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Blog Posts by Michelle Brown

Sudan: New Peacekeeping Mission Must be Able to Protect Civilians
May 02, 2011 Michelle Brown Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Peacekeeping
Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously renewed the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) until July 9. That is the day when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period is scheduled to end, and when South Sudan becomes an independent state.  The resolution also laid out the Security Council’s intention to deploy a follow-on mission in the south and requested that the Secretary General submit a report to the Security Council by May 16 outlining the different options for the new mission.
UN Continues Working to Increase Women’s Rights
December 01, 2010 Michelle Brown Women's Rights
UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the first of its kind to deal specifically with war’s impact on women, just had its 10th anniversary. This event and many other achievements have made 2010 a watershed year in advancing the women, peace and security agenda.  A Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence was appointed.  Four existing UN agencies focusing on gender were merged to create a new gender entity called UN Women.
Obama’s Speech to the UN General Assembly: Where is the Humanitarian Agenda?
September 24, 2010 Michelle Brown

In listening to President Obama’s second speech to the United Nations General Assembly, I am reminded what a big job Refugees International has ahead of it.  Overall the President’s speech was a good one.  It touched on many policy priorities for the US—the global war on terror, Iraq, Afghanistan, weapons of mass destruction, human rights and democracy.  The bulk of the speech centered on recommitting the US to finding a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  
UN Security Council: Progress on Sudan, Stagnancy on Somalia
February 05, 2010 Michelle Brown Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, United Nations, Peacekeeping

In January, there were two discussions in the United Nations Security Council that are important to Refugees International’s work.  The discussion on Somalia was particularlydisappointing, but we were pleased that the UN Security Council is finally looking at how to respond to the escalating violence in south Sudan.

United Nations: Important Progress on Gender
November 23, 2009 Michelle Brown United Nations

This year there were two important developments for women at the United Nations.  The first was the creation of a unified gender entity, and the second was the passage of Security Council Resolution 1888 on women and armed conflict.  While neither of these developments has led to concrete improvements in the lives of refugee and displaced women as of yet, we’re hopeful that in the near future the issues affecting them will be front and center of the UN's agenda.