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Add to Preferred SourcesChad to improve learning outcomes in basic education, five actions to take for World Earth Day 2022, war dims global economic outlook as inflation accelerates. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
Chad to improve learning outcomes in basic education
The World Bank approved a $150 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the improvement of learning outcomes in basic education in Chad.
The Chad Improving Learning Outcomes Project aims to increase access to primary education while also focusing on the quality of teaching in the areas of reading, writing, and numeracy through reforms of the continuous professional development system for teachers and through capacity building for teachers, school principals, and pedagogical support staff. The project also aims to provide digital tools for effective pedagogy and expand the use of mother-tongue instruction in about 1,200 schools. It will also strengthen the quality of instruction in five bilingual teacher training institutions (ENIB). In addition, the project will help build the capacity of management systems such as the education management and information system, and human resources management.
Approximately 2.8 million students enrolled in public and community primary schools will benefit from the strengthened capacity of 31,500 teachers, principals, and pedagogical support staff, and some 3.2 million students will benefit from increased equitable access to quality learning environments and expanded covered spaces to be used to accommodate children from overcrowded classrooms.
Five actions to take for World Earth Day 2022
Since 1970, billions of people around the world have mobilized their efforts every April to mark World Earth Day to focus the attention of people towards emerging environmental issues. This year, World Earth Day will be marked on 22 April with the theme of “Invest in Our Planet”. Amid the urgent issues of climate change, the organizers of the event call on everyone to take steps and devote themselves to a sustainable future. “We need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet,” says Earth Day’s official website.
With more than 190 countries being engaged, Earth Day 2022 aims to trigger local and international conversations, calling leaders to act now and urgently. On an individual level, this remarkable event suggests activities and challenges that can be undertaken by anyone.
War dims global economic outlook as inflation accelerates
Global economic prospects have been severely set back, largely because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This crisis unfolds even as the global economy has not yet fully recovered from the pandemic. Even before the war, inflation in many countries had been rising due to supply-demand imbalances and policy support during the pandemic, prompting a tightening of monetary policy. The latest lockdowns in China could cause new bottlenecks in global supply chains.
In this context, beyond its immediate and tragic humanitarian impact, the war will slow economic growth and increase inflation. Overall economic risks have risen sharply, and policy tradeoffs have become even more challenging.
Compared to the January forecast, IMF has revised the projection for global growth downwards to 3.6 percent in both 2022 and 2023. This reflects the direct impact of the war on Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, with both countries projected to experience steep contractions. This year’s growth outlook for the European Union has been revised downward by 1.1 percentage points due to the indirect effects of the war, making it the second-largest contributor to the overall downward revision.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
How the war in Ukraine impacts the global fertilizer market | Experts’ Opinions
As Russia faces severe economic sanctions imposed by Western and Asian developed economies as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, experts warn of the potential fallout for the worldwide agriculture sector. Fertilizer prices continue to surge to record levels as the ongoing war places a massive share of the world fertilizer supply at risk. Statistics show that Russia and its ally Belarus, which is not involved in the military action but is also subject to certain sanctions, represent about 35% of global potash supply and 40% of production capacity. We discussed the impact of the fertilizer crisis with several experts in agriculture. Check out their insights below.
Russia-Ukraine war taking its toll on the poorest in Africa
Africa, the poorest continent on Earth, expects a surge in food insecurity levels now that Russia and Ukraine are at war. African countries rely heavily on these two nations, which are among the world’s largest grain exporters, for supplies of wheat, maize, and other grains.
Aside from the disruption to grain supplies, the war, which began on 24 February, may trigger an increase in food prices which will badly affect the quality of life in Africa with experts even warning of possible civil unrest.
What is international aid?
International aid (also known as overseas aid or foreign aid) is defined as the assistance from rich and developed states that is given to developing countries. The donors may be governments, non-governmental organizations, development banks, or various international organizations. The help they provide is channeled for a variety of reasons be they moral, philanthropic, political, or economic. Aid is provided in multiple forms, from loans and grants to donations of agricultural equipment. This article defines the basic types of international aid and reveals some of the latest statistics regarding aid.
Here’s what else has happened
EU: As heavy fighting and missile strikes continue to destroy critical civilian infrastructure, humanitarian needs in Ukraine remain extremely high. Despite access and security constraints, EU humanitarian partners are providing assistance to vulnerable people in different regions of Ukraine.
