United Nations in Namibia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Namibia.

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16 November 2021

Future Leaders take on MUN

Last week, the United Nations Namibia and the British High Commission in Namibia jointly hosted the MUN High School Conference from 10 – 11 November. The 60 Precocious learners from public and private schools in Windhoek, representing 30 different countries, simulated a UN General Assembly discussion on “the role of fossil fuel production in the climate crisis”. “It is fitting that this conference has taken place now to engage the youth of Namibia, at the same time that the world meets in Glasgow for COP26,” said Charlotte Fenton, Deputy British High Commissioner. She emphasised the importance that this experience gives to youth, not only in core diplomatic and negotiating skills, but using the platform to boost the power of their voices in tackling this critical global issue. The COP26 summit, which took place from 31 October – 12 November 2021 brought nations together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP26 crucially called for renewed solidarity among nations and the youth at the MUN got first-hand experience on how multilateral dialogue is crucial to addressing global issues. “I believe Model UN is a stepping-stone for young people to take their place in civic engagement as global citizens. We are bringing attention to a subject on which urgent youth leadership and action is vital in Namibia and the world at large to ensure the survival of the planet”, said Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia. MUN helps students develop public speaking, writing and research skills, and very often, it is the first entry point in learning about the United Nations and its development agenda. After three rounds of grueling lobbying and deliberations, the assembly finally managed to adopt a resolution on the second day of the conference. Sponsored by The People’s Republic of China, The Russian Federation; The Arab Republic of Egypt; Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil, the resolution called for countries to replace 60% usage of fossil fuels by using alternative energies such as renewable energy by 2030, investing in solar and wind farms, hydropower stations, geothermal energy”. Several learners received awards for their respective stand-out performances. Joint “Best Delegate” winners - as voted by fellow delegates - Moses Filipus from Jan Möhr High School and Yanessa Oliveira from Concordia High Schools, were congratulated by Anthea Basson, Head of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek, for their consistency throughout the conference. The Model United Nations in Namibia is a flagship educational programme of the UNIC Windhoek. Basson also announced the winners for Best Delegation, Prince David from Combretum Trust School and Christiaan Prinsloo from Windhoek High School, who received trophies in addition to trees to plant at their respective schools. It was the first MUN Conference for many delegates a number rose to the occasion. “It wasn’t my decision to do it, my debate teacher was the one who told me I should and I am thankful he did cause I did have so much fun and I appreciate the experience – I learned a lot about what is currently going on in the world”, said Prince David.” “Best Speaker” was awarded to Zest Hill, from Windhoek Gymnasium, while Vimbayi Musavengana from Windhoek International School won the “Special Recognition Award”. The winning delegates handed over the resolution passed in the assembly to the Deputy High Commissioner, along with a work of art created by Nambowa Malua. The artist transformed doodles and phrases from delegates into a striking image as way for all to remember the conference and the ideals fostered during the conference among the learners.

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24 October 2021

Call for Applications: UNDEF funding for Civil Society Organizations

The UN Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for project funding. Project proposals may be submitted on-line in English or French, the two working languages of the UN, between 4 November 2021 and 6 December 2021 at www.un.org/democracyfund. You can find guidelines, FAQs and lessons learned for applicants HERE. UNDEF supports projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. Most UNDEF funding goes to local civil society organizations. In this way, UNDEF plays a distinct role in complementing the UN's other work -- the work with Governments -- to strengthen democratic governance around the world. This is the Sixteenth Round to be launched by UNDEF, which provides grants of up to US$300,000 per two-year project. Since 2006, UNDEF has supported more than 800 two-year projects in over 100 countries at a total amount of over US$200 million. Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous selection process, with fewer than two per cent of proposals chosen for funding. For this Round, UNDEF invites project proposals covering one or more of any of its eight thematic areas: Women’s Empowerment Community activism Rule of law and human rights Youth engagement Strengthening civil society interaction with Government Media and freedom of information Tools for knowledge Electoral processes Click here to view a sample of what the UNDEF proposal form will require. The UNDEF is a Trust Fund established through voluntary contributions from Member States, under the authority of the Secretary-General. UNDEF is guided by its Advisory Board, which includes representatives of Member States, eminent academics and global civil society leaders. Thus, participation in the activities of UNDEF bestows prestige to all its stakeholders and signifies for its beneficiaries a high level of political commitment to democratic values.

