UN’s new treaty on mercury: A breakthrough opportunity for reduction of mercury globally

In January, representatives from more than 140 nations met in Geneva and approved a new treaty to reduce the use and release of mercury worldwide and minimize its effects on people all over the world.  Yet the need for tighter regulations on mercury have been on the civil society agenda of social and environmental organisations for a long time.

Women's Community Clinic: An Interview with Carlina Hansen

The mission of the Women’s Community Clinic is to improve the health and well-being of women and girls within the context of their values:  “We believe preventive, educational care is essential to lifelong health and that all women deserve excellent health care, regardless of their ability to pay and that “We work hard to ensure that each client feels comfortable and safe using her voice to direct the care she receives.” Each year, the Clinic has expanded the number of patients served or the scope of care offered, and often both, to continue to scale up its efforts and care for more women. 95% of the women that seek care from the Women’s Community Clinic are uninsured and as clients of the Clinic, they are able to get high-quality care for low or no cost; thereby providing a “safety net” for those most in need.

The Center for Care Innovations: An Interview with Jane Stafford

The Center for Care Innovations (CCI) supports California community health centers that provide care for underserved populations. Offering programs and grants in technology, capacity building, leadership and networking, CCI ensures that community health centers are vital partners in building healthier communities. A joint project of Tides and The California Endowment, CCI launched in 1999 initially as a grant-making program and has since grown into a $113 million program.

How will you observe World Aids Day?

This Saturday, Tides will be at The National AIDS Memorial Grove, joining them in their 19th Annual World AIDS Day Observance. The National AIDS Memorial Grove, in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, is a dedicated space where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS can gather to heal, hope, and remember. The sacred ground of this living memorial honors all who have confronted the tragic pandemic, both those who have died and those who have shared their struggle, kept the vigils, and supported each other during their final hours.

Ending Modern Slavery

After stepping off the podium at the United Nations, President Obama made a special commitment – to ending modern day slavery. Not just in remote corners of the developing world. But here in this country as well. Many of the slaves today are girls. Born in this country. Hidden in plain view.

Live from Rio+20, Day Two: "Favelas and Protests"

This morning I ventured the opposite direction from Rio Centro where the UN Rio+20 negotiations are taking place, and travelled with colleagues to the Cachoeirinha (I was told it means “waterfall”) Favela in Rio de Janeiro. These shantytowns are quite common in Rio, well over one million strong, located within and around the city limits.

Live from Rio+20, Day One: Women and Reproductive Health

This week begins the major UN Rio+20 “Earth Summit”, and I’ve just arrived at the sprawling “Rio Centro” complex where the official UN negotiations and many non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) side-events are taking place.  While here for the duration of the meeting, I’ll be covering women and reproductive health (RH) issues as relate to the official UN proceedings, the NGO perspectives, and global south women’s personal stories on how Rio+20 touches their lives.

Documenting Disaster and Renewal

On April 20, 2010, the day BP’s oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Gulf Coast community of Turkey Creek -- which I had been making a documentary about for almost a decade -- happened to appear on the front page of USA Today. The headline read "For Them, Earth Day Was Late In Coming," and the article described how this community settled by emancipated slaves had built alliances with environmental advocates to protect the fragile ecology and rich culture of a place threatened by urban sprawl, industrial contamination and disaster. The article quotes Derrick Evans, the main character in my film, saying,  “It shouldn’t have been so hard.” It was about to get much harder.

Mi Fortuna: Extreme Philanthropy on the Streets of Ciudad Juarez

Part 3. The following is a personal dispatch from a site visit tour by the
 Angelica Foundation and its program partners in the spring of 2011.
 Since then, the violence in Mexico has spread - exploding in some areas
 while leaving others untouched. Social movements throughout the country 
are gathering strength, but still face daunting adversaries. This
 account is intended to mobilize and inform fellow progressive
 grant-makers. The Angelica Foundation's Mexico Border Fund for Human 
Rights and Drug Policy Reform is now entering its second year.

Mi Fortuna: Extreme Philanthropy on the Streets of Ciudad Juarez

Part 2: The following is a personal dispatch from a site visit tour by the
 Angelica Foundation and its program partners in the spring of 2011.
 Since then, the violence in Mexico has spread - exploding in some areas
 while leaving others untouched. Social movements throughout the country 
are gathering strength, but still face daunting adversaries. This
 account is intended to mobilize and inform fellow progressive
 grant-makers. The Angelica Foundation's Mexico Border Fund for Human 
Rights and Drug Policy Reform is now entering its second year.