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Youth perspectives in focus at high-level meeting on schooling during COVID-19 pandemic

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This week, WHO/Europe hosted a virtual high-level meeting with ministers of health and education from across the WHO European Region to highlight ways to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the schooling, health, well-being and education of young people.

In a statement, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said: “School closures and interventions such as distance learning may have a negative effect on children’s long-term educational outcomes. Children living with disabilities are further disadvantaged by school closures and inadequate distance learning measures to meet their needs. We owe it to the next generation, particularly those in vulnerable settings, to do everything we can to reduce vulnerabilities and to keep their in-person learning alive.

“The evidence is growing that targeting transmission in our communities will address the risk of transmission in schools. If proper and consistent measures are in place, schools do not pose a greater risk of infection for children, teachers and other staff than any other public place.”

Challenges and cooperation

The need for updated evidence for schools to operate safely was highlighted, as was the necessity of further enhancing the existing framework to support countries on schooling and COVID-19 with evidence sharing. In addition, the attendees explained the importance of evaluating responses to COVID-19 and how they impact the rights of children.

During the meeting, countries highlighted the methods they have employed to ensure that schools remain open as long as possible, while also recognizing the difficulties encountered during the pandemic.

In addition, the meeting heard from partners and collaborators on what they do and how they support countries. They also agreed on continued regional collaboration.

Hearing direct from young people

A group of youth advisors to the technical advisory group on schooling during COVID-19 (TAG), which was established earlier this year, were invited to contribute. The perspectives and participation of young people is vital to the topic of schools and COVID-19.

In their presentation, the youth advisors highlighted some findings from a survey shared with students from across the European Region. Feedback from young people included concerns about the immediate impact on their learning and well-being, as well as whether examinations and long-term plans, such as university, could be negatively affected.

Some students explained that they were feeling under pressure to complete work in a shorter time, while others said that in some cases, they lacked the ability to be properly educated at home; for example, if they have a poor internet connection or live in a vulnerable situation.

The meeting highlighted the importance of providing support to children and young people with disabilities or pre-existing health conditions.

Building on shared experiences

This week’s virtual discussion follows on from a meeting that took place in August of this year, highlighting the need for sharing evidence and country experiences on schooling during COVID-19. This resulted in the establishment of the TAG, which has been meeting to discuss the response to COVID-19 and schooling.

Education often has an impact on wider health in society. The closure of schools has led to concerns about some students being left behind, with many more facing mental health challenges as a result of the pandemic.

Leaving no one behind is central to the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health”. Mental health, and the development of a coalition for mental health, is 1 of the 4 priorities influencing the work of WHO/Europe in the coming years.

Boris Johnson and EU chief pessimistic about chances of Brexit trade deal being reached

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Boris Johnson and EU chief pessimistic about chances of Brexit trade deal being reached

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen both appear pessimistic about the chances of a Brexit trade deal being reached before the UK officially leaves at the end of the year.

According to a European Union official, commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the bloc’s 27 national leaders that Britain was more likely to leave the EU at the end of the year without a trade deal than with one.

“The probability of a no deal is higher than of a deal,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity about the message Ms von der Leyen gave leaders at an EU summit in Brussels.

The United Kingdom quit the EU in January but it remains an informal member until December 31 when it will finally leave the bloc’s orbit after 48 years.

“It’s looking very, very likely we’ll have to go for a solution [where] … we’ll be able to do exactly what we want from January 1, it will obviously be different from what we set out to achieve,” Mr Johnson told reporters.

“But I’ve no doubt this country can get ready and as I say, come out on World Trade terms.”

That came a day after he said there was “a strong possibility” a deal would not be clinched, suggesting the relationship with Europe could be more akin to Australia’s link to the continent.

“I do think we need to be very very clear, there is now a strong possibility, a strong possibility, that we will have a solution that is much more like an Australian relationship with the EU,” Mr Johnson said on Thursday.

“That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing,” he added, backing the country to “prosper” if that was how things ended up.

Australia does not have a free trade deal with the 27-nation EU but does do business with the bloc, albeit to a lesser degree than the UK, mainly due to geography.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the BBC that Australia’s trade relationship with Europe was not considered “satisfactory”.

