review to view 2012 according to technology, news articles, politics and more. Also, the top global stories of 2012

TIME Magazine: People Who Mattered in 2012

TIME has collected a list of People Who Mattered in 2012.

The Year in 2013 The Economist have asked people around the world what their hopes and aspirations are for 2013. Beautiful mashup of small wishes and global changes. Watch the video here.

Putting Inequality on the Post-2015 Agenda

Policy makers deciding on priorities to replace MDGs mustn't ignore rising inequality. Perspectives on Global Development 2012: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World, the OECD Development Centre's annual report published six months ago, addresses one of the main challenges to be faced by the next global development agenda: the lack of cohesion and, at its root, inequality.

Celebrating volunteers around the world

Wikis rely on volunteers to create and share information. As Clay Shriky says, a wiki is a hybrid of tool and community. On the International Day of Volunteers 2012 we would like to thank all those who have contributed to Wikiprogress.

Key facts If volunteers were a nation they would be the 10th largest country in the world. That's 140million volunteers. 16% of people worldwide volunteer their time for an organisation

Inforgraphic Online volunteers (that's you)

Official message On IVD 2012, we celebrate our commitment and hope for a better world. The main focus of IVD 2012 is awareness of and recognition for volunteers and volunteer organizations. The purpose is to recognise this commitment, to inform people about the impact of volunteering on peace and sustainable development, and to applaud volunteers for their dedication and impact.

How global climate change talks have progressed

The 2012 UN Climate Change Conference opened in Doha this week. With 2012 expected to be the 9th warmest year on record, the talks are becoming increasingly important, with a big focus on how climate change will impact those in least developed countries. The meeting includes the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Guardian have put together an interactive timeline of global climate talks since 2005, when the Kyoto protocol became legally binding.

Global Climate Talks Guideline

Selection of media highlights

Doha Climage Talks - Any Signs of Life? (The Nation 29.11.2012)

Cop18 - The climate change circus rolls into Doha (Daily Maverick 29.11.2012)

The Future of Our Planet is at Stake (Daily News 29.11.2012)

2012 expected to be ninth warmest year on record (Guardian 28.11.2012)

Q and A with Doha Organiser (Al Jazeera 18.11.2012)

The Doha Climate Debate (Council on Foregin Relations 26.11.2012)

Kyoto Battlelines Drawn (27.11.2012)

Womens health is being impacted by climate change (Climate Change TV 28.11.2012)

See also

Beyond 2015, what sort of future do we want?

In 2000, world leaders promised to halve extreme poverty by 2015 with a global plan called the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Thanks to millions of people taking action and a massive global effort, we have already made real progress. The number of people living in poverty has fallen to less than half of its 1990 level. Over two billion people gained access to better drinking water. The share of slum dwellers living in cities fell, improving the lives of at least 100 million people!

Yet, 1.4 billion people still live in extreme poverty. Every 4 seconds a child dies from preventable causes and over 900 million, particularly women and young people, suffer from chronic hunger. Meanwhile our population is set to rise to 9.5 billion by 2050 and the food system is at breaking point.

Climate change threatens to destroy the lives of millions more and undo all the progress we have made so far. Inequality is growing everywhere and human rights are being undermined in the worlds most fragile and conflict affected countries while the world economy continues to falter.

Despite all of this, for the first time in history we do have the resources to end poverty and grow our world sustainably. It will take the work of all of us to make this happen and we must make our Governments listen and take action on the things that matter most to people everywhere!

The World We Want will gather the priorities of people from every corner of the world and help build a collective vision that will be used directly by the United Nations and World Leaders to plan a new development agenda launching in 2015, one that is based on the aspirations of all citizens!

Join the conversation.

Africa’s Millennium Development Goals performance at a glance

A new report, Assessing Progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals, released by the UNDP measures the progress made towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa.

The findings of this report confirm that steady economic growth and improvements in poverty reduction on the continent continue to have a positive impact on MDG progress. Africa has sustained progress toward several MDGs and is on track to achieve the targets of: universal primary education; gender parity at all levels of education; lower HIV/AIDS prevalence among 15-24 year olds; increased proportion of the population with access to antiretroviral drugs; and increased proportion of seats held by women in national parliament by 2015.