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08 November 2021

Building Community Resilience one Tree at a Time

Community gardens have become a popular and sustainable tool to address hunger in Namibia. Drawing inspiration from similar initiatives, the United Nations (UN) Namibia celebrated the 76th anniversary of UN Day by supporting a garden project at the Katutura Aftercare Centre in Windhoek. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare administers the Centre and the shelter often houses around 500 street children at a time. Along with gardening, the centre also offers programs such as drama classes, psychosocial support, school and family integration. Food insecurity is a harsh reality in Namibia exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change – leaving the most vulnerable populations in perilous predicaments. A sustainable and productive gardening project brings an impressive array of benefits in this time of economic precariousness. Sen Pang, the UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia expressed that it is a privilege to commemorate UN Day with the After-School Centre family and underscored the importance of being in the heart of the community. “It is here where we live the values enshrined in the UN Charter, where we work for the people, doing the work by the people”. Special adviser to the First Lady of Namibia Dr Veronica Theron highlighted a number of activities to protect vulnerable people in our communities, from speaking out on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to advocating for social safety nets. This informal engagement allowed attendees to see the real world impact of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mentioned in the statements of speakers. As a global representive for her country Annerie Maré, Miss Namibia World 2021, reflected on the urgency and her passion for advancing the (SDGs) in Namibia. She particularly voiced her will to champion causes related to SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation in Namibia. Children from the Centre put their talents on display via an enthusiastic wrestling demonstration and a competitive basketball match. In addition to setting up sustainable gardens to support food security and sustainable food production by planting fruit trees, UNCT also donated gardening tools, children’s literature, sport equipment and educational games and providing minor improvements at the centre.