Both sides of the Brexit debate say they want a trade deal, but negotiations are deadlocked.

British and EU negotiators seeking a new arrangement on nearly $1 trillion in annual trade have been stuck on two main issues for weeks: how much fish EU boats can take from British waters and how far the EU can tie Britain into its rules in the future.

Trucks heading towards the English port of Dover were stacked up for miles this week.

Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen have given negotiators until Sunday night (local time) to break the impasse over fishing rights and allow Britain to be punished if it was to diverge from the bloc’s rules in future.

The EU official summarised Ms von der Leyen’s message, saying the “main obstacles remain”.

The British pound tumbled, stocks fell and implied volatility surged as investors started to price in the risk of a chaotic finale to the five-year Brexit crisis.

A no-trade deal Brexit would damage the economies of northern Europe, send shockwaves through financial markets, snarl borders and sow chaos through the delicate supply chains that stretch across Europe and beyond.

Some EU diplomats have suggested claims from the British are theatrics intended to wrench out a deal at the last minute, but officials in London said they cannot accept the EU’s current demands.

British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum, told Sky News there was still “a significant possibility that we could get that deal”, but “that deal cannot come at any price”.

Mr Johnson said he was “always hopeful” that the British negotiators in Brussels would reach some sort of agreement.

“If there’s a big offer, a big change in what they’re saying, then I must say that I’m yet to see it,” he said.

ABC/Reuters

Turkey rejects ‘biased and illegal’ EU approach at summit

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Turkey rejects ‘biased and illegal’ EU approach at summit

Turkey on Friday rejected the European Union’s “biased and illegal” approach at its summit this week and provocatively called on the bloc “to act with principles, strategically and with reason”.

This is what the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday, after EU leaders agreed on Thursday to prepare limited sanctions on Turkish individuals over an energy exploration dispute with Greece and Cyprus.

The bloc has postponed, however, any harsher steps until March as countries sparred over how to handle Ankara.

In a statement, the ministry as said a proposed conference with all eastern Mediterranean countries was an opportunity to tackle maritime issues in the region.

“Ankara was ready for talks with Greece without any pre-conditions. It calls on the EU to act with principles, strategically and with reason,” it added.

European Union leaders agreed late on Thursday to prepare limited sanctions on Turkish individuals over an ongoing energy exploration dispute with Greece and Cyprus.

EU leaders agreed a summit statement that paves the way to punish individuals accused of planning or taking part in unauthorised drilling off Cyprus and Greece.

COVID-19: a stark reminder of the importance of universal health coverage

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health workers wearing face mask
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As COVID-19 spread across Europe earlier this year, many countries moved quickly to address gaps in health coverage by extending entitlement to migrants, suspending the payment of health insurance contributions for low-income self-employed people, adding teleconsultations to the benefits package and offering free access to testing and treatment of the virus.

These actions demonstrate widespread acceptance of the need to ensure that everyone has access to health care and protection from out-of-pocket payments in a pandemic. On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day – 12 December 2020 – WHO releases new analyses that underline the importance of extending this principle to all needed health services on a permanent basis.

Financial protection and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A new factsheet sets out how failure to address common gaps in health coverage before the pandemic was already undermining national and regional ability to meet targets to reduce poverty (SDG 1.1) and income inequality (SDG 10.1), and move towards UHC (SDG 3.8).

Two coverage gaps have even greater resonance now, in the context of COVID-19 and its economic impact.

First, countries that base entitlement to publicly financed health care on payment of health insurance contributions (rather than residence) find it hard to cover the entire population at the best of times, particularly if the informal economy is significant. This challenge grows in an economic crisis, as people lose jobs or suffer a drop in wages and can no longer afford to pay contributions.

Ensuring that everyone living in a country has health coverage is a precondition for UHC, not an optional extra.

Second, just being covered is not enough. User charges (co-payments) for covered services are a key source of financial hardship in health systems in Europe. Countries can reduce access barriers and alleviate financial hardship by exempting poor households and people with chronic conditions from co-payments. Redesigning co-payment policy allows the health system to target those most in need of protection.

