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Leadership Development
Canadian and international news
Travel and volunteering overseas
Fair Trade
World maps
Online activities, games, forums and blogs
Canadian and international development organizations
HIV/AIDS
Millennium Development Goals
Environment
United Nations
Leadership Development
Leaders Today
Leaders Today is an organization for youth who want to change the world. They offer speakers and a number of workshops including Global Leadership Seminars and Teachers Today, a workshop specifically designed for teachers on how to engage students.
Absolute Leadership
Absolute Leadership exists to help young people realize their value and potential, and to empower them to change the world. They travel across Canada giving highly inspirational school presentations which include a live band and cover topics like bullying, self-worth, substance abuse and global citizenship.
Youth Action Network
A national non-profit youth organization based in Toronto, Youth Action Network (YAN) is dedicated to helping youth become more informed and actively involved citizens.
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Canadian and international news
Find Newspapers.com
This website is your Internet guide to newspapers online. Read up on current events by accessing newspapers in more than 70 countries—including all Canadian dailies.
IRIN News
IRIN's (Integrated Regional Information Networks) principal role is to provide news and analysis about sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia for the humanitarian community. IRIN is part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; however, its reports do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations and its agencies, or its member states.
Relief Web
Daily papers don't always report on the many humanitarian crises that are occuring around the world. Keep up-to-date on current global issues by accessing Relief Web's extensive database of information. You can search by issue or location.
Environmental News Network
This site provides environmental news from around the world to help educate people about major issues and to provide tools to help individuals take action in their own communities. This is not an activist publication, but instead tries to present information from all sides.
Human Rights Brief
The Human Rights Brief is a publication of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the Washington College of Law. This online journal covers development issues in international human rights and humanitarian law, and provides concise legal analysis of current human rights issues.
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Travel
CUSO
CUSO was founded in 1961 to coordinate the overseas volunteer programs of several Canadian universities. More than 12,000 Canadians have travelled to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the South Pacific to provide development aid. CUSO works primarily with local, non-government groups. In addition to direct people-to-people assistance, CUSO plays an increasingly important role in strengthening local organizations by providing training and links to other organizations for mutual support.
Casa Canadiense
Casa Canadiense (literally "Canada House") was founded in 1992 by a group of Canadian teachers. This unique initiative takes a class trip to a whole new level by providing an opportunity for secondary students and teachers to visit Nicaragua. A typical trip lasts for one or two weeks.
Canada World Youth (CWY)
Canada World Youth offers a number of programs to help youth become more engaged in world issues through travel and volunteering. Their core program is an exchange program for youth who are 17 to 24 years of age.
AFS Interculture Canada
AFS offers exchange programs that last up to one year. Student live with a host family in a AFS partner country and go to school. Canadian schools may choose to work with AFS to run an international co-op program for students.
Leaders Today
Leaders Today offers a number of trips for students interested in exploring another culture and developing their leadership skills. Offered during the summer, students can choose to visit China, India and Kenya, among other countries.
Canadian Crossroads International
Canadian Crossroads International is an international non-profit organization dedicated to building a constituency of global citizens committed to voluntarism, international development and social action in the new millennium. CCI actively contributes to creating a sustainable and equitable world by working in partnership, facilitating learning and exchange across cultures, and raising awareness of global issues.
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Canada
VSO Canada is a national partner of VSO, the world's largest independent international development agency working through volunteers. Since 1958, more than 29,000 men and women have participated in VSO by sharing their skills with people in developing countries.
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Fair Trade
Make Trade Fair
Make Trade Fair gives a voice to the farmers, labourers, and factory workers who are being cheated by the blatantly unfair rules of world trade. And it gives a voice to you, the consumer, if you want to join them in the call to end exploitation and make trade fair.
Equita
Looking to fundraise? Want to encourage your cafeteria to sell fair trade products? Check out Equita's website to learn more about fair trade and check out their fundraising programs. By visiting the 'products & producers' section of the website you can learn more about the places where the fair trade products are coming from.
Kerr Village organic market
Check out this site for information about the Kerr Village Organic Farmer's market in Oakville, Ontario. Click on 'vendors' to learn who's at the market. Consider planning to visit with your family or friends.
