UNGA, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: Dec 10

Explanation:
The World Human Rights Day (WHRD) is observed every year on December 10 to commemorate adaptation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Observance of the day seeks to encourage, support and amplify measures to be taken by everyone to defend human rights.

The theme for this year is 'Let's stand up for equality, justice and human dignity'.

This year, Human Rights Day kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In run up to the celebration of Human Rights Day, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had organised a series of events in India.

UDHR: Know More

• On this day in 1948, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had adopted and proclaimed Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris.
• It was adopted as shared standard yard stick to protect human rights across the globe.
• It recognizes inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of mankind as the foundation of justice, freedom and peace in the world.
• The Human Rights Day was formally established at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the UNGA on 4 December 1950.

ANSWER: Lilly Singh

Explanation:
UNICEF on July 16 2017 appointed Indian-origin Canadian YouTube star Lilly Singh as its newest Global Goodwill Ambassador at a special event here.

Lilly was in the capital to support UNICEF’s Youth4Change initiative, a programme for youth that brings them together to support their peers and communities.

She will encourage communities in taking action on issues such as health, hygiene, child labour and gender equality.

The YouTuber, famous as ‘Superwoman’, said she would come up with few videos in Hindi and would try to put Hindi subtitles in her English videos to increase the reach of her vlogs and channel.

As the UNICEF ambassador Lilly, who has 11.9 around million subscribers on the video sharing website, will use her channel to showcase the organisation’s work.

She will also urge millions of her followers to work for children’s rights.

The 28-year-old star has also started a new initiative on social media - #GirlLove - which aims to end girl-on-girl hate.

ANSWER: July 15

Explanation:
The World Youth Skills Day is observed globally on 15 July every year to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.

Observance of the day aims to create more awareness on training and the development of skills for the youth of today and also create better employment opportunities for the youth.

2017 Theme is “Skills for All”.

It is aimed at creating awareness that everyone should have the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. It also spreads message of creating a more prosperous future through skills.

On the occasion, United Nations along with WorldSkills.org have organised campaigns #SkillsForAll and #WYSD.

These campaigns aim to raise awareness about the importance of youth developing skills.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had established World Youth Skills Day in November 2014 to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.

UNGA: Know More

• Abbreviation: GA UNGA AG
• Formation: 1945
• Type: Principal organ
• Legal status: Active
• Head & President: Fiji Peter Thomson
• Parent organization: United Nations (UN)
• Website: www.un.org/ga

ANSWER: Sachin Tendulkar

Explanation:
Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar will be joining the likes of Noval Djokovic and David Beckham for a United Nations campaign/initiative titled Super Dads.

The UNICEF initiative Super Dad highlights the critical role played by fathers in children’s early development.

The initiative that was launched on 6 June 2017, few days ahead of the Father’s Day (18 June), will celebrate fatherhood by highlighting the importance of love, play, protection and good nutrition for the healthy development of young children’s brains.

Other participants of the Super Dads campaign include Mahershala Ali, the All Blacks, Daniel Cormier, Lewis Hamilton, Hugh Jackman, Thalía and Chris Weidman.

The Super Dads campaign that will have stars from entertainment to sports as its participant is a part of a larger campaign called #EarlyMomentsMatter.

The campaign aims to bring awareness to the significance of early childhood experiences on a child’s future.

The campaign/initiative invites families to post photos and videos of what it takes to be ‘super dads,’ using the hashtag #EarlyMomentsMatter on their Instagram and Twitter accounts.

All photo and video submissions to the Super Dads initiative will feature on the #EarlyMomentsMatter gallery.

UNICEF will select the most heart-warming, humorous, and imaginative photo and video submissions post them on the organisation’s own digital platforms.

ANSWER: 5

Explanation:
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on 18 May 2017 announced that the number of children travelling alone has increased five times since 2010.

In addition, the agency also warned that many young refugees and migrants are taking highly dangerous routes to reach their destinations.

A vast amount of unaccompanied and separated children were recorded in around 80 countries in the combined years of 2015 and 2016, up from 66000 in 2010 and 2011, as per the new UNICEF report titled A Child is a Child: Protecting children on the move from violence, abuse and exploitation.

The report depicts a global picture of refugee and migrant children, the motivations behind their journeys and the risks they face along the way.

