A delegation of human rights and development non governmental organizations from seven Arab countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Morocco) is visiting European Union (EU) institutions in Brussels this week, with the aim of deepen the dialogue on the relations between both regions with policy makers and civil society representatives. The mission is organized by the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), in cooperation with EuroStep and CNCD-11.11.11 (Centre national de coopération au développement, Belgium).

Average tuition and compulsory fees for Canadian undergraduate students are estimated to rise almost 18% over the next four years, from almost $6,200 in 2011-12 to over $7,300, says a study released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

Mauritanian farmer Aissata Abdoul Diop with dried maize ears. (Photo: Pablo Tosco/Oxfam)

A new research shows that the full impact of climate change on future food prices is being underestimated, while governments of developed countries don't seem to have the will to accept in the next seven weeks further greenhouse gases emissions cuts to reach an agreement on a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol after 31 Dec, the expiry date of the first period.

Laura Dupuy. (Photo: Human Rights Council)

While UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened this week the 21st session of the Human Rights Council urging the 47 member states to show they take their mandate of promotion and protection of human rights seriously, civil society organizations are asking for measures to prevent reprisals against activists attending the meeting in Geneve.

Hassan Abdel Nati. (Photo: Sudan Vision)

Since the student led protest movement emerged in March 2011 in Sudan, demonstrators have acted “peacefully and in line” with the Constitution, but the government reaction has been “vicious”, “unprecedented” and illegal, said Hassan Abdel Ati, Secretary General of Sudan’s National Civic Forum, focal point of Social Watch in the African country.