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new The most prominent change is the winding back of Treaty and Cultural issues. All three parties reject co-governance and agree ‘public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race’. NZF directs that ‘all public service departments have their primary name in English, except for those specifically related to Māori’ (adding that it requires ‘public service departments and Crown Entities to communicate primarily in English – except those entities specifically related to Māori’; something I would support if the word ‘plain’ had been inserted before ‘English’). Both agreements abolish the Māori Health Authority. NZF also wants to replace all references in legislation to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi with ‘specific words relating to the relevance and application of the Treaty, or repeal the references’.interest.co.nz, 11h ago
new ESCAP’s Conceptual Framework for Policy Action on Care Economy emerged as a tool for addressing climate-care challenges in Region 8. This framework outlines four crucial policy categories for addressing the care economy: care infrastructure, care-related social protection, care services and employment-related care policies. These components aim to tackle unpaid care work, promote equitable distribution, and ensure accessible, affordable and high-quality care services.ESCAP, 20h ago
new Health promotion officers are responsible for developing and implementing programmes and initiatives for healthy lifestyle advocacy to prevent diseases. They work with individuals, communities, and organisations to identify health concerns, assess needs, and develop strategies to address them. These officers play vital roles in educating the public about healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation, and other behaviours that contribute to well-being. They also collaborate with schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers to create environments that support healthy choices and behaviours.The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 1d ago
new There are many obstacles to residents getting the help they need. A long-standing distrust of the government, given the history of colonization and neglect, and the decision to prioritize the return of tourism over long-term housing for survivors, has prevented people from seeking available care, practitioners say. Oliver, of the behavioral health clinic, said some patients expressed frustration with having to repeatedly check in with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and the Red Cross to continue receiving benefits. They’re also skeptical about dealing with a changing cast of government workers “who don’t know the island”, he said.the Guardian, 1d ago
new Jenni Blomgren, the research manager at Kela, notes that the disparities in service usage reflect how different sectors of Finland's health service system cater to various population groups. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as employment status and income levels, partly explain why social assistance recipients more commonly use public services and less frequently access private healthcare and occupational health services.Helsinki Times, 1d ago
new The growth in atypical employment is indicative of the structural changes in the nation’s economy and a response to individuals’ need for more flexible work schedules and greater control over their work. However, the downside of such atypical forms of employment is that workers have less job security and fewer benefits than those who are formally employed. They might also find it more difficult to negotiate pay and working conditions compared with full-time employees...taipeitimes.com, 1d ago

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new A total of 27 institutions in the field of education, healthcare, social protection and other public institutions are fully adapted for use by people with mobility difficulties. Concrete interventions were implemented on the installation of elevators, platforms, access ramps and adaptation of sanitary facilities for persons with disabilities.UNDP, 1d ago
new The current scarcity of widespread, comprehensive rehabilitation services for people with visual impairments in healthcare and social protection institutions presents a significant challenge in Ukraine. The UNDP's initiative aims to bridge this gap, establishing a sustainable foundation for these services.UNDP, 1d ago
new The United Nations champions economic and social inclusion as a vital pathway to overall inclusivity. We advocate for economic opportunities that fully integrate persons with disabilities, ensuring their skills and contributions are acknowledged and valued in the workforce. Social inclusion is equally critical. Through community engagement and awareness initiatives, we work towards breaking down societal barriers, fostering an environment of understanding and acceptance that embraces persons with disabilities and their rights.ReliefWeb, 1d ago

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Think sustainability, and you think costs. Fiscal prudence is and will remain a linchpin of utmost importance. However, perspectives solely based on expenditures may provide an incomplete view of the dynamics at play: a systematic review of the evidence from over two dozen studies suggests that programs like cash transfers generate an average local multiplier of $1.3 (and up to $2.6) for every dollar injected through those programs. When multipliers are considered in tandem with investments in domestic revenue mobilization, the affordability of social protection programs could be interpreted in a more favorable light than when based on costs considerations alone.Brookings, 19d ago
Another example of successful collaboration is the research partnership between the Government of Egypt and IFPRI focusing on the country’s social protection strategy, which includes a range of programs, including ration cards (the Tamween program) for purchasing food and direct financial support (Takaful and Karama program) for the poorest families to meet their basic needs. IFPRI has evaluated these programs and found that they have lifted millions of people out of poverty. These findings have informed important policy changes. After initially subsidizing less healthy foods like rice and sugar, Tamween was adjusted in 2017 to include healthier foods after an evaluation showed an increased risk of children becoming overweight. Another evaluation showed that Takaful and Karama reduced poverty by 11%, but missed some of the poorest households. Targeting procedures were subsequently updated.Agrilinks, 6d ago
...“We reject the allegations,” an Adidas spokesperson told WWD in a statement Tuesday. “For more than 25 years, Adidas has taken a variety of measures to ensure fair and safe working conditions for workers in its supply chain. The Adidas Workplace Standards commit our suppliers to progressively increase worker compensation and living standards through continuous development of compensation systems, benefits, social programs and other services. The disposable income of workers in our supplier factories is generally significantly higher than the respective statutory minimum wage.”...WWD, 12d ago
The motto of Smile Foundation's larger Empowering Grassroots endeavour is 'helping community-based organisations become locally sustainable'. Smile Foundation provides a range of courses and modules for social entrepreneurs and local welfare initiatives in order to help them become self-sustainable. It includes good governance, leadership, project management, communication, resource mobilisation, and local fundraising. 'It is a great honour to be part of the training programme organised by Smile Foundation. So many wonderful and good experiences from across India about local fundraising and self-sustainability were showcased. These will also be useful in other parts of the worlds", said Ms. Rachida Boukhriss, Project Manager, Wilde Ganzen, Netherlands. The third-party impact evaluation study on Smile Foundation's Empowering Grassroots initiative reveals that 60 % of the trained CBOs now have dedicated fundraising teams, and 85 % of them have increased their local fundraising activities over the years. As many as 75 % organisations have published their annual reports, 75 % organisations have expanded their donor base, whereas 95 % CBOs successfully raised funds from individual donors."These trainings have been enabling CBOs greatly as they ensure the last-mile delivery of government welfare schemes and policies to the communities, besides doing grassroots work. This training programme on local fundraising will ensure the local organisations become more efficient, scale up their welfare work, besides making social projects sustainable locally," Said Ms. Sarita Pradhan, Head - Empowering Grassroots, Smile Foundation. Traditionally, the Indian development sector has depended on large corporations, multinationals or international grant-making institutions for its major funding. However, these sources have often been out of reach for local social initiatives. With progressive policies, a rising middle class (prospective donors) and the path-breaking CSR mandate, several new doors have suddenly opened up for community-based organisations in India.Smile Foundation's Empowering Grassroots programme is designed to help such grassroots social initiatives become locally sustainable, without dependency on foreign resources. Aligned with the Government of India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" mission, Empowering Grassroots programme aims to help CBOs to become more efficient, scale up their welfare activities and enables them to tap locally available resources in order to ensure long-term sustainability of the social projects.Smile Foundation has so far trained approximately 1,000 community-based organisations across India, out of which 400 have become self-sustainable locally, playing their small yet significant roles on the path to nation-building.Gulmohar House,...openPR.com, 27d ago
The U.S. social safety net is a patchwork of federal, state, and local programs providing economic support to those in need. States have discretion in the structure of cash welfare assistance, which in turn affects eligibility for federal food assistance. Refundable tax credits at the state and local levels add another layer of complexity. What do state choices look like, and what implications do they have? What do challenges and successes look like on the ground?...Brookings, 18d ago
Lebanon’s economic crisis has only intensified the problems faced by its overburdened health sector, further reducing public spending on social protection and health coverage. Public funds for health coverage have become negligible as the local currency has been devalued by 90 per cent. Today, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) can cover only 10 per cent of the cost of health services while beneficiaries pay the remaining 90 per cent. As a result, the Lebanese population has been forced to rely on private health insurance or borrow money from relatives living abroad to pay for medical treatment. At the same time, skilled human resources have dwindled considerably as health workers have emigrated in search of better opportunities. According to the World Health Organization, about 40 per cent of medical doctors and 30 per cent of registered nurses – around 3,000 and 5,000 respectively – have left the country since 2019, which has forced hospitals to reduce their bed capacity by 50 per cent. “Before the crisis, private hospitals accounted for 80 per cent of health services. Now, very few Lebanese can afford to pay medical bills. This has forced hospitals to close or reduce services,” Naji Abi Rached, director of Geitawi University Hospital, tells Equal Times.Equal Times, 25d ago