See more and download the report - Assessing Progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals

How open data is changing international aid

How do we make sure that development and aid money actually goes to the people who most need it? Sanjay Pradhan of the World Bank Institute lays out three guidelines to help relief efforts make the most impact -- while curbing corruption. One key: connecting the players who are working to change broken systems with the data they need.

Just released - 2012 Prosperity Index

The 2012 Prosperity Index includes 32 new countries, increasing the total global coverage from 110 countries to 142. The 2012 index found that global prosperity is increasing, despite the most the great financial crisis. 2012 Ranks Scandinavian countries Norway, Denmark and Sweden take first, second and third on the index with Australia and New Zealand coming in fourth and fifth respectively.

Legatum Prosperity Index

Canadian Index of Wellbeing 2012 Report

The 2012 Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) Report, titled 'How are Canadians Really Doing?' analyses 64 separate indicators within eight interconnected domains: Community Vitality; Democratic, Engagement; Education; Environment; Healthy Populations; Leisure and Culture; Living Standards; and Time Use.

CIW co-chair the Honourable Monique Bégin stated, “the recession and sluggish recovery have taken a big toll on Canadians, the deterioration in job quality and economic security, soaring long- term unemployment and persistent income inequality speak to the growing unease felt coast to coast. Our governments must recognize this reality as they make decisions on how to steer us forward, particularly given predictions of an extended period of weak economic growth.”

Read more and download the full report How are Canadians Really doing? Canadian Index of Wellbeing Report 2012

Canadian Index of Wellbeing 2012 Report

The 2012 Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) Report, titled 'How are Canadians Really Doing?' analyses 64 separate indicators within eight interconnected domains: Community Vitality; Democratic, Engagement; Education; Environment; Healthy Populations; Leisure and Culture; Living Standards; and Time Use.

CIW co-chair the Honourable Monique Bégin stated, “the recession and sluggish recovery have taken a big toll on Canadians, the deterioration in job quality and economic security, soaring long- term unemployment and persistent income inequality speak to the growing unease felt coast to coast. Our governments must recognize this reality as they make decisions on how to steer us forward, particularly given predictions of an extended period of weak economic growth.”

Read more and download the full report How are Canadians Really doing? Canadian Index of Wellbeing Report 2012

World Food Day

"Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world" is the formal wording of the 2012 theme. It has been chosen to highlight the role of cooperatives in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.

Read more and learn about the World Food Day.
Read more about The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2011.

International Day of the Girl

The Day of the Girl is about highlighting, celebrating, discussing, and advancing girls lives and opportunities across the globe. When girls come together to talk about what really matters to us, we can teach other people–grownups, boys, girls all across the world–a new way of thinking about issues like gender stereotypes, discrimination, and opportunity. October 11 is not just a day but a movement. 10.11.12 is bigger than one issue, one organization, or even one country.

Read more and learn about the Day of the Girl.

World Development Report 2013 - Jobs

"In lower income countries, middle income countries, even high income countries, what people want is the same: they want a good job." - Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank Group. The 2012 World Development Report: Jobs, produced by the World Bank, stresses the role of strong private sector led growth in creating jobs and outlines how jobs that do the most for development can spur a virtuous cycle. The report finds that poverty falls as people work their way out of hardship and as jobs empower women to invest more in their children. Efficiency increases as workers get better at what they do, as more productive jobs appear, and as less productive ones disappear. Societies flourish as jobs foster diversity and provide alternatives to conflict.

Read more and download the report: World Development Report 2013 - Jobs

UN General Assembly General Debate 2012

The opening of the annual General Debate at the UN General Assembly amid a 'time of turmoil and transition. Ban Ki-moon has called on World Leaders to overcome divisions, do more to address sobering challenges; he has stated that the UN can only be as strong as members choose to make it and urges delegations to find courage, tenacity of purposes.

Speaking at the Assembly, President Obama talked of progress and the Arab Spring, "so let us remember that this is a season of progress. For the first time in decades, Tunisians, Egyptians, and Libyans voted for new leaders in elections that were credible, competitive, and fair, he said.

Watch the live webcast here

The Social Good Summit

Coming up this weekend, the Social Good Summit brings together a dynamic community of global leaders to discussion and create innovative solutions to the problems we face today. Held during UN Week from September 22-24, the conference focuses on the power of innovative thinking an