Blog: UN Reform and Innovation

Last year, on December 21st, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the significant role entrepreneurship can play in reaching sustainable development goals. The United Nations Foundation works with entrepreneurs dedicated to not only building businesses, but a better world. They are using innovative approaches and creative thinking to help solve challenges in the humanitarian and development space. Below are six cool projects that are helping improve lives around the world:

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.'”

In a world filled with daunting challenges, these stories (in no particular order) inspired us to hope – and to act – for a better world.

This time of year, we are especially mindful of the importance of giving. But for Americans, this value has a much longer shelf life than just one season. It?s a good thing: Because, for more than 9 million Syrians uprooted by war, livelihoods may well depend on our help.

As we arrived at a Mangochi district secondary school, after driving for what seemed like hours down a dusty, bumpy red clay road in one of the most rural and beautiful parts of eastern Malawi, a group of about 40 girls greeted us enthusiastically and repeatedly sang ?well-a-come, well-a-come, you are most well-a-come.?

From Vice President Biden saying he?ll never forget a visit to a UN refugee camp in Chad, to announcing that the U.S. will be a leader in the UN’s post-2015 development process, it was clear that this administration is committed to working hand-in-hand with the UN to tackle the world?s most pressing issues ? including the Syria crisis, Iran?s nuclear agenda, and typhoon recover in the Philippines.

As we mark the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, a lifelong advocate for equality and democracy, we are even more mindful of the battle for human rights for all individuals.

Madiba dedicated his life to freedom and equality. He helped bring peace to his nation, and hope to the entire world. His legacy lives on in the people he has inspired. Because of him our world is better.

The world lost a true champion for peace. Nelson Mandela?s contributions to freedom, equality, and human rights will never be forgotten. We strive to follow his example of service to build a better world.

Critics of the interim agreement on Iran?s nuclear programs make a point ? the steps outlined by global leaders this weekend are but one portion of the actions demanded by the United Nations Security Council.

Did you know that 7 out of 10 women have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime? That?s 7 women too many. Violence takes many forms – physical, sexual, emotional, and mental ? and the vast majority of it is perpetrated by men and boys.