Afrique

Für die Armee soll die Mehrwertsteuer erhöht werden. Doch Papiere aus der Bundesverwaltung zeigen, wie stark Martin Pfisters Pläne von Anfang an auf Skepsis stiessen.

TV-Moderator Günther Jauch gönnt sich Loriots legendäre Villa in Ammerland. Der Kaufpreis soll unter acht Millionen Franken liegen. Jauch und der Humorist waren eng befreundet.

In Indien kommt es zu angsteinflössenden Szenen, als ein Mann aus dem Lift steigen will und dieser plötzlich nach oben beschleunigt. Beinahe klemmt es ihn zwischen Türrahmen und dem Lift ein. Grund für den Unfall, sei ein technischer Defekt im Antrieb des Liftes.

Seit Donnerstag sprudelt es am Zürichsee-Ufer zwischen Au und Horgen. Mehrere Behörden befassen sich jetzt mit dem merkwürdigen Vorfall.

Face aux interrogations qui circulent au sein de la communauté algérienne au Qatar, l’ambassade d’Algérie à Doha a publié un communiqué important afin de clarifier […]

L’article Les Algériens au Qatar et à Oman pourront-ils rentrer par voie terrestre ? Les Ambassades répondent est apparu en premier sur .

Die Schweiz schickt 16 Nachwuchs-Skifahrer zur Junioren-WM in Narvik, Norwegen. Die grössten Medaillenchancen gibts bei den Frauen, aber auch die Männer besitzen Podestchancen in Speed und Technik.

Ohne die Fähigkeiten ihrer Drohnenpiloten hätten die Ukrainer den Krieg längst verloren. In einer Lagerhalle in Kiew lehren Profis der 3. Sturmbrigade Zivilisten und Soldaten den Umgang mit Kampfdrohnen. Bald will die Killhouse Academy eine Schule im Ausland eröffnen.

Consommer des fibres peut améliorer la santé, prolonger l'espérance de vie et même protéger notre cerveau. Cependant, nous sommes encore nombreux à manquer de ce « nutriment essentiel ».

Bula Central School in Bula, Camarines Sur, Philippines, remain flooded a week after Tropical Storm Trami brought heavy rains and strong winds to much of the country in 2024. Extreme weather patterns such as this illustrate the type of intensified climate risks associated with warming oceans and shifting climate patterns. Credit: UNICEF/Martin San Diego.

By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 6 2026 (IPS)

Earlier this week World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that the weakening conditions of La Niña conditions are beginning to fade, with climate conditions transitioning toward ENSO-neutral —a phase in which neither El Niño nor La Niña is present and oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific remain near average. The agency noted that this shift could lead to the development of El Niño later in the year, a pattern typically associated with rising global temperatures and an increased risk of extreme weather events worldwide.

Although these forecasts carry a degree of uncertainty— particularly during the boreal spring, when the well-known “spring predictability barrier” temporarily reduces the accuracy of ENSO predictions — they remain crucial for global climate preparedness measures. Early warnings of shifts between El Niño, La Niña, and neutral conditions give governments, industries, and humanitarian organizations essential time to prepare for disasters.

By informing disaster planning, protecting critical infrastructure, and guiding responses for climate-sensitive communities, these forecasts can help reduce damage, strengthen resilience, and potentially save millions of dollars in economic losses from extreme weather patterns.

“The WMO community will be carefully monitoring conditions in the coming months to inform decision-making,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, noting that the most recent El Niño event in 2023-2024 was one of the five strongest on record, contributing to the record-breaking global temperatures observed in 2024.

“Seasonal forecasts for El Niño and La Niña help us avert millions of dollars in economic losses and are essential planning tools for climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, health, energy, and water management,” Saulo added. “They are also a key part of the climate intelligence provided by WMO to support humanitarian operations and disaster risk management, and thus save lives.”

According to forecasts from the WMO Global Producing Centres, there is a 60 percent chance that ENSO-neutral conditions will persist from March through May. From April to June, the likelihood of El Niño developing increases to approximately 70 percent. By May through July, the likelihood of ENSO-neutral conditions drops to around 60 percent, while the chance of El Niño rises to roughly 40 percent.

