What has prompted the new administration to review the Australia’s citizenship test?

Australia’s citizenship test was introduced by the former conservative government last October to ensure that new citizens are committed to the country’s broad values and aware of its indigenous and colonial history. Ten thousand six hundred people have taken the exam, but one in five test takers has failed to reach the 60 percent passing mark. That’s prompted the new Labor Party administration to review the process.

Last year, ended on the tragic note for the United Nations with 17 staffers killed in a suicide bombing in Nigeria in late December. The secretary General noted that in all, 42 employees were killed in 2007, making it one of the deadliest years for UN personnel. But despite these losses Mr Pan says the United Nations enters 2008 with new determination and new opportunities to strengthen its role in the world.