Migration, the United Nations, and international NGOs: Challenges and lessons learned

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa Kauffman ◽  
Ani Kalayjian ◽  
Miriam Mukasa
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 823-834
Author(s):  
Alejandra Jáuregui ◽  
Selene Pacheco-Miranda ◽  
Armando García-Olvera ◽  
Emanuel Orozco-Núñez

Background: Quality physical education (QPE) is part of a whole-of-school approach for school-based physical activity promotion. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization QPE Policy Project supported 4 countries to develop QPE policies. The authors summarize the process, progress, successes, setbacks, and lessons learned during the implementation of the project in Mexico. Methods: The project was developed from August 2016 to April 2018 following the methodology proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Adaptations to the methodology were made to meet local needs. Results and Discussion: The project successfully implemented the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization methodology and prepared a national strategy for the provision of QPE in Mexico. The national strategy progressed despite the change in presidential administration. Successes included the use of a QPE policy evaluation framework, the inclusion of stakeholders representing extreme PE views and from all regions in the country, and the presence of international agencies in the national team. Setbacks included difficulties in engaging key organizations and a weak communication campaign. Lessons learned are discussed. Conclusions: The QPE project in Mexico served as a pilot project to test the feasibility of implementing a QPE policy revision process. The experience and lessons learned in Mexico can be drawn on to inform the work of other stakeholders interested in advocating for a national QPE policy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-152
Author(s):  
Luca G Castellani

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law prepared the first global treaty specifically devoted to electronic commerce law, the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. That treaty builds on the highly successful UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures. This article describes the main goals of the Electronic Communications Convention and its scope of application. In particular, it illustrates how that Convention may fully enable the use of electronic means under other widely adopted treaties such as the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The article also describes the main substantive provisions of the Electronic Communications Convention, in particular clarifying how that Convention updates and completes the provisions of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce. This Model Law is the backbone of electronic commerce law in numerous countries and a de facto legislative standard insouthern Africa. Finally, the article describes the manner (or patterns) in which the adoption of the Electronic Communications Convention takes place. It stresses that, while the Convention is often used as a source of inspiration for domestic law reform, in order for it to achieve all its intended goals, its formal adoption as a treaty is necessary. The final message is therefore a call upon all states to consider the adoption of that Convention in order to support the broader use of electronic means, especially in the light of the implications for economic development and the promotion of paperless trade.


Author(s):  
Marianne Beisheim ◽  
Nils Simon

Abstract In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations assigned an important role to multistakeholder partnerships for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Since partnerships show a mixed success record, this article analyzes whether relevant actors in the UN context are inclined to translate lessons learned and the increased knowledge about partnerships’ conditions for success into an improved “UN metagovernance.” Criticizing the current institutional setup, most of the interviewed actors proposed that partnerships should be metagoverned by the UN through systemwide principles, rules, and procedures. There is, however, little consensus as to how that should be done. Drawing on assumptions from the literature and extensive empirical research, the article identifies patterns in actors’ perspectives on the issue.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
Eugenie Reidy

AbstractThis article explores local agency in development anthropology, a prominent form of applied anthropology that has encouraged reflection on the practice of anthropology itself (Mosse 2013). Drawing on specific fieldwork experiences from time the author spent working for the United Nations and international NGOs in East Africa, it discusses several complexities and moral questions that arose. In particular, it focuses on the challenges for local perspectives to be represented, given the subjective interests in which development encounters are embedded. It also looks at instances where ‘speaking back’ does occur, and where it arguably becomes ‘striking back’. In light of this, the article discusses what can be mutually exchanged between development and anthropology, with a particular focus on the accommodation of local agency and participation, and the need for fieldwork approaches based on sufficient time, trust and positionality.


Author(s):  
Sezai Özçelik

This paper aims to explain the shift in Latin America’s level of conflict and internal violence relative to other regions in the world. It examines a single regional subsystem, Latin America within the framework of conflict and peace as well as the role of the United Nations. First, it aims to shed lights on main transformations and changes in terms of political, economic, social and cultural issues in Latin America. Second, the concept of the zone of peace is examined within the context of Latin America. The main activities of the United Nations in relation to conflict and peace are investigated in the third section. In conclusion, it underlines the lessons learned from conflict and peace processes in Latin America.


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