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new Community gardens emerge as transformative remedies for urban health challenges. Addressing issues of physical and mental well-being, food insecurity, and fostering a sense of community, these green havens offer a holistic prescription for urban health. The adaptability and success stories underscore their potential impact. Encouragingly, readers are urged to explore and support local community garden initiatives, recognizing the profound benefits they bring to both individuals and communities. By cultivating these green spaces, we not only nurture plants but sow the seeds for healthier, more vibrant urban environments where well-being flourishes. Join the movement for a greener, healthier tomorrow.LA Progressive, 1d ago
new ...“Climate change amplifies health risks, creating a cycle of ill health and poverty with far-reaching consequences for human capital development,” said Mamta Murthi, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank. “Through the Climate and Health Program, the World Bank will use its knowledge and financing to help countries address health risks stemming from climate change, work across related sectors, and bring together partners to maximize financing and harmonize investments and actions.”...World Bank, 1d ago
new The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global community of over 220 of the world’s leading businesses driving systems transformation for a better world in which 9+ billion people can live well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century. Together, we transform the systems we work in to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature and tackle inequality. We accelerate value chain transformation across key sectors and reshape the financial system to reward sustainable leadership and action through a lower cost of capital. Through the exchange of best practices, improving performance, accessing education, forming partnerships, and shaping the policy agenda, we drive progress in businesses and sharpen the accountability of their performance.mid-east.info, 1d ago
new ...1, 20, 2022, a, About, accused, actions, activities, actors, Adam, Adam Back, address, Advertisement, against, alone, also, Amassing, American, amounts, analyst, and, any, appeared, ARE, arrest, arrested, arrived, articles, AS, associated, At, Author, authorities, back, barcelona, Battle, been, before, Billion, Bitcoin, blockchain, Blockstream, Broader, buy, by, case, ceo, challenges, challenging, claiming, collaborating, combat, concern, condition, Conspiracy, content, cooperation, coordinated, Court, cracks, Crimes, crypto, crypto fraud, cryptocurrencies, cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency Exchanges, currencies, Currency, De, decentralized, decentralized technology, denied, Development, developments, digital, digital currencies, dismantle, Does, down, Economic, effort, efforts, ensure, enthusiast, evade, Evasion, Exchanges, extensively, extradition, facing, False, Fighting, Figure, financial, Financial security, financing, Five, Focus, following, For, Foreign, founder, frameworks, fraud, Freedom, from, funds, Global, global financial, goal, good, Group, groups, Growing, hackers, hacking, Have, he, helping, High, high-profile, highlights, him, his, hold, i, identified, identify, Identity, if, Illegal, illegally, illicit, illicit use, implicated, implications, imposed, in, include, Income, Initiative, International, investing, involvement, Is, issue, ITS, judge, Key, knowledge, korea, Korea’s, Korean, laundering, Legal, light, like, linked, loss, madrid, many, Market, market research, maxwell, May, means, Microstrategy, misuse, money, Money Laundering, more, my, Need, North, North Korea, North Korean, North Korean hackers, nuclear, numerous, obtained, occurred, of, on, ongoing, Opinion, or, Over, part, particularly, passionate, pending, People, personal, plato, Plato Data Intelligence, PlatoData, Police, posed, potential, potentially, presented, previously, primary, prison, Pro, Profile, Programs, prompted, publication, publications, publicly, read, received, Recent, recommended, regulatory, regulatory frameworks, Released, Remain, remains, representatives, research, researcher, response, responsibility, responsible, revolutionary, revolutionary technology, risks, robust, Rogue, role, s, SANCTION, Sanction Evasion, Sanctions, says, scheme, security, seized, sentence, Share, sheds, significant, situation, Social, Social Good, source, Spain, Spanish, spread, Stability, State, States, Station, step, stock, subject, Such, Technology, term, The, theft, thefts, Them, These, they, this, Through, to, Tokens, Topics, train, underscore, understand, United, United States, use, using, Virgil Griffith, was, WHO, with, write, year, years, Your, zephyrnet...Zephyrnet, 1d ago
new Despite the importance of rehabilitation services, access remains inadequate in the African region. The regional rehabilitation meeting provided a platform for representatives from various countries, international organizations, and development partners to discuss and strengthen rehabilitation and assistive technology efforts in Africa. The meeting covered topics such as strategic planning, workforce development, integration into health information systems, governance, financing arrangements, measurement of rehabilitation outcomes, and the inclusion of rehabilitation in health benefit packages.The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago
new Once considered fringe organizations destined to political invisibility, Europe’s far right movements and parties have gained ground with frustrated working-class and disappointed middle-class citizens, including youth voters. Moreover, they are having an impact as both right and center-left mainstream parties have adopted an anti-immigration stance while they push the neoliberal agenda even harder, catering to the needs and interests of the rich and the business class. The result of all this is that more voters turn to the far right as anti-immigration policies gain increased support and neoliberalism shreds the social safety net and widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots.Truthout, 2d ago

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This Call for Proposals (CpF) aims at supporting initiatives that will help to establish or foster Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) focused on the improvement of the livelihoods and economic and social integration of PwDs’ caused by the war as well as at engaging PwDs to self-employment and entrepreneurship through training and startup support activities.UNDP, 3d ago
There was no single cause for this dismal record, and Parmet doesn’t try to assign one. Donald Trump was a contributor, certainly, with his administration’s garbled and often misleading messaging and his embrace of the pandemic as culture-war fodder. The country’s notorious lack of a social safety net added not only to the raw numbers but to the disparate outcomes between rich and poor, white and black; without paid sick leave, blue-collar workers often had no choice but to remain on the job with little protection from the virus. The political scientist Jason Blakely, in a recent issue of Harper’s, argued that the scientific establishment was partly to blame, having undermined its own authority and alienated large segments of the public by insisting that science had all the answers when so much, like school closings, struck ordinary people as open to question or at least in need of discussion. As the months passed and public discourse grew more toxic, it was not easy to remember that protecting a society’s health is, as Parmet puts it, “one of the reasons we have governments.”...The New York Review of Books, 4d ago
I joined the Stellar Development Foundation last year to lead the development of Stellar Aid Assist after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Stellar Aid Assist helps humanitarian organizations like UNHCR to send funds to people in need. Many humanitarian organizations operate cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programs as an alternative to providing physical goods like blankets and food. These programs allow recipients to have agency over their day-to-day lives, even in a time of crisis. They have been proven effective across the world. However, the legacy financial system presents hurdles to cash programs and interrupts the amazing work humanitarian organizations perform. Bank wires are expensive, slow, and only applicable to a portion of the recipient population. Money in transit is difficult to track. Delivering funds in physical cash can place recipients (and staff) at risk. The shortcomings of the legacy financial system disproportionately affect marginalized populations. Shifting these payments to a blockchain like the Stellar network benefits both the senders and receivers of funds. Humanitarian organizations can process tens of thousands of payments nearly instantly, for negligible fees, with 100% certainty when funds arrive. It doesn’t matter how big or small each payment is. Receivers can access their money on their phone, no matter where they are or where they go. They receive funds in a stable form like digital dollars on the Stellar network. They can cash out funds digitally or to physical cash through global off-ramps like MoneyGram International. These funds serve as a lifeline in a time of crisis. Stellar Aid Assist is powered by the Stellar Disbursement Platform, an open source bulk payments tool that is free and accessible to all. The Stellar Disbursement Platform is equally beneficial outside of aid for use cases like cross-border payroll, government social programs, and paying freelancers around the world who cannot access bank accounts.Benzinga, 21d ago

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new From my perspective, a highly competitive city, whether component or highly urbanized, showcases economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced public services. As a result, potential benefits for city constituents, particularly the economically disadvantaged, must encompass “increased job opportunities leading to more stable sources of income; enhanced access to quality education facilitated by improved educational institutions and facilities; improved health outcomes through better access to medical services; enhanced mobility and connectivity, making it easier to reach jobs, schools, and essential services; a safety net for poor families through improved social services; improved access to basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity; more opportunities for constituents to start their own businesses; implementation of community development programs targeting poverty reduction; improved access to free cultural and recreational opportunities, and a reduced crime rate resulting in a safer environment for all constituents.”Nonetheless, the actual benefits to poor families depend on the effectiveness of local governance, social policies, and the inclusivity of development strategies. The city government must prioritize pro-poor initiatives addressing the specific needs of indigent constituents, while ensuring inclusive growth to maximize the positive impact of competitiveness on their lives.INQUIRER.net, 2d ago
new Persons with disabilities and the organizations that represent them are often consulted in policy discussions, but they tend to be excluded from other key processes such as implementation, monitoring and reform of social protection policies and programmes.ilo.org, 2d ago
new As the Children’s Defense Fund notes: “Many agencies are beginning to adopt antiracist approaches to care. To combat systemic bias and guarantee that all children receive equitable care and protection, we must begin to see system-wide reforms driven by antiracist frameworks.” That sentiment is echoed by the Children’s Bureau, which says, “Black, Brown, and Native children cannot be supported without simultaneously strengthening and caring for Black, Brown, and Native families. This includes systems investing in prevention services and wraparound services for struggling parents as well as antiracism training for child welfare professionals.”...MSNBC.com, 2d ago
new Dr. Harrell’s research interests include the investigation of how cognitive control strategies and compensatory processes change in chronic illness and with age; assessment of the psychological and functional consequences of health decline in the chronically ill, and the determination of factors that facilitate successful adaptation to chronic illness and aging. He maintains an ongoing clinical and research program in these areas via the Fatigue Management Institute.fit.edu, 2d ago
new To create a safe and inclusive environment, RWJUH implemented various policies with the goal of creating a culture of inclusivity and sensitivity. As an example, the hospital implemented a policy surrounding the refusal of care by a patient on the basis of race, age, gender, gender identity, disability and more. The policy protects the rights of employees and medical staff from discriminatory requests, but exceptions are made based on gender to protect a patient’s religious or cultural beliefs. Additionally, employees may request to opt out of a patient’s care delivery team when faced with imminent danger such as racist or discriminatory language.American Hospital Association, 2d ago
new Phase III of the programme will support the roll out of the electronic procurement system, the Public Finance Management Amendment bill 2023 to improve debt management framework; privatization bill and ownership policy that address governance and financial challenges of state-owned enterprises; and the social protection policy and the roll-out, in 29 counties, of the enhanced single registry for Social-Protection . It will also help the government to implement other policy measures to further strengthen resilience and economic recovery across different sectors.Ecofin Agency, 2d ago

