Welcome to another edition of THE UN BRIEF.
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UN Human Rights: In Praise of the Grandmother on the International Day of Older Persons
Listen to and read our past coverage on ageism and biases in the hiring of older women and how the UN Human Rights agency is addressing growing old with dignity, through my interview with the UN Independent Rapporteur for the protection of human rights, Dr. Claudia Mahler.
THE UN BRIEF | Maya Plentz | Substack
The UN Brief reports on the latest policies, initiatives, and debates at the heart of the global digital economy. Copyright: THE UN BRIEF, Maya Plentz
ILO: AI Increases Age Discrimination
Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary-General Martin Chungong presented recent findings and how online harassment increased with AI.
ILO Brings Tech, Employers, Trade Bodies and Employees’ Unions for a Review of the Impact of Generative AI in the ...
WHO Policy Brief on Ageism and AI
ILO World Social Protection Report 2020-2022
How unpaid care work affects women's wages through life and pension later on, making poverty more prevalent for women.
Also my reviews of ILO reports on social protection, on above the poverty line pensions for women, the most affected when retirement time comes, as they spend years caring for their children just to find out that very little compensation for their work exists. Unless there are adequate savings - however women have in general lower wages and enter and exit the job market frequently given their commitments to raising their children, according to data from ILO’s 2022 report. Watch.
10% of the Global Population is 65+
Source: UNFPA
WIPO
Brazilian Entrepreneurs Elevate Coffee by Creating a Brand
Japanese Minimalism and Brazilian Traditions Mingle
Coffee to Go
The Coffee ザ・コーヒー, founded by the Fertonani brothers—Alexandre, Carlos, and Luis—has redefined the coffee experience by blending Japanese coffee culture with Brazilian traditions. Their admiration for Japan, result from extensive travels, has led them to incorporate Japanese aesthetics and precision into their coffee shops. This fusion is evident in their approach, emphasizing quality, simplicity, and the "coffee-to-go" culture commonly found in Japan's bustling street-side coffee houses.
Based in Curitiba, Brazil, The Coffee ザ・コーヒー has rapidly expanded, with 250 locations across 12 countries, including Austria, Chile, Colombia, France, Mexico, and Thailand. Their global presence reflects their success in balancing brand identity with international appeal. Franchise opportunities have facilitated their growth, allowing the brand to reach diverse markets while maintaining its core values.
The Coffee ザ・コーヒー is known for its unique and minimalist menu, offering signature drinks like “Black Ginger” and “Pure Black” espresso. These beverages are the result of collaboration with renowned baristas, who continuously innovate and improve the offerings. Sustainability is central to their business, using high-quality coffee beans sourced from Brazil and Colombia. A standout product is their “kraft edition” featuring the Kyoto Microlot from Mantiqueira, Brazil. This coffee, grown at high altitudes, is roasted to medium perfection, offering distinct sensory notes like Malbec wine, yellow fruits, and a prolonged aftertaste.
In addition to exceptional coffee, The Coffee ザ・コーヒー has embraced technology to enhance customer convenience. Their self-service model integrates tablets and mobile apps, allowing customers to order, pay, and even customize their beverages online. The app not only simplifies transactions but also strengthens customer engagement, offering personalized experiences and the option to pre-order drinks for pickup.
The Coffee ザ・コーヒー has successfully blended tradition with modernity, offering a unique, tech-driven coffee experience while staying true to its roots in both Japanese and Brazilian coffee cultures.
And here is an AI reading of the text above. You are welcome. :-)
Courtesy of Google’s NotebookLM. The sound quality is so much better than my recordings. Wow. It has its limitation as the casual pep talk style can get tiresome.
I take that you like your coffee and news authentic. Well, this is more like a good way to promote goods and services on the Internet. I can see how marketing people are so excited about it.
UNEP
The Generosity of Strangers
Tackling Pollution of Forever Chemicals
A year after its adoption at the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management in Bonn, the Global Framework on Chemicals launched its first call for projects to promote safe and sustainable chemicals and waste management in developing economies. The initiative seeks to minimize the environmental and health impacts caused by pollution, with a special focus on some of the world's most disadvantaged nations.
Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of the UNEP Industry and Economy Division, spoke on the significance of the initiative during the launch in Nairobi. “Pollution and waste constitute a daily crisis for people’s health, undermine economic activity, and leave nature permanently scarred,” she said. “Today, the historic Framework is turning from text into practice and providing concrete benefits for those at the frontlines of this crisis.
In September 2023, delegates from over 140 countries gathered in Bonn for the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management. During the conference, the Global Framework on Chemicals was adopted after years of negotiations. The framework sets ambitious goals for the prevention of chemical waste mismanagement, including targets to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture by 2035 and transition toward safer chemical alternatives.
At that time, the trust fund to finance projects in low- and middle-income countries was also established. This includes small island developing states (SIDS) that face unique challenges in handling chemical waste.
“Small island nations like ours are especially vulnerable to the devastating impacts of chemical pollution,” said Melina Johnson, an environmental activist from the Bahamas who attended the Bonn conference. “This fund provides us hope to strengthen our capacities and safeguard the health of our people and ecosystems.”
Today’s call for project proposals marks a critical step toward achieving the goals of the Framework. Selected projects will receive between $300,000 and $800,000 USD, over a period of up to three years, aimed at transformative changes in the way chemicals and waste are managed. Recipients will need to match at least 25% of the funding through co-financing or in-kind contributions.
“We’re looking for medium-scale projects with long-term impact,” explained John Edwards, Project Coordinator for UNEP’s Chemicals and Waste Programme. “The focus is on building national and regional capacities to prevent harm from chemicals and waste, which includes working with ministries, health networks, industry sectors, and civil society.”
Eligible applicants include governments and civil society networks that can submit projects in partnership with their respective governments. In the months ahead, UNEP will host a series of webinars to guide applicants through the process and highlight the Fund's priorities.
The fund has received an initial commitment of $27 million USD, primarily from Germany, with additional contributions from the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). This financial support complements other global initiatives addressing environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
“The scale of funding and support we’ve received so far is a testament to the global recognition that we cannot tackle environmental crises in silos,” said Franz Müller, Germany’s Minister of the Environment. “Climate change, biodiversity, and chemical waste are all interconnected. This new fund provides a critical avenue for addressing one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.”
With 28 ambitious targets outlined by the Framework, the first call for projects is just the beginning. These targets include stricter regulation of chemical trade, improved transparency and access to information, and enhanced legal frameworks to align with international standards. A key goal is to ensure that funded projects are sustainable well beyond the three-year financial support window.
“We aim for projects that do more than just patch up problems. They must lead to lasting change,” emphasized Sheila Aggarwal-Khan. “The Global Framework gives us the blueprint, and now, through this Fund, we are turning words into action.”
UN Human Rights: In Praise of the Grandmother | WIPO: Brazilian Coffee Trademark Protected in 12 Countries | UNEP: Germany Donates $27 Million to Support SIDS Manage Chemical Waste