Immunisation partners outline an ambitious plan to protect millions of girls against cervical cancer, WHO launches a new initiative to improve pandemic preparedness and get the SDGs back on track. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector.
Immunisation partners outline ambitious plan to protect millions of girls in lower- and middle-income countries against cervical cancer
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and partners have committed to reaching 86 million adolescent girls with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine by 2025, outlining an action plan following the Gavi Board’s approval of the revitalisation of the HPV programme.
Over the course of the next three years, the Vaccine Alliance – which includes country governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, civil society and other key partners – will work with low- and middle-income countries to help even more adolescent girls access this life-saving vaccine.
WHO launches new initiative to improve pandemic preparedness
To help countries better prepare for future pandemics, WHO launched a new initiative that provides guidance on integrated planning for responding to any respiratory pathogen such as influenza or coronaviruses.
The new Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative, or PRET, incorporates the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent public health emergencies.
Through the initiative, WHO will use a mode of transmission approach to guide countries in pandemic planning, given that many capacities and capabilities are common among groups of pathogens. PRET answers the call for technical guidance and support for promoting and strengthening integrated preparedness and response, as outlined in World Health Assembly resolutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies have shown that countries need to be operationally ready to respond to infectious disease threats, with tailored preparedness plans in hand and better coordination and collaboration with other sectors such as agriculture.
Mitigating data challenges is imperative for human development and getting the SDGs back on track
On the first day of the UN World Data Forum, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlighted the immense need for mitigating data challenges to get back on track with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.
In 2023 the world approaches the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda set in 2015. Global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-induced disasters, as well as wars and conflicts with international ramifications have caused human development to fall back to 2016 levels, reversing much of the progress towards the SDGs.
For the first time in the 32 years that UNDP has been calculating the Human Development Index, which measures a nation’s level of development through health, education, and standard of living, human development levels have declined globally for two years in a row.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
A brief history of the IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an entity related to the United Nations that provides planning and policy advice for governments concerning migrant workers, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Originally, the agency was named the Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe (PICMME) because it was set up in 1951 to provide transportation and logical assistance to American-allied nations in Europe that were dealing with an estimated 11 million refugees who had been displaced by the fighting in World War II.
Read the full article.
Writing a cover letter that will last: Tips from top recruiters
In one of our previous articles on why cover letters are important, we highlighted the reasons for preparing and sending this together with your resume. Now it’s time for the next chapter on this important topic: crafting the cover letter itself. We will share with you a handful of details on the best structure, the most valuable information to include, and how to present yourself in the most compelling way.
Read the full article.
Here’s what else has happened
European Commission: Following the outbreak of violence in Sudan, the European Commission has allocated €200,000 for immediate relief and first aid assistance to people injured or exposed to high risk in the capital Khartoum and other affected states.
Moldova: Moldova starts its path towards joining the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – a European solidarity initiative designed to support countries in times of crisis and disaster.
Education in Ukraine: As the war continues in Ukraine, severely disrupting education, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Google, Microsoft Corporation, and UNESCO will provide over US$51 million for distance learning and psychosocial support for children in conflict-affected areas.
Democratic Republic of Congo: The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to deteriorate, especially in the east of the country. As a result, the EU is allocating an additional €32.7 million, to support the humanitarian crisis response in the country.
Reports
Water scarcity in MENA requires bold actions, says World Bank report
People across the Middle East and North Africa face unprecedented water scarcity, says a new World Bank report, which proposes a series of resource management and institutional reforms to ease water stress in the region.
The report, titled The Economics of Water Scarcity in MENA: Institutional Solutions, notes that by the end of this decade, the amount of water available per capita annually will fall below the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic meters per person, per year. It also estimates that by 2050, an additional 25 billion cubic meters of water a year will be needed to meet the region’s needs. That is equivalent to building 65 desalination plants the size of Ras Al Khair plant in Saudi Arabia, which is currently the largest in the world.