UN: This year, Orthodox Holy Week is being observed under a “cloud of a war” that totally negates the Easter message of unity, the UN chief said, calling for a four-day humanitarian pause in Ukraine.
USAID: USAID’s contribution of up to $3.5 million dollars to ACTIVE, subject to the availability of funds, reaffirms the United States and Indonesia’s shared commitment to fighting climate change for the sake of all our futures. By promoting sustainable cocoa agroforestry practices that mitigate climate change and allow farmers to adapt to climate consequences that they are experiencing now, USAID is contributing to higher, steadier earnings for cocoa farmers and a greener, more sustainable Indonesian cocoa industry in the future.
Reports
Lebanon’s crisis threatening children’s health
The ripple effects of the global economic situation – with heightened prices and increased inflation – are exacerbating Lebanon’s calamitous crisis, with grave consequences for children’s health, UNICEF said in a report released to coincide with World Immunization Week (WIW).
The report, A worsening health crisis for children, points out the critical drop in vaccination rates has left children vulnerable to potentially deadly diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and pneumonia. Routine vaccination of children has dropped by 31 per cent when rates already were worryingly low, creating a large pool of unprotected children vulnerable to disease and its impact.
Events
Science for a water secure world in a changing environment: A contribution to the United Nations Water Conference 2023
📅 22 April 2022
Paris, France
UNESCO‘s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the only intergovernmental cooperation program of the United Nations system dedicated to water research and management, and related education and capacity development. The IHP seeks to enable all stakeholders to participate in the creation of a new, sustainable, water culture. The IHP’s just started its ninth phase (IHP-IX, 2022-2029), which puts science to action for a Water Secure World, in a Changing Environment.
UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15)
📅 25 April – 8 May 2022
Kunming, China
Despite ongoing efforts, biodiversity is deteriorating worldwide and this decline is projected to worsen with business-as-usual scenarios. The UN Biodiversity Conference will convene governments from around the world to agree to a new set of goals for nature over the next decade through the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework process. The framework sets out an ambitious plan to implement broad-based action to bring about a transformation in society’s relationship with biodiversity and to ensure that, by 2050, the shared vision of living in harmony with nature is fulfilled.
Full Advocacy and Policy Influencing PMEL and Skills | Blended Course and Coaching Sessions
📅 25 Apr 2022 – 27 May 2022
Blended Course and Coaching Sessions
This course offers a full learning trajectory and coaching on your own API case. It includes three weeks of interactive online sessions and two weeks of face-to-face sessions in Ede – the Netherlands. It covers the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning of your API design.
Design Successful Advocacy and Policy Influencing | Blended Course
📅 25 Apr 2022 – 20 May 2022
Blended Course
Advocacy & Policy Influencing (API) and lobbying are part of virtually every change intervention in society. More than ever, it’s vital to become effective and sustainable in your policy intervention because policies affect the lives of all citizens.
EdTech trends in LAC: investment and opportunities for Learning
📅 27 April 2022 🕟 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
In recent years, technology in education has been growing but with an uneven adoption. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced families and schools to aggressively adopt technology to manage their operations more effectively and efficiently and support many students’ educational development.
De-Risking Investments for People, Planet, and Prosperity | Online
📅 27 April 2022, 08:00 – 09:30 AM (New York)
Online
As countries and stakeholders take stock of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction ahead of the General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Framework in May 2023, development financing that reduces rather than creates risk and climate finance that avoids maladaptation are emerging as key priorities. This side event aims to highlight gaps, challenges, and progress related to financing for disaster risk reduction that can be further explored through the midterm review process.
Best Practices for the Successful Management of Digital Projects | Webinar
📅 28 April 2022 🕟 4 PM (Brussels Time)/ 10 AM (Washington DC Time)
Virtual
DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with Dimagi, invites project management professionals and those interested in expanding their knowledge in digital PM to attend an exciting webinar on “Best practices for the successful management of digital projects” to learn how to deliver high-quality digital projects on time. Join us and connect with accomplished project managers who create social impact technology for the world’s largest mission-driven organizations.
Key Takeaways
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- Discover the various phases of a digital project
- Learn how to deliver high-quality projects on time
- Find out how to develop communication channels and processes to share regular feedback
Speakers
Lilianna Bagnoli, Project Manager at Dimagi
Dhivya Sivaramakrishnan, Project Manager at Dimagi
Host
Elena Rata, External Relations & Events at DevelopmentAid