“Faith, Science and Youth: A call for an ambitious climate summit”
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and in view of the upcoming Climate Ambition Summit 2020, the Vatican Covid-19 Commission and its partners, including the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), invite you to participate in the webinar “Faith, Science and Youth: A call for an ambitious climate summit”, to be held on Wednesday 9 December 2020 at 14h00 CET.
The webinar will highlight the need to urge governments to raise their ambition for tackling the climate emergency. For this reason, it will take place ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit 2020 – to be held on 12 December 2020 as a platform for world leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the Paris Agreement.
The event “Faith, Science and Youth: A call for an ambitious climate summit” will provide a platform for a high-level exchange on the climate crisis in the context of the efforts to build a just and sustainable recovery.
The webinar will gather leading global voices from faith, science, and youth proposing concrete ways to concurrently address the Covid-19 crisis and the climate crisis through a just and sustainable recovery of economies and society that truly puts people and the planet before profit.
Participants will be able to engage with the speakers through a Q&As session. Journalists and media operators interested in interviewing speakers are encouraged to write an email here.
“Faith, Science and Youth: A call for an ambitious climate summit”
Monks worship Lord Buddha under the Bodhi Tree at Mahabodhi Temple during Maha Kathina Civara Dana ceremony in…Read More
Nearly 100 monks, staying at monasteries of different countries, participated in the Maha Kathina Civara Dana (robe offering) function conducted by the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) at the Mahabodhi Mahavihara on Monday morning. This was the first event organized at the temple amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kathina is a Pali word referring to the wooden frame used to measure the length and width by which the robes of Buddhist monks are cut. As the legend goes, thirty bhikkhus were journeying with the intention of spending Vassa with Gautama Buddha. However, the rains began before they reached their destination and they had to stop at Saketa. According to Buddha’s guidelines for Vassa, mendicant monks shouldn’t travel during the rainy season as they may unintentionally harm crops and/or insects during their journey. As such, the monks had to stop .
Earlier, around 500 monks from countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka used to attend the robe offering event, but no outsider was part of the function this year.
BTMC secretary Nangzey Dorjee welcomed the monks to the function that was also attended by committee members Mahashweta Maharathi and Krishna Manjhi. Chief monk Bhikkhu Chalinda, who led the participants offering prayers under the Bodhi Tree, told this newspaper, “After the three-month ‘varsha vaas’ or rainy retreat of the monks, devotees offer them robes and other items. During the period from July to September, they stay indoors and meditate in their monasteries.” According to Buddhism, offering robes (‘civara’) to the monks is the highest form of donation. The chief monk added, “The ‘civara’ is offered to one of the 10 monks of the BTMC every year. It was given to Bhante Manoj this year because he followed the ‘varsha vaas’ tradition properly.”
There is an equally strong Buddhist belief that a month after receiving his ‘enlightenment’, Buddha delivered his first sermon – called the Dhamma-CakkappavattanaSutta – to his five former companions on the full moon day of Ashadh at Sarnath and that he spent the first four-month Vassa at Mulagandhakuti. The Sinhalese Buddhists still practise Vas or ‘rains retreat’ though their calendar is adjusted to their monsoons, while the Thais call the period from July to October as Phansa and observe it rather religiously. Other Theravada Buddhists like the Burmese also observe Vassa, and Mahayana Buddhists like the Vietnamese Thiens and the Korean Seons fix themselves to one location, just as the Tibetans are supposed to.
After the Maha Kathina Civara Dana function, the monks were offered ‘sanghdana’ (meal).
The four months of Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashvina and Kartika could even be trimmed to three months depending on the regional character of the rains and local needs.
6.1 billion EUR for sustainable fisheries and safeguarding fishing communities
Funding must not result in an increase in fishing capacity
Tailored support for small-scale coastal fishing, young fishermen and outermost regions
Fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
On Friday, EU legislators reached a provisional agreement on how EU countries will be able to spend funds allocated to fisheries and aquaculture for 2021-2027.
