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We are down to the final days of this election and these last two debates count. According to our national poll of likely voters released today, 3 out of 4 Americans say foreign policy impacts their vote. Yet nearly half say the presidential candidates are not discussing international issues enough.

Across the world today, teenage girls are making their voices heard and promoting a transformational idea: empower adolescent girls everywhere. As part of the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, girls and other supporters are holding more than 50 events in nine countries to celebrate the “International Day of the Girl Child,” a day to recognize the power of girls across the world and to advocate for their rights.

Imagine life without electricity or modern fuels – no light at night, only fuelwood to cook with. Imagine life as a woman without electricity or modern fuels – driven by culture and necessity to spend your days gathering fuel and water and living in a smoky environment that is dangerous to your family and your health.

6 Awesome Moments from the Social Good Summit

I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the Social Good Summit over the past three years. Every year, I’m more excited than the last, including walking around the office humming, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” before this year’s Summit.

With the Social Good Summit in full swing last week I was in awe of all the people that made their way through the registration table. I was even more surprised to hear many of those same registrants ask for me by name.

Fall, my favorite season, is officially here (at least in my hometown of D.C.). I love the crispness in the air, the colorful leaves, and cozy sweaters. Most of all, I love the feeling of “change” everywhere. This fall, the United Nations Foundation is embracing the season of change with three exciting initiatives to give everyone, everywhere the chance to make a difference in their community and around the world.

While a lot of important news has been coming out of the United Nations General Assembly lately, there is one story that may not make the front pages, but should be at the front of our minds: the health of women and children around the world.

As the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced last week, news outlets widely covered the impassioned speeches of world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama. But have you heard what other U.S. officials were talking about in New York during UNGA? Here are a few highlights.

As recent events unfolded in the Middle East and across the globe, it gave me pause to think about the thousands of citizens who serve our country in the Foreign Service at home and abroad. These individuals play a vital role in the diplomacy efforts of the United States, yet their contributions go largely unnoticed and unrecognized…unless something extraordinary, or in this month’s instance tragic, happens.

“Personally I had to fetch water every morning before going to school… There are girls that live in rural areas where there is no water at all and they have to walk…perhaps the whole day looking for water…This one issue keeps them out of school.” – Maame Yankah at the Social Good Summit