Issue XLI | June 2021
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
ISSUE #41
Global Development Update is a monthly bulletin that informs readers about the events, ideas, and people that are shaping an emerging world community. It is produced by The Global Citizens' Initiative- a non-profit working to help develop a sustainable world community for all. Click below to sign up for a free Global Development Update subscription.
FEATURED STORY
Can the world stop Israel and Hamas from committing war crimes?

In the past months, the tension between Israel and Hamas has escalated. Both parties are accused of violating international law and committing war crimes. What will the rest of the world do about it? International law professor Asaf Lubin explains the rules of warfare – and whether they can be enforced. Read on.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Global progress against child labour has ground to a halt over the last four years 
 
According to a new report, children forced into child labor have increased by 8.4 million over the last four years. Due to the rising poverty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a further 8.9 million children will be forced into child labor by the end of 2022: "Global progress has ground to a halt over the last four years after slowing considerably in the four years before that. COVID-19 threatens to further erode past gains." Read on.
GENDER EQUITY
Three ways to tackle violence and discrimination against the LGBTI community

May 17 marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). The day calls for support and protection of LGBTI rights across the world. In this article, World Economic Forum's Mélisande Schifter explores three ways to tackle violence and discrimination against the LGBTI community and make our societies a safer place. Read on.
ENVIRONMENT
Protecting 30% of Earth by 2030. But at what cost?
 
Slate reports: Too often, conservationists have pursued the protection of other species at the expense of people of color, poor people, and other marginalized groups. Could Biden's ambitious 30 by 30 conservation plan cause the same issue? Read on.
IEA's first 1.5°C-aligned scenario supports the call for no new fossil fuel extraction

The International Energy Agency published its new report Net Zero in 2050: A roadmap for the global energy system. The publication represents the agency's first ever effort to model a comprehensive energy pathway towards limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. Read on.
Renewable energy jumped nearly 50% in 2020
 
Amid the pandemic, renewable energy generation grew at the fastest rate for two decades in 2020. 278 gigawatts of capacity was added in 2020, a 45% jump and the largest year-over-year increase since 1999. Read on.
POVERTY REDUCTION & INCOME INEQUALITY
Bridging the global digital divide
 
The world's data traffic has increased one thousand times over the last 20 years, but globally the digital divide is still an issue, and it risks becoming the new face of inequality. Read on.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE & CONNECTIVITY
The global population is shrinking

The world population will begin to decline in the second half of the 21st century: "Toward the middle of this century, as deaths start to exceed births, changes will come that are hard to fathom." Read on.
COVID-19 vaccination: The barriers to achieving global herd immunity

Globally, the vaccination rate is slowing down. At the current rate, less than half of adults in the middle- and low-income countries will be vaccinated by the end of 2021. Moreover, there are still several barriers to overcome to achieve herd immunity: "Despite vast propaganda, the World Health Organization, GAVI institute, and G-20 countries seem not to pay attention to overcome these critical barriers promptly." Read on.
GLOBAL PEACE & JUSTICE
Reaching a digital ceasefire

Across the world, social media is being used as a tool to undermine peace processes and increase divisions. Mediators call on big tech companies to step up and take responsibility for what happens on their platforms and work with peacekeepers to reach a digital ceasefire. Read on.
PARTNERS