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for the period 2021-2027 amounts to 6.1 billion EUR (6.108 billion EUR in current prices). 5.3 billion EUR will be allocated for the management of fisheries, aquaculture and fishing fleets, while the remaining sum will cover measures such as scientific advice, controls and checks, market intelligence, maritime surveillance and security.
Member states will have to spend at least 15% of the money on efficient fisheries control and enforcement, including fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. In line with the Green Deal, actions under the fund will contribute to the overall budget objective to dedicate 30% of funds to climate action.
Compensation for fishermen
If fishermen’s activities cease permanently, they can be supported to scrap or decommission a vessel. In order to receive compensation, the equivalent fishing capacity is permanently removed from the EU fishing fleet register and the beneficiary must not register any fishing vessel within five years of receiving support.
If fishing activities cease temporarily, fishermen may be granted compensation for a maximum duration of 12 months per vessel or per fisherman during the programming period.
Specific needs of small-scale coastal fishing and young fishermen
Member states will need to take into account the specific needs of small-scale coastal fishing, including simplifying administrative requirements. Also, first acquisition of a fishing vessel or partial ownership (of at least 33%) can be funded if the fisherman is no more than 40 years of age and has worked for at least five years as a fisherman or has acquired the equivalent qualification. Fishermen can purchase small-scale coastal vessels (total length less than 12 meters) that have been registered for three years or vessels up to 24 meters that have been registered for five years.
Small-scale vessels may also receive support to replace or modernise engines if the new or modernised engine does not have more power in kW than that of their current engine.
Improving safety, working conditions and energy efficiency
A fishing vessel that is not longer than 24 meters and older than 10 years can have its gross tonnage increased if this results in significant improvements, such as renovating accommodation and other facilities for the well-being of the crew, better on-board fire prevention and safety systems, increased energy efficiency or lower CO2 emissions.
Other key measures
– Engines can be replaced or modernised under strict conditions: for vessels between 12 and 24 meters and at least five years old, the new or modernised engine must not have more power in kW and a reduction of 20% CO2 emissions must be ensured; the fishing capacity withdrawn due to engine replacement or modernisation cannot be replaced.
– Focus on outermost regions: member states will have to prepare an action plan for each of their outermost regions; specific budget allocations are foreseen.
– Support may also be granted for storage of fisheries products in exceptional events generating a significant disruption of markets.
Quote
Rapporteur Gabriel Mato (EPP, ES) said: “We reached a balanced agreement on the future European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. A fund that would enable the EU fleet to fish and farm better, not to fish more. A fund that would allow the sector to invest in workers’ safety and wellbeing and environmentally-efficient engines and vessels. And a fund that would allow for generational renewal, while avoiding overcapacity and overfishing. The fishing and aquaculture sectors and the whole seafood value chain need support now more than ever to face current and future challenges.”
Next steps
Parliament and Council are now expected to endorse the agreement. The provisions of the regulation will then apply as of 1 January 2021.
Background
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund proposal was published by the Commission in June 2018 and refers to the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027. The previous EMFF budget covering the years 2014 to 2020 amounted to 6.4 billion EUR.
LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) – After watching from the sidelines as a boom in the listing of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) reshaped U.S. capital markets, Europe is preparing to play catch up next year with around 10 such deals said to already be in the pipeline.
FILE PHOTO: Nikola’s logo pictured at an event in Turin, Italy, December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Massimo Pinca
SPACs are shell companies that use the proceeds from going public to buy another company, not yet identified at the time of listing. The resulting merger with a target company, often a start-up in a high-growth sector, offers it a faster and lower cost way to market than a traditional initial public offering (IPO).
Boosting the profile of a previously niche product, notable U.S. deals this year have included April’s merger between online sports betting company DraftKings and Diamond Eagle Acquisition, and June’s merger between electric truck maker Nikola and VectoIQ Acquisition Corp.
While $63 billion has been raised through 190 SPAC listings in the United States this year, according to Refinitiv data, by investors including Bill Ackman and Michael Klein, it has been slim pickings in Europe. Small cash shells priced in London and Amsterdam but the only attempt at a major deal — Martin Franklin’s $750 million The Harvester Holdings — was cancelled due to a lack of demand.
