The InterDependent

Traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving, musical chants, customs of southern Colombia and even French food are among the 46 new elements that have been inscribed to Unesco’s list of intangible cultural assets this year, the agency announced recently.

Using a toilet is something most people take for granted in the West, but in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya or Haiti, women and children have serious issues accessing not only hygienic but safe restrooms.

Colombia has made great strides in the last decade, thanks in part to Álvaro Uribe’s presidency from 2002 until July of this year. The improvements in security, for one, have stemmed to some extent from his policy of “Seguridad Democrática,” or democratic security, bringing more foreign investment, which has increased economic growth and brought prosperity to the country.

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that has been virtually wiped off the map since Unicef, the Rotary Club and the World Health Organization began a campaign in 1988 to tackle the problem comprehensively.