Cyprus fixed its roof while the sun was shining

New WHO analysis of financial protection in Cyprus shows how health budget cuts and coverage restrictions introduced in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis were associated with a rise in unmet need for health and dental care and a doubling in the number of households with catastrophic health spending. Before the economic crisis, Cyprus already had one of the largest gaps in population coverage because entitlement was linked to income and citizenship. This gap grew from 15% to 25% of the population during the years of the economic crisis, as new rules linked entitlement to payment of social security contributions.

Cyprus has recently redesigned its coverage policy. The new General Health System implemented in 2019 changed the basis for entitlement to residence, allowing all legal residents to be covered for the first time. It also reduced user charges, particularly for low-income people. As a result of removing many financial barriers to access, Cyprus was better prepared to meet the health and economic challenges of the pandemic.

The Republic of Moldova makes progress during the pandemic

Over 10% of the population in the Republic of Moldova lacks health coverage because entitlement is linked to payment of health insurance contributions and the informal sector is significant. Reforms introduced in the last ten years have led to greater use of health services and fewer people reporting unmet need due to cost, but better access to care has also increased people’s exposure to out-of-pocket payments – for example, through heavy co-payments for outpatient medicines and informal payments in hospital. New WHO analysis finds that poor households are at high risk of being uninsured, facing financial barriers to access and experiencing catastrophic health spending.

In working to control the pandemic, the Republic of Moldova has used reserve funds to guarantee free hospital treatment for everyone, regardless of health insurance status. As the longer-term economic disruption caused by COVID-19 becomes more evident, this short-term measure could be turned into a permanent feature. De-linking entitlement to all health services – not just hospital care – from payment of contributions would ensure people do not lose coverage when they need it most. Redesigning co-payment policy will also help to reduce financial hardship.

From crisis response to sustained progress towards UHC

UHC is one of the three priorities in the WHO European Programme of Work. “COVID-19 has caused enormous disruption and devastation, but it has shown us the importance of accessible and affordable health services. No one should be denied the fundamental right to health care,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “A commitment to universal health coverage is at the heart of our work at WHO/Europe. We need to mobilize the public and political will to make sure it remains a priority.”

Two policy responses to the pandemic stand out as candidates for permanent change in European health systems: breaking the link between entitlement to health care and payment of contributions, and exempting poor people and people with chronic conditions from co-payments. WHO/Europe will support the efforts of Member States to put universal health coverage at the core of recovery from COVID-19.

EU chief tells leaders chances of Brexit deal low

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EU chief tells leaders chances of Brexit deal low

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday told the bloc’s leaders that there were “low expectations” a post-Brexit trade deal could be struck with Britain, EU sources said.

In this file photo taken on January 05, 2020 This picture taken in Brussels, shows the flags of the United Kingdom and the European Union next to the “Brexit” word. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

An EU official said leaders heard that the “probability of a no deal is higher than of a deal” at a brief discussion of Brexit at a marathon Brussels summit, as time ticks down to a Sunday deadline to make a call on prolonging talks or giving up. 

The pessimistic tone came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Thursday there was a “strong possibility” of no deal, and instructed his government to prepare for Britain to crash out of the European Union’s single market at the end of this year. 

Negotiators from the EU and Britain are carrying on talks in Brussels Friday to see if they can fathom a route to an accord by the weekend cut-off point set by von der Leyen and Johnson at a combative dinner meeting this week. 

An EU official said it would become clear soon if there was any point to prolonging the discussions, but refused to rule out a last-minute “turnaround” in the talks to secure a deal despite the gathering gloom. 

The EU on Thursday published its own contingency plans to keep basic air and road travel running and fishing rights open in the event of no deal, in a move seen as a warning shot to London. 

Britain left the EU on January 31 after five decades of integration but a standstill transition period, under which it remains bound by the bloc’s rules pending any new deal, ends on the night of December 31.

Without a post-Brexit deal, Britain’s trade with its biggest market would in future operate on pared-down World Trade Organization rules, with tariffs and quotas.

Talks are mainly blocked over the issue of fair competition, with Britain refusing to accept a mechanism that would allow the EU to respond swiftly if UK and EU business rules diverge over time and put European firms at a disadvantage.