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16 November 2021

SDG Book Club Interview Series: Godfrey Edusei Derky

A prolific writer, Edusei Derkyi is the author of several books including "Aboakyer - The Hunt of the Efutu People", "Ramblings of My Mind - an Anthology of 45 Life Poems" and "Yaaba - A day in the Life of an African Child". Derkyi's love for music has lead to him incorporating songs into his works - a reflection of the pivotal role music plays in the everyday life of the African. He recently met with the SDG Book Club to discuss his thoughts on education, imagination and his book, The Adventures of Hurricane & Tornado. How long have you been writing children’s books? My first book was published in 2010; it was historical fiction. Since then I have published four others. One is an anthology of life poems. This was followed by a sequel to my first book. My first children’s book is: Yaaba – A Day in the Life of an African child. It was published in 2015. My second and current children’s book, The Adventures of Hurricane & Tornado, is the first episode of a series. What inspired you to take up the SDG challenge? For 10 years I volunteered support for the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation Thank You Small Libraries (TYSL) program in Ghana. This was a program for Quality Education. I worked closely with Ambassador Dho Young-Shim of Korea, and facilitated the establishing of over 40 libraries for basic schools in Ghana. My inspiration to take up the SDG Challenge and to write for kids developed out of my experiences with the TYSL program. Touring the countryside and interacting with kids of deprived schools across the length and breadth of Ghana, I realized the need for more reading content that address the SDG objectives with close to true life literature to impact readers. My purpose is not only to impart knowledge but to also inspire confidence in our children. I want them to explore with purpose and to become change agents and I want to engender in them the “can do” and “bold to do” spirit. The main focus of the SDG Book Club is to inform and educate children. How you were able to create a fusion of entertainment, education, and information to advance children’s understanding of the concerns of quality education? The SDG seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. I guess it is the art of a good story teller to fuse these three cardinal purposes of writing in his or her work. I bounced my work off my two girls who are 10 and 8 years to assess how targeted my work is. It is a challenge to catch the attention of small children. It requires weaving sub-team into the main theme to hold their attention. How do you carry out research for your book? In writing I rely on my own life experiences and on observation of subject activities. I conduct interviews. I study similar works. The internet is a good research tool too. Describe the process of visualising and painting the main character of the story? The main characters are based on my two daughters who are eight and ten years old. The two inspired the story of Hurricane and Tornado. What feeds your imagination, when you make illustrations for book? The illustrations in this book are pretty much technical drawings and design concepts and did not require abstracts. Tell us something about the main character The main characters, Hurricane & Tornado are two girls, ten and eight years old. Set on a course of changing things for the better, they are cast as having enquiring minds and extraordinary drive in putting into practice what they learn. Born into the average family straddling the affluent and the poor; they attend a public school in a small town. This characterization is intended to make it easy for most young readers to identify with them and what they do. Is there an underlying true story, or was the book basically a product of your imagination? The book draws on my own childhood experiences growing up in Suhum in the 1960s and 1970s. I encountered many of the everyday challenges the SDGs advocate and try to remedy. Adventures of Hurricane and Tornado, Episode One focuses on the concerns of Goals 3 & 4, Good Health and Quality Education. Episode Two which is yet to be published, focuses on Goal 6 - Clean Water. The series draws on a combination of my real life experiences and imagination. Urbanization has changed the setting of Episode One in many ways from those days, but the narration holds true for many other rural locations in Ghana today. So far, what has being a writer been like? It has been exciting. It is rewarding to literally transform abstract ideas into a form of reality. The interesting aspect is when the story decides on its own to go off track and begins to tell itself. The craft to bring it back on track without compromising the new perspectives it introduces, is part of the challenge of story-telling. Growing up, what was your ambition in life? As a child I wanted to be a doctor; a surgeon. I changed my mind and entered the university to study social sciences. I could not stand the sight of blood. I ended up in banking and finance. What do you do when you are not writing? I specialized in construction and home mortgage finance. I am currently the Founder and CEO of Housing Partnerships Africa Limited. We provide housing advisory services to governments and real estate entrepreneurs. My hobby is music and I am a choral music enthusiast. What advice would you give to young readers across the continent? The message of this book to the young reader is to recognize that many of you have roles to play in the process of bringing solutions to the challenges faced by your communities. Government begins at the community where needs are felt daily. Central governments often take long in responding. The youth, in community, can in small ways contribute your quota to the resolution of some of the Sustainable Development Goals. The axiom in our days as kids was, “Brighten the corner where you are”; We sang it; we marched to it and we implemented it. This story was written by Zion Rufus and Dalimare Tella for Borders Literature for All Nations, one of the organizing members of the SDG Book Club African Chapter.

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26 October 2021

Improving Port Security in Luderitz

Bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Namibia occupies a strategic location within the South Atlantic Ocean region and is part of several international trading routes. As a result, Namibia’s economy is highly dependent on the sea and its ports.
The country’s two main ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz serve as important bases for fishing, offshore diamond mining, the growing oil and gas sector and fruit industries. Enhancing compliance with international norms on port security and safety of navigation across Namibia is crucial to increasing maritime trade and can bring benefits to the whole region by lowering transportation costs and making exports more competitive in distant markets. Over the past year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has delivered regular training sessions to strengthen law enforcement at Namibia’s ports. This training has included sessions delivered by the UNODC Container Control Programme (CCP) on cargo inspection, prevention of wildlife trafficking, and detecting counterfeit vaccines.Last September the Port Control Unit supported by UNODC CCP was officially launched at Namibia’s largest port in Walvis Bay.
Whilst most training activities focus on the major port facility in Walvis Bay, on October 14 th , the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) expanded training further afield, conducting its first ever capacity building activity in Namibia at the port of Lüderitz. This training was carried out as part of the EU-funded Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, which is coordinated by Indian Ocean Commission and implemented in partnership with the International Maritime Organization and INTERPOL. Twenty-five representatives from Namibia Fisheries, Port Authority, Police, Revenue Agency, Navy, Special Forces and Ministry of Transport and Works attended the two-week training covering both practical and theoretical material. The training focused on interagency collaboration and incident management and included a waterside and anchorage area security assessment of the Lüderitz port, as well as a dialogue between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and local law enforcement officers on how to prevent and respond to crimes occurring in and around the port.
After completing training in Lüderitz, UNODC GMCP relocated to Walvis Bay, where similar topics will be addressed during next coming month of November.