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BOULDER, COLORADO, USA, November 13, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Economic, social, and political problems in the United States are getting worse. They include ballooning government debt, the moral and economic toll of foreign wars, the unsustainability of unfunded entitlement programs, abandonment of social and religious values, rising crime rates, nonsensical woke agendas, declines in the quality of public education, and erosion of the US manufacturing base. As a result, more individuals and families are moving at least some of their wealth offshore using a unique financial and estate planning structure, namely, an international asset protection trust (IAPT) coupled with private placement life insurance (PPLI). The IAPT-PPLI structure provides asset protection, portfolio diversification, tax-free wealth building and tax-free generational wealth transfer.EIN Presswire, 20d ago
Singapore has established various government schemes to support impaired employees and foster their inclusion in the workforce. These initiatives aim to create a more accessible and equitable environment for disabled individuals. Key programs include the Enabling Employment Credit, which provides financial incentives to employers who hire disabled workers, and the Open Door Program, which offers grants for workplace modifications to accommodate disabled employees. The Special Employment Credit further incentivizes hiring older disabled workers. These schemes not only enhance job opportunities but also promote social inclusion and economic participation for disabled individuals, aligning with Singapore’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, and social well-being.BrioHR, 27d ago
For all the billions in additional costs spent nationally responding to the illegal immigration crisis, some far-left states including California, Illinois, and New York, have compounded the problem by extending access for illegal immigrants to social programs like Medicaid – Medi-Cal in California – and other welfare programs. An excerpt from a California Legislative Analyst Report in October noted a line item of “$1.2 billion General Fund for the scheduled expansion of eligibility for comprehensive Medi-Cal services to undocumented residents between the ages of 26 and 49. These amounts are considerably higher than estimated in past budgets.”...California Political Review, 7d ago
A lack of adequate urban planning and infrastructure has led many newcomers to Dar es Salaam to settle in informal settlements. These unplanned communities lack basic service provision, place pressure on natural resources, are disproportionately vulnerable to climate disasters, and suffer from poor waste management. While the city government has made efforts to expand its migrant communities’ access to social services and climate resilience, limited resources and capacity have presented barriers to implementation.Mayors Migration Council, 25d ago
...“The Zambian authorities have made progress in implementing reforms under the Fund-supported program, including significant fiscal efforts in 2023, which are expected to continue in 2024, to address lower mining revenues. The primary balance (cash basis) in 2023 is projected at 0.2 percent of GDP, in line with program parameters. Fiscal targets for end-June were met supported by lower current spending and higher nonagricultural and non-mining revenues. Despite the consolidation, the authorities have upscaled social spending to support the most vulnerable and continue to provide free primary education. Near-term reform priorities should focus on perennial revenue measures and better cash and liability management that would reduce the financing needs, crucial to restore fiscal space and debt sustainability. In addition, strengthening tax administration, removing tax exemptions, and actively combating tax evasion can also contribute to improve revenues and governance.”...The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 14d ago
The report provides new data to help better target development and social policies and programs to reach the most vulnerable. It identifies a roadmap to take on poverty with a focus on strengthening agriculture as a critical step towards generating economic growth and reducing food insecurity. Rainfed agriculture is prevalent throughout the country, with cassava, maize, rice, sorghum, and millet comprising the main staple crops. These activities are also potentially vulnerable to climate-related shocks.Modern Diplomacy, 18d ago

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new The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods. The push for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is spearheaded by a bloc of 10 nation-states from Latin America, the Pacific, the Caribbean and South East Asia. The global network behind the proposal is now formed by 2,200 civil society organisations, over 3,000+ scientists and academics, 101 Nobel laureates, the World Health Organisation and hundreds of health professionals, Vatican Cardinals and thousands of religious institutions, a growing number of grassroots organisations, 9 Peruvian indigenous nations, thousands of youth activists, 100 cities including Los Angeles, Kolkata, Lima, Vancouver, London, and Warsaw, more than 600 Parliamentarians across the world and a growing number of businesses. For more information on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and proposal, access here.The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, 2d ago
new Furthermore, changing consumer behaviour towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is also a challenge. The government has introduced many strict measures, including hefty fines for littering and not sorting waste properly, as well as proposed compulsory community service for violators. Yet, case studies in Japan and Germany have shown that in addition to punitive measures (“sticks”), incentives (“carrots”) are also necessary. For instance, consumers can be incentivised to recycle plastic bottles if they receive a refund for returning them. Making recycling facilities more accessible in public venues is also essential. In the long term, it is imperative to integrate the “three Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) into societal norms.Eco-Business, 2d ago
new While Indonesia’s JETP plan makes some mention of this, Myllyvirta noted it had yet to detail key steps such as analysis of impacts, skills development for workers, social protection, dialogue, innovation and technology transfer.Eco-Business, 2d ago

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new Fourteen of the ITA decisions covered in this update were an expansion or tightening of previous decisions restricting education, work, or health access or of social control measures. Examples include further limitations on women’s education (e.g. community-based primary education, medical studies), women’s access to jobs (e.g. the closing of beauty parlours), and access to healthcare facilities and information relevant to female health.ReliefWeb, 2d ago
new Id. at *16. The Court emphasized that an out-of-pocket expenditure was not required. The association “may not have incurred additional out-of-pocket costs in responding to” the company’s “allegedly illegal practices; its employees were salaried and would have been paid regardless. But the economic value” that the Association received from their labor was reduced.” Id. at *18. In other words, the association “‘lost money or property’ . . . when its personnel were diverted from other activities that would also have served its goal of assisting its physician members.” Id. By diverting staff from other “useful projects” to respond to an unfair business practice, the Association “enter[ed] into a transaction, costing money or property, that would otherwise have been unnecessary.” Id. That, said the Court, was an injury sufficient to confer standing on the organization under the UCL: “an organization that has expended staff time or other resources on responding to a new threat to its mission, diverting those resources from other projects has suffered an injury in fact,” even if the organization chooses to do so voluntarily. Id. at *28, 30-33.natlawreview.com, 2d ago
new It’s imperative to think about the working conditions of infectious disease (“ID”) specialists if we’re serious about sustaining a pipeline. ID doctors are renowned in the medical education world for their meticulous history-taking and comprehensive review of medical records. Given their pivotal role in antibiotic stewardship, infection control, and diverse diagnostic challenges, it is not uncommon to witness ID pvractitioners tirelessly working long hours, even on weekends and holidays. Although this isn’t universally applicable to all ID physicians, the exposure of the field to trainees, including me, significantly shapes our perception of ID specialists — often depicted as overworked, burdened with bureaucratic tasks, and inadequately compensated.STAT, 2d ago
The Keiskamma Trust was founded in 2000 by the doctor and artist Carol Hofmeyr to foster dignity in a community ravaged by HIV. Today, it encompasses health and education programmes, along with a music academy, which have become cornerstones of the region, but it’s the embroidery work that has garnered most acclaim.the Guardian, 3d ago
Hollins University’s long tradition of academic excellence provides a solid foundation for the institution’s future. It serves as an invitation to academic renewal and renovation so that we can meet the evolving needs of our students and the society in which they live. We are living in an era of rapid transformation, accelerated by the pandemic and influenced by changing ideas and beliefs about gender, race, and class, as well as anxiety about climate change, technology, and the fate of democracy. Now more than ever, we are called to prepare our students for a multiplicity of unscripted future challenges, while also ensuring that our learning environment allows all students to persist, thrive, and succeed during their college education and beyond, especially those who have been historically marginalized. Hollins can be a leader among other institutions of higher education for social, economic, and civic mobility.Hollins University, 3d ago
Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Act (H.R.6173/S.3213 sponsored by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) in the House; Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in the Senate): This bill would create a pilot program providing funding for organizations to address domestic violence issues, particularly as they pertain to technology-enabled abuse. The bill would allocate $2 million to the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to fund efforts to support victims of abuse perpetrated using technology and establish an additional grant for nonprofits and universities to develop programs for these aims.Tech Policy Press, 3d ago

