I believe that few people could name more than five members of the UN Security Council. The U.S., Russia and China certainly. Think hard and you would probably add in the United Kingdom and -- maybe -- France, as the countries who hold the power of "nay" or "aye" over key actions of the United Nations, including how the UN addresses conflicts arising around the world.
There are 10 other countries who are non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
This October, New Zealand, Spain and Turkey will contest two vacant seats in the UN Security Council. Two seats, three contenders.
My country Timor-Leste is actively supporting New Zealand for one of the two seats.
I have lived with and aged with the UN Security Council, since December, 1975, when I first addressed the Council at age 25, on the Indonesian occupation of my country, Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor). And while the voice of the superpowers and other developed nations such as the European members are indispensable, the council, being the only group in the UN with real teeth, is far too important to be an exclusive club of the powerful.
Read the full Oped at:
Huffington Post
Read all of Dr. Ramos-Horta's HuffPost Entries Here:
Ramos Horta on Huffington Post
Please consider joining Global Fairness Initiative for this year's 2014 Fairness Award to celebrate the collaboration and successful collective of grass-roots and grass-tops efforts around the world.
We have 3 INCREDIBLE honorees this year who have done much to effect marginalized communities and have a positive impact on the livelihoods of thousands - especially women!
The 2014 Fairness Award will take place on November 24, 2014 at the historic Howard Theatre in Washington, DC. Ticket sales will be available soon. In the meantime, you can purchase your ticket or view the sponsorship and advertisement opportunities at: www.fairnessaward.org.
Please see the "Save the Date" attached as a PDF for more information.
June 1, 2014 was the "National Day of Recyclers" in Peru to commemorate "The Law of the Recycler" which was inaugurated June 1, 1999. This law was the first in Peru to regulate recyclers' work with the clear intention of formalizing recyclers and promoting the efficient management of reusable solid waste. Ciudad Saludable was a leader in drafting this law as a response to Peru's municipal and waste management challenges and to promote the formalization of outcasted and undermined waste-picker and recycler workers within the country.
June 1, 2014 in Lima, 15 Recyclers Associations along with, community leaders, NGOs and local citizens, gathered to celebrate this historical day in the district of Barranco.
To read the full press release by Ciudad Saludable please see here:
To hear Ms. Painter's speech upon receiving Bulgaria's Golden Laurel award click
HERE
Sally Painter, COO of Blue Star Strategies LLC and H.E Elena Poptodorova, Ambassador of Bulgaria, U.S.
April 29, 2014