Is São Paulo the New Venice?

There’s a new way to commute to work in São Paulo—by water. Far from a Venetian gondola, Latin America’s first hydrogen-powered bus carries 63 passengers while releasing only water vapor into the air, rather than carbon dioxide.

Four years or research and partnership of the United Nations Development Programme, the Brazilian Mines and Energy Ministry, and the city of São Paulo’s Urban Transportation Company have made such a feat possible. While on a two-month trial basis, the city will monitor the bus with hopes that it can expand the program in coming years.

As the world seeks an alternative to fossil fuels, hydrogen is proving to be a promising alternative. Carlos Zündt, planning manager of the Sao Paulo Urban Transportation Company and coordinator of the hydro bus project, asserts, "By 2080, 90 percent of the world’s vehicles will be run by hydrogen." To find out more about the hydrogen bus project click here or hydrogen-fueled technology click here!

Better Opportunities in Moldova

Can you imagine living in a country where you are not given the same access to opportunities as your friends? After gaining its independence, Moldova suffered a decline in its economy and many of its citizens were displaced and without jobs. Moldovan orphans, children without families, single mothers and expectant mothers are among the beneficiaries of a new UNDP program entitled, “Better Opportunities for Women and Youth,” that will provide psychological and social services, life skills classes, and job-preparation coaching.

By educating Moldova's underprivileged youth and women, the country hopes to improve its economy by providing more citizens the opportunity to participate. After completing classes and job-preparation coaching, adults will be able to apply for jobs in seven newly created partnerships with private businesses. By having the incentive to receive higher education and effectively change their futures, underprivileged youth be rewarded with job opportunities upon the completion of their programs.

To find out more about the "Better Opportunities for Women and Youth" in Moldova, click here

Follow the Footsteps of the Famous

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared the famous actor, George Clooney, as the ninth United Nations messenger. On January 31, 2008, Clooney will receive his official position as an international peacekeeping promoter because his example, according to UN, Oprah, and many others, is worthy enough to follow.

After Clooney made great strides to campaign on behalf of refugees in Darfur, UN officials decided to use Clooney’s celebrity to help increase public awareness on Darfur and other international issues concerning peace, violence, and forced displacement.

Clooney has already worked with notable celebrities including Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Jerry Weintraub, and Brad Pitt to raise funds and publicize in the name of their charity organization Not on Our Watch.

This charity and many UN organizations are working to mitigate drastic realities in Sudan and other poverty stricken nations. Watch Clooney’s his heartfelt speech to United Nations, which he believes is crucial in promoting peace worldwide. Help organizations like UNDP-USA promote humanitarian efforts. Follow the footsteps of the famous and work on behalf of others.

The Brits, like UNDP-USA, support Pakistan

The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) has recently pledged $35 million to Pakistani NGOs in order to promote good governance and state accountability programs. UNDP in Pakistan will be responsible for administering these funds appropriately.

UNDP-USA also supported a project of its own in Pakistan last year, working on long-term efforts to support the MDGs, particularly addressing education and health care:

UNDP-USA worked in partnership with UNDP through the Global Resource Mobilization Program, identifying and leveraging private contributions in the United States, particularly from the Pakistan-American Diaspora population, to support the project in Pakistan. To date, UNDP-USA has provided $1.4 million to UNDP Pakistan in support of the work of UNDP in achieving the MDGs in Pakistan.

See here to read more about this and other UNDP-USA projects.