Policy Making
Strong public policy leads to more cohesive, resilient, and sustainable societies. In this section, find out about the latest legislations from around the world aimed at making our world a better place.
Belgium considers implementing a 4-day work week
We recently shared the results of the largest ever trial of a four-day working week in Iceland, which researchers hailed as an “overwhelming success." Now, inspired by those findings, Belgium is considering implementing the idea as part of a broader set of labor market reforms. According to Read More...
White House announces restoration of protections for three national monuments
The US federal government has announced plans to restore protections for three national monuments: Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. "Restoring the Monument's boundaries and conditions restores its integrity, upholds efforts to honor the federal trust Read More...
All cars sold in Norway could be electric by next April
Last year, Norway made huge progress in its transition away from fossil fuels, as more than 54 percent of all car sales in Norway were electric. That number skyrocketed in September, when 9 in 10 cars sold in the Scandinavian country were either electric or rechargeable hybrids, according to the Read More...
UN votes to make a clean and healthy environment a human right
The U.N. Human Rights Council has finally recognized access to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental human right, adding it to others─like food, shelter, and freedom from slavery─laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The resolution was first discussed in the Read More...
Ireland agrees to join international agreement on minimum corporate tax rate
We recently shared how 130 countries signed on to a global minimum tax rate proposed by G7 finance ministers. This agreement, establishing a 15 percent minimum corporate tax rate, aims to dismantle tax shelters and reduce tax evasion by increasing accountability, but it will only reach its full Read More...
Germany to offer Holocaust reparations pensions to more survivors
World War Ⅱ ended 76 years ago, but survivors of the Holocaust continue to experience negative health consequences as a result of the devastating persecution of Jewish people in Europe. The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference, has Read More...
What is COP26 and why does it matter?
Leaders from around the world are preparing for COP26, and we at The Optimist Daily are gearing up to report on the latest climate action surrounding the conference, but today we’re here to share some basic details on what COP26 is and what outcomes it hopes to achieve in terms of curbing global Read More...
Department of Education expands eligibility and ease of student loan forgiveness
The average public university student borrows $30,030 to attain a bachelor’s degree, and as education prices and cost of living continue to rise, many spend decades struggling to pay off these loans. The US Department of Education has announced student loan forgiveness eligibility for certain Read More...
Formed coalition commits seven countries to ending all new coal power
During a recent UN General Assembly, a coalition of seven countries formed the No New Coal Compact to adhere to Paris Agreement commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The compact calls for all countries to halt the construction of new coal-fired power generation projects by the end of Read More...
Canada celebrates first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Canada celebrated the country’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The day, which honors the lost children and survivors of Indigenous schools, comes after more than 1,000 unmarked graves were discovered at former schools this year. Governor General Mary May Read More...