A novel idea for children has become a reality, now that the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration has set up an office in the maternity ward at Katutura State Hospital, the main public hospital in Windhoek. This UNICEF-supported effort is designed to ensure that every child born at the hospital receives a birth certificate.

Pacific Research Institute CEO Sally Pipes draws from the story of her mother's illness to describe the pitfalls of the Canadian healthcare system. Pipes argues that the average wait time in Canada to see a medical professional is 17.3 weeks, and claims that 30,000 Canadians travel to the US annually to receive medical care.

Dr. Alicia Lieberman of UCSF explores effective therapies for the children of military families who are affected by the deployments and traumas of their parents.

Journalist and author Barbara Ehrenreich criticizes the "delusional" positivity that she believes has permeated American culture. She suggests that so-called "negative" realists are persecuted for their attitudes, particularly in business.

Governance and child rights are mutually reinforcing, said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde F. Johnson. Child rights principles as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, provide a set of values that are key guiding principles for the work of governments not only guiding principles, they are obligations.

Dr. Kristine Madsen explores the relationship between childrens activity and the development of obesity and how to improve the nutrition and physical activity environments for children.

Lawrence Lessig argues that regardless of how money actually affects policy, the mere perception of impropriety is damaging to our political system. "More people supported the British Crown at the time of the Revolution than support our Congress today," he jokes.

Are you at increased risk for stroke? Dr. Steven Polevoi explains the risk factors associated with stroke and the diagnosis and treatment of this all too common problem.

Becoming a full-time carer can be particularly difficult for men as it has traditionally been seen as a woman's role. Two men talk about their own experiences as carers.

Several experts representing various educational settings talk about different strategies to approach educating children on the autism spectrum.

There is help for you when the person you've been caring for dies. Two former carers talk about how they coped with their grief and refound their purpose in life.

As Head Prefect, Dashenee Huthamaputhiran, 17, is a friendly face around Convent Sentul High School, offering advice to students who break school rules or lending a helping hand to those in trouble. If she spots any students teasing, harassing or bullying each other, she steps in to help resolve the situation or bring the problem to the attention of her teachers.

Journalist Max Blumenthal ties far-right ideology to authoritarian parenting styles, which he describes as methods intended "to break the will of children." He cites Republican leader James Dobson's book Dare to Discipline as a "manual for sado-masochism."

The UCLA Library presents a discussion on the details of the Google Books settlement, and its implications for libraries and the publishing world, with Jonathan Band, an attorney specializing in copyright and intellectual property. Band was joined in conversation by Sharon Farb, Associate University Librarian for Collection Management and Scholarly Communication

The most challenging and troubled young people need concerted, persistent help to deal with their problems and improve their behaviour. Traditional approaches do not work for these young people whose needs are especially complex, whose issues are particularly ingrained, whose behaviour is exceptionally difficult. Intensive Intervention Projects (IIPs) have been established to make a difference to these young people.

Twenty years ago, the Convention on the Rights of the Child became the first international convention to affirm human rights for all children. Author and human rights spokesperson Ishmael Beah speaks about the right children have to be protected from the violence and brutality of armed conflict.

Journalist Max Blumenthal links prominent members of the Religious Right to a number of gay sex scandals. Blumenthal says, "the party of family values is revealed as the largest walk-in 'closet' in America."

More than two million Guatemalans live in extreme poverty, and nearly half of the children in Guatemala are malnourished. In some areas, nearly every child is affected. Most suffer from chronic malnutrition, which means that while they are getting enough calories, the food they eat is severely lacking in vitamins and protein.

Meet the students who have helped make UC Berkeleys "Global Poverty & Practice" program the fastest-growing minor on campus. Chosen by about 300 students from a wide range of disciplines, the program teaches students about the problem of poverty and sends them out into the field to carry out their own projects to alleviate poverty somewhere in the world.

Diarrhoea is the second leading killer of children. Nearly one in five children under the age of five dies as a result of dehydration, weakened immunity or malnutrition associated with diarrhoea. But it is a preventable and easily treatable disease. It is a tragedy that diarrhoea, which is little more than an inconvenience in the developed world, kills an estimated 1.5 million children each year, said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman.

Women and children in north-western Pakistan are once again on the move because of conflict in the region. "Overall, the situation is quite precarious," said UNICEF Senior Emergency Specialist Marc Salvail. "Luckily, the UN had established bases so that we could act swiftly. The latest influx of internally displaced people comes not as a surprise, but we had not expected that such a large number would move in so few days."

"In the 40 years since Stonewall, the Congress of the United States has done almost nothing to further equality for LGBT Americans," says Democratic political strategist Steve Hildebrand. Referencing "don't ask, don't tell" and gay marriage, Hildebrand says Congress has actually reversed progress for the gay community.

The failure of many banks, runs on banks, and a general climate of financial panic played an important role in the Great Depression. After taking office in early March 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a radio address (a "Fireside Chat") outlining federal strategy to reopen the banking system. The system had been closed as part of a "bank holiday" declared by president to halt panics and runs. Although many other aspects of New Deal policy often receive more attention, backing up the banking system at least prevented the Depression from worsening. Prevention of financial panics remains an important economic policy in the contemporary world.

Ruth, 22, was born in a male body but knew from the age of 16 that she wanted to be a woman. She describes her hormone treatment and surgery, and how she feels now

Photographer Dorothea Lang took a picture of a California Okie migrant mother during the Great Depression.

Lynn, 53, had hepatitis C for 25 years. She describes how she got it, how it affected her body and mind, and the treatment.

Every nine-and-a-half minutes, someone in the US is infected with HIV. Despite advances
in testing and treatment, HIV and AIDS still pose a major threat to Americans who engage in unsafe sex or drug use, or neglect to undergo testing.

Winter weather can affect older people's health and wellbeing. See how to keep fit and healthy during the coldest months of the year.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, most elderly people had little means of support. Job-based pensions were rare. The Townsend movement - a proposal to pay everyone over age 60 $200/month (a vast sum at the time) - began in California and spread across the country. It became the radical alternative to the Social Security proposal in Congress and indirectly helped enact Social Security as the more moderate plan.

Dr. Michael F. Hogan presents on Transforming Mental Health in New York State. This is an excerpt from the Buffalo Center for Social Research's Distinguished Scholar Series. You can view the entire presentation on the Center's website

Experts and a new mum talk about the importance of bonding between mother and baby immediately after the birth