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The Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship (RAF), mandated by the UN General Assembly resolution in 1980,  offered a unique opportunity for 12 young journalists from developing countries and countries with economies in transition to cover the opening of the 78th session of the UNGA. 

With the spread of rumors and the distortion of facts, the boundary between true and false has become blurred. This is undermining the very foundations of our societies and democracies and putting lives at risk through the propagation of conspiracy theories, or the spread of hate speech. Focusing on digital spaces in this year's edition of , will give the opportunity to explore paths for strengthening multilateral cooperation with digital platforms and other stakeholders in integrating media and information literacy into policies.

“How can I not have sleepless nights when you have to choose between whether you fund the services for gender-based violence, or whether you fund the services for food, because for some children, it's only that one meal in school that they have all day.”

Growing up in Liberia, Sara Beysolow Nyanti is no stranger to the lasting pain of a country ravaged by recurring violence. As Former Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, she often encountered the anguish of those bearing the psychological scars of war. “This woman [told me] we have nightmares … And she talked about losing her four children and she said it without crying. My heart was crying while she was speaking … I couldn't bear it.”

Reeling from decades of conflict, South Sudan is now suffering the devastating impacts of climate change. Floods have hit many areas, forcing locals to share dry land with deadly snakes. In this episode, Sara Beysolow Nyanti reflects on the mounting climate threat, prospects for peace, and retaining hope in one of the world’s most dangerous places.

Photo credit: ©UNMISS/Linda Tom

“It's not just food and assistance, you need to give these children a life, a life of full opportunities..."

When thousands fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, fearing the loss of millions of lives, stayed on. Every day since, the former UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in the country has fought to ease the acute suffering of its people. “I believe we are the last, best hope that humanity has. And we have to stand for it. For [many] we represent this larger world of justice, the moral compass. We must keep that.”

More than 9 in 10 Afghans now live in poverty, with 24.4 million reliant on humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, mounting restrictions on freedoms have excluded millions of women from work and study. In this episode, Dr. Alakbarov reflects on three painful years of Taliban rule, on the desperate need for long-term prospects, and on finding hope amid the darkness.

Photo credit: ©UN Afghanistan

“Energy is magic. As simple as that. As we speak, Africa is a dark continent … 600 million people without electricity. But Africa is all energy sources. So, this is a paradox that needs to be broken.”

Cristina Duarte always brings great passion to any task she takes on. Now Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, she works tirelessly to help the continent imagine a better tomorrow, one which not only meets its people’s needs, but also fulfills their dreams.

“The solutions for our challenges are all in Africa. You name it: Energy, Africa, financing for development, Africa, food insecurity, Africa. But for some reason, we still look outside of Africa for those solutions. Why?”

Born to an activist father who was integral to independence movements across Lusophone Africa, Cristina grew up instilled with Pan-African values. In this episode, the former finance minister reflects on her role in reforming Cabo Verde’s economy, on bringing power to remote villages, and how one chance encounter changed her mind about marriage.

Photo credit: ©IFAD/Daniele Bianchi

This is an important conversation for everyone, but it is especially important for young people, who are the most likely to be exposed to misinformation and disinformation online

"You hear some strong policymakers telling us our children are our future. They are not your future. You are the past; they are the present and they are their own future.”

A pediatrician by training, Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid has always been dedicated to rescuing children from suffering. Now United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, she works tirelessly to protect young people around the world. “What I learned in my life, it's the eyes. […] When you are speaking with children, when you have light in their eyes, it's still possible. When the light switches off, it’s too late.”

Half of the world’s children are exposed to violence every year, often leaving devastating, lasting impacts on their mental health. In this episode, Najat Maalla M'jid reflects on the importance of rapid intervention in cases of violence against children and the extraordinary courage and resilience of youth.

Photo credit: ©World Organization of the Scout Movement

announced the saw winning films announced for 7 health-related categories, while 4 films received special mentions from the jury of this 4th Annual Health for All Film Festival.

“You see, we're not doing this work to make ourselves feel better. That sort of conventional notion of what a do-gooder is. We're doing this work because we are totally convinced that it's not necessary in today's wealthy world for so many people to be experiencing discomfort, for so many people to be experiencing hardship, for so many people to have their lives and their livelihoods imperiled.”

Dr. David Nabarro has dedicated his life to global health. After a long career that’s taken him from the horrors of war torn Iraq, to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he is still spurred to action by the tremendous inequalities in global access to medical care. “The thing that keeps me awake most at night is the rampant inequities in our world…We see an awful lot of needless suffering.”

A passionate advocate for sustainable development, David Nabarro has seen in his own family how medicine can transform lives. In this episode, he reflects on his lifelong struggle against inequality, the lessons of misfortune, and why communication is always at the heart of healing.

Photo credit: ©4SD Foundation

“Despite all the failings of the UN, and there are many, we can deliver in the most difficult circumstances. With supplies that make a difference, with support that makes a difference, with presence that makes a difference. So that's what keeps me going. Because we have that opportunity, that potential, those resources, that experience.”

Denise Brown knows what it takes to work under the shadow of war. As UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, she and her team must brave considerable risks as they strive to meet the colossal humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people in the midst of a brutal war. "The missiles slow us down, but they don’t stop us. That's testament to the courage, determination, and experience of the people we have there.”

In this episode of Awake at Night, Denise Brown reflects on life under bombardment, on the dangers of trips to the front line, and on making a difference in the most difficult of circumstances.

Photo credit: ©OCHA/Saviano Abreu

pays tribute to all women journalists who are prevented from doing their jobs and who face threats and attacks on their personal safety.

The digital divide between least developed countries (LDCs) and the rest of the world shows little sign of narrowing. The risk is all too evident. As the world becomes increasingly adept at leveraging the Internet for value creation, LDCs risk falling further behind. This year, focuses on empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies. Investment in these young, vibrant countries can drive sustainable growth for generations. Let’s make 2023 a year of progress for digital transformation for LDCs.

When Shukri Mohamed Abdi decided to work in the media, she and her family had to overcome fierce resistance and physical threats from groups opposed to her reporting, where the concept of being a journalist does not exist. The fact that Somalia’s only all-women media house, , is still in business a year after it was created with support from is a human rights achievement in itself. By freeing up a space for women to report on what they believe is important, Bilan has opened up a different Somalia to local and international audiences.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in 2002 and 2005, set out to achieve a common vision, desire and commitment to build a people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information. Since then, WSIS Forums are organized each year, serving as a key platform for discussing the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s  is being held from 13-17 March in Geneva.

has brought together 4,300 participants to discuss regulatory solutions to the ongoing crisis of online information – the first ever such global conference. Speakers from UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, to the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa underlined the urgent need for common global guidelines to improve the reliability of information while protecting human rights.