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First, a culture of urgency is essential. What I mean by “culture of urgency” is to unite all constituents around a mission and to be clear about where we currently fall short. Urgency does not mean to place so much pressure on teachers and staff that their longevity in the profession is unlikely. Often, in urban education, urgency is created from an incident. Boston Latin School received national attention in 2016 when Black students at BLS shared issues on campus that resulted in their feeling unseen and unheard. After this, we worked in partnership with the Boston Public Schools Office of Equity to build new systems for reporting bias-based incidents. We also engaged in whole-staff professional development and school-wide dialogues about race and equity. Our personnel committee worked intentionally to further diversify our staff so that more students saw themselves in the adults around them—we hired talented educators across racial, gender, and sexuality identities, including the first Asian American and openly LGBTQ+ assistant heads of school in the institution’s history. Hiring with diverse representation as a core value is not, as some would claim, putting identity politics ahead of education. Actually, it’s crucially important to educational success. We watched our students find outlets on staff when experiencing microaggressions, when seeking to institute new programming on campus, or when desiring a space to just be.Education Next, 3d ago
Despite commitments to scale up and speed up climate action, the fiscal cost of government support for fossil fuels almost doubled in 2022 to reach more than USD 1.4 trillion as governments across the OECD and partner countries introduced substantial initiatives to mitigate high energy costs on households and firms, caused in part by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This rising trend is a real threat to our collective net zero goals and highlights the challenges of staying on track with net zero commitments in the face of geopolitical and economic disruption. Going forward, it will be critical that support measures are reformed to better target those most in need. Support for fossil fuels should also be phased out as soon as possible. This will help free up much needed resources for the transition towards net zero emissions and accelerate innovation to improve energy efficiency.oecd-ilibrary.org, 3d ago
The nature of poverty in South Africa largely stems from the enduring legacy of colonial and apartheid policies, but also the prolonged low levels of economic growth in more recent times which has been insufficient to generate the economic resources necessary to alleviate poverty. Under colonialism the indigenous population was used as slave labour for the Dutch and British settlers. This was expanded with the arrival of slaves from the Indian sub-continent. Despite the abolition of slavery in the early 1800s rights and economic resources were still demarcated racially. Apartheid, which emerged officially in 1948, entrenched the inequitable and racially defined distribution of rights to social services and access to economic resources to the minority white population and further marginalised the majority Black population.E-International Relations, 3d ago
This year’s International IDEA’s annual flagship report on the Global State of Democracy highlights the role of so-called countervailing institutions in protecting democracy from erosion and countering the rise of authoritarian forces. The term ‘countervailing institutions’ goes beyond the traditional understanding of ‘checks and balances’ to encompass those governmental and non-governmental institutions, organizations and movements that serve as bulwarks against power concentration, ensuring that decision-makers regularly integrate citizens’ priorities into policy. These institutions encompass a variety of entities, such as rights organizations, electoral management bodies, civil society networks, grassroots movements, and investigative journalists, which collectively contribute to shaping democracy in ways that can better reflect the will of the people. And why this matters for development more broadly as we strive to build a more equitable future.Join our event on key insights of IDEA’s flagship report; presented by International IDEA and organized in collaboration with the Global Program on Coalitions for Reforms of the World Bank’s Governance GP.idea.int, 3d ago
Brazil’s school reforms have emphasized test-based solutions over market-based strategies. The National Education Law, enacted in the mid-1990s, allowed states and municipalities to define their education policies, including those pertaining to school assignment. Some municipalities, Rio de Janeiro for example, granted families the right to choose among public schools. Most Brazilian students, however, are still assigned to a public school based on their place of residence. Independent private schools compete for students; they represent about 15 percent of enrollments nationally and more than 25 percent in major metropolitan areas. While the government does not provide any direct subsidies to private schools, tuition tax credits capped at $1,500 a year are available to offset the costs of private school fees.Education Next, 3d ago
Since its launch in 2016 until August 2023, Ant Forest has connected more than 650 million users with over 1,500 partners on a cumulative basis. These partners include brands, environmental conservation institutions, charity organizations, universities and local urban administrators. Ant Forest has enabled its users and partners to use green energy points, and their own reward schemes, as incentives to encourage the public to make environmentally conscious consumption choices in their daily life. These choices made by Ant Forest users have contributed to the planting of 475 million real trees in arid areas of China that are suffering from desertification, supporting biodiversity conservation in 31 protected areas from 22 provinces.AsiaTechDaily - Asia's Leading Tech and Startup Media Platform | Latest news on private equity (PE), venture capital (VC), inbound & outbound deals, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and startup ecosystem across Asia, 3d ago

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The money will be used to support 29 social aid programs for “the most vulnerable people in Ukraine” under a project to invest in Social Protection for Inclusion, Resilience, and Efficiency (INSPIRE).The project is “an integral part of the international support package for Ukraine to meet its financing needs through 2024,” according to the World Bank.RT International, 3d ago
More broadly, promoting and protecting, rather than limiting, human rights can serve as a means of achieving the kind of objectives that this legislation is purported to be aimed at. As emphasized by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, it is through protecting and strengthening freedom of expression, improving digital literacy and supporting the important work of a free and independent media and civil society, that disinformation can be more effectively countered.International Commission of Jurists, 3d ago
A common argument for centralized control over education, both in Machen’s day and today, is easily addressed. The notion that the government must control education in order to inculcate desirable civic values in its citizenry—“that the children belong to the State, that their education must be provided for by the State in a way that makes for the State’s welfare,” as Machen described to the Sentinels. Yet the irony of this principle is that, though intended to prepare students to live out their civil liberties, it “is inimical at every step to liberty.” Research comparing the civic outcomes of private schools and public schools consistently documents a private school advantage with respect to political knowledge, civic engagement, and other civic outcomes. The “personal, free, individual character of education” could not be preserved under centralized control.Law & Liberty, 3d ago

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The power of social protection in the face of climate change can be seen in the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative implemented by the World Food Programme and OXFAM in over 10 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin American and the Caribbean. This initiative combines climate risk insurance with social protection to cushion farmer households from different risks. It applies four risk management strategies: reducing climate-related risk through nature-based solutions and improved agricultural practices; risk transfer through private insurance; risk retention through promoting group saving integrated with social protection systems; promoting prudent-risk taking through a combination of capacity building in financing, livelihoods diversification, and easier access to credit WFP, 2022. Insurance protects farmers against extreme climate events like droughts while activities under the cash-for-work programme help them build assets and invest in natural resources management.preventionweb.net, 5d ago
Why the Global South in particular? In their early attempts to accelerate their society’s advancement post independence, developing countries sought the aid of Western researchers and scientists to provide insights on problems confronting their populations. As Mahmood Mamdani noted, “apologists of the British Rule in India made overpopulation an excuse for the poverty of the masses.” The western influence on public programs to tackle social issues that permeated throughout the newly decolonised nations resulted in conflating overpopulation to be the cause of poverty, and not the other way around. Several demographers and epidemiologists, however, have proved that reproduction is directly related to mortality, since when there are more deaths (due to sickness, starvation, calamity, and oppression) the human instinctively reproduces more to ensure survival of the gene. Subsequently, as conditions improve and mortality rates decline, reproduction rates fall simultaneously.theswaddle.com, 17d ago
Examining the adverse impacts of climate change on health, it is important to carefully explore existing and potential inequities, as well as what progress and efforts have been, are being, and can be made to address these environmental justice issues. In this webinar, Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization for the National Wildlife Federation, will discuss the issues and progress made toward achieving an equitable and sustainable future and his impressive work in environmental justice, specifically in low-wealth and communities of color. For example, in his work he has elevated environmental justice issues and worked across federal agencies to strengthen environmental justice policies, programs, and initiatives. At the EPA, Dr. Ali led the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJIWG), which focused on implementing holistic strategies to address the issues facing vulnerable communities.medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org, 5d ago
The EITC is an effective tool that encourages work, reduces poverty and already benefits low-wage workers. My legislation will build on its powerful impact. Too often, Americans are forced to make a choice between working outside the home and being a full-time caregiver. My legislation makes unpaid caregiving pay, while providing these workers with the flexibility to receive most of these funds on a monthly basis. Not only do caregivers forgo promotions or change their career trajectory altogether to accommodate the needs of their loved ones, but they also shoulder additional costs to meet the medical, housing and care needs of their loved ones. These costs can include paying for home renovations to improve accessibility for their loved one or childcare. These monthly payments can provide a cushion to help pay for transportation costs associated with caregiving or even help offset lost wages. I also have a proposal to improve the Social Security program and recognize more forms of work. My legislation, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, would allow the years a parent cares for a young child to count toward Social Security coverage. There are numerous ways to acknowledge caregivers’ labor.The Hill, 3d ago
COVID-19 drove many cities throughout the nation to dramatically increase the number of online services available to residents. Los Angeles is one such city.“The COVID-19 pandemic forever obstructed our world,” explained Ted Ross, CIO and general manager of the city of Los Angeles Information Technology Agency. “As a result, L.A. made it a point to be contactless and people-centered. Why should someone have to come in contact with another person to get something done? … Why can’t it be online?”“Contactless government is extremely impactful,” Ross added.To offer more online services, the city first inventoried all of its software to determine what makes each piece modern or legacy. IT employees then identified available platforms, best practices and lessons learned to develop recommendations to modernize all apps across every city department. All told, more than 130 apps have been modernized.“We wanted to take advantage of the horrible situation that COVID-19 was to be a better government and a better digital government,” Ross said. “It allowed us to recover to a new better, not just a new normal.”Ross also cites the city’s efforts to strengthen its IT workforce as one of its most critical IT achievements in the past year. Between March 2020 and December 2022, he said some 25 percent of L.A.’s IT workforce left their positions.“We know that IT employees are uniquely at risk of seeking other job opportunities,” Ross explained. “And we knew if we were going to implement the tech Angelinos expected, we needed to dramatically change how we recruit and retain IT employees.”Ross said the city committed to a 12-step IT workforce plan, which said that Los Angeles would need to focus on hiring and retaining more than the “stereotypical young person who can code.” To meet that goal, the city, working with a consultant, developed four categories of tech talent: emerging technology architects, modern system developers, heritage system experts and flexible technology leaders.The city outlined a recruitment plan, highlighting specific places to find new talent. It laid out what attracts new IT talent and what drives it away. City leaders also updated job classifications. To help retention, Los Angeles increased the ways tech employees could connect, communicate and “hang out” together, either in person or digitally.Ross said that since the launch of the plan, L.A.’s IT workforce has seen a 23 percent reduction in IT vacancies, an 81 percent reduction in IT staff departures, and various increases in project delivery and incident response productivity.Click here to read about all the winners in this population category.*The Center for Digital Government is part of e.Republic, Government Technology’s parent company.GovTech, 25d ago
When it comes to addressing the question of who pays for respite care, government programs emerge as a primary source of financial support. Many countries boast social welfare systems that allocate funds specifically to assist individuals grappling with caregiving responsibilities. In the United States, for example, Medicaid often steps in to cover respite care costs for those who meet eligibility criteria. Similarly, in the UK, programs like Carer’s Allowance and the Disabled Facilities Grant offer valuable financial assistance to caregivers, including provisions for respite care. To tap into this financial support, it’s essential to explore the specific government programs available in your region and understand the eligibility criteria.GIS user technology news, 7d ago