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25 November 2021

‘Conservation Agriculture key in achieving sustainable food systems in Namibia’

Johannes Nathan Vries – a lead farmer from Karas region is a new comer to conservation agriculture. He anticipates better yields, and increased income for his household. “Since adopting conservation agriculture (CA) this year, I have saved a lot of money for pesticides as the crop rotation practise keeps away pests. I noticed a huge reduction in the amount of water I use, and CA minimizes soil disturbance,” says Johannes, who described the traditional way of farming as obsolete and unproductive. Johannes’s story is among many shared during the concluded Conservation Agriculture Forum held in Namibia. The 7th National Conservation Agriculture Forum (NCAF) brought over 70 farmers and stakeholders from various institutions involved in food systems to assess progress made in the regions where CA system is being implemented. If well adopted, participants noted, conservation agriculture has a huge potential in promoting Namibia’s sustainable food systems and livelihoods through improved productivity. NCAF brings together farmers, agricultural extension officers, farmer unions, and a variety of stakeholders from all 14 regions in Southern Africa. “Conservation agriculture is among the smart agriculture practices contributing towards sustainable food systems. Sustainable food system is a system which brings together all actors involved in food systems value chains to ensure food and nutrition security,” said Mildred Kambinda, Acting Deputy Executive Director at the Department of Agriculture Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, at the opening of the forum. The meeting also presented an opportunity for agricultural extension staff to share lessons learned and best practices in conservation agriculture in their respective regions. Harmonization and synergy among CA stakeholders Through the project “Strengthening Coordination, Scaling Up and Governance of Conservation Agriculture in Southern Africa (SUCASA)”, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting the National Conservation Agriculture Forum (NCAF) by reinforcing partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders in the region to promote the adoption of CA and ultimately help farmers become more resilient. “It is critical to foster synergies in order to guide and accelerate CA adoption across diverse agro-ecological conditions and farming systems. The NCAF also serves as an information-sharing platform across stakeholders. FAO will continue to support efforts that encourage more farmers to adopt CA systems,” Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Representative noted. In the short-term, the government of Namibia targets to have about 13 000 farmers by year 2022 implementing at least one of the CA principles, that include; minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic soil cover. Related links: Namibia's ambitious target Sowing the seeds of resilience Building climate resilience in Southern Africa