There was a glimmer of hope this week though when French telecoms magnate Xavier Niel and banker Matthieu Pigasse said they were looking to raise at least 250 million euros ($299.65 million) via a SPAC that will scour for sustainable and organic food companies that source locally.
Three banking sources working on potential SPAC deals told Reuters that a successful transaction could trigger a spate of issuance, with up to 10 SPACs in line to raise about $300 million on average.
They said listings destined for Europe tended to be focused on the healthcare, technology and consumer sectors, with Euronext’s exchanges in France, the Netherlands and Southern Europe set to see the most activity.
Saadi Soudavar, co-head of equity capital markets (ECM) at Deutsche Bank in EMEA said a “decent” pipeline of European SPAC deals was building for next year, without giving further details.
He added that a successful merger, or so-called “de-SPAC-ing”, phase in the United States would likely free up additional capital and give further confidence to U.S. and European investors that such vehicles are a viable alternative to traditional IPOs.
Niel’s 2MX Organic could target a first purchase in France as soon as 2021, ideally worth around 2 billion euros, and then expand by buying more companies, two sources said.
FEE BOOST
For European ECM bankers, a surge in SPAC deals would mean a fee boost. On average, banking fees for European IPOs stand at 3.4% of the deal value, while a SPAC would generate around 4.6%, paid in full at the merger stage, according to Refinitiv data.
So far, bankers say European SPACs have been hindered by a less flexible regulatory environment compared to the United States — where investors are typically allowed to redeem their shares if they don’t want to back the acquired company — and by a poor track record.
“It is legally more difficult to set up a SPAC in Germany and in some parts of Europe due to the legal structuring question – whether you are building a company or an investment fund – which comes with its own set of regulations”, said Credit Suisse’s Joachim von der Goltz, head of ECM Northern Europe.
SPACs led by European investors and targeting European companies, such as the one recently launched by private equity fund Investindustrial, have ditched European exchanges to list in New York, where investors are more familiar with the product.
“European investors would rather have an ability to take a view on the vehicle they will invest in to be sure they can place their trust in the management teams,” said Darrell Uden, global co-head ECM Europe at RBC Capital Markets.
“The rapid evolution and success of SPACs in the U.S. and expectations of a more conducive regulatory environment in some European countries are likely to facilitate the launch of European SPAC listings in coming months.”
For a graphic on Europe runs for the SPAC train:
Reporting by Clara Denina, Abhinav Ramnarayan and Arno Schuetze; additional reporting by Gwénaëlle Barzic in Paris. Editing by Kirsten Donovan
RAWALPINDI: The European Commission has decided to retain the ban on Pakistan International Airlines operations in its member countries and asked the country’s aviation authorities to remove safety deficiencies and improve the whole process of issuing licences to commercial pilots.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had suspended the authorisation for the PIA to operate in European Union member countries for six months in July 2020.
The EASA ban was soon followed by similar action by the UK and US aviation authorities, crippling the PIA which was already suffering in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis. The EU had also put Pakistan on notice showing concern over the issue of pilots’ licences citing the aviation minister’s speech on the floor of parliament that one third of Pakistani pilots had suspicious licences.
The EU Air Safety Committee (ASC) met on November 17 and 18 in Brussels to update the list of airlines whose operations had been banned by the European Commission.
Spokesperson says national flag carrier has been working hard to comply with EASA observations
Following the unanimous opinion of the ASC, the European Commission formally adopted on Thursday a regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 474/2006 of March 22, 2006, establishing the list of air carriers, which are subject to an operating ban within the EU.
A letter sent to former secretary of aviation Hasan Nasir Jamy said the situation of the air carriers certified in Pakistan was examined during the ASC meeting. An excerpt of the regulation with the recitals pertaining to Pakistan was attached with the letter.
The European Commission reported to the ASC about the technical meetings held on July 9 and 25 September 25 and the numerous correspondences received between the end of June and November from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
The EU said that the ASC deliberations confirmed a continued concern over the measures taken by the PCAA in terms of a proper root cause analysis and suitable corrective measures to prevent re-occurrence of the same or similar safety deficiencies.