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...“Health insurance companies, health systems, employers, and others could consider a range of actions to address” consumers’ HRSNs, which include childcare, material status, social support, food security, community safety, employment, transportation, housing, education and personal safety, wrote the authors.HFMA, 3d ago
No experiment I could possibly design today is more valuable than preserving the opportunity to pose a new experiment tomorrow, next year, or in a decade. My cohort of scientists has come up inspired by imagining what it was like for contemporaries of Darwin to encounter and compare global wildlife, or during the modern synthesis, as the invisible internal mechanisms of evolutionary genetics unfurled. Now, we stare down the prospect that, during our turn, we will have to watch the biosphere die. I have peers who set out to study ancient mass extinction events only to find that the conditions that precipitated ancient mass extinction events aptly describe events now. I have contemporaries who set out to discover new species by recording sounds in the rainforest, only to capture an eerie transition toward silence. I've done very little field work and I study hardy, laboratory-tractable species that aren't endangered or picky about where they live, but even I stopped finding butterflies at my best collection site after wildfires. In my 10 years in science, I think I've never been to any research conference, on any topic, without hearing my colleagues interject dire warnings into their presentations – and I've never attended a climate-focused conference. So, the most important research question is ‘will the species I hope to study – and a stable international society that can support research activity as I've known it – survive the next 50 years?' With that in mind, with ‘unlimited’ funding, the best thing I can imagine doing for science is to fight. I think of legal support for climate protesters; cultivating honest communication platforms that bypass corporatized media; criminalizing ecocide; eliminating fossil fuels fast; protecting democracy against regulatory capture; buying out and defending the recommended 30% of Earth's surface as nature reserves; facilitating socially just transitions to safely support humans in the remaining land.The Company of Biologists, 3d ago
Key issues regarding the rights of persons with disabilities, measures being taken or needed to improve their social status, and the importance of engaging culture and art in this direction were discussed by: Bane Žugić, journalist at Public Service, Milica Nikolić, gender equality expert at UNDP, Jovana Radifković from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Milica Nikolić from the Human Resources Administration, photographer Duško Miljanić, ethnomusicologist Nikola Zekić, student Sofija Ivanović, disability rights expert Aleksandra Popović, and many other esteemed participants who contributed to the discussion through an open conversation on this topic.UNDP, 3d ago
Central to the Opportunity 2040 plan are the use of robust data insights, human-centered design principles, community engagement, systems-level thinking, and targeted, sustained philanthropic interventions to improve the impact of public programs and funding, particularly for the region’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods and students.Dallas Innovates, 3d ago
Our submission also outlines some opportunities for a range of stakeholders, including the banking sector, to provide more accessible and inclusive banking services in these areas. For example, adequate resourcing and service delivery through dedicated First Nations banking channels including First Nations call lines, regular regional pop-up banking services, and ensuring banking staff have appropriate levels of cultural competency training for engaging with their First Nations consumers.asic.gov.au, 3d ago
Promote the epidemiology survey tool to provide valuable insights into farmer behaviors, production practices, outcomes, mortality events and socioeconomic factors. Analyzing this data can help identify trends, associations and risk factors, informing the development of interventions in the form of better management practices and farm-level biosecurity plans. (Aquatic Animal Health Package of Practices: Fish Epidemiology and Health Economics).Agrilinks, 3d ago

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Turning to the impact of the ongoing armed conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, he noted that the latter is receiving military support from regional countries. Voicing concern over the latter’s abuse of women, he added that no such accusations had been levelled against the Sudanese Armed Forces. Regional conferences should get in touch with those countries supporting the Rapid Support Forces, he said, adding that his country is ready to present evidence on such involvement. On legal aspects, he recalled his country’s commitment to the provisions set out in Council resolution 1990 (2011), of which the presence of UNISFA is also an outcome, and which include security arrangements, including a joint police force. His Government awaits an agreement on the final status, based on a reasonable approach that will help resolve outstanding issues and ensure social cohesion, he said, calling for unilateral measures to be avoided. Abyei is free of military presence, except for buffer areas in the north and south, he noted, calling on UNISFA to expand quick-impact projects and increase those projects in the fields of education, health, potable water and law and order.ReliefWeb, 28d ago
As well as leaving more people at risk of poverty and hardship, declining workforce health threatens to hamper productivity, add to the pressures on public finances and harm employers across all sectors of the economy. Although the government has made some early strides in providing employment support for people with health conditions, there are limits to what can be achieved without concerted cross-government action. Indeed, many of the levers that government has to affect working-age health, such as changing who can access social security or the employment support that they receive, or requiring businesses to provide occupational health services to employees, would require legislative change.The Health Foundation, 17d ago
If we can’t counterbalance the supply shock in every granular manifestation, we can at least take action to boost productivity and aggregate supply. Macroeconomic textbooks don’t focus on this policy lever because they assume that the supply side of the economy is already optimized. Yet it is manifestly evident that American society is not maximizing its productivity. If we wanted to raise American productivity, for example, we could simplify geothermal permitting, deregulate advanced meltdown-proof nuclear reactors, make it easier to build transmission lines, figure out why high-speed rail is so expensive, fix permitting generally, abolish the Jones Act, automate our ports, allow drones to operate autonomously, legalize supersonic flight over land, reduce occupational-licensing requirements, train more medical workers, build more hospitals, revamp our pandemic-response institutions, simplify drug approvals, deregulate land use to allow denser housing and mixed-use neighborhoods, allow more immigration, cancel inefficient programs, restrict cost-plus procurement contracts in favor of more effective methods, end appropriations based on job creation, avoid political direction of scientific research, and instill urgency in grantmaking.lesswrong.com, 27d ago

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This year, Congress will consider reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which was created in 2003 as the U.S. government’s signature global health effort in the fight against HIV. This would be PEPFAR’s fourth reauthorization. The program is broadly regarded as one of the most successful programs in global health history, with the U.S. government reporting tens of millions of lives saved over the past 20 years. Our analyses have also found positive spillover effects associated with the program beyond HIV, such as large, significant reductions in both maternal and child mortality and significant increases in some childhood immunization rates. At the same time, with a divided Congress, there are likely to be heightened disagreements over funding levels across the federal budget, potentially tied to the need to raise the debt ceiling later this year.KFF, 3d ago
The U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education for Fiscal Years 2019-23 (the Strategy) was released in September 2018. The strategy demonstrates the U.S. government’s commitment to international education and presents an opportunity to advance global diplomatic and development leadership on pressing international education challenges, as called for in the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (aka READ) Act, Division 2, P.L. 115-56. The goal of the strategy is to achieve a world where education systems in partner countries enable all individuals to acquire the education and skills needed to be productive members of society. To accomplish this goal, the U.S. government has two principal objectives: 1) improve learning outcomes, and 2) expand access to quality basic education for all, particularly marginalized populations. The U.S. government recognizes that its investments in international education serve as a force multiplier for all its work in international development. Strengthening education systems in developing countries advances U.S. foreign policy goals, promotes U.S. and international security, and helps accelerate economic growth at home and abroad.United States Department of State, 3d ago
This has generated changes across the curriculum (especially in introductory STEM courses), as we have a much larger cohort of talented and ambitious students with relatively weak high school preparation, sitting alongside classmates with the finest secondary education the world has to offer. Student interests have changed dramatically: computer science has moved from a niche major (Yale being perhaps the most humanities and arts–oriented of the major private research universities) to one of the largest majors in the college. The ubiquity of smartphones and social media has altered undergraduate behavior and social life beyond recognition. The added stress to adolescents from being perpetually on display to the world may be related to the dramatic rise of mental health concerns. I do not remember any student asking for leniency on the grounds of mental health prior to 2010, whereas now many students have formal academic accommodations, and they all feel free to appeal for extensions and the like due to mental health difficulties on a regular basis.Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs, 3d ago
Specifically, this work programme should stress the importance and urgency of public finance from developed countries as an essential enabler for just transitions in developing countries. Rich nations must demonstrate their accountability by fully delivering on agreements in a timely and just manner, and finance and resources should be focused into areas such as reskilling, economic diversification, employment access and social protection to ensure that workers are retrained to be able to adapt to the transition. Countries providing targeted finance must also consider broader socioeconomic factors, as new green jobs not only require new skillsets but may be in a different location and completely shift how people and communities have functioned in the past.World Resources Institute, 3d ago
Training individuals to use AI ethically is essential in order to ensure responsible and unbiased deployment of this powerful technology. Ethical AI training equips individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges and identify risks that arise when working with AI systems. It ultimately boils down to mitigating risk – just like anti-bribery and corruption policies, as well as the importance of data privacy and security. By providing individuals with the necessary training, we can foster a culture of ethical AI use, where technology is harnessed for the benefit of all while mitigating potential harm and ensuring equitable outcomes.RTInsights, 3d ago
...“A campus environment is much like a government, one with many different constituencies with vastly different needs,” Richman said. “Working to understand differences in human needs in addition to finding common efficient and scaled solutions will likely be a focus of my work wherever I go.”In her state government position, Richman focused on such issues as tech debt — also called innovation debt — a concept that refers to the costs of continuing to use aging systems that no longer serve residents or public agencies as well as newer tools. During Richman’s time with the state, it consolidated data centers and moved off a 35-year-old mainframe.“We embarked on an ambitious, and mostly unsexy, journey of reimagining what technology could look like in the state of Colorado that included core operating model changes, remediating tech debt, and thinking differently about how we serve constituents,” she said.GovTech, 3d ago