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24 November 2021

Leaving her PRINT on African fashion

Namibian designer Ndeshipanda Fikameni’s Afroprint Line is a proudly Afrocentric fashion brand borne out of her love for African fashion – particularly bright colours and prints. While many would shrug their shoulders at not finding bags, hats or dresses in African prints, such as the Oshiwambo ondelela, this gap in the fashion market motivated Fikameni to launch her brand in 2018. Creating eye-catching, custom-made and environmentally conscious items makes Ndeshi one of Namibia’s growing crop of fashion designers who want to make people look great in clothes but not at the expense of harming the planet. Fikameni recently spoke to UNIC Windhoek about Afroprint Line and being a designer in the time of COVID-19. Thank you for joining us. First things first, where does Ndeshi come from? What inspired your entrepreneurship? I was born and raised by a single mom and four wonderful siblings in Tsumeb. My mom sold vetkoek and sweets as a ‘side hustle’ to make sure I went to the best school. Her hard work, persistence and business model were simple but effective. I learned a lot from that. Tell us about the beginnings of Afroprint Line. I started making my own line of bags using up-cycled offcuts from local designers and tailors such as Ingo Shanyenge. He would always say “Thank you for cleaning up our space”. After positive feedback from clients within and beyond Namibia, I went on to create backpacks, t-shirts, and hoodies. Since then, I have had great support from the founders of Kasi Vibe Namibia as my mentors to my wonderful clients and social media family. How did you get into upcycling? I am very cautious about the environment; it was second nature to include upcycling in my business model for Afroprint Line. Describe your design aesthetic and ethos? Afroprint items are unique, functional, and affordable. I make items that look good but also have a function. They are something the customer can use. As a creative and business owner, what lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic? Never to be comfortable! Change is the only constant, anything can happen at any given time so make the most of the good days. How were you able keep your brand relevant during restrictions/lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic? Luckily, social media was not on lockdown, so I maximized my social media tools to engage with customers, boost advertising etc. What has been the highlight in your career so far? Collaborating with the United Nations on the Swift 30 SDG edition game was a big achievement for Afroprint Line. What legacy do you wish to leave behind with Afroprint Line? An endless production of uniqueness items! You can find out more about Ndeshi and her business at the handle @Afroprint_Line on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. “This feature is part of a series where the UN Namibia will highlight local goods or service providers in support of the Buy Local Grow Namibia campaign and who we believe are actively working toward the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Buy Local, Grow Namibia campaign supports growth in the production and consumption of Namibian goods and services”

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24 November 2021

Partnering to strengthen community engagement in the HIV and COVID-19 responses in Namibia

In the response to the colliding COVID-19 and HIV pandemics, communities continue to demonstrate resilience, agility and innovation. To empower, train and protect communities, UNAIDS, in collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is supporting civil society organizations to implement the Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT) initiative in Namibia. In addition, community sensitization activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and the associated stigma and discrimination, and to minimize its effects on people living with HIV, are being implemented. In May 2021, Namibia experienced an exponential increase in community transmission of COVID-19 cases owing to the emergence of the delta variant, which derailed the country’s containment efforts and severely stretched its health system. The nation rose to the challenge with strong political leadership and commitment. Evidence-informed and high-impact interventions led to a marked decline in cases, positivity rates and deaths. Through the PACT initiative, four civil society organizations with experience in working with vulnerable communities and networks of people living with HIV in informal settlements were supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and UNAIDS to implement the PACT project. The project focuses on COVID-19 prevention and contact tracing, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the HIV response and facilitating access to quality health care in all 14 regions of the country and will ultimately deploy 270 community health workers. UNAIDS is partnering with three of the four civil society organizations, working in the three regions with the highest burden of HIV and COVID-19, Oshana, Erongo and Khomas, which account for 36% of people living with HIV, 52% of COVID-19 cases and 42% of COVID-19-related deaths nationally. These civil society organizations have done remarkable work to address the needs of key populations, adolescent girls and young women, and people living with HIV using existing HIV infrastructure and systems. “Ending the two pandemic requires greater data driven involvement of communities, partnerships, integration of COVID-19 and HIV services and reaching underserved and vulnerable communities. This is the approach that the PACT initiative has taken in Namibia to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” said Dr Alti Zwandor, Country Director for UNAIDS Namibia. To adapt, harmonize and sustain the training of community health workers, UNAIDS has been working with the National Health Training Centre, which has adapted the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention training curriculum on COVID-19 to include information on vaccines, HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Forty senior trainers from the training centre were trained to deliver multiple trainings across the country. A further 250 community health workers and 25 supervisors were subsequently trained and deployed to implement community outreach activities. In addition to the house visits and community sensitization activities, one of the nongovernmental organizations, the Tonata people living with HIV network, has incorporated bulk text messages with COVID-19 information in local languages to support groups for people living with HIV, thus spreading awareness of the PACT initiative to a much larger audience. “The community health-care workers in the field experienced situations where community members were aggressive when given information on COVID-19. In some hotspots, the population also complained of hunger and indicated that they would only engage with community health-care workers once provided with some food hampers for them to concentrate,” said Agatha Kuthedze, Director of the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA). She added that the organization had referred people in need of social welfare to the authorities for further help. The initiative will continue to build on the successes and integrate critical HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming while continuously exploring innovations for a sustained and comprehensive HIV response. The partner nongovernmental organization involved are Tonata, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, NAPPA and Project Hope. Resources: https://africacdc.org/download/partnership-to-accelerate-covid-19-testing-pact-in-africa/ https://www.projecthope.org/country/namibia/

