LIBERIA: Health facilities in disarray - malnutrition, unsanitary conditions stifling the young
What will be a country's end when the youth, its greatest hope, are left to fend for themselves, unattended and neglected (both materially and spiritually)! Let this be a sobering lesson to us all.(Excerpt:)Liberia's population is estimated at 3.5 million. "Over three million Liberians have no access to safe sanitation facilities," says Muyatwa Sitali, communications officer with Oxfam UK...A relevant quotation from a sacred text states in this regard:O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH!The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only o

S. Korea as model on development
This OECD statement would reflect the fundamental principle of the interdependence of all nations, and that a nation's priority should be, first, to get on its own feet (often with the help of other, more advanced nations), and second, to fulfil its duty to assist the less advanced nations. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."(1) Korea's story demonstrates the changing face of international development assistance. "Making good use of this assistance," said Oh Joon, "we worked hard to overcome poverty and achieve development. For many Koreans, including myself, it happened in our own lifetime. As a child, I went to an ele

The experience of eloquent speech - here on issues of governance in E.U.
It's rare to find such outstanding diction and expression as is wielded here - by former President of Latvia Ms. Vike-Freiberga.(Excerpt:)...Europe. Now, for the first time, it has a common voice on the international stage. It must use it well and use it sparingly. That means worrying less about detail and concentrating on the big ...issues — a little less time worrying about the curvature of bananas and a little more devotion to energy security and the environment."Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements."

Coherent lines of action key to solving global problems
I find it remarkable to witness this new development toward a /coherent/ approach to solving the world's manifold problems --(Excerpt:)"There cannot be food security without climate security"... Mr Ban's comments signal how leaders are grappling with the need to respond coherently – and simultaneously – to energy, food and climate challenges. "The three are key for political security and stability," said Alexander Muller...UN links climate with hungerBy Javier Blas in RomePublished: November 16 2009 10:24 | Last updated:

The legacy and promise of 1989: fall of the Berlin Wall
A historian's candid analysis of the significance and possible implications of the Wall's fall. From the New York Times.(Excerpts:)...it seems the lessons of the 20 century learned in Europe are bound to be forgotten. Namely, that there is no such thing as a permanent rivalry among nations; that neighbors, whatever the obstacles, can be partners; that zero-sum relationships can be the exception, not the norm; that peace is forged both from the top down and from the bottom up; and that global issues — like the environment, crime, trade — are best handled in a regional framework with institution