These projections suggest that global ocean temperatures will likely continue to rise as the year progresses, signaling a need for resilient climate-monitoring and preparatory efforts, particularly for the highly vulnerable populations in coastal regions in the Asia-Pacific.

“When El Niño develops, we’re likely to set a new global temperature record,” said climate scientist Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center. “‘Normal” was left in the dust decades ago. And with this much heat in the system, everyone should buckle up for the extreme weather it will fuel.”

El Niño and La Niña are primarily driven by fluctuations in ocean and surrounding atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific region, with their impacts being exacerbated by human-induced climate change. Rising global temperatures have been found to amplify the frequency and severity of extreme weather events associated with these oscillations, including extensive droughts, prolonged monsoons, devastating floods, stronger tropical cyclones, heatwaves, and wildfires.

These shifts disrupt seasonal rainfall and temperature patterns, leading to biodiversity loss and widespread ecosystem degradation. Immediate consequences include growing food insecurity driven by declining crop yields and collapsing fisheries, along with heightened risks to human health, livelihoods, water security, and broader economic stability.

A joint study led by Professor Benjamin Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, published in January, examined the long-term impacts of El Niño on human health. Titled Enduring Impacts of El Niño on Life Expectancy in Past and Future Climates, the study drew upon roughly six decades of findings from ten Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

The study found that intensifying El Niño periods are having increasingly detrimental effects on human mortality rates and life expectancy, having notably increased over the past several years. Researchers found a strong correlation between gradually hotter El Niño events and infectious diseases, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, with children and the elderly facing heightened risks. The study also found a direct correlation between hotter El Niño periods and disruptions to healthcare systems as a result of infrastructure damage, which greatly compounds public health challenges.

Historically, the two strongest El Niño events on record — 1982-1983 and 1997-1998 — were linked with lowered life expectancy of approximately a year and one-third of a year, respectively, equivalent to economic losses of roughly USD 2.6 trillion and USD 4.7 trillion. In Hong Kong alone, the 1982-83 event resulted in an estimated 0.6 year decline in life expectancy and economic losses of nearly USD 15 billion, while the 1997-98 event resulted in a 0.4 year reduction and losses exceeding USD 5.8 billion.

Horton warned that intensifying El Niño events could reduce life expectancy across these regions by up to 2.8 years and generate cumulative losses of approximately $35 trillion by 2100. While the study does not provide region-level projections, current trends suggest that Hong Kong alone could face economic losses between USD 250 billion and USD 300 billion over the course of the century.

“El Niño is predictable,” Professor Horton said. “So, with the right planning, we can reduce its impacts. To mitigate El Niño events, countries and regions need strong early-warning systems, heat-health action plans, better water management, and protection for workers exposed to extreme heat. They also need resilient infrastructure, smarter agriculture that can cope with heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall, and public health systems that are prepared for spikes in disease and pollution.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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Some opted to remain in Iran, even after their government offered to bring them home.

Suspected Islamist militants reportedly seized control of a village for two days before being forced out by troops and air strikes.

DRAFT OPINION on the Council Decision amending Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Urmas Paet

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Un accident de tramway a fait un mort et quatre blessés graves à Sarajevo le 12 février. Depuis, des milliers de personnes manifestent chaque jour, dénonçant la vétusté des infrastructures et réclamant des comptes aux autorités. Le Premier ministre du canton de Sarajevo a démissionné.

- Le fil de l'Info / Courrier des Balkans, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Société

C'est l'une des attaques djihadistes les plus meurtrières qui touchent le nord du Bénin depuis quelques années.

C'est l'une des attaques djihadistes les plus meurtrières qui touchent le nord du Bénin depuis quelques années.

Catherine Boura, Ambassador (ad hon.)