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12 November 2021

UN SDG Book Club Interview Series meets with Wale Okediran

How long have you been writing/ creating images for children’s books? I have been writing for children for the past 30 years What inspired you to take up the SDG challenge? My desire to contribute to good quality children’s books for the SDG Project. The main focus of the SDG Book Club is to inform and educate children. Briefly describe how you were able to create a fusion of entertainment, education, and information to increase children’s understanding of good health and well-being. My approach was to write on a topical and important topic such as the Covid-19 pandemic in a simple and interesting style backed by beautiful illustrations which children can learn from and also enjoy. How do you carry out research for your book? Apart from my background as a medical doctor as well as a Writer of children’s stories, I consulted recent publications on the pandemic as well as children literature. This way, I was able to use current information on the Covid-19 as well as information about children’s literature for the book. Tell us something about the main character There is no main character in the book. Rather, the book has a series of important messages for children on the Covid-19 pandemic which has been causing anxiety in both adults and children. Is there an underlying true story or was the book basically a product of your imagination? The underlying story is the Covid-19 Pandemic. The book explains the Coronavirus while promoting strong family and community ties. The book prepares children to cope with the “new normal” as they protect themselves against the virus. In this extraordinary time of the Covid-19 pandemic, this book of strong, bright illustrations and very simple text, will appeal to even the youngest children. So far, what has being a writer been like? Describe your experiences. Being a writer has been a very exciting and rewarding experience for me. Apart from the joy and thrill of creating books for both the young and the old, the job has opened doors and opportunities for me. In addition, through writing, I have been able to travel all over the world meeting people of various cultures and ethnicities. What was your dream ambition when you were younger? My dream job when was to be a writer but my father was able to convince me to become a medical doctor. However, after becoming a medical doctor, I went back to my first love which is writing. What do you like to do when you are not writing? I am reading, travelling and doing my day jobs as a medical doctor and literary administrator. What advice would you give young readers across the continent? Read the book! Use the information in it to protect yourselves from the Covid-19 virus. This story was written by Zion Rufus for Borders Literature for All Nations, one of the organizing members of the SDG Book Club African Chapter.

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08 November 2021

Exhibition Soccer Matches bring UN Day to a close

The United Nations (UN) Namibia celebrated the Namibian youth’s contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) with exhibition soccer matches in Windhoek. Played between the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Namibian Football Association (NFA) Galz and Goals, the matches concluded a week’s festivities in commemoration of UN Day. Sport is of the great drivers of gender equality, teaching women and girls the value of teamwork, self-reliance and resilience. Given Namibia’s resounding sporting successes this year, UN Namibia joined the rest of the country to highlight the numerous ways sport the realities of girls and women. The power of sport changed the lives of the most marginalized girls and women, as is evident in the success of the joint sports for development partnership initiative between the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Namibian Football Association (NFA). UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia, Sen Pang said that, “we have firmly embraced the concept of sport for development – that sport is not just an end, but also a powerful vehicle for positive social change to help improve the lives of children, families and communities.” To get the adrenaline pumping and the competitive juices flowing the soccer event was more actions packed than ever expected – with the youth giving some of the adult players a run for their money. The young soccer players also kept spectators entertained with a variety of training techniques that illustrate the life skills soccer teaches them, such a teamwork and discipline. The event focused on two soccer matches with the UNCT male and female teams playing against the 11-14-year old NFA boys and Galz for Goals players. The exhibition matches allowed all to simply let loose; dancing to the tunes of the UN75 song ‘Better Tomorrow’ as well as gleefully cheering on some of the gaffes taking place on the soccer pitch. UN Namibia and the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service created a day of pure enjoyment and fun. In the end, the UNCT male team walked away with a 1 – 0 victory against the NFA boys. In a tight match with little scoring opportunities, the Galz and Goals defeated the UNCT female players, 1 – 0. The UN Resident Coordinator presented the winning teams with their well-deserved trophies at the end of the matches. UN Namibia also donated two SDG branded soccer balls to the Galz and Goals.