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Working from project grant to project grant, MC grew in fits and starts. It achieved charitable status in 2019, and Sokoloski was named director of organizational development in 2020 (MC has only two full-time staffers). Now seen as a critical catalyst and conduit for research, MC establishes working partnerships across the arts sector, growing connections at the national, provincial, and local levels among ASOs, arts funding bodies, and academic institutions studying the arts and related fields. The immediate goal is to provide practical information, tools, and resources to a sector under considerable stress as it confronts multiple crises: technological, social, and environmental. That’s in addition to the perennial challenge of helping artists earn decent livings, access funding, and find audiences.The Philanthropist Journal, 27d ago
In December 1978, Deng introduced the Open Door Policy which he reopened to foreign businesses. Gallagher (2002) argues that the sequence of reforms in China is the main explanation for its transitory trajectory.[84] China’s initial stage of economic development largely depended on Foreign-Directed Investment (FDI), which prevented political liberalisation in three ways: firstly, the formation of a foreign-invested sector created a laboratory for reform, in particular a laboratory of capitalism. Successful FDI liberalisation facilitated the implementation of challenging and destabilising changes. This opened previously restricted sectors like retail, power generation, and port development to foreign investors.[85] FDI liberalisation was an example of China’s dual-track reform, in which the state and the market each controlled an economic mechanism, with little competition. The foreign-invested SEZs in the early 1990s introduced destabilising reforms of employment, social welfare, and enterprise management.[86] Many of these practices were incorporated into laws and regulations intended for the foreign sector, circumventing direct clashes with socialist norms. The foreign sectors and SEZs primarily drew young and inexperienced workers, who were frequently unaware of socialist labour practices. FDI liberalisation divided societal components most likely to be adversely affected by economic reforms, particularly the urban working class, while expanding the urbanised workforce through the employment of rural migrants. This strengthened the Chinese state while weakening the civil society, delaying demands of political liberalisation. The dual-track system balanced the incorporation of capitalism and socialist operations, creating competitive pressure that benefitted both the state and society.[87] Secondly, FDI introduced competitive pressure across ownership types, prompting strategic incentives for local officials and gradual decentralisation. Regions competed for FDI, market share, profits, and skilled labour, while workers also competed for jobs, resulting in fragmentation that lowered social resistance to reform and postponed calls for political change. The competition between regions, domestic firms, and foreign-invested firms for FDI infusion was what Yang described as “competitive liberalisation”.[88] Competition drove convergence between capitalist practices and foreign firms, encouraging state enterprises to adopt foreign business methods to retain capital, technology, and international prestige. This constructive rivalry accelerated economic growth, strengthened foreign, private, and state sectors, and maintained political stability by focusing attention on economic progress.E-International Relations, 14d ago
Taking an area-based approach to building modification, improving the quality of surrounding areas, and actively involving the community yield additional benefits. These include increased resilience to climate change and energy security, improved accessibility (including for individuals with special needs), enhanced social inclusion and a concerted effort to combat energy poverty. The Polish Pilot Cities will develop a guidebook that will enable other cities with similar building types to test and scale as well as create new models for a larger number of types of buildings based on available NEEST models.Climate-KIC, 19d ago
Enhancing the capacity of NGOs enables them to work more efficiently and effectively on the ground. With improved skills, resources, and infrastructure, NGOs can implement innovative solutions, mobilise communities, and deliver targeted interventions. This, in turn, translates into tangible outcomes such as improved healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities, and social inclusion. Supporting the capacity building of NGOs holds immense potential for the entire nation, accelerating the achievement of socio-development goals and fostering a more equitable and participatory society.cnbctv18.com, 20d ago
When we invest in health, rather than just healthcare, we are faced with a more complex task. We then must evaluate the costs and benefits across a range of sectors, from education to urban development to agriculture to shoring up the social safety net. This process of evaluation means we must indeed weigh the costs of certain interventions against others, always looking to maximize our investment. But this does not mean we should accept an ever-greater expenditure on healthcare at the expense of the forces that shape health.Psychology Today, 7d ago
..."Ohio’s adult-use program will be among the most regulated in the country, ensuring public safety with lab-tested products, child-resistant packaging and age verification. This public health initiative will also provide a safe alternative to opioids that have ravaged the state and bring access to those who were unable to obtain relief through the current medical program. With 500,000 people currently employed in the U.S. cannabis industry, Ohio’s Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs program will contribute to employment and business opportunities for all, especially those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.News 5 Cleveland WEWS, 26d ago

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To me, design is a verb. I owe this to my education at the department of design and environmental analysis within the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Rather than an output or an esthetic, design was how we reimagined the world. It was how we conceived of healthcare environments that leveraged the best of current science to accelerate healing; of schools that tapped into each of a child’s senses to advance their learning outcomes; or of places of respite that had the measurable effect of changing one’s neurological response from stress to rest. Training in design – as the power to shape – was my foundation for this work, and I would not have it any other way.The Fifth Estate, 3d ago
Third, a larger conversation should be had about the influence of letting digital platforms into the most personal aspects of our lives. Having that data breached or sold with the possibility of being connected to a specific individual can have serious consequences in a society that still stigmatizes people seeking resources to protect their mental health. Although, in many ways, the benefits of these technologies are clear in terms of accessibility, their users must stay cognizant of the fact that private technology companies — not licensed clinical facilities — are facilitating the services that they are using. And these technology companies carry with them a unique ability to surveil mental health and other data at a massive scale for their commercial interests.Brookings, 3d ago
The third component of the normative argument against retired flag officers speaking out pertains to the exploitation of military service for political influence or gain. Jason Dempsey has termed this “the paradox of prestige,” whereby politicians seek endorsements from retired officers in order to leverage the esteem associated with the military’s high public confidence levels.18 Some argue this exchange of military prestige for political power tarnishes the reputation of the military profession and threatens to erode the public’s high confidence in the institution — the very factor that compelled politicians to seek out such endorsements in the first place. It is the specific act of partisan campaign endorsements — in which retired flag officers put their rank, name, and military service behind a candidate for elected office but face no electoral accountability themselves — that critics find most troubling.19 Those who find fault with partisan campaign endorsements often argue that if retired flag officers want to fully enter the political process, they could run for office themselves and face the full scrutiny of the American electorate.20...Texas National Security Review, 4d ago