Why women in diplomacy

Women –as professionals– in diplomacy is, in fact, a rather recent development/phenomenon. Historically, diplomacy has been the preserve of men, and women were either absent or excluded from any official diplomatic business.  There were of course Exceptional women, such as Gertrude Bell, Freya Stark, the Armenian Diana Abgar, Hungarian Rosika Schwimmer, the Bulgarian Nadezhda Stanchova, who were offered posts or recruited temporarily for their special knowledge of geographical areas; they remained, however, for a long time an exception. It was in 1924, that a Russian revolutionary, Alexandra Kollontai, earned the distinction of being the first female to be appointed Ambassador, to Oslo. Born into a wealthy landed family, Kollontai, lived many years in Europe as an exile, was steeped in European culture and was fluent in many languages. She was ideally qualified for the Bolshevik regime’s bid to win over western public opinion in the post-revolutionary years. Her appointment created a precedent that did not go unnoticed in the European capitals, but it was attributed to the fact that she was an ‘uncommon’ and ‘exceptionally capable woman’.  It was a few years later, in 1933, that the appointment of an American, Ruth Bryan Owen as US head of mission to Denmark created a stir and offered ammunition to supporters of women’s admission to the diplomatic service – at least in Britain. Nevertheless, the legitimacy of women’s participation in the professional diplomatic arena remained contested for the most part of the twentieth century. Foreign Services did not gain a critical mass of women officers until the late 1980s. Once the bar was lifted, women did not pursue a ‘women agenda’ and worked hard to pursue their careers without any gender distinction. International bodies, such as the UN, played an important role building women’s power to intervene in debates and reframe global norms. In the 21st century, women reached unprecedented levels of representation in diplomatic posts and international organisations.  Today, they have finally made their impact on diplomacy. But we are still talking about women in diplomacy. On 20 June 2022, the UN General Assembly declared   24 June International Day of Women in Diplomacy to remind the world that, while women’s numbers in diplomacy are growing, significant barriers and challenges still remain.

One may ask, why is it so important to underline the role of women in diplomacy. I will limit my arguments to three aspects: i) gender equality, ii) because of what they bring in diplomacy, (with special focus on peace and security) and iii) role models for more balanced societies.

I will start with the obvious: gender-equal leadership is implemented with a strong presence of women in leadership roles, including women ambassadors. How can diplomacy flourish if it does not reflect the gender diversity of the nation or the global populations it seeks to serve?

Having said that, one might immediately ask:

Is women’s participation in diplomacy meaningful and worthwhile?

My immediate answer would be: Yes, it is.

Why? Because of their contribution to promoting issues pertaining to civil society, and because of their impact on diplomatic practices and policies that promote peace and security on a global scale.

Issues related to women are inextricably connected with the lives and the security of communities and societies. Evidence collected in relation to several conflict cases has shown that conflict was preceded by a history of violence against women and girls in their societies. Gender violence, domestic violence, and the social marginalization of women, affect the overall behavior of a society and generate risks for its immediate environment and consequently for regional security. Where women are marginalized and disempowered, violence is higher and usually accompanied by other forms of hate that affect the overall behavior of a society.

It was women Ambassadors at the UN who brought the issue of women in conflict situations into the conversation: Sexual slavery, trafficking, the prostitution of children etc, are recurrent during conflicts. For years, the atrocities and appalling abuses committed against women and children in conflict situations were systematically neglected and not an item on the peace and security UN Agenda, in the period before women participated in UNSC working sessions.  It was during the 1990s, initially due to the insistence and championing of a woman diplomat -the US Ambassador to the UN, Madeleine Albright – with the support of other women diplomats at the UN, that these issues were discussed in the context of peace and security.  Some argued that this was cultural and that there was nothing to be done about it. Women diplomats insisted that it was criminal and that the international community bore the responsibility for stopping it.

This precipitated change: After long and persistent efforts, UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, voted on in 2000, incorporated the three dimensions: the protection, promotion and participation of women at all levels of decision-making, as a key component in peace. What was agreed then has still to be fully implemented but building on this Resolution, issues such as enslavement and rape as weapons against opponents, gender violence, the trafficking of women and children, and many more, are now seriously addressed.

Women’s inclusion is inextricably linked to sustainable peace. As the path to peace is through exchanges and dialogue, compromise and negotiation, it is important to achieve a “male-female consensus” as male and female experiences are both part of a situation.

Therefore, ways   to bring women into the process need to be devised. This is not, however, just about formal participation. Women cannot be brought in overnight to simply address the gender balance at a negotiation table. In order to create sustainable peace, ways to bring women into peace processes at different levels need to be introduced. For instance, an example could be set by including women in the team of mediators.  In certain parts of the world where gender segregation is prevalent, female diplomats/negotiators can serve as a vital bridge for bringing women into peace processes at different levels. Female diplomats/negotiators can be effective because they have access to areas and sectors of society that are otherwise restricted to male diplomats. They can have access to women who have been victims and encourage societies to listen to the voices of their vulnerable members, and facilitate it.