According to the EU, concern persists about PCAA safety deficiencies, not only on the pilot licencing areas but on the whole licencing and authorisation processes, application and oversight of safety management systems and the establishment of the occurrence reporting system, among others.
It said it had also been recognised that the PCAA was making significant efforts to put in place and enforce some corrective measures to address the identified safety situation in Pakistan.
The European Commission and the ASC have noted the willingness of the PCAA to react to the case of the fraudulent licenses, and also appreciated its transparency and openness in recognising the deficiencies.
“In view of this, it has been decided not to make any changes to the list of air carriers subject to an operating ban with respect to air carriers certified in Pakistan,” the EASA said.
It urged the PCAA to maintain regular contact with the European Commission to keep it informed of the further actions to respond to and deal with the safety concerns.
The former aviation secretary was also informed that the European Commission would continue its monitoring and assessment of how the situation developed further, and this might include a visit to Pakistan when travel conditions would permit it.
The letter said the European Commission would remain committed to working closely with the PCAA to solve in a sustainable manner the identified safety issues with a view to achieving common objective of a safe international aviation system, while at the same time ensuring that any current safety risks were adequately contained.
On the other hand, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, in its letter to PIA Corporation Limited, said the agency had reviewed the material provided by the PIA regarding safety management system and found it satisfactory and sufficient as a fist important step.
The EASA said it would conduct an audit of the third country operator when it would consider the lifting of a suspension of PIA operations when the conditions were met. However, the conditions have not been met yet.
The EASA said in particular the investigation conducted by European Commission on the issuance of professional licenses was still ongoing which indicated that there was a possibility the audit would not have the expected positive results.
Commenting on the EC ban on air carriers certified in Pakistan, the PIA spokesman said that PIA had been working hard to comply with EASA observations as these were unprecedented times.
He said in routine things were taken differently but with added pressure of a ban, synergistic efforts were being made to adhere to the minutest of details.
He said: “Now we are eagerly awaiting regulatory compliance so that we could resume our flights to one of our most productive sectors.”
PIA closes offices
The PIA has closed its all offices in interior of Sindh that had no clients travelling across the country.
PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said that the bulk of PIA operations was shifting to the northern areas, Islamabad and Lahore with most of PIA flights now originating from there and adjoining areas such as Peshawer, Swat, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsada, Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan and Jhelum belt, Kharian and Sialkot belt. Hence the major required staff is to be placed in Islamabad.
He said that there was no point in retaining a large work force in Karachi.
Regional bloc says it has raised the issue directly with Chinese vice-foreign minister
The European Union has blasted China over an “irresponsible, insensitive” tweet about Australian military personnel as the regional bloc revealed it has raised the issue directly with a Chinese vice-foreign minister.
A senior EU official told the Guardian the EU regretted the recent deterioration in ties between China and Australia – which has seen Beijing take a series of trade actions against Australian exports – and called on the two sides to “re-engage in dialogue, avoid escalation and unilateral pressure”.
Japan’s embassy in Canberra also reiterated on Friday that “trade should never be used as a tool to apply political pressure”, and Japan would “duly consider how to exercise our third party rights if Australia proceeds with their case” at the World Trade Organization against China’s barley tariffs.
The statements from the EU and Japan come after the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France and New Zealand criticised the actions of a Chinese foreign ministry official official in tweeting a digitally created image depicting an Australian soldier cutting the throat of a child in Afghanistan.
“We consider the deliberate dissemination of a fabricated image via social media accounts affiliated with China’s ministry of foreign affairs to be irresponsible, insensitive and not at all constructive, particularly given the subject in question,” Nabila Massrali, the EU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, told the Guardian on Friday.
“Such behaviour and use of information tools to disseminate fabricated images or information cannot be justified.”
Massrali said the Australian government had conducted an investigation into claims of serious misconduct by Australian military personnel in Afghanistan, and was taking action to address its findings.
Massrali said the EU had raised the issue during its political dialogue with China on Tuesday. Those talks occurred between a deputy secretary general of the European External Action Service and a Chinese vice-foreign minister.