Fishing is another sore issue, with Europe eager to keep as much access as possible to the UK’s waters.

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What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?

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What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?

In “Saying Goodbye to Hanukkah,” Sarah Prager writes about celebrating traditionally religious holidays without religion:

Growing up, my sister and I ate our Hanukkah latkes next to stockings our mother had cross-stitched with depictions of Santa. The white flickering light from the menorah’s candles mixed with the glow of colorful electric lights on our locally cut Christmas tree, decorated with tinsel and Stars of David. Celebrating two holidays at once was normal and a joy. But I’m making different choices with my own children, who won’t grow up with Hanukkah at all.

My sister and I never attended religious services for any Jewish or Christian holidays, but we were still raised with religion. My family attended a Unitarian Universalist meeting house where it was common to celebrate multiple religions’ holy days. We looked forward to the annual Festival of Lights, where each room of the building had a different activity set up: Kwanzaa candle dipping, gingerbread house decorating, reindeer craft making, dreidel spinning, Yule wreath building.

My father’s Jewish tradition only appeared at Hanukkah for the American “holiday season.” We didn’t celebrate Passover or Rosh Hashanah or any other Jewish holiday as a family. In contrast, my mom’s Catholic upbringing emerged not only at Christmas, but also for Easter, though that was only about eggs, bunnies and the resurrection of spring, not Jesus.

We celebrated every holiday secularly, like Halloween or Thanksgiving 一 except Hanukkah. Each of those eight nights we’d recite the Hebrew prayer about God while lighting the menorah. We memorized the syllables and repeated them, but they had no meaning to us and my parents didn’t expect, or want, us to believe what we were reciting. We were trying to honor my dad’s heritage, but it wasn’t a custom he truly wanted to hold on to.

Ms. Prager goes on to explain that, now, she and her wife identify as “nones” — people with no religious affiliation — and that they raise their children celebrating Christmas and Easter, but not in the context of religion:

I respect the incredible value of keeping traditions alive, especially those that centuries of persecution have sought to erase. But while I have more of a connection to Judaism than some, I am not Jewish and it doesn’t feel authentic to celebrate a Jewish holiday religiously. My kids may end up playing dreidel sometimes, but they won’t learn the prayer that begins Baruch atah Adonai, sacred words that are nonetheless empty to them.

Discontinuing my family’s Hanukkah celebration fits right in with our family’s tradition of bucking tradition. Most families do this in some way, even if just adjusting the Tooth Fairy’s gift for inflation. As a queer person, I know my kids will grow up alongside other children whose families created their own way of doing things because the old way hurt or didn’t fit.

Pride in June is my favorite holiday, but this year, the first as our completed family of four, we couldn’t go to a parade. I missed that much more than any holiday rooted in a religion that isn’t mine. I hope that the balloons, floats and rainbows that typically mark its celebration will be a special part of my children’s memories as they grow, and that they anticipate our invented Pride Fairy’s gifts as much as the Easter Bunny’s.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

  • In a few sentences, how would you describe your religious or spiritual beliefs — or your choice not to subscribe to religion?

  • What role does religion play in your life? Do you pray each day? Do you participate in religious traditions through the clothes you wear or the food you eat? Do you have a spiritual community that is important to you? Do you participate in religious holidays?

  • Katarina, a student, suggested this question: “Can you pick and choose which aspects of religion to follow?” What do you think? Is it possible to participate in only some elements of a religion, like holidays or prayers, without following all of a religious tradition? Do you do this in your own life? If so, how do you decide which parts of your religion to observe and which parts to leave behind?

  • If you are not religious, do you have other beliefs, traditions or practices — like meditation, yoga, art, music or being in nature — that ground you or give you a deeper sense of purpose or connection to the world? If so, what are they and what do they mean to you?

  • Which holidays are most important to you? If they are traditionally religious, is their religious nature important to how you celebrate them? Or do you celebrate them without the religious stories or rituals, like the writer of the article?

  • To what extent is your relationship to religion your own choice? Is it important to your family that you are connected to religion? Do you observe your religion in the way you are instructed to by religious leaders or texts? Or have you been able to explore and form your own spiritual beliefs? When you grow up, do you think you will choose to practice religion differently than your family does now? Why or why not?