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World maps
Country at a Glance
This is a link on the United Nations CyberSchoolBus site to "Country at a Glance." By selecting a country on the map or the list, you can access information about the country's flag, links to the nation's newspapers, information about the country's economy, environment, health and technology, and contact information for the country's Mission in New York and Geneva.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
This site provides many country and world maps, lists and statistics.
WorldAtlas.com
This site provides many country and world maps, lists and statistics.
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Online activities, games, forums and blogs
TakingITGlobal
TakingITGlobal is an international organization led by youth and empowered by technology. TIG brings together young people in more than 200 countries within international networks to collaborate on concrete projects addressing global problems and creating positive change.
Ecokids
EcoKids is an environmental action program that educates and inspires young Canadians from ages 7-12 with topical environmental information, interactive games, and hands-on activities.
Stop Disasters simulated game
Developed by the
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Stop Disasters will help you understand how to prevent disasters from happening. Browse the site to learn more about natural disasters and play the game to make it onto the high score chart.
Global Warming Interactive
This interactive game is designed to help high school students understand the relationship between global warming and economic, political and science policy decisions.
Miniature Earth
What would the world be like if it were a village of 100 people? Watch this video to find out!
World Food Force simulated game
Developed by the World Food Programme through the United Nations, this simulation game will help players to understand the challenges of achieving food security in developing countries.
World on Fire
What if a musical artist used the money that would have been spent on making a music video to instead help fund development projects? Sarah McLachlan did. Check out the website to watch the video.
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Canadian and international development organizations
Adopt-A-Minefield – Canadian Landmine Foundation
The Canadian Landmine Foundation is a private sector foundation that continues to exemplify Canada's commitment to a global ban on landmines. The foundation offers programs through which individuals and groups can contribute to clearing landmine fields, sponsor landmine detection dogs and visit a website to click daily to make a free donation for landmine clearance. The foundation raises public profile and produces revenue for humanitarian demining.
Amnesty International Canada (part of Amnesty International)
Amnesty International Canada is part of the worldwide movement of human rights activists and financial supporters. AI works to prevent violations of fundamental human and political rights by governments and opposition groups. AI received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 and today is among the most highly respected human rights organizations in the world.
Association for Women's Rights in Development
The Association for Women's Rights in Development connects, informs and mobilizes people and organizations committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women's human rights. By facilitating ongoing debates on fundamental and provocative issues and by building the individual and organizational capacities of those working for women's empowerment and social justice, AWID's goal is to cause policy, institutional and individual change that will improve the lives of women and girls everywhere.
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Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children
The mandate of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children is to ensure a collective voice for Canadian organizations and youth concerned with the rights of children as described in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the World Summit for Children Declaration. The Coalition has grown to include over 50 national and provincial NGOs committed to promoting and protecting the rights of children in Canada and abroad.
Canadian Red Cross
As part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Canadian Red Cross helps people in Canada and around the world deal with situations that threaten their safety, survival, wellbeing and human dignity.
Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR)
Established in 1984 by a groups of docters, CPAR is a non-profit organization that exists to help build healthy communities in rural Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation
The Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation is a non-profit organization with a mission to fight poverty and exclusion in the developing world.
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CARE Canada
CARE Canada is a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty and is dedicated to helping the world's poor children and their families to solve their most threatening problems. CARE Canada is an operational member of the CARE International network, supporting and implementing development projects and relief efforts around the world.
Canadian Feed The Children
Canadian Feed The Children is an independent, registered charity whose goal is to alleviate the impact of poverty on children. The charity works with local partners overseas and in Canada to enhance the wellbeing of children and the self-sufficiency of their families and communities.
Canadian International Development Agency
By working with partners in the private and public sectors in Canada and in developing countries, and with international organizations and agencies, CIDA supports foreign aid projects and sustainable development activities in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in more than 100 of the poorest countries of the world.
CHF – Partners in Rural Development
The CHF – Partners in Rural Development is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling poor rural communities in developing countries to attain sustainable livelihoods. CHF envisions a world in which the rural poor have access to land, water, energy, technology and other resources they need to improve their living conditions in a sustainable manner.
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Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade represents Canada abroad through a network of embassies and offices around the world. DFAIT's objectives are to promote prosperity, ensure Canadians' security within a global framework and promote Canadian values and culture on the international stage.