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Academic progress was evident, as 36% of students demonstrated advancement of over 13 months in their reading age. This aligns with the belief that narratives have the power to shape thoughts and emotions, fostering self-driven behavioural changes.Additionally, the study revealed that two-thirds of students experienced improved wellbeing, emphasising the therapeutic effects of storytelling. The positive impact extended to the staff as well, with 37% reporting increased calmness in the classroom. This underscores the shared emotional experience created through storytelling, benefiting both students and educators.Twinkl, a key education resources provider, has played a significant role in supporting bibliotherapeutic initiatives. By offering a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books - such as Twinkl Originals and Rhino Readers - via a mobile app and online, Twinkl contributes to creating a rich literary environment that enhances the effectiveness of bibliotherapy. Their commitment to providing resources that align with educators' evolving needs fortifies the success of initiatives like the Spring 2023 story time programme. Twinkl continues to develop their book offering to support reading for pleasure. The Reading Framework reinforces the emotional benefits of reading, enabling pupils to express ideas and feelings. Stories serve as a tool for navigating difficult conversations, allowing individuals, especially children, to see themselves in a broader context. Teachers play a crucial role in modelling healthy emotional responses through shared stories."Bibliotherapy is a safe, non-confrontational method of exploring and developing emotions, and can be used to develop an understanding of difficult topics with learners. Children build empathy through their interaction with literature, which in turn has the power to change thoughts and feelings," explained Katie Rose, Subject Leads Segment Manager at Twinkl.Beyond academics, the incorporation of storytelling into daily routines proves to be a potent tool for nurturing well-being, fostering empathy, and creating a positive educational environment. As schools recognize the impact of bibliotherapy, it's clear that the narrative of education is being rewritten, one story at a time.To learn more visit TwinklTwinkl...openPR.com, 4d ago
How individuals cope with adversity or find jobs, among other things, depends on the strength of their relationships within communities and across geographic areas. Research in many disciplines such as economics, sociology, computer science, and statistics therefore rely heavily on social network data. Collecting detailed network data on populations is very costly and, consequently, research often includes only a small part of populations in their analysis. This research project will develop innovative methods to inexpensively collect network data, use the method to create two large datasets on the socio-economic relationships among vulnerable populations. The researchers will match these network data with information on economic and labor market outcomes as well as physical and mental health status. In addition, the researchers will build statistical tools to facilitate the use of these data sets and make these datasets and the toolkit freely available to other researchers. The results of this research project will improve research on several topics such as social learning, risk sharing, and therefore improve policy making. The results will also increase the effectiveness of government and business policies.NBER, 4d ago
HHS has taken several actions to address homelessness. They include the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator, launched in partnership with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program supports states to develop or expand housing-related supports and services for Medicaid-eligible people with disabilities and older adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Specifically, the Partnership Accelerator focuses on helping states improve collaboration and coordination between organizations and systems that provide community services and those that help people find – and keep – stable housing in the community.HHS.gov, 4d ago
Boerstra also has extensive experience creating optimal indoor environments in homes, schools, and offices. He recently joined the DAT on behalf of TU Delft. From his experience as a senior consultant at an engineering firm, he has strong opinions on the importance of good air quality and thermal comfort, for example. “We have already made great strides regarding health in buildings. But it’s a relatively slow process. It started around 1900. Back then, there were a lot of problems in housing construction, for example, due to moisture and mold growth and particulate exposure from open fires. Then, the Housing Act and building code were created to make homes healthier. Since then, fortunately, our buildings have become much healthier, but we cannot sit back. Because of the energy transition, people in current projects sometimes overshoot, for example, in terms of insulation, so that too little attention is paid to ensuring a sufficient supply of fresh air,” Boerstra says.IO, 4d ago
B.C.’s aging and increasingly multicultural social landscape requires swift action by provincial health authorities to support optimal levels of health information comprehension, states Poureslami. This can mean respecting patients’ cultural beliefs and practices related to health and disease, as well as translating health information into different languages, providing educational videos on self-care management and spending more time explaining treatment recommendations to patients during office visits.Hospital News, 4d ago
...”The Breakthrough Effect in ASEAN” offers concrete solutions to trigger socioeconomic tipping points that could unlock these opportunities in prioritized sectors most relevant to the region. Amazon is the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy, and on a path to powering its global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. ASEAN economies can do much more to increase the availability and affordability of renewable energy—and massively scale opportunities for inbound corporate investments in this space in the process. The report identifies specific recommendations in this regard, including leveling the playing field for renewable power project developers, and enabling direct investments (via power purchase agreements) for corporate consumers. We hope ASEAN government leverage corporate consumer demand to boost the renewable energy sector, as this will also bring associated capital, green jobs, the proliferation of green technologies, and a tangible opportunity to meet national climate targets.SYSTEMIQ, 4d ago

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PennWharton: “Earlier this year, the employment rate of prime working age women reached an all-time high, passing 75 percent for the first time in U.S. history. Defying widespread expectations that the COVID-19 pandemic would disproportionately harm the economic prospects of women, they have recovered faster than men and played a dominant role in the overall labor market recovery. In a forthcoming working paper, we review the evolution of prime age women’s employment over the last few decades and explain its recent rise. This brief summarizes and previews some of the findings from that ongoing work. We show that the current employment highs are a product of two long-term trends that predate the pandemic: 1) the rising share of women who are college graduates, and 2) a shrinking child penalty for college-educated mothers, who are increasingly likely to remain in the workforce after having a child. Despite the severe disruptions to labor markets, schooling, and childcare caused by the pandemic, these trends continued and even accelerated after 2020. In the full working paper, we link their resilience to the grand gender convergence in labor market outcomes, drawing on the work of Claudia Goldin, who was recently awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in economics. We present additional evidence from changes in the occupational mix of women’s employment, discuss the impact of parental leave, and study the dynamics of child penalties in detail.”...bespacific.com, 4d ago
Many other areas of climate action can benefit from regional cooperation, including technology transfer for renewable energy; climate-smart agriculture; industrial and urban development; addressing climate-related health risks, especially in preparation for pandemics such as COVID; building regional research capacity and fostering regional knowledge exchange and networking; and coordinating macroeconomic and trade policies in response to challenges posed by climate change (for example, how best to respond to the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism).Brookings, 4d ago
...“Victims and those at risk of trafficking urgently need attention, including safe accommodation and assistance,” Mullally said. “Strengthening the rule of law, justice and security sector reform, through measures such as mobile courts, expanded legal aid and increasing participation of women at all levels in the justice and security sectors, is critical.”...ReliefWeb, 4d ago
Often, harsh crackdowns on environmental defenders are framed as necessary to uphold public order, even if it comes at the expense of civil liberties. For instance, in the UK, blockades by Extinction Rebellion sparked worries about public safety on motorways and the ease of throughfare for emergency services, despite Extinction Rebellion’s policy of giving way to "blue light services". In response, the 2022 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was passed, restricting where and how protests can be held and increasing penalties for offences. A year later, The Public Order Act was introduced, criminalizing popular peaceful protest tactics. Coupled with the use of injunctions by public bodies (like National Highways) that ban protests and impose legal fees on environmental defenders, these laws go beyond guaranteeing public safety to create a debilitating environment for activism. On the other side of the globe, the Australian government in May 2023 responded to climate protests with an anti-protest law increasing the maximum fine for obstructing the free passage of a public place by over 6,500 per cent to AUD 50,000, while also upping the maximum jail sentence for the crime.idea.int, 4d ago
The goal of Habib University is to mold futures by giving gifted students the tools they need to think creatively and unconventionally, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This will enhance their lives and enable them to have a significant impact on society. Beyond academic achievement, their all-encompassing support systems are painstakingly crafted to foster students at every turn in their educational path, be it post-graduate study, career development, or academic support. The audience assembled at the Amphitheatre to listen to Muhammad Ali Khalid, Manager of Student Recruitment and Admissions, discuss the academic offerings at Habib University and the streamlined application process. The Open House proved to be an undeniable triumph, leaving participants motivated and enthusiastic about the educational and personal development possibilities the university presents. As they declare admissions for Fall 2024, they invite all prospective candidates to apply for a transformative educational journey at Habib University.About Habib University...pressreleasepoint.com, 4d ago
The ability to work from anywhere in the world is not just a perk for individuals; it’s becoming a strategic consideration for countries looking to attract global talent and stimulate their local economies. However, this also brings challenges. High minimum income requirements in some countries, like Iceland, might be counterproductive to reaping the potential economic benefit of embracing digital nomads. Additionally, the differences in internet infrastructure, as seen in Cyprus, is highly counterproductive to remote workers, who rely on fast internet to perform their jobs productively. There are likely many other factors, but the ones analyzed in Visa Guide’s report will definitely play a major role in determining the success of these programs.Allwork.Space, 4d ago

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An official publication on the website of NYSC made no pretences when it emphatically stated that it is worthy of note, that over the years from its inception in 1973, the National Youth Service Corps has contributed immensely in the social, political and economic transformation of the nation. In recent times, the scheme has been in the vanguard of the nation’s drive to correct the imbalance in our rural-urban development through the various community development programmes executed by corps members. These programmes have revolutionised our communities in the areas of education, health care delivery, agriculture, communication, infrastructure, technology, economic empowerment, poverty eradication, social services and above all national consciousness and socio-cultural regeneration.The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 5d ago
Country leadership through increased domestic financing and sustained political engagement are also critical to ending the pandemic. I have visited nearly a dozen PEPFAR partner countries since I became the global AIDS coordinator, and I have seen great examples of political will and commitment we need, including in Nigeria and Cameroon most recently. As the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, PEPFAR remains driven by evidence and data and committed to our partnerships with PEPFAR-supported countries to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.United States Department of State, 5d ago
The project is improving the livelihood of waste pickers—who traditionally sort through waste—by enhancing their technical and social skills. Recycling businesses and community organizations received small grants to pilot innovative programs that will reduce waste. The project also supported provincial governments in developing a sector policy framework and building capacity in solid waste management and planning.Asian Development Bank, 5d ago
The Hill, 17d ago
ESCAP, 17d ago
ReliefWeb, 17d ago
AsiaTechDaily - Asia's Leading Tech and Startup Media Platform | Latest news on private equity (PE), venture capital (VC), inbound & outbound deals, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and startup ecosystem across Asia, 3d ago
Law & Liberty, 3d ago

