“Should we keep a school open, or not?”

“Should the health centre shut its doors, or not?”

United Nations News Centre did a feature story on some of the questions the dedicated staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have to answer on a daily basis as they carry out their work due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.

These girls are some of the thousands of Palestinian refugee children displaced along with their families. Photo credit: UNRWA

Interested in a UN career? One way to start out is by taking part in the Young Professionals Programme (YPP).   At the moment, applications are being accepted for the fields of Legal Affairs, Public Information and Statistics. The deadline is 2 August.

Eligibility details are outlined here: http://careers.un.org/.

Get answers to applications questions on Facebook here: http://j.mp/13iawCD

It was reported this week that malnutrition contributes to almost half of deaths of children under 5. This is more than previously thought.

This is why the United Nations, campaigns like the Zero Hunger Challenge, and partners have been calling for investments in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Find out more here: http://j.mp/13eXWE2

In this photo, a child’s arm is being measured to assess his nutritional state at a feeding centre in Bangladesh.

Credit: World Food Programme/S. Noorani

Improving nutrition must start with food and agriculture.

Malnutrition in all its forms – under-nutrition, overweight, obesity – has unacceptably high economic and social costs.

In a world where 26% of the children are stunted and 1.4 billion people are overweight, we must strive for nothing less than the eradication of hunger and malnutrition.

Get more details here from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Young people bring energy, talent and creativity to economies in need for their knowledge and skills. The time has come to unleash their potential to become tomorrow’s workers, entrepreneurs, citizens and agents of change.

Access to decent work is the best way young people can realize their aspirations, improve their living conditions and actively participate in society and in the stimulation of the economy. 

Therefore, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has initiated Decent Work for Youth — a new online platform that aims to engage young people on the labor market and find solutions to the current youth employment crisis.

The platform provides information about decent work for youth and creates a space for young people to gain knowledge, exchange good practices and engage in discussions with each other and experts on youth employment issues.

Check out this and more captivating photos from UNICEF:

PHOTO OF THE WEEK - May 30, 2013
A girl in the conflict-affected city of Gao in Mali.

Security remains precarious in northern Mali amid lingering tension between government and rebel forces. More than 300,700 people have been displaced, and over 173,000 have sought refuge abroad. Landmines from the fighting as well as protracted drought-related food shortages countrywide further compound threats to children.

©UNICEF/Tanya Bindra

To see more: http://www.unicef.org/photography

(Source: unicef)

A new report submitted to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday calls for a post-2015 UN development agenda focused on achieving sustainable development, peace and prosperity for everyone, everywhere through major changes in our economies and societies.

Take a look at the bold and historic recommendations of the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel. http://j.mp/12OQob1

Friday May 31 is World No Tobacco Day. This day seeks to render one key message: ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship to help reduce the number of tobacco users. Tobacco use kills nearly 6 million people each year.

The tobacco industry’s advertising strategies deliberately target young people — 78% of 13-15 year-olds worldwide report regular exposure to some form of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and these teens are up to five times more likely than adults to be offered free cigarettes by a representative of a tobacco company.

WHO urges governments to ban all forms of tobacco advertising and to be mindful of tactics used by the tobacco industry to evade these laws. Likewise, consumers should be made aware of the tactics used by tobacco companies to exploit advertising and promotion bans in order to stay alert and informed about the dangers of tobacco use.

On Thursday May 30, UNICEF launched The State Of The World’s Children report which this year focuses on Children with Disabilities. 

The report examines the barriers – from inaccessible buildings to dismissive attitudes, from invisibility in official statistics to vicious discrimination – that deprive children with disabilities of their rights and keep them from participating fully in society.

It further highlights key elements of inclusive societies that respect and protect the rights of children with disabilities, adequately support them and their families, and nurture their abilities - so focus is directed towards what those children can achieve, rather than what they cannot.

Learn more by downloading the full report or reading an executive summary.