ILO issues wage protection guidance for migrant workers
Migrant workers will benefit from new ILO guidance on wage protection that outlines relevant international labour standards. The Guidance Note focuses on wage-related issues faced by migrant workers, including non-payment and delayed payment of wages. These can lead to debt bondage and forced labour, according to the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR).
Adequate wages and timely payment are essential for securing decent work and social justice and have the most direct and tangible effect on the everyday lives of workers. Countless families and communities are dependent on remittances from migrant worker relatives.
Migrant workers may face discrimination, xenophobia and racism, unfair recruitment processes, and restrictions based on their migration status which can contribute to labour and wage-related abuses. The issue of non-payment of wages is one of the most common forms of complaints by low-wage migrant workers and especially workers with irregular status.
90 per cent of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries are offline – UNICEF
The report – Bridging the Digital Divide: Challenges and an Urgent Call for Action for Equitable Digital Skills Development – takes a close look at the gender digital divide among young people aged 15-24 years by analysing available data on internet use, mobile phone ownership, and digital skills in mostly low-, lower-middle-, and some middle-income economies. Though more gender-disaggregated data is needed to better monitor, understand, and work toward digital inclusion, the report finds that girls are being left behind in an increasingly digital and connected world.
Events
Doing Business with AfDB: Latest Updates on Procurement Policy | Webinar
📅 4 May 2023 at 10 am (Brussels)/4 pm (Beijing)
DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with the AfDB, invites you to attend the webinar on “Doing Business with AfDB: Latest Updates on Procurement Policy” which will take place on 4 May 2023 at 10 am (Brussels)/4 pm (Beijing).
Key takeaways
- Get to know the AfDB and its mission
- Learn about AfDB’s portfolio and operations
- Discover the specifics of the AfDB’s procurement policy
- Understand how to properly prepare for upcoming bids
Speaker
Ashraf Ayad, Lead Procurement Policy Officer at the African Development Bank.
Ashraf has over 24 years of experience in procurement and project management as a result of his involvement in many development projects in Africa and the Middle East. He has a thorough understanding of the procurement policies of international development institutions e.g., the AfDB, WB, IsDB, and the EU.
Host
Elizaveta Gładun, External Relations & Events Coordinator at DevelopmentAid
Impact First Digital Development Summit
📅 4-5 May 2023
Centro Cultural de Belém, Lisbon
The Impact First Summit, hosted by BAO Systems, will take place from May 4-5, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal and is a global event that brings together speakers and organizations from the global health and development sector where together we explore the possibilities of achieving impact through technology and data innovations.
We believe digital technology is core to the future of the development sector, capable of improving development outcomes, driving economic growth, and lifting millions out of poverty. The rapidly changing data and technology landscape means that we have more information, evidence and insights than ever before, but efforts must be coordinated to ensure all countries have the tools, knowledge, and resources to use information effectively. By understanding the broad application of technologies across agriculture, health, education, governance, and environmental sectors, we can make meaningful gains.
The summit is designed to provide a forum for participants to engage in meaningful discussions, share ideas, and explore new opportunities to collaborate and make a positive difference in the world.
The Summit will feature plenary and breakout sessions, panel discussions, exhibitor tables, and networking opportunities. The venue offers excellent spaces for presentations, networking, and in-depth discussions, not to mention the scenic location by the waterfront in Lisbon. Join us as we spend two days discussing cutting-edge technologies and approaches to address the world´s most pressing development challenges.
If you are passionate about creating impact, whether you are an established leader, entrepreneur, investor, or simply interested in learning more about the field, then the Impact First Summit in Lisbon is an ideal event for you to attend. Join these organizations and more.
Who should attend
- Social entrepreneurs who are creating innovative solutions to social and environmental problems.
- Investors who are interested in supporting impact-driven businesses and initiatives.
- Business leaders who want to integrate sustainability and impact into their corporate strategies.
- Government officials and policy makers who are working to create a more sustainable and equitable future.
- Academics and researchers who are studying impact-driven approaches and solutions.
- Non-profit organizations and activists who are working towards social and environmental justice
The discount code DevelopmentAid gives a $150 discount, making the ticket cost $500.