Freedom from Hunger
Freedom from Hunger is an international development organization working in fifteen countries across the globe. The organization brings innovative and sustainable self-help solutions to the fight against chronic hunger and poverty. Together with local partners, Freedom from Hunger equips families with the resources they need to build futures of health, hope and dignity.
Free the Children
Free the Children (FTC) is an international network of children helping children through representation, leadership and action. FTC has two main purposes: to free children from poverty, exploitation and abuse, and to give children a voice, leadership training and opportunities to take action on issues which affect them from a local to an international level.
Global March Against Child Labour
The Global March Against Child Labour movement began on January 17, 1998 when thousands of people marched together to put forth a message against child labour. The organization is involved in assessing and lobbying for the ratification and implementation of the ILO Convention against the worst forms of child labour (Convention 182). The organization is also involved in the Global Campaign for Education which aims to provide education for all.
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Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an independent NGO dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. The organization stands with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime and to bring offenders to justice.
International Development Research Centre
The International Development Research Centre is a public corporation created by the Canadian government to help communities in the developing world find solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems through research. Links include articles, research papers and dossiers on the current developmental issues around the world.
International Save the Children Alliance
The International Save the Children Alliance is the world's leading independent children's rights organization with 29 members working in over 120 countries. Save the Children fights for children's rights, delivering immediate and lasting improvements to children's lives worldwide. Save the Children Canada pursues its mission through community development and advocacy in partnership with local communities in Canada and overseas to assist, enable and empower them to improve the quality of life of children.
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Médecins Sans Frontières – Doctors Without Borders
MSF was established in 1971 by a small group of French doctors who were determined to find a way to respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies, with complete independence from political, economic and religious influences. MSF is the world's leading international independent emergency medical relief organization. Since its establishment in 1991, MSF-Canada has sent more than 500 Canadian volunteers to work in emergency medical aid projects amidst conflicts, epidemics or natural disasters in over 80 countries.
Ontario Council for International Co-operation
OCIC is a membership association of Ontario-based, non-profit, voluntary organizations and individual associates working both in the North and South for global justice. OCIC strives to increase the effectiveness and collective impact of all its members' efforts to promote sustainable, people-centred development, and to educate and engage the Ontario public on global issues. The 'Development Links' section provides a comprehensive database of links to websites about global issues and development.
Oxfam International
Oxfam International is a confederation of 12 organizations – including Oxfam Canada – working together in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice. The 12 Oxfam organizations link up their work on development programs, humanitarian response and lobbying for policy changes at the national and global level.
NetAid
In September 2000, world leaders committed themselves to cutting poverty in half by 2015. A non-profit corporation based in New York, NetAid brings people together in ways that will help achieve this goal. NetAid's mission is to build an active network of people and organizations in developed countries committed to ending extreme poverty around the world. Two of NetAid's key programs include: NetAid World Schoolhouse and NetAid Online Volunteering.
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Plan International
Plan International is a humanitarian, child-focused development organization working with families and their communities to meet the needs of children around the world. Plan International works in 45 developing countries in the areas of health, education, livelihood, housing, water and sanitation projects, and cross-cultural learning. Child sponsorship is the foundation of the organization. Plan Canada is the Canadian member of Plan International.
Pueblito Canada
Pueblito Canada is an NGO committed to the well-being of children in Latin America. A leader in the care and development of young children in poor communities, Pueblito works in partnership with local organizations in Latin America work to continuously advocate for the rights of the child, supporting the development of local health care, childcare and education programs.
Right to Play
Right To Play is a humanitarian organization using sport and play programs to encourage the healthy physical, social and emotional development of the world's most disadvantaged children. Right To Play is committed to improving the lives of these children and to strengthening their communities by translating the best values of sport into opportunities to promote development, health and peace.
Street Kids International
An international charity based in Toronto, Street Kids International aims to give street kids around the world the choices, skills and opportunities to make a better life for themselves.
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UNICEF
UNICEF was created in 1946 by the UN General Assembly to bring emergency relief to children and their families in post-war Europe. In 1953, its emphasis was shifted from relief work to programs of long range benefit to children. Working in over 150 developing countries, UNICEF is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF programs address the full range of children's rights, covering areas from health care, clean water and education to recreation, access to information and freedom of expression.