About Student Opinion

• Find all our Student Opinion questions in this column.
• Have an idea for a Student Opinion question? Tell us about it.
• Learn more about how to use our free daily writing prompts for remote learning.

Students 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Marijuana: the other “pandemic” in Europe

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1
faceless man rolling up cannabis joint
Photo by Ninetyseven Imagery on Pexels.com

At a time the main focus of all the sectors of the society is on the COVID pandemic, there is another insidious problem developing covertly: the drug. If the pandemic has undoubtedly an impact on the health, the economy, and the society at large, it has also affected the availability and through the confinement of the use of the different drugs. And this is a real concern for the EMCDDA (1) but also for the other international institutions such as UNODC (2) and WHO (3).

Aware of these problems and to ensure the youth, parents, and public will not be deprived of vital information on the harmful effects of drug use, the Foundation for a Drug Free Europe (4) and its teams of volunteers of the hundred Say No To Drugs associations and groups existing in some twenty European countries,  continued their actions of prevention education about drugs.

Indeed, wearing their turquoise tee-shirts and using the requested outdoors protections (masks, gloves, etc.) for distributions, the volunteers were found either outdoors in streets or parks, or behind a booth, handing-out their booklets The Truth About Drugs (5), or proposing a display of booklets to shopkeepers. Meanwhile, other volunteers were organizing educative series of lectures online on: what are drugs, their actions, etc. followed by discussion. They were rather successful.

Where do we stand at in Europe?

At the European level, The EMCDDA in a series of rapid studies, has also reported on the impact of COVID-19 on drug use and associated problems, help-seeking, service provision and the operation of the drug market.

In the last European Drug Report 2020 statistics EMCDDA reported an increasing amount of seizures being: 40% Herbal cannabis, 29% Cannabis resin (668 tonnes), 2% Cannabis plant, 10% Cocaine and crack, 6% Amphetamines, 5% Heroin, 3% MDMA, and 6% Other substances.

For Cannabis, from surveys of the general European population, it is estimated that around 1 % of adults are daily or almost daily cannabis users. The majority of these (60 %) are under 35 and around three quarters are male. Cannabis is always the world’s most popular illegal drug with the highest level of availability. The Chinese called it “the drug that takes away the mind”.

The number and quantity of cocaine seizures are now the highest ever reported, with over 181 tonnes of the drug seized in 2018. Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands are key countries for the interception of large quantities. Cocaine is now playing a more important role in the European drug problem. The cocaine market also appears an important driver for drug-related violence.  

Regarding heroin and other opioids, 1,3 millions of people are high-risk opioid users and opioids are found in 82% of the fatal overdoses. After cannabis and cocaine, heroin is the third most common substance involved in drug-related acute toxicity presentations monitored by Euro-DEN Plus in 2018.

Is there a solution?

The first point should be the application by the governments (6) of the article 33 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Then, fighting the drug scourge can be achieved by education of the youth and by prevention, spreading the message on the truth about drugs from the streets to the working place via the classrooms and everywhere. Indeed, empowering the youth with facts on what drugs are and what they do, is giving them the choice to decide to live a drug free life and reach their goals in a safe and sane society.

References

1-EMCDDA: European Monitoring Center on Drugs and Drug Addiction. Find more on https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/13238/TD0420439ENN.pdf European Report 2020 – Key Issues.

2-UNODC: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, located in Vienna (Austria).

“Know more, care more. Addressing the world drug problem requires responses that are based on facts, solidarity and compassion.”  Ms. Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director

3-WHO: World Health Organisation; its main objective is “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

4-FDFE: Established in 2004, a non-profit NGO, with an operating office located in Brussels. Visit: www.fdfe.eu Part of the European Commission Transparency Register.

5-The website www.DrugFreeWorld.org, partnering with FDFE is providing the 14 The Truth About Drugs prevention booklets in 17 languages, a DVD of testimonies and an Educator Guide.