Australian government ministers have been unable to secure talks with their Chinese government counterparts since earlier this year, when Beijing objected to Canberra’s early forthright calls for a global Covid-19 inquiry.
Chinese authorities have taken a series of actions against Australian export sectors, including barley and wine, which have been hit with tariffs. The Australian government has said it will not succumb to economic pressure but has stepped up its public calls for “open and regular” high-level dialogue with Beijing.
Relations with China were discussed during the recent virtual meeting between EU leaders and Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, on 26 November.
“More broadly, we are following developments closely and regret the recent deterioration in China/Australia relations,” Massrali said. “We hope that China and Australia can re-engage in dialogue, avoid escalation and unilateral pressure.”
Earlier this week, when Morrison demanded an apology from the Chinese government over the tweet by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, Morrison said the dispute was broader than just the two countries, and that other nations were watching.
But China’s deputy head of mission in Australia, Wang Xining, said Morrison’s elevation of the tweet issue had the the side-effect of increasing attention of the war crimes allegations detailed in the Brereton report.
“People wonder why a national leader would have such a strong opinion to an artwork by a normal young artist in China,” Wang told the ABC in a brief interview on Friday.
Wang also argued the list provided by the Chinese embassy to the media last month – which had been characterised as a list of 14 grievances – was not a definitive list of demands for Australia, but “just some examples of what we disagree with”.
His comments came after the Morrison government insisted the items on the list were non-negotiable because they went to matters of Australia’s sovereignty. The list included the government’s criticism of China over human rights in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and its blocking of Chinese investment proposals.
Wang also rejected claims of a coordinated trade campaign “targeting” Australian goods, and he pointed to Australia’s own anti-dumping actions against a number of Chinese products.
I also asked the Deputy why Australian Ministers can’t get their Chinese counterparts on the phone. Wang Xining again denies there is a diplomatic freeze, and simply says “meetings between Ministers must be prepared, it is normal practice” 4/
He was speaking to the ABC after attending a speech by Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, who stressed that Australia would be “true to our values” and respect rules and norms that had stood the test of time.
Payne told the foreign diplomatic corps in Canberra on Friday that Australia would not be “a bystander” in seeking to shape an Indo-Pacific region that was prosperous, resilient and inclusive. She said reforms to the rules-based order should be done through negotiation not the exercise of power.
China maintains it is up to Australia to take steps to foster a more conducive atmosphere for dialogue between the two countries.
In Canberra the attorney general, Christian Porter, said while the relationship “requires improvement” there was nothing in particular in recent times that Australia would have done any differently.
Citing Morrison’s statements that Australia did not want to contain China economically, Porter argued the foundations for better ties were in place but patience was needed.
Australia and China have been at odds over a number of issues over the past few years, including the Turnbull government’s decision to exclude Chinese telcos Huawei and ZTE from Australia’s 5G network and its introduction of foreign interference laws that were seen as targeting China’s activities.
But the relationship deteriorated sharply in April when the Morrison government issued an early call for an independent international inquiry into the origin and handling of Covid-19 and floated the idea of international weapons inspector-style powers for pandemic investigations.
At a regular media conference late on Thursday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman raised concerns about cooperation between Australia and the US to develop and test hypersonic missiles, arguing it could contribute to a regional arms race.
“We don’t intend to make Australia our target,” the spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said. “China urges Australia to review its security interest needs in an objective manner, enhance trust between regional countries, and contribute to regional security and stability instead of doing the opposite.”
Head of the Algerian Movement of Society for Peace Abderrazak Makri has accused the European Parliament of attempting to blackmail his country by issuing a resolution on the human rights situation in Algeria.
This came in statements made by Makri on Wednesday, during a press conference at the headquarters of the movement (the largest Islamic party in the country) in Algiers. Makri commented at the press conference on a resolution issued by the European Parliament on Thursday, condemning the human rights status in Algeria.
“Those who stand behind this resolution want to blackmail our country… In order to subjugate Algeria to the Western camp, impose tutelage and neo-colonialism on us, and solve their economic problems at the expense of Algeria,” expressed Makri.