UNICEF Canada
Founded in 1955 as a volunteer driven organization, UNICEF Canada works to mobilize the support of all Canadians to realize the rights of the world's most vulnerable children.
WaterCan
WaterCan helps citizens of developing countries build sustainable water supply and sanitation services, and encourages Canadians to lend support. WaterCan identifies and supports local partners to carry out small-scale water and sanitation projects.
World Accord
World Accord is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, international development organization. The organization works with partners in Canada and overseas to provide sustainable education, training and self-help programs for the poor in the developing world. World Accord supports community groups who work at the grassroots level to provide services that will help participants to improve their standard of living in a sustainable manner.
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HIV/AIDS
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria
The Global Fund has been established to attract, manage and disburse additional resources through a new partnership that will make a sustainable and significant contribution to the reduction of infections, illness and death caused by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development
ICAD is a network of over 120 Canadian international development non-governmental organizations, AIDS service organizations and individuals who are concerned about the global HIV/AIDS issues. ICAD exists to help Canadians contribute to international HIV/AIDS work.
PlusNews
PlusNews is a leading provider of original specialist reporting on HIV and AIDS in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Check the site regularily to read real-life stories, view country profiles and stay up-to-date on the latest HIV and AIDS news.
UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS)
As the leading advocate for worldwide action against HIV/AIDS, the global mission of UNAIDS is to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to the epidemic that will:
- prevent the spread of HIV
- provide care and support for those infected and affected by the disease
- reduce the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS
- alleviate the socioeconomic and human impact of the epidemic.
The World Health Organization
As the United Nations' specialized agency for health, the World Health Organization was established in 1948. WHO's objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
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Millennium Development Goals
UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The United Nations website for the Millennium Development Goals provides background information on the goals and a link to the most recent report.
Millennium Development Goals Indicators
The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Indicators website will provide more information on the 48 indicators used to measure the progress of the MDGs. The site can be searched by typing a country name and goal (e.g. literacy, Botswana)
The Millennium Project
The Millennium Project was commissioned by the United Nations' Secretary General in 2002 to provide an action plan for the world to achieve the MDGs. Use this site to learn about what is being done and how much more needs to be done in order to reach the goals.
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Environment
ClimateArk – Climate Change Portal
ClimateArk is an educational portal that promotes global climate change policy. It provides access to news and information about climate change and renewable energy through extensive lists and a search engine. Click on "Climate Change Overview" for informative charts and graphs.
Mapleleafweb – Canada and the Kyoto Protocol
This non-profit political education website provides educators and students with political information, including the Kyoto Protocol. Located at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Maple Leaf Web publishes original articles and features on Canadian political events and institutions, and provides links to other resources.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Learn more about the Kyoto Protocol, it's ratification status and total carbon dioxide emissions on website for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
World Resources Institute – Climate change and energy
An independent non-profit organization, World Resources Institute carries out environmental research and policy work to protect the earth's living systems, increase access to information, create sustainable enterprise and opportunity, and reverse global warming. This site provides access to current reports and publications on the topic of climate change and energy.
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Ontario Nature
Ontario Nature protects and restores natural habitats through research, education and conservation, connecting thousands of individuals and communities with nature. The organization's quarterly magazine, On Nature, explores Ontario's natural areas and wildlife and provides insight on current environmental issues.
Nature Serve
A non-profit conservation organization, NatureServe provides the scientific information and tools needed to help guide effective conservation action. NatureServe and its network of natural heritage programs are the leading source for information about rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems.
Native Forest Network
The Native Forest Network is a global organization made up of forest activists, indigenous peoples, conservation biologists and non-governmental organizations. NFN's goals include maintaining biodiversity and ecological integrity, recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and ensuring ecological productivity of natural and modified ecosystems.
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David Suzuki Foundation
Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains all living things. Focusing on four program areas – oceans and sustainable fishing, forests and wild lands, climate change and clean energy, and the web of life – the foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that help conserve nature.
Earth Day Network
Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, the Earth Day Network promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action world-wide. Through the network, activists connect, interact, and impact their communities, and create positive change in local, national and global policies. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day campaigns, making it the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities.
Ecokids
EcoKids is an environmental action program that educates and inspires young Canadians from ages 7-12 with topical environmental information, interactive games, and hands-on activities.