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Press Release

17 June 2021

Press Release: 2021 Day of the African Child (16th June)

On June 16th 2021, SDG Book Club Africa celebrated the Day of the African Child with three exemplary Ambassador Schools: Beehive School, Ikeja, Lagos, Chrisland Schools (Lagos, Abuja) and Gateway School, Enugu. All three schools are located in Nigeria, West Africa.
In response to the survey administered by teachers about the Day of the African Child (June 16th 2021) and Africa Day (May 25th 2021), children of the three schools expressed joy and pride in their identity as Nigerians and Africans. They also expressed pride in attending great Nigerian schools.
Click here to join the children of Beehive School, Chrisland Schools and Gateway School as they talk about why we must continue to celebrate the African Child.
https://namibia.un.org/en/131739-day-african-child-un-sdg-book-club-africa-
ambassador-school-chrisland-school https://namibia.un.org/en/131737-june-16th-2021-day-african-child https://namibia.un.org/en/131789-day-african-child-un-sdg-book-club-africa-ambassador-school-gateway-school
SDG Book Club Africa is one of the latest chapters of the UN SDG Book Club. It spans the entire continent of Africa and is, in size, second only to the global Club. SDG Book Club Africa launched the Ambassador Schools Program (17 th May 2021) to motivate children to read more and to provide them with quality books of a wide variety of genres, whose themes address principles of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our Ambassador Schools encourage healthy and creative engagement with the SDGs, both
indoors and outdoors. At our Ambassador Schools, we seek to ensure that no-one, particularly children, the builders of our future, is left out of the global effort to make the world a better place. SDG Book Club Africa Organizers
African Publishers Network (APNET).
Pan-African Writer Association (PAWA).
Pan-African Booksellers Association (PABA).
Association for the Development of Education (ADEA).
African Library Information Institutions & Association (AFLIA).
BORDERS Literature for all Nations (BORDERS).
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek, Namibia.

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Press Release

12 May 2021

‘Playing’ into Sustainable Development

Our planet is at a critical point. From global health crises to economic disparities to climate change, there has never been a more crucial time for our young leaders to step up and help come up with solutions to these existential challenges. The United Nations (UN) is committed to tackling these issues by achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and UN Namibia has come up with a unique and clever way to get Namibian youth to create changes within our communities and throughout the world. UN Namibia launched their latest youth engagement tool, Swift 30: SDG Edition. This locally made board game brings the SDGs into the hands of the youth, to educate them on Namibia and how they can positively impact our future. During the launch, UN Resident Coordinator Sen Pang, recalled playing games growing up and emphasised the knowledge building exercise as having the potential to teach young and old alike. “Even I learnt something new today”, he noted. The UNRC along with the Deputy Minister of Education and other stakeholders played the game to get a feel for the content and interaction it encourages. Swift 30: SDG Edition was produced in collaboration with Ms. Ndeshi Fikameni and her company, Afroprintline. This iteration follows the success of her first game, Swift 30, a game that drew its inspiration from the popular board game, 30 Seconds, but exclusively focused on Namibian topics – a game for Namibians by Namibians. Similarly, Swift 30: SDG Edition, which includes a colourful hand-sewn game board, appeals to Namibian youth with the aim to empower them to take their future into their own hands. Speaking at the officially launch Swift 30: SDG Edition, Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Faustina Caley recognizes that initiatives such as this are of paramount importance to the development of Namibian youth. She commended this effort saying, “the Ministry welcomes the strategic partnership support in establishing non-school based opportunities for the Namibian child to relate to the SDGs and for catering to the diverse interest and talents of learners across regions.” Twenty youth from various schools and organizations around Windhoek attended the event. Together they learnt how to play the game, which came with a lot of friendly competition amongst each other. Orban Primary School learner Jasmine Schmidt, 12, spoke with excitement for Swift 30: SDG Edition explaining that she “learned a lot and it was super fun! I hope others enjoy it as much as I did.” Claudios Rervelso, 19, from the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) described his experience as, “awesome and educational, everyone engaged in the game. I personally want my peers to know about Swift 30: SDG Edition.” Following its official launch, the team behind Swift 30: SDG Edition will continue to build awareness by engaging with schools, youth groups and other organizations through game activations and programming. The SDGs are only attainable through a collaborative effort from all, and this game is a major way for the UN to reach a whole new audience. For more information, please contact Ms. Anthea Basson at bassona@un.org at telephone: +264 61 204 6408 / +264 (0) 81 551 695 or Ms. Welda Mouton at mouton@un.org or telephone: +264 61 204 6346 or / +264 (0)815511378