He added: “In their resolution, they [European Parliament representatives] relied on reports of Algerian feminist associations that do not exist on the ground and are only present in the capital… They are utilising the opinions of feminist associations that have no real connection with Algerian society.”
“They have brazenly and boldly instructed the ruling regime in Algeria to change the family law because it preserves the foundations of society and limits freedoms,” he continued.
According to Makri, the European Parliament resolution was “selective” in defending activists who are being harassed by the authorities, as some were defended. In contrast, others were ignored such as the Islamist opposition leader, Ali Benhadj.
On Thursday, the European Parliament approved a resolution criticising the human rights situation in Algeria, describing it as “concerning”.
The European Parliament resolution sparked a wave of anger in Algeria, with the Algerian Foreign Ministry describing it as “an insult” and a denotation of guardianship that dates back to the colonial era.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry stressed that: “No European institution can interfere in this insolent and unacceptable way in Algeria’s internal affairs,” while warning that this resolution might “harm the relations of Algeria and its European partners.”
BLOOMFIELD – The Office for Catholic Social Justice of the Archdiocese of Hartford will continue its webinar series on Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m.
The “Open Wide Our Hearts” series will address “The Influence of Racism in Our Health Care System.” Tabbed as one of the wealthiest and healthiest states in the nation, Connecticut has some of the best doctors and hospitals and is arguably the health insurance capital of the world.
Yet Connecticut also has some of the greatest health disparities in the U.S., the OCSJ contends. Guest speakers will be Vernette Townsend, who has a master’s of science in nursing, and Marlene D. Harris, both of St. Justin-St. Michael Parish in Hartford, and Samantha Lew, of Health Equity Solutions.
Participation is free but registration is required. For information and registration, call 860-242-5573, email [email protected] or visit catholicsocialjustice.org.
Wisdom House holds Advent retreat program
LITCHFIELD – The Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center will present an online Advent retreat program on Dec. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Dec. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brother Mark D’Alessio will lead the sessions of healing prayer, storytelling, guided meditation and quiet time that will pave the way for relearning how to “trust in the slow work of God.”
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Cost is $75. Zoom access information will be emailed before the start of the retreat. For information and registration, call 860-567-3163 or visit wisdomhouse.org.
The Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), brings together 13 international and regional organizations, together with fact-checking groups which have expertise in data and behavioural science, epidemiology, research, digital health and communications.
The @WHO has launched the ?Africa Infodemic Response Alliance. #AIRA brings together 13 international & regional organizations & fact-checking groups to detect, disrupt & counter damaging misinformation on public health issues in Africa.https://t.co/Y6SlBUIsRc
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the Alliance has the unique reach, knowledge and skills to help halt the impact of dangerous misinformation.
“In health emergencies, misinformation can kill and ensure diseases continue to spread. People need proven, science-based facts to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, and a glut of information – an infodemic – with misinformation in the mix makes it hard to know what is right and real”, she said.
AIRA is the first initiative of its kind, working to detect, disrupt and counter damaging misinformation on public health issues in Africa.
Since the new coronavirus emerged late last year, digital platforms have been inundated with COVID-19 information, much of which is inaccurate and misleading, said WHO.
The agency cited statistics from UN Global Pulse, the UN Secretary-General’s initiative on big data and artificial intelligence.
Between February and November of this year, information about the virus has been shared and viewed over 270 billion times online, and mentioned nearly 40 million times on Twitter and web-based news sites, in the 47 countries of the WHO African Region.
Although a large proportion of this information is inaccurate and misleading, people continue to share content on social media, whether intentionally or unknowingly, which include conspiracies around unproven treatments, false cures and anti-vaccine messages
While it is difficult to determine exactly how much misinformation is being circulated, WHO said fact-checking organizations in Africa report that they have debunked more than 1,000 misleading reports since the start of the pandemic.
Collaboration and support
Among other efforts, AIRA will work collaboratively to counter false information around COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to complementing public health awareness raising and community engagement efforts, by creating demand for vaccines in the region.