Last argument: role models. Societies are different throughout the world, and women’s rights are not understood in the same way everywhere. Women in diplomacy promote role models in the general process of female advancement in any field, and constitute a benchmark on the trajectory toward gender-equality and toward more balanced, inclusive, peaceful societies.

Looking into the future, one may ask how different the world would be if women played a more central role in diplomacy.  I would argue that it would not change the world by itself; women are not better, or inherently more peaceful.  But nor should they be viewed as passive and helpless. It is important that their voices are heard.  Women’s diplomatic skills can certainly contribute no less than men’s to resolving conflicts, fostering peace, and promoting reconciliation and good neighbourly relations.

The world today is facing new challenges and undergoing a tremendous transformation in an environment of continuous uncertainty and change. Contemporary challenges, from war and humanitarian crises to sectarian and violent extremism, from poverty and inequalities to climate change and environmental degradation – to mention just a few of the challenges we face in our complicated and unpredictable world – all come with an increasing need to re-imagine the future and prepare for it.

Therefore, the questions we need to ask now are: How do countries want to shape their future? How do they want to contribute to it?  How do they see their interests being advanced in it? And is there a role for women in this future?

The answer is this: yes, there is a role for women as much as there is one for men.  Empowering women and promoting their active participation in decision-making positions in a spirit of partnership, mutuality and equality within the wider societal arena can only enhance trust and equip societies to better serve national interests for security and prosperity.  Skillful, well-equipped and well-educated diplomats, both male and female, can play an important role in the future we want. Diplomacy has historically been both a function and a determinant of regional and global orders. To be effective, it requires political entities with the willingness to communicate. Illuminating women’s role in diplomacy shows us how diplomacy can work more broadly.

Ekaterini Nassika, Ambassador

Women and diplomacy

It goes without saying that this is another quintessential equality issue. If a woman possesses the desire, the capability and the merit, she must have unhindered, legally-enshrined access to every profession. Within the Greek Foreign Ministry, this has been the reality for at least half a century. Ideally, we should have standardized global metrics—perhaps provided by the UN—for all its member states. Are there women serving in every diplomatic service? At what percentages? Where are women still barred, by law or social convention, from pursuing a career in diplomacy?

Such prejudices have deep roots; I had to deal with them myself in the early days of my career, but not anymore. At the Hellenic Foreign Ministry, we have achieved more than just numerical parity in the diplomatic branch, we have secured equal opportunities for a successful career.

Do women offer something distinct? In diplomacy, in negotiations of all kinds, in mitigating problems confronting our societies, I believe they do. That something different is a less aggressive, less confrontational approach.

To clarify, I believe that women are, for various reasons, naturally closer to the true essence of diplomacy. It is a return to its roots. Women tend towards a more consensual approach to problem-solving, even when dealing with the most intractable issues. We believe in common sense and don’t feel the need to display our strength or show how tough we can be. Unless, of course, the situation demands it!

I don’t want to sugarcoat the reality. Our profession, especially when looked at from the outside, appears far less demanding than it actually is.

My thoughts lately are often with my colleagues in Kyiv, and especially my female colleagues in Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, and Riyadh. They provide vital intelligence, represent our country with distinction, negotiate, and protect our fellow citizens abroad—all while being forced frequently into underground shelters. They remain foremost in our minds and held in the highest regard. Well deserved.

Vasiliki Gounari, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO

The growing presence of women in senior positions within Greek diplomacy is a welcome development. As the first woman to serve as Greece’s Permanent Representative to NATO, I am keenly aware that my own path reflects a broader shift: the steady and meaningful expansion of women’s role in shaping our country’s foreign policy.

The different stages of my career—from work on disarmament and non‑proliferation to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, and including the honour of being Greece’s first woman Ambassador to the Political and Security Committee—have shown me how essential it is for our diplomatic service to draw on the full range of its talent. These experiences have reinforced my belief that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to engage, negotiate, and contribute effectively in multilateral settings.

The increasing number of women in positions of high responsibility is a sign of institutional maturity. Their contribution is not simply a marker of progress; it enhances the quality, credibility, and effectiveness of Greek diplomacy, supporting dialogue, cooperation, and the confident representation of our country on the international stage.

