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[15 May 2006] - Concerned that some issues continue not to receive sustained media attention or slip off the radar screen, the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) has unveiled a new list of "Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About." "The media and the UN share an interest in getting information about what is happening in our world to the public," says Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. "But journalists are often inundated with stories, all competing for their -- and the public's -- attention. Our aim is to make it easier for them to see that important issues do not fade from the headlines." The initiative, first launched in 2004, is not meant to be representative of the Organisation's agenda. As in previous years, the 2006 list covers a spectrum of issues and geographical regions, some of which draw on troubling humanitarian emergencies and conflict situations (such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nepal) while others focus on such vital areas as human rights (asylum law and child prisoners) and development (Liberia and water as a shared resource). While the stories are enumerated from one to ten, their ranking is not a reflection of their relative significance. In this year's list, some stories focus on conflicts that may have been in the media spotlight - but highlight a perspective that does not usually get much play. Although DPI takes responsibility for the final list, it was arrived at following extensive consultation with UN departments, field offices and programmes. The top ten underreported stories are: 1. Liberia: Development challenges top agenda as the nation recovers from years of civil strife 2. Lost in migration: Asylum seekers face challenges amid efforts to stem flows of illegal migrants 3. DR of Congo: As the country moves boldly towards historic vote, humanitarian concerns continue to demand attention 4. Nepal's hidden tragedy: Children caught in the conflict 5. Somalia: Security vacuum compounding effects of drought 6. Protracted refugee situations: Millions caught in limbo, with no solutions in sight 7. South Asian earthquake: Relief effort saves lives, stems losses, but reconstruction tasks loom large 8. Behind bars, beyond justice: An untold story of children in conflict with the law 9. From water wars to bridges of cooperation: Exploring the peace-building potential of a shared resource 10. Côte d'Ivoire: A strike away from igniting violence amidst a faltering peace process
Setting off on an obstacle-strewn road of transitioning from a vicious war to stable peace and development, the nation grapples with an array of critical challenges that often escape the glare of world media.
Against the backdrop of escalating migratory flows and growing concerns over security, the institution of asylum finds itself in need of protection as the line gets blurred between victims who flee persecution and migrants who seek economic opportunity.
As the world is applauding the determination of the Congolese people and leadership to take a crucial step in the country's transition from a bloody civil war to peace and democracy, the steep humanitarian challenges facing the devastated nation must not be forgotten.
Caught in the violence that has plagued the country for over 10 years, Nepal's children have become the often - overlooked victims of the ongoing strife, their plight exacerbated by poverty and abuse.
Against the backdrop of a fragile peace process and encouraging prospects for reconciliation, the persistent insecurity in many parts of the country presents mounting challenges on the humanitarian front as Somalia struggles with the effects of its worst drought in a decade.
While news of major refugee emergencies often dominate headlines, the plight of millions of people who have languished in exile for years -- and sometimes decades -- remains a low-profile high-risk situation with serious humanitarian and security implications.
In the wake of a successful relief effort that helped to prevent additional casualties in quake-devastated areas, the aid community is facing a new crucial task of restoring livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of people left homeless and destitute by the disaster.
Amid important strides in global efforts to ensure a protective environment for the youngest members of society, an alarming number of children in many parts of the world are held in detention without sufficient cause, often for offences that are not considered criminal when committed by adults.
Despite widespread perceptions that water basins shared by countries tend to engender hostility rather than collaborative solutions, water is an often untapped resource of fruitful cooperation.
As Côte d'Ivoire gears up for October elections, postponed from 2005, the country is on a knife's edge with fears that a renewed eruption of violence will destroy any progress towards political reconciliation. So-called "hate media", is playing on people's fears, stoking the violence and is a major threat to peace and reconciliation.