At least 300000 unaccompanied and separated children moving across borders were registered in 80 countries in 2015-16. 92 per cent of children who arrived to Italy by sea in 2016 were unaccompanied.

The figure is up from 75 per cent in 2015. 100000 unaccompanied children travelling alone were apprehended at the Mexico–United States border in 2015 and 2016.

75 per cent of children who arrived in Italy reported experiences such as being held against their will or being forced to work without pay.

The report also finds that children account for approximately 28 per cent of trafficking victims globally.

In Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America and the Caribbean have the highest share of children among detected trafficking victims at 64 and 62 per cent, respectively.

ANSWER: Achim Steiner

Explanation:
UN chief Antonio Guterres has named a German with extensive experience at the world organization, Achim Steiner, as the new administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Steiner, who previously served at the UN Environment Programme and headed the UN office in Kenya, was selected to succeed Helen Clark, a former New Zealand prime minister, who has steered the UNDP since 2009.

Headquartered in New York City, the UNDP seeks to reduce poverty, improve social development and encourage women’s empowerment.

One of the candidates passed over for the post included French Environment Minister Segolene Royal, who said she was surprised because Guterres had promised a woman would take the job.

She intimated that Germany used its weight as a major UNDP donor to have Steiner chosen.

Headquartered in New York City, the UNDP seeks to reduce poverty, improve social development and encourage women’s empowerment.

Achim Steiner belongs to Germany who previously served at the UN Environment Programme and headed the UN office in Kenya.

ANSWER: Venezuela, Libya

Explanation:
Venezuela, Libya were suspended from voting in UNGA for the 2016-17 session for not paying dues to the world body.

This is for the second time in two years both countries have been suspended.

Venezuela was to make a minimum $24 million payment under the two-year threshold to get its voting rights restored. While, Libya was to pay minimum payment of $6.5 million.

Besides them other four other countries Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Vanuatu and Cabo Verde also may lose their voting rights for not paying their in past two years .

Libya: Know More

• Capital: Tripoli
• Code: +218
• Currency: Libyan dinar
• Population: 6.202 million (2013) World Bank
• Official language: Arabic

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Life expectancy at birth (in years) in various nations is as follows – India - 68; Bangladesh - 72; Nepal - 70; Sri Lanka - 75; Bhutan - 70; etc.

Infant Mortality Rate in 2015 in various nations is as follows – India – 38; Bangladesh - 31; Nepal - 29; Sri Lanka - 8; Bhutan - 27; etc.
The reasons for low performance include issues pertaining to adequacy of access and quality of healthcare, affordability, regional disparities, other socio cultural determinants of health etc.

ANSWER: UNICEF

Explanation:
‘THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2016’ is brought out by United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Each year, UNICEF’s this flagship publication, closely examines a key issue affecting children. The report includes supporting data and statistics.

The publication of the 1982–1983 The State of the World's Children report marked the start of the child survival revolution.

The 2016 report has the theme ‘A fair chance for every child’.

Certain key health indicators of India in comparison to some developing countries including Bhutan and Sri Lanka are mentioned in the report

ANSWER: UNICEF

Explanation:
Actor Priyanka Chopra has been appointed as United Nations Children’s Fund’s latest Global Goodwill Ambassador.

Decision was announced by well known soccer player David Beckham and British actress Millie Bobby Brown on 12th Dec.

The honour was conferred on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the UN body in NY.

Other UNICEF goodwill ambassadors include Orlando Bloom, Jackie Chan, Ishmael Beah, Kodjo and Femi Kuti.

The actor thanked UNICEF for the experience she had gained and pledged to be a driver of change.

Priyanka is also UNICEF’s National Ambassador since 2010 with the responsibility of working on child rights and adolescence.

She has also been associated with other causes such as women’s rights, health, environment, education, gender equality and gender parity.

She made her debut on American TV show Quantico recently.

She has also made her Hollywood debut in Baywatch starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron.

UNICEF

• Founded: 11th Dec, 1946.
• Headquarters: New York City
• President: Sven Jürgenson
• Executive Director: Anthony Lake
• Parent organisation: United Nations Economic and Social Council
• Affiliations: United Nations
• Founder: Ludwik Rajchman
• First Chairman: Ludwik Rajchman