My hope is that diplomacy will continue to become more inclusive, making room for all those who wish to serve. I want the next generation—women and men alike—to find the space to contribute, to innovate, and to represent Greece with dedication and vision.

Natalia Panourgia, First Counsellor, Unit for Equality, Office of the Secretary General, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In 2022, during its 76th session, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 24th as the “International Day of Women in Diplomacy” to be observed annually, in recognition of the women’s contribution to international cooperation and peace. In a historically male-dominated field, women diplomats serve with remarkable effectiveness. They often bring new perspectives, creativity and collaborative approaches which substantially enhance the quality and impact of a country’s diplomacy.

The Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively champions the meaningful participation of women in diplomacy, both as a key element of our country’s foreign policy and within its own institutional framework. As part of its commitment to gender mainstreaming, the Ministry established a Unit for Equality in 2024 and adopted an Equality Action Plan 2024-2027. This Plan sets forth tangible objectives, including staff training and awareness, the promotion of gender-inclusive language in administrative documents, the development of gender-disaggregated statistics, and the advancement of equal representation in leadership roles. Positive trends are already evident regarding this final objective: the percentage of women serving as heads of Greek Diplomatic Missions abroad increased from 35% in 2023 to almost 38% in 2026.

In a world defined by multiple challenges— armed conflicts, climate crisis, emerging technologies—the equal participation of women in diplomacy ensures more representative, inclusive and resilient policies, ultimately bolstering the quality of our country’s international presence.

 

In Japan, the youth group donated the proceeds from their recycling to single-mother families with hospitalized children through the NPO Keep Mama Smiling. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto.

By Karuta Yamamoto
TOKYO, Japan, Mar 6 2026 (IPS)

From the beginning, this project was a collaboration between student teams in Japan and Korea. Although we live in different countries, we shared one common question: How can young people reduce waste while supporting families facing food insecurities?
Our journey began with a problem we could see clearly in our communities.

In Japan, food insecurity often hides behind quiet dignity. According to a recent survey by Save the Children Japan, over 90 percent of low-income households with children reported struggling to afford enough food, with many families forced to cut back on even basic staples such as rice due to rising prices.

The Japan and Korean team of all 11 students presented ‘The Co-creation of Youth from Waste to Hope’ at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) Thematic Event. Credit: Ticad 9

 

The Japanese team leader, Karuta Yamamoto, and the Korean team presented ‘What we want in Africa for the future’ at the Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, during TICAD 9.

 

Japan and Korea Team Leader, Karuta Yamamoto and Emma Shin, in an interview with UNFPA Seoul. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

 

The Korean team set up a shop at a bazaar at Arumjigi, Seoul, Korea. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

Single-parent households—most led by mothers—face especially high levels of food hardship and are often compelled to make painful decisions about how limited budgets are spent. For some families, this means choosing between symbolic moments of celebration and everyday nutrition. A ¥3,000 Christmas cake may represent joy for one household, but for another, that same amount must stretch to five kilograms of rice—enough to feed a family for several days.

At the same time, vast amounts of edible food are wasted in Japan. Official statistics show that millions of tons of food are discarded annually in Japan, much of it still edible. Seasonal items such as Christmas cakes, which cannot be sold after December 25, are frequently thrown away. This contrast—waste on one side and hunger on the other—reflects the global challenge addressed by SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

As students in Japan and Korea, we asked ourselves, “What role can we play in closing this gap?”

We knew that awareness alone would not change habits. enough. Instead of telling people to feel guilty about food waste, we decided to take action together.

We began locally, but with shared purpose.

In Japan, students at Dalton Tokyo Senior High School noticed that mandarin oranges—one of the country’s most common fruits—often go uneaten, with peels and seeds discarded. In Korea, students identified a different issue: more than 150,000 tons of used coffee grounds are discarded each year, contributing to landfill emissions and greenhouse gas emissions.

Different materials.

One shared goal.

Rather than seeing waste as the end of a product’s life, we saw it as a beginning.

Research shows that citrus peels contain essential oils that can be used in soaps and cleaning products. Studies in Korea also demonstrate that spent coffee grounds can be processed into sustainable biomaterials suitable for eco-friendly design and 3D printing. Plantable seed paper—made from recycled paper embedded with seeds—is another example of how waste can be transformed into something regenerative.