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...[18] To analyze PRONAF data from the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil – BCB) compatible with data from the Agricultural Census, “family farming” was considered as the sum of the “ PRONAF V” and “ PRONAF B” categories in the Census data. As such, the analyses focus on the potential target audience, where eligibility is based on the definition of family farming as laid out in Law no. 11,326/2006, along with the inclusion of the annual family income threshold. According to this law, classification as a farmer or family business requires compliance with all the following requirements: (i) the land owned in any capacity must not exceed four fiscal modules; (ii) the family’s own labor must be predominantly used in the economic activities carried out in the family’s establishment or enterprise; (iii) a minimum percentage of the family’s income must originate from the economic activities carried out in the family’s establishment or enterprise, as defined by the Brazilian Executive Branch in Law no. 12,512/2011; (iv) the establishment or enterprise must be managed by the family. The other eligibility criterion is having an annual family income of less than R$ 360,000 during the Census period. Due to the unavailability of eligibility data for Group A/C in the Census, this category has not been included among the establishments suitable for family farming and eligible for PRONAF. Learn more at: Law no. 11,326, July 24, 2006 – Establishes the guidelines for formulating the National Policy for Family Farming and Rural Family Enterprises. bit.ly/48BvBQ8.Law no. 12,512, October 14, 2011 – Establishes the Environmental Conservation Support Program and the Rural Productive Activities Promotion Program; amends Laws nos. 10,696, of July 2, 2003, 10,836, of January 9, 2004, and 11,326, of July 24, 2006. bit.ly/3ryASHz.CPI, 26d ago
Balancing Act: The pharmaceutical industry, despite being a major contributor to deaths, and governments using mainstream media (MSM) to manipulate public opinion through fear, do serve some beneficial purposes. While there is significant attention given to deaths and addiction related to pharmaceutical drugs, the percentages remain relatively small. One could categorize big pharma as 80% functional and 20% dysfunctional, along with governments manipulating and deceiving the public as they strive to maintain order. Nevertheless, the trends in both scenarios are concerning. Corruption has been seeping into both sectors for decades, and this trend has accelerated in recent years, triggered by events like 9/11 in 2001, the financial crisis of 2008, and the COVID pandemic in 2020. These events allowed governments to enact laws that curtailed individual rights, disrupted economic stability, and led to various detrimental consequences, such as weakened immune systems, domestic violence, soaring rates of depression and suicide, and the erosion of social skills among children. #jonathanhaidt...CityAM, 23d ago
Amidst the trauma of losing homes and leaving loved ones behind, refugees often face struggles in finding legal aid and understanding their rights and what assistance they are entitled to in a new country: everything from housing and work opportunities requirements to childcare services and other social benefits. That’s where PILnet – a global network of legal professionals and civil society organizations – has made a huge difference in Poland and other countries around the world.UNHCR, 17d ago
Communities and organizations are mobilizing against rare earth mining on the Ampasindava Peninsula in northwestern Madagascar. This area is home to northern Madagascar’s last remaining forests, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot and home to IUCN-listed endangered and vulnerable species. The well-being of the populations on the peninsula depends largely on the maintenance of these ecosystems, which provide them with numerous products (food, energy, construction materials, pharmacopoeia and sources of income) and ecosystem services (water, protection against cyclones, microclimate, soil fertility). Since 2016, local communities have been opposing the mining project on the basis that it will infringe on many of their human rights. This includes their land rights and livelihoods, as most live mainly from fishing and agriculture—particularly the cultivation of high-value-added export crops such as vanilla, cocoa and coffee that would be put at risk. Since the beginning of the Tantalus Rare Earths Malagasy project –which was acquired by Reenova, then by HARENA Resources Pty Ltd in 2023– it has affected local communities that have denounced the irregular nature of mining permits, neglected test pit rehabilitation work, a lack of local participation and free, prior and informed consent, as well as disregard for the social, human rights and environmental impacts that would result from this project.Foreign Policy In Focus, 6d ago
First, we need education and awareness-building activities to deconstruct social norms that prevent women from exercising their inherent human rights, especially their rights to education and land ownership, which are necessary for leading food system solutions. Presenters at COP27 and research from the Committee on World Food Security illustrate that social norms cause land to be passed down paternally and women cannot purchase land because they lack the finances, collateral or technical knowledge to secure funding from patriarchal corporations and banks.Canada's National Observer, 7d ago
LAbg. Georg Prack, BA (GRÜNE) called the social welfare basic law passed by the ÖVP and FPÖ in the federal government an “expression of the fight against the poor instead of against poverty”. However, the Greens have improved their share of government responsibility. As far as the Vienna Minimum Security Act is concerned, “the efforts of the city government to compensate for the resulting losses can be seen.” Nevertheless, many people are excluded from this compensation. He criticized the parent-family subsidy for “not taking into account the number of children in the respective household”. This means that exactly those households that are particularly at risk of poverty would be disadvantaged. The standard rate for children at risk of poverty must be increased and the law must be exploited in its entirety. In this way, the resulting losses can be overcompensated elsewhere. Rent assistance also needs to be adjusted to the level of housing assistance.Archyde, 10d ago

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From media headlines, most people believe that markets foster crime. In fact, markets cut crime: ‘Historians combing the archives of medieval European towns estimate an annual homicide rate of about 50 per 100,000 residents. … and by the time of the great market takeover it was below 10 per 100,000. By around 1880, the annual homicide rate in London was less than 2 per 100,000 and headed lower. … Markets also broaden social webs, strengthen bonds, and foster moral behavior. So the market takeover transforms the moral system’ (Friedman & McNeill 2013, p.160-1). One important channel through which markets reduce crimes is by increasing per-capita incomes (the section on “Efficiency of Market Exchange” on p.6), making people having less need to commit crimes and face higher costs of doing so. In addition, see the old doux- commerce thesis on the civilizing effects (making people gentle, honest and peaceful) of market relations which increase morality and reduce crimes (e.g. Hirschman 1982, 2013). Berggren & Nilsson (2013) and Prasad (2012) also argue that economic freedom, trade openness and the removal of controls in particular, fosters tolerance and reduce violent crime. Zak (2011) argues that, not only is moral behavior necessary for the proper functioning of markets, but markets also strengthen moral values.Open Access Government, 5d ago
Mental health education plays a critical role in promoting early detection and intervention. When people are educated about the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, they are more likely to recognize these signs in themselves or others early on. This awareness is crucial because early detection often leads to more effective treatment. Mental health education empowers individuals to seek help sooner and encourages communities to provide timely support. It also equips teachers, employers, and family members with the knowledge to identify potential mental health concerns and guide those affected towards appropriate resources. Early intervention can prevent mental health conditions from worsening and can have a significant impact on the recovery process, enhancing overall well-being and quality of life.Brain World, 5d ago
Integrating drones into the blood transfusion system presents a game-changing opportunity, enabling swift deliveries to remote areas, reducing wastage, and optimizing costs. This integration, backed by collaborations with technology experts and logistics companies, can bolster India's healthcare infrastructure, addressing rural health disparities. However, while technology holds immense potential, fostering a culture of voluntary blood donation through public awareness campaigns remains crucial. By leveraging technology, strategic collaborations, and behavioral change initiatives, India can not only strengthen its blood supply chain but also set a paradigm for digital healthcare transformation, setting new global benchmarks.siliconindia.com, 5d ago
The New York Declaration highlights the importance of addressing environmental issues, including water security. “We are invested in enhancing Central Asia’s water security and environmental quality, working to increase regional cooperation on water and ecological issues,” explains the joint document. Specific areas mentioned include the development of climate-adaptable agriculture, preserving endangered species habitats, improving water resource management, and introducing water-saving technologies to Central Asia. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is mentioned as a vital player, as the Agency’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity program will be the catalyst for Washington to engage Central Asia to “address water, energy, food, and environmental needs that simultaneously combat climate change.”...E-International Relations, 5d ago
More allegations followed on Hubei’s heels, with institutions in Guangdong Guangxi facing similar claims and investigations. Child trafficking and kidnapping are common in China, where a decades-long one-child policy has created a black market for surrogate births of infant boys (and had disastrous consequences for girls), and many parents are willing to sell their babies for the right price. Hospitals are the only places allowed to issue birth certificates, which are needed for kids to attend school and access social services. For those with the means and no other options, shelling out 100,000 yuan (approximately $14,000) to buy an identity for a child might seem worth it.Biometric Update | Biometrics News, Companies and Explainers, 5d ago
Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) has reported the lack of sustainable drug prevention programs in Liberia as a contributing factor to this problem. If practical actions, including policy implementation and donor-driven programs, are not taken soon, the situation could worsen, leading to increased criminal activities, unemployment, and other challenges such as SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence), HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, and tuberculosis.Liberian Observer, 5d ago

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About RLA: USAID Ethiopia’s Resilience Learning Activity (RLA) acts as the “learning sidecar” to the Mission’s investment in 20 resilience activities representing more than $1 billion investment in this resilience focal country. RLA supports USAID Ethiopia in uniting and galvanizing resilience learning in Ethiopia using USAID’s key resilience approaches and frameworks, and using a structured approach to connect learning levels, and to align with USAID’s higher level learning goals. In line with USAID’s draft updated resilience policy, RLA works with 20 diverse USAID-funded resilience projects that include food distribution, agriculture, market systems, education, livelihoods, peacebuilding, WASH, equity and social inclusion, and private sector-led economic growth. Partners LINC, Environmental Incentives, and JaRco implement RLA through three main pillars of Collective Action for Resilience; Collaborate, Learn, Adapt; Resilience Research; and Scaling Resilience Innovations. To tie these pillars together around a common set of priorities, RLA led the development of a platform-wide Learning Agenda, described above, that represents the current, shared learning interests of USAID and its resilience partners.usaidlearninglab.org, 13d ago
CalAIM pays for someone's security deposit, medically-tailored meals and safe places to sober up. In total, California's Medicaid program now covers 14 social services all backed by evidence that they strengthen people's health. State officials also created a new benefit, known as enhanced care management, to help people navigate all of the complex medical and social service bureaucracies.NPR, 18d ago
Over the past decades however, wage institutions have been weakened, particularly because of labour market deregulation. With a few exceptions, trade union membership density and collective bargaining coverage rates have gone down substantially. Another line of action is to strengthen and support collective bargaining and minimum wages with social partners. For example, the 2022 tripartite agreement in Portugal sets the objective of increasing the part of national income flowing to wages by three percentage points by 2026 and provides fiscal incentives for companies that conclude collective bargaining agreements that increase wages in line with this objective and that narrow the gap between the 10 per cent highest and 10 per cent lowest paid workers. Another example is Colombia, where minimum wage indexation kicks in when social partners fail to agree on a way forward.Equal Times, 19d ago