EnviroLink
A non-profit organization, EnviroLink is an online environmental community that provides access to comprehensive, up-to-date resources by topics like climate change, environmental disasters, environmental education, sustainable development and urban issues.
Environmental Defense
Since 1967, Environmental Defense – a non-profit organization representing more than 300,000 members – has linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental problems. Environmental Defense is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights—including clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and a flourishing ecosystem—of all people.
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Friends of the Earth International
A federation of environmental organizations from all over the world, Friends of the Earth International campaigns on environmental and social issues, while advocating a shift toward sustainable societies. Members in 68 countries have made efforts to create a healthier planet and sustainable societies by stopping destructive dam building, banning international whaling and eliminating subsidies to corporate polluters. Links provide information on current campaigns including climate change, desertification and forests.
Greenpeace
In 1971, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful world, a small team of activists set sail from Vancouver in an old fishing boat. These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, believed a few individuals could make a difference. Greenpeace is an international organization that challenges government and industry to halt harmful practices by negotiating solutions, conducting scientific research, introducing clean alternatives, carrying out peaceful acts of civil disobedience, and educating and engaging the public. Check out the Greenpeace Canada site as well.
Green Street
Green Street offers environmental education programs provided by Canadian environmental organizations. The programs engage elementary and secondary school students in learning about protecting the environment. The Green Street Youth Action Centre section of the site lists a variety of opportunities for youth to get more involved in environmental activities.
National Environmental Trust
The National Environmental Trust is a United States-based, non-profit membership group established in 1994 to inform citizens about environmental problems and how they affect our health and quality of life. NET's public education campaigns present the latest scientific studies and public opinion research to help citizens understand complex environmental issues.
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Peel Environment Youth Alliance (PEYA)
A student-run organization supported by the Peel Environmental Network, PEYA provides a forum for student discussion on initiating and managing successful school and community environmental projects. Students and teachers who organize environment clubs and activities can receive support through communication with other schools and through online resources. Resources include: a directory of Peel environment clubs and contacts, contacts to environmental organizations that offer student programs, how-to guides, ideas and funding opportunities, and an online student discussion forum.
Sierra Club of Canada
Founded in 1892, issues on the Sierra Club's agenda range from climate change and energy to toxic chemical contamination and loss of biological diversity. The Sierra Club has been active in Canada since 1969, working on matters of public policy and environmental awareness through local chapters and working groups in every region of the country.
World Environmental Organization
The World Environmental Organization contains news, tips and links to more than 1,000 environment-related websites on the following topics: climate, energy, the environment, sustainable growth, pollution, recycling, wetlands and wildlife. The list of links can be found by scrolling down the home page.
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United Nations
United Nations
The UN performs many duties ranging from the decision of the Security Council to dispatch a peacekeeping operation in response to a dispute, to setting standards for air safety and communications compatibility; from rushing emergency supplies to victims of natural disaster, to co-ordinating the response to the AIDS pandemic; from helping countries carry out free and fair elections, to securing low-interest loans to develop the infrastructures of poorer countries. The UN's work is about making a healthier, more stable world with enhanced opportunities and justice for everyone.
Treaty Reference Guide
This introductory note seeks to provide a basic – but not an exhaustive – overview of the key terms employed in the United Nations Treaty Collection to refer to international instruments binding at international law: treaties, agreements, conventions, charters, protocols, declarations, memoranda of understanding, modus vivendi and exchange of notes. The purpose is to facilitate a general understanding of their scope and function.
United Nations Association in Canada
UNA-Canada is a national non-profit organization promoting UN programs and activities within Canada. The association offers individual Canadians a window into the work of the UN, and a channel through which to become engaged in the critical international issues affecting us all. By creating links between the work of the UN and the lives of Canadians, UNA-Canada is helping to build a better United Nations.
United Nations Development Programme
At the United Nations Millennium Summit, world leaders put development at the heart of the global agenda by adopting the Millennium Development Goals, which set clear targets for reducing environmental degradation, discrimination against women, poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy by 2015. On the ground in 166 countries, UNDP uses its global network to help the UN system and its partners to raise awareness and track progress, while connecting countries to the knowledge and resources needed to achieve these goals.
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