Inspired by these ideas, our student teams turned theory into action.

Japanese students created handmade soaps using discarded citrus peels.

Handmade soaps using discarded citrus peels. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

 

The soaps ready for sale. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

Korean students developed 3D-printed clip-on vases incorporating recycled coffee grounds, encouraging people to reuse empty bottles and cups instead of discarding them.

The Korean students developed 3D-printed clip-on vases incorporating recycled coffee grounds. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

They also produced plantable seed paper from recycled materials, allowing waste to literally grow into flowers and herbs.

Korean students produced plantable seed paper from recycled materials. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto.

These products were not sold as charity goods. Instead, they were shared as examples of responsible consumption—showing that waste can have a second life through our design. Through this work, we directly supported SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which calls for reducing waste through recycling and reuse, and SDG 13: Climate Action, by lowering emissions through upcycling.

At the same time, the funds raised had a clear purpose.

The profits were used to support families facing food insecurity. In Japan, we donated to single-mother families with hospitalized children through the NPO Keep Mama Smiling (see main photo for the opinion piece).

They also provided essential cooking ingredients to the Karuizawa Food Bank. By connecting environmental action with helping families in need, our project also supported SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

The group provided cooking ingredients to the Karuizawa Food Bank. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

Through this experience, we learned that caring for the planet and caring for people are not separate goals. Waste reduction and hunger relief became connected in one youth-led effort—turning environmental responsibility into community solidarity.

But our collaboration did not stop in Japan and Korea.

Through a partnership with the OneSmile Foundation—an organization that transforms digital smiles into donations—we connected our local initiatives to a global challenge. During workshops, we learned that school meal donations in Lesotho had stopped the previous year. Without reliable meals, many students were struggling to focus in class.

Together, our Japanese and Korean teams raised over 300,000 Japanese yen.

The Japanese and Korean teams celebrate their fundraising efforts. Credit: Karuta Yamamoto

Working with local partners in Lesotho, we organized a community-based food support initiative at Rasetimela High School, which serves 863 students. School feeding programs play a critical role in Lesotho, and recent disruptions have left many students more vulnerable to hunger.

Students at Rasetimela High School in Lesotho receive donations of food. Courtesy: Rasetimela High School

Ninety-one of the most vulnerable students were selected through transparent criteria, including those supported by social welfare programs and those who had previously relied on international assistance. Each selected family received staple foods such as rice and corn flour to make a local staple called pap. Distribution was organized near the school to ensure safety and allow parents to collect the supplies securely.

This cross-border effort—connecting students, NGOs, local leaders, and communities—reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Although we live in different countries, climates, and cultures, this experience reshaped how we understand global cooperation. The students in Lesotho were not distant beneficiaries. We became peers in a shared world.

They became peers in a shared world. Courtesy: Rasetimela High School

As young people, we often believe our impact is limited because we do not control large resources. This project challenged that belief. We learned that we can create change by designing solutions, raising awareness, and working together.

We even tried to measure what we called a “Happiness Index” by counting the smiles of students who received support. Those smiles reminded us that sustainability is not only environmental or economic—it is human.

Our experience shows that youth are not just future leaders. We are active contributors today. When creativity meets collaboration, waste can become opportunity, and local action can grow into global solidarity.

Turning waste into hope is not an abstract idea.
It is a choice—and young people are already making it.

Edited by Dr Hanna Yoon

IPS UN Bureau Report

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
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Lenz Hächler konnte die in ihn gesteckten Erwartungen im Weltcup noch nicht erfüllen. In der Olympiapause hat der begnadete Techniker vom Skiclub Oberwil aber einen grossen Schritt in die richtige Richtung gemacht.

Die 29. Runde der Super-League hält bedeutende Spiele am Wochenende bereit. Stimme dich ein und stelle dein Wissen im Blick-Quiz unter Beweis.

La compagnie nationale Air Algérie a annoncé la prolongation de la suspension de plusieurs vols internationaux reliant l’Algérie à certaines destinations du Moyen-Orient. Dans un […]

L’article Air Algérie : les vols vers Dubaï, Beyrouth, Amman et Doha resteront-ils suspendus ? est apparu en premier sur .