The Alliance will also support journalists and media outlets to effectively share lifesaving information based on scientific evidence and debunk disinformation on health issues. African countries will also receive assistance in developing tailored infodemic management strategies, including analysing trends and behaviours.
AIRA members include the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, UN Global Pulse, and the UN Verified initiative: the Organization’s own campaign against pandemic misinformation globally.
Misinformation: An old enemy
Although COVID-19 represents a new challenge to the global community, the President of the UN General Assembly recalled that the world has seen the dangers of misinformation before, including in response to disease.
“The coverage of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has decreased in some places, due to misinformation about the vaccine. Measles has become resurgent. Misinformation has taken us backwards”, President Volkan Bozkir said on Wednesday during an Assembly meeting on sharing best practices for the infodemic.
He emphasized that trust in institutions is crucial, as “people are more likely to turn to less credible alternative sources of information when they do not trust traditional sources.”
Mr. Bozkir welcomed steps taken by countries and international organizations to combat the infodemic, as well as UN efforts to counter “the scourge of misinformation, stigmatization and harmful health advice and strengthen trust in science.”
The word ‘anthologia’ is Greek for a collection of flowers or beautiful things — thus we have the delight of poetry anthologies, perfect for Christmas presents. Neil Astley’s serious and inspiring Staying Human (Bloodaxe £12.99) follows the deserved success of Staying Alive, Being Alive and Being Human — all invigorating, essential collections.
Here is work by poets familiar and unfamiliar on timeless themes (including bereavement), but Astley also brings us right up to the present with the particular pain and stress of 2020.
Ana Sampson’s She Will Soar (Macmillan £14.99) is subtitled Bright, Brave Poems Of Freedom For Women, which sums up why this glorious, exhilarating anthology makes the perfect choice for any woman you know, of any age.
I begin each morning with Allie Esiri’s Shakespeare For Every Day Of The Year, which will now be joined by her new collection A Poem For Every Winter Day (Macmillan £14.99) — a sparkling, seasonal choice perfect for sharing.
Trust me, starting the day with a poem calms the spirit. That’s why any anthology that will lure younger people to those delights adds to the good of the world — and the illustrator Chris Riddell has carved a niche with his accessible, varied and beautifully illustrated anthologies. Poems To Save The World With (Macmillan £12.99) contains enough humour, pathos and passion to enthral any bookish teenager.
From anthologies to individual collections, Rupi Kaur is a young person’s poet who says: ‘Poetry is the new pop’. Good! The 28-year-old is an Indian-born, Canadian poet and illustrator who has gained a huge following through social media.
Her story (she started by self-publishing) and typical style — lyrical, emotive and honest — has inspired thousands. Home Body (Simon & Schuster £12.99) explores one woman’s experience in order to encourage self-love in the best sense, because, ‘It feels good to reclaim your life’.
Poems To Save The World With by Chris Riddell (Macmillan £12.99)
Indeed — and reading Margaret Atwood has helped reclaim my own spirits at a stressful time. Before writing novels, Atwood was a poet, but Dearly (Chatto £14.99) is her first collection for more than ten years. It follows the death of her life-partner Graeme Gibson, but don’t expect this great writer to dwell morbidly on grief, although she says: ‘I loved him dearly’. Her voice is wise, playful, wry and oblique, whether writing about the environment, passports, words or an old cat. Yet ever-present is an awareness of age and loss, all the more moving for being shrugged off.
I had no idea the much-loved novelist Alexander McCall Smith wrote poetry until a beautiful meditation dropped into my inbox during the strange days of Big Lockdown.
I forwarded it to friends; thus the single poem (encapsulating the reflective quietness of the time) brought comfort to thousands. Now it’s enshrined within a wonderful book, with the same name.
In A Time Of Distance (Polygon £12.99) is structured in sections introduced (in his unmistakably warm, friendly voice) by the writer: journeys, books, places, Scotland etc. There are sonnets, reflections on time, and cries of restrained pain for the fate of animals.
If you had never read one of his novels, these poems would make you love a writer whose optimism and grace give you hope for the world, ‘its beauty revealed afresh’.
