Why We Should Open SESAME
Posted by David T. Killion / May 12, 2012
Next week I am going to a meeting in Switzerland for SESAME, which I happen to think is the most exciting and revolutionary scientific undertaking that practically nobody outside of the scientific community has ever heard of.
What is it and why do I think it is so radical and so important?
The first question is easy.
SESAME actually stands for 'Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East' and will be the region's first major multi-country scientific research center. It's being developed under the auspices of UNESCO and is scheduled to open fully in Jordan in 2015. When it is completed, SESAME will be the Middle East's only source of so-called "high intensity synchrotron X-rays," key building blocks for research into biology,… more »
Photo of the Week: Human Rights Council Makes Significant Impact on the World
Posted by Luke Forgerson / March 02, 2012
![U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer addresses the Human Rights Council Urgent Debate on Syria in Geneva, February 28, 2012. [U.S. Mission Geneva/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0302_hrc_syria_m.jpg)
This week's "Photo of the Week" comes to us from Eric Bridiers, who serves at the U.S. Mission in Geneva. In this photograph, Bridiers captures the domed ceiling of the Human Rights Council chamber, which was created by Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo using pigments from across the globe.
Today, Under Secretary of State Maria Otero addressed the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council and underscored the significant impact the Council makes on the world. Under Secretary Otero said, "When the United States joined the UN Human Rights Council two years ago, we set forth four values that would guide our work in this body: universality, dialogue, principle, and truth. We knew then, as we know now, that the honest dialogue and dedicated effort of this Council will help all of our… more »
Inequality and the Lost Generation
Posted by Barbara Shailor / February 09, 2012
![A young boy on a garbage heap in Mumbai, India, Oct. 3, 2011. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0209_inequality_generation_m.jpg)
Recent events at the start of 2012 offer a glimpse of the struggles that lay ahead, both in the United States and abroad. From the Occupy Wall Street movement, to young people airing their grievances throughout the Middle East and beyond, all these events are indicative of a larger and more fundamental issue. The issue is one that President Obama framed for Americans clearly in his State of the Union Address:
"The basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement...[is] the defining issue of our time...how to keep the promise alive... No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important...we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair… more »
Photo of the Week: Advancing International Security
Posted by Hannah Johnson / February 03, 2012
![Rose E. Gottemoeller, Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, delivers the opening statement for the United States at the First Plenary of the 2012 Session of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 24, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0203_disarmament_conference_m.jpg)
This week's "Photo of the Week" comes to us from the First Plenary of the 2012 Session of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 24, 2012. Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Rose E. Gottemoeller delivered the opening statement for the United States on the progress on arms control and disarmament that has been made over the course of the past year.
Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller said, "The New START Treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011.… The treaty represents a strong foundation for further bilateral reductions and an important step on the path towards a world without nuclear weapons. Discussions… more »
Partnering With Business To Eliminate Pediatric AIDS by 2015
Posted by Eric Goosby / February 01, 2012
![A child lights candles in front of a painting that depicts a red ribbon, at an event to mark World AIDS Day in Katmandu, Nepal, Dec. 1, 2011. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0201_child_aids_m.jpg)
Last week, I was proud to participate in a significant moment in the global AIDS response. I stood with leaders of the private sector at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as they committed to join forces to reach an ambitious, yet achievable, goal -- ending pediatric AIDS by 2015.
The launch of two groundbreaking initiatives -- the Business Leadership Council and the Social Media Syndicate -- will marshal the power of the private sector, converging business acumen, technology, and other assets to support country-led efforts to prevent new infant infections and save mothers' lives.
This exceptional commitment by the private sector stems from the Global Plan towards the Elimination of New Pediatric Infections and Keeping Mothers Alive, launched last year by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and UNAIDS. The Plan's… more »
Photo of the Week: “Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes”
Posted by Hannah Johnson / January 06, 2012
![U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and staff members descend the Matterhorn in Switzerland, August 2011. [Photo by Richard A. Fisher/ U.S. Army]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0107_potw_switzerland_m.jpg)
Each week, we will be highlighting a U.S. government photograph from around the world as part of our "Photo of the Week" segment. This week's photograph comes to us from the Office of Art in Embassies. Taken by retired U.S. Army Lieutentant Colonel Richard A. Fisher, the photograph captures the descent of the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and U.S. Embassy Bern staff members from the Matterhorn in southern Switzerland. Lt. Colonel Fisher submitted the photograph for consideration in the "Serving Abroad...Through Their Eyes" exhibition.
The "Serving Abroad...Through Their Eyes" photography exhibition is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Defense and the… more »
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