AfriForum says it had seemed for a period of five years - from June 1991 to May 1996 - that South Africa was on the way of establishing a truly non-racial democracy. But since then, several laws and actions taken by government were in essence creating a new system of racial classifications.

Given China’s growing hunger for natural resources and Africa’s persistent need for economic aid, the world’s most populous country and the globe’s poorest continent appear to be nurturing a perfect symbiotic relationship. Or is it? Human rights groups caution that China’s quest for raw materials could undermine respect for human rights and efforts at political reform in Africa.

The Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF) invites journalists from developing countries to apply for the 2007 fellowship programme, which brings roughly 10 print journalists to the United States for an in-depth, practical introduction to the professional and ethical standards of the American print media. The programme runs from mid-March to September and is open to journalists between the ages of 25 and 35.

Is the world becoming more just? Are we winning the struggle for justice? A big NO, as Salil Shetty, director of the United Nations Millenium Campaign, found out, much to his dismay, when he asked around at the closing of Civicus World Assembly.

26 June, the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, is marked by thousands of people at more than 100 locations worldwide. The need to allocate more resources to rehabilitation of torture victims is imminent. On 26 June, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the world says a clear NO to torture. On this special day, the struggle against torture is being celebrated by thousands of people worldwide, and the victims of this man-made atrocity are commemorated.

This BBC article discusses the challenges of growing populations in urban centers throughout the world and especially in Africa. Although Sub-Saharan Africa boasts the world's highest rate of urban migration, cities and governments fall short in providing basic social services. The UN Millennium Declaration addressed this issue, and UN-Habitat will continue to discuss potential solutions in the biannual World Urban Forum.

A coalition of academics, former UN officials and security experts has unveiled a proposal for the creation of a permanent UN peacekeeping force. Such an international rapid reaction force of "up to 15,000 military, police and civilian staff, including medics and conflict transformation experts," could be deployed within 48 hours at the request of the UN Security Council.

Amnesty International has compiled a collection of articles on trade, investment and human rights, examining the linkages between economic globalisation and human rights.

It is generally assumed that people living in the urban areas of developing countries are healthier, more literate and better off than their rural counterparts. This UN Human Settlements Programme report shows that the urban slum dwellers are as badly, if not worse off, than their rural relatives.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle will remain the most widely-used weapon in conflict zones for at least the next 20 years because it is so poorly regulated, according to a new report by the Control Arms campaign released at the start of the UN world conference on small arms and light weapons in New York today (26 June).

Poor developing nations are to feed the voracious appetites of rich countries for biofuels instead of their own hungry masses, and suffer the devastation of their natural forests and biodiversity.

Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof and Nigeria's President Obasanjo are to sit on a panel set up to track aid promises made to Africa, Tony Blair is to announce. The UN secretary general will chair the panel, being set up a year after G8 pledges and a popular campaign pushed Africa up the international agenda. Backed by Bill Gates, the body will monitor issues such as debt and trade. Mr Blair will also warn against Africa slipping down the global priority list.

Telkom's current tariffs will be adjusted, resulting in an overall decrease of 2,5% in the price of its basket of products, the company has announced. There are cuts in long-distance (more than 50km) and international-call charges. The price for long-distance calls has been reduced by 10%, reports the Mail and Gaurdian.

reports that bridging the digital divide has long been at the top of every socio-economic development agenda, and more and more studies and reports are confirming that universal access to mobile communications is the most effective way to achieve it. “Making it happen in practice depends on facing the affordability challenge in its three dimensions: total cost of ownership of mobile communications, the cash barrier faced by users to get and stay connected, and the regulatory environment.”

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao denied his country was seeking to become a counterbalance to the United States by boosting ties with Africa as he kicked off a tour of the continent, reports AFP. He said his booming economy was in need of Africa's natural resources but hit back at accusations that Beijing was conducting a policy of aggressive economic neo-colonialism at the expense of human rights considerations.

The International Conference on the Cancellation of Illegitimate Debts was attended by 150 representatives from Southern and Northern social movements and civil society organizations from 15 countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The conference participants aimed to deepen their understanding of the extent and impact of illegitimate, odious and dictator debts on the poor peoples of Southern countries.

A sound and consultative leader is sought to work with the Chair and Trustees in implementing the agreed strategic framework. You will need to be a strategic and analytical thinker, an excellent communicator able to represent WOMANKIND at all levels, and an effective operational manager.

You are invited to participate in a study that explores how relief and development actors perceive threats to their physical safety and security, and what measures they perceive to be effective in mitigating these threats. The results from this study will be used to better understand threat perception and to assess the effectiveness of various security measures in addressing these threats.

An evaluation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative by the Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) released in April begs the question: What next for debt relief efforts? The evaluation builds on a 2003 evaluation of HIPC, but stops short of assessing the meaning of the new Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative. The evaluation fails to offer any advice on how to speed up or broaden HIPC coverage.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has opposed the deployment of international troops in his country, saying Sudan would not be "re-colonised". The UN is considering sending peacekeepers to Sudan's Darfur region to supplement African Union troops. Conflict in Darfur between rebels and pro-government forces has killed about 300,000 people in three years.