Vincenzina Santoro
Seven billion and countingVincenzina Santoro | 28 Sep 2011Persons coming to the United Nations in the next few weeks will see a large sign attached to the fence near the visitors’ entrance that reads in a bold heading: “7 BILLION” against a background of small photos of people from all over the globe.Debts and deficits: Help for whom?Vincenzina Santoro | 7 Apr 2010But which country is not indebted? And which countries are the most indebted? While Greece and Italy have been raked over the coals for having accumulated indebtedness that exceeds their economic output, they are not alone.Bye-bye Baby BoomersVincenzina Santoro | 29 Mar 2010Persons born during the 1946-1964 time span became known as the “baby boomers” as postwar family formation returned to normal after the economic depression of the 30s and the belligerencies of the early 40s. This year the first of the baby boomers turn 64 and the last of them turn 46. The demographic consequences of this phenomenon are significant. The older boomers are finishing up their careers, commencing retirement and experiencing the joys of becoming grandparents. The younger boomers are mostly married, at the peak of their careers, spending dearly for their children’s higher education, and the mothers have bid farewell to the possibility of more children.In the "empowering women" engine roomVincenzina Santoro | 23 Mar 2010Each year the Commission on the Status of Women attracts women (mostly) from all over the globe to the United Nations for a two-week jam session that includes statements made by government officials and cabinet ministers dealing with women’s issues; side events sponsored by governments, UN agencies and the more activist non-governmental organizations accredited to the UN; and long, drawn out deliberations on resolutions presented by delegations. First and foremost is the theme of empowering women. Female mortality mattersVincenzina Santoro | 4 Mar 2010New data from the UN tells us that if infants make it beyond the first year of
life, their chance of survival to age five becomes even more difficult:
the mortality rates for those under five are generally higher - but only in certain countries. |