Buddhist Times News – His Holiness reaffirms to live to 113 years

By
Shyamal Sinha
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Buddhist Times News – His Holiness reaffirms to live to 113 years
His Holiness the Dalai Lama/File image/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

The 14th Dalai Lama  known as Tenzin Gyatso; born Lhamo Dhondup, 6 July 1935) is the current Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader of Tibet, and considered a living buddha. The Dalai Lamas are also leaders of the Gelug school, which is the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism  and was formally headed by the Ganden Tripas. From the time of the 5th Dalai Lama to 1959, the central government of Tibet, the Ganden Phodrang, invested the position of Dalai Lama with temporal duties.

This year’s Gaden Ngamchoe [Tib: དགའ་ལྡན་ལྔ་མཆོད་] celebration brought tears of joy to Tibetans across the world as their beloved spiritual leader affirmed once again to live over 113 years.

This reaffirmation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is indeed the long-cherished aspiration of six million Tibetans, and it’s these words of reassurance that made today’s anniversary of Lama Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana all the more auspicious and ceremonious.

He said there have also been divination by Getse Pandita, who lived during the 7th Dalai Lama Kalsang Gyatso (1708–1757), had foretold that the 14th Dalai Lama would live for 113 years. Late Kathok Getse Rinpoche had confirmed the same with His Holiness.

“It is due to the unwavering faith, trust and devotion that millions of Tibetans inside Tibet have vested in me that I sincerely hope and pray to live as long as I could,” said His Holiness.

“In the past decades, I have been able to significantly contribute to the flourishing of Tibetan culture and Buddhism and it is my wish to live long enough to continue to fulfill the hopes of the six million Tibetans.”

Just like a parent with unconditional love and compassion would pacify its children, over the years His Holiness the Dalai Lama has repeatedly told his Tibetan followers, who had grown concerned over his aging health, to be at ease for he would be amidst them for a much longer time.

Many were moved to tears of joy and gratitude as they watched and shared today’s video message with family and friends, united in the joy, peace and hope that Tibetans collectively feel in the well-being of their supreme leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

During the 1959 Tibetan uprising, the Dalai Lama escaped to India, where he currently lives in exile while remaining the most important spiritual leader of Tibet. The Dalai Lama advocates for the welfare of Tibetans while continuing to call for the Middle Way Approach to negotiations with China for the autonomy of Tibet and the protection of Tibetan culture, including for the religious rights of Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 1989, and the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2006. Time magazine named the Dalai Lama one of the “Children of Mahatma Gandhi” and Gandhi’s spiritual heir to nonviolence.

Tony Elumelu Foundation and European Union Partner to Transform Economic Empowerment of African Women

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Guest Author
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Tony Elumelu Foundation and European Union Partner to Transform Economic Empowerment of African Women




Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading philanthropy committed to empowering young African entrepreneurs, has announced a partnership with the European Union to identify, train, mentor and fund 2,500 young African women entrepreneurs in 2021.

The partnership will disburse €20 million in financial and technical support for women-owned businesses, across all 54 African countries, in addition to providing increased access to market linkages, supply chains and venture capital investments.

The joint initiative will significantly strengthen and deepen the EU-Africa partnership, builds on the platform and experience of the US$100m TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, and forms part of the EU External Investment Plan to support women economic empowerment within the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III).


Commenting on the landmark partnership, Tony Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation said “We are delighted to partner with the European Union, sharing our unique ability to identify, train, mentor and fund young entrepreneurs across Africa.

“This joint effort will prioritise and provide economic opportunities for African women, whom for too long have endured systemic obstacles to starting, growing and sustaining their businesses.  Our partnership will alleviate the funding, knowledge and market constraints threatening the livelihoods of women entrepreneurs on the continent, to create more income, jobs, growth and scale for women-owned businesses.”

The EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said “This partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation will help women participants in economic development, realise their full potential and accelerate economic inclusion.

“Empowering women entrepreneurs is a key driver for sustainable jobs and growth, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with the objectives of our African Strategy.  Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and they deserve equal opportunities.”

The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which marks ten years of impact this year, is empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, catalysing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and ensuring job creation across all 54 African countries.

The Foundation has trained, mentored and funded nearly 10,000 young African entrepreneurs from 54 African countries, and continues to provide capacity-building support, advisory and market linkages to over 1 million Africans through its digital networking platform, TEFConnect.

