UNF Blended Feed

Surviving Life, Creating A New One: An Interview with Corbin Lewars

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:08:42 -0800

Somalia: What Happens When Political and Humanitarian Goals Collide?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:58:55 -0800

A New York Times report on alleged malfeasance in the distribution of food aid in Somalia raises important moral and political questions about the provision of aid in conflict zones.

The New York Times gets his hands on a UN memo that is sharply critical of the World Food Programs operations in Somalia. The report, which will be presented to the Security Council next week, accuses the WFP aid of channeling its food aid through a host of seemingly nefarious actors:

Morning Coffee - 10 March 2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:19:06 -0800

Summary:

Aung San Suu Kyi shut out of election; Further delays on U.S./Russia arms pact; Abuse scandal rocks Vatican; UN Sec Gen says Israel's settlement plan is illegal.

Top Story:

AUNG SAN SUU KYI BANNED FROM BURMAN ELECTION

The ruling junta of Burma issued a new law barring pro-democracy leader, and onetime democratically elected leader of the countr

Haiti Earthquake: Update from the UN on Recovery Efforts

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:40:16 -0800

An update on the latest Haiti recovery efforts from the UN.

The top UN official in Haiti traveled to UN headquarters for the first time in eight weeks and briefed the press on Haiti recovery efforts. Here are some (paraphrased) highlights from the briefing. You can watch for yourself via UN webcast

Commit to saving lives

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Dozens of people have already signed up to Sleep Out to End Malaria on April 24, World Malaria Day Eve. Join this team of caring individuals leading the charge to show world leaders they are committed to saving lives from malaria.

Join the movement: Sign up to Sleep Out to End Malaria on April 24, 2010.

Why World Malaria Day? April 25 is a time of year when millions of people around the world join together to show their commitment to ending malaria deaths by 2015. This NET-work includes governments, countries, celebrities, non-profits, companies, and people like YOU.

An Adventure of a Lifetime

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Nothing But Nets joined the event by quizzing scouts’ knowledge of malaria through trivia questions. I was completely impressed! It was inspiring to meet young leaders that are aware of the impacts of malaria and determined to make a difference in their own communities. Many scouts are learning about Malaria 101 with their troops. Others are performing skits to their peers in their schools and communities to spread the buzz and the opportunity to send nets and save lives. Keep up the great work in Houston!

Can a Reality Show Find the Elusive “Common Ground” on Abortion?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:09:47 -0800

"When the Night Comes" highlights need to join forces to prevent malaria

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Last night I attended a screening at American University of a new documentary film, “When the Night Comes.” Directed by Bobby Bailey (who you may know through his work with Invisible Children), the film follows Bobby and two friends as they learn about malaria when traveling through northern Uganda meeting mothers, youth, health workers, and children who are all affected by this disease. The film is incredibly compelling – funny at times and tragic at others – but most importantly I walked away feeling inspired and hopeful that we can come together and work to end malaria deaths by 2015.

“When the Night Comes” will soon be available on the Nothing But Nets Store, but you can watch the film trailer at www.WhenTheNightComes.com.

A "Culture of Indifference:" The Urgent Need for Better Sexual Assault Policies and Practices on U.S. Campuses

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:39:36 -0800

7 Years Ago At Kyoto

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:02:51 -0800

7 Years Ago At Kyoto

Saving Lives at NBA All-Star

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0800

What do NBA legend Scottie Pippen, actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin from Superbad) and the Dallas community have in common? They all saved a life at All-Star!

Fans from across the country came out to “Sink a Net. Save a Life.” during NBA All-Star weekend. Nothing But Nets’ founding partner, NBA Cares, donated $10 to send a life-saving bed net for every shot made on our hoop at Jam Session. It may be that love was in the air because of Valentine’s Day, or it may be that our awesome supporters are also great athletes, but basketball fans wore their hearts on their sleeves and sank 2,500 life-saving shots! Now that’s what we call being an All-Star!

Check out some of our footage on Flickr.

Sleep Out to End Malaria on April 24, 2010

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0800

We have a goal to end malaria deaths by 2015. To achieve this goal, we need to show world leaders that there is a large group of Americans committed to stopping malaria in Africa. We think world leaders will pay attention if we come together for one night to show the strength of our community.

That’s why we need you, your friends, family, and neighbors to Sleep Out to End Malaria on the eve of World Malaria Day – April 24, 2010. Let’s show families in Africa and world leaders that they’re not alone in the fight against malaria. You’ve already been sending nets and saving lives; now it’s time to join the movement and unite with thousands of others to Sleep Out to End Malaria, on April 24, 2010, World Malaria Day Eve.

Surrogacy: The Next Frontier for Reproductive Justice

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:36:25 -0800

Before There Were Bed Nets

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0800

This is a reminder that malaria, one of the deadliest diseases in human history, is also one of the oldest. Some experts claim that it even predates humanity!

Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Gaining Momentum and Promise

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:45:37 -0800

Time for some Defense in Dallas at NBA All-Star 2010!

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Well, make that two big things: Nothing But Nets and NBA All-Star 2010!

Exactly two years ago, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Dallas City Council Member Angela Hunt declared February 4-10, 2008 Nothing But Nets Week, and many of you helped us spread the buzz around town to send nets to save lives in Africa. This year, we’re excited to come back to Dallas to join NBA Cares, one of our founding partners, at NBA All-Star’s Jam Session.

From Thursday through Saturday, Nothing But Nets will be at NBA All-Star Jam Session at the Dallas Convention Center, and we’d love to see you if you’re in the area! Everyone who stops by our booth will have a chance to join NBA players in saving lives — and it couldn’t be easier: Sink a Net. Save a Life. For every NBA fan — from preteens to pros — who sinks a net on our Nothing But Nets basketball hoop during the All-Star Jam Session, NBA Cares will donate $10 to send a life-saving net to Africa!

If you can’t make it, follow us on Twitter @NothingButNets or on Facebook for live updates, and tell your friends!

This weekend is all about fun, friends and basketball — the chance to save a life only makes it better. Remember, long-lasting, insecticide-treated nets are the best Defense! Defense! Defense!

Hope to see you there!

Interview Someone in Your School or Community

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:18:54 -0800

Interview Someone in Your School or Community

For Developing Countries, Why is a Comprehensive Climate Treaty in Copenhagen Necessary?

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:16:14 -0800

For Developing Countries, Why is a Comprehensive Climate Treaty in Copenhagen Necessary?

Stop Kicking Us With Carbon! We’re trying to Prosper Too You Know!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:06:32 -0800

Stop Kicking Us With Carbon! We’re trying to Prosper Too You Know!

Madagascar Delegate

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:50:09 -0800

Madagascar Delegate

A Shout Out from Bill Gates

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Earlier this week Bill Gates posted his second Annual Letter on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website. In it, he talks about the importance of innovation across a spectrum of issue areas – including malaria. He writes:

“Two years ago, Melinda and I challenged the health field to set a goal of eventually eradicating malaria. Because it is such a widespread disease, the foundation has backed a number of different types of innovations. In 2005 we helped fund a medium-risk pilot project in Zambia to test having most people in an area sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets and spray the inside of their house with insecticides. These interventions have proven to reduce malaria substantially, and other partners have now taken the lead on the large-scale delivery of these interventions.”

Now comes the shout out! That’s right…Bill Gates recognizes the impact that YOU are having by raising funds for life-saving bed nets:

“There has been a dramatic increase in bed net usage thanks to donations from individuals (some through church organizations and Nothing But Nets), the Global Fund, and rich governments.”

You can read the rest of Bill Gates’ Annual Letter here.

Malaria 101

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Last month, one of our long-time supporters from Georgetown University and the Malaria Awareness Project, together with a number of campus organizations, spearheaded “Global Hip Hop 101, a Malaria Benefit Concert”, benefitting Nothing But Nets. Georgetown sponsored several West African artists to perform on campus with the goal of spreading awareness about African Hip-Hop as well as social justice and global health.

Noting that malaria is such a major issue in Africa with far-reaching consequences, the Malaria Awareness Project selected Nothing But Nets as the beneficiary of their efforts. It was a night of music, fun, and creativity that helped to send life-saving bed nets to Africa!

Bike Ride for Bed Nets

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

She had been inspired to support Nothing But Nets after she learned that she could make a difference and send a bed net for just $10. In response to her efforts, she says, “Next thing I know, I am receiving generous checks to go towards nets in Africa!” Samantha raised enough to send 81 nets!

Help Haiti quake victims

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

At the UN Foundation, our team has joined these relief efforts, committing $1 million in aid to Haiti already, and is working with the United Nations to coordinate relief efforts through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Update from Haiti: Our own Dr. Dan Carucci (VP, Global Health at the UN Foundation) is delivering medical supplies in Port-au-Prince.

Malaria prevention gets a shout out from Ashton at People's Choice Awards

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Last night, celebrity Ashton Kutcher, the #1 followed person on Twitter, won an award for “Favorite Web Celeb” at the People's Choice Awards. Ashton live streamed the event - and he even brought his camera up on stage to accept his award. Then came our favorite moment: he thanked Ray Chambers, UN Special Envoy for Malaria, and our partner, Malaria No More.

Ashton said the true reward was that 90,000 people in Senegal are sleeping under bed nets, as a result of his globally-followed race against CNN to reach a million followers on Twitter last April. Remember when he vowed to play ding-dong ditch (and then did!) on UN Foundation founder and Chairman Ted Turner if he beat CNN?

We applaud Ashton for spreading the word about malaria prevention, sending nets and saving lives, and supporting our partners on a national stage. Great job, Ashton!

Thank you for a great 2009

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Let’s begin 2010 with some exciting news: You helped to raise enough money to reach our goal of sending life-saving nets to more than one million refugees in Africa – congratulations! We are so proud to have supporters like you on the Nothing But Nets campaign.

In 2009 we teamed up with the United Nations Refugees Agency and began delivering your nets and Messages of Hope to families in camps in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Watch this special video to see a message of thanks from the refugees you’ve protected from malaria.

Thank you for sending nets and saving lives. Keep up the good work – we’re on our way to covering the African continent with nets!

Skye Lounge Celebrators save lives on New Year’s Eve

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

Thanks to our friends at Skye Lounge, a portion of ticket sales were donated to Nothing But Nets to purchase long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets for refugees in need.

Residents of the Nation’s Capital came dressed in sequins and ties to celebrate the biggest night of the year, all while helping the Nothing But Nets campaign deliver 160,000 life-saving bed nets to protect refugees in Africa by New Year Eve.

Honor By August rings in the New Year!

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0800

This Friday, January 8th, the pop/rock band will benefit Nothing But Nets during their concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. The Nothing But Nets team will be there and we hope you can join us! All ages are welcomed. The 9:30 Club is located at 814 V Street NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are $15 and are available through www.honorbyaugust.com.

I got the chance to talk about this great event with the band's lead singer, Michael, on local television. Check out the clip here: it's the top one on the right on the page.

Global Warming: Outcome of Ignorance, Input for Poverty

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:44:49 -0800

Global Warming: Outcome of Ignorance, Input for Poverty

What the World Needs Now is Cooperation

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:41:14 -0800

What the World Needs Now is Cooperation

Raffi's Global Cooling song

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:20:07 -0800

Raffi's Global Cooling song

Food Security and Climate Change

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:39:56 -0700

Food Secuiryt and Climate Change