TEF’s female success stories include Joyce Awojoodu, from Nigeria, who launched a luxury botanically based product line and spa clinic in Lagos, in 2015.  The brand ORÍKÌ, caters to both men and women, and strictly uses raw materials and natural ingredients from Africa.  Awojoodu’s favourite element of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme was the mentorship, which she described as “phenomenal”’ and “invaluable” for ORÍKÌ.

In her own words, “each TEF Entrepreneur was assigned a mentor and I could not have asked for a better one.  TEF connected us.  Now the mentorship continues, and I know I will always have an ear to share my thoughts about the business with a person who can also offer advice”.

Mavis Mduchwa, an agribusiness entrepreneur from Botswana, founded Chabana Farms, a poultry farm providing training and work for unemployed young people.  Even though agriculture accounts for 32% of Africa’s gross domestic product, landownership and access to land remains a significant challenge for many farmers, especially women.

According to Mduchwa, “in Botswana, about 80% of people survive on agriculture, and many of them are women.  But, if as a women you want to turn it into a business, you have a challenge of finding land.” Mduchwa has used the seed capital and training from TEF to significantly expand her operations.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation and the European Commission are proud to partner to unlock the dynamic potential of African women entrepreneurs, directly catalysing African’s economic growth and contributing to Africa’s prosperity and social development.

The programme co-funded by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific State (OACPS), and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), will further scale the Foundation’s efforts in directly addressing some of the most endemic challenges to African start-ups – skills and capacity gaps, financial constraints and lack of access to mentoring, networks and market linkages.

Following completion of the programme, the entrepreneurs will stay connected to partners and to each other through their lifetime membership on TEFConnect.  TEF has set up Country Chapters in 54 African countries to support the entrepreneurs as they grow and expand their businesses.







Work progresses on Houses of Worship in the DRC and Kenya

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BWNS
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Work on the foundations of the temple in Kinshasa is advancing steadily while work in Kenya approaches final stages.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic Of The Congo — Construction work on Bahá’í Houses of Worship in two African communities is steadily progressing.

Less than two months since the groundbreaking for the national Bahá’í House of Worship in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, excavation is complete for the main ring of the edifice’s foundations.

In Matunda Soy, Kenya, construction of the local House Worship has continued in spite of heavy rains and other difficulties. The central edifice is now at an advanced stage of completion. Work on the roof and decoration of doorways and external walls is underway. A reception center and other ancillary buildings on the site are also nearing completion.

In both places, the projects are inspiring activities of service and devotion on and off the temple sites.

Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo

The following selection of images show the early stages of construction in Kinshasa.

After a groundbreaking ceremony in October, excavation began for the foundations.

A process known as concrete blinding creates a smooth surface to work on. Masonry blocks are then used to create formwork for the reinforced concrete foundations.

With the masonry mostly laid, the footprint of the future temple takes shape.

Volunteers from the local community around the temple site are helping in various tasks, including tending to a nursery for plants that will be used in the gardens.

The site of the House of Worship has already become a place of prayer, where people gather every morning to sing and recite prayers and passages from the Bahá’í writings and draw inspiration for daily service to their community.

Matunda Soy, Kenya

The following selection of images shows the current stage of progress in Matunda Soy.

With the completion of concrete walls and roof beams of the central edifice, work has continued on steelwork for the roof, cladding for the external walls, and decorations for the pillars and doorways. A reception center (visible to the right of the central edifice) and other ancillary buildings are approaching completion.

All steel work is now in place to support the tiles and skylights that will make up the roof.

The steelwork is covered with waterproofing and plaster.

One of the nine entrances to the central edifice. The trellis around each doorway will incorporate glass between two layers of wood. Decorative plaster for the external columns and the doorways has been completed.

Planters are being prepared on the plinth around the central edifice.

Left: The reception center with the central edifice visible in the background. Right: Work continues on one of the ancillary buildings that will provide services to visitors.

As construction across the site advances, work is beginning on the gardens and paths that will surround the temple.

Members of the community discussing the future of the temple. The local House of Worship will be a center of community life in Matunda Soy, inspiring acts of worship and service throughout the area.

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