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Press Release

29 April 2021

Namibia’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Namibia’s human rights record will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the third time on Monday, 3 May 2021 in a meeting that will be webcast live. The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations and civil society groups. The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Namibia on 3 May can be found here. Location: Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations, Geneva [NB: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will be held using a combination of in-person and remote participation, and media representatives are encouraged to follow the proceedings on webcast]. Time and date: 09.00 – 12.30, Monday, 3 May (Geneva time, GMT +1 hour) The UPR is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member States have been reviewed twice within the first and second UPR cycles. During the third UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow-up on, as well as to highlight recent human rights developments in the country. The delegation of Namibia will be led by Yvonne Dausab, Minister of Justice. The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Namibia are: Fiji, Sudan and Venezuela. The webcast of the session will be at http://webtv.un.org The list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Namibia will be posted on the UPR Extranet The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Namibia at 15.00 on 7 May. The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during their review. * The UPR 38th session was originally scheduled to be held in January 2021, although was postponed due to COVID-19 measures. For more information and media requests, please contact Rolando Gómez, HRC Media Officer, at +41 (0) 22 917 9711, rgomez@ohchr.org , or Matthew Brown, HRC Public Information Officer, at mbrown@ohchr.org To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review, visit: www.ohchr.org/hrc/upr UN Human Rights Council, follow us on social media: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram

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Press Release

26 February 2021

Human Development Report 2020 and Namibia National Human Development Report 2019 Launch

This Human Development Report (HDR) 2020, lays out a stark choice for world leaders - take bold steps to reduce the immense pressure that is being exerted on the environment and the natural world, or humanity’s progress will stall. The publication of the 2020 HDR 2020 GHDR marks 30 years of Human Development Reports by UNDP. It refreshes the construct of human development (HD) for a new geologic era and focuses on how HD can be expanded in balance with the planet. The 2020 report includes a new experimental index on human progress that takes into account countries’ carbon emissions and material footprint. “Humans wield more power over the planet than ever before. In the wake of COVID-19, record-breaking temperatures, and spiralling inequality, it is time to use that power to redefine what we mean by progress, where our carbon and consumption footprints are no longer hidden,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. Impressive progress, elusive SDGs The report argues that as people and planet enter an entirely new geological epoch, the Anthropocene or the Age of Humans, it is time for all countries to redesign their paths to progress by fully accounting for the dangerous pressures humans put on the planet, and dismantle the gross imbalances of power and opportunity that prevent change. The Human Development Report 2020 shows that, inequalities within and between countries, with deep roots in colonialism and racism, mean that people who have more capture the benefits of nature and export the costs. This chokes opportunities for people who have less and minimizes their ability to do anything about it. According to the report’s accompanying Human Development Index (HDI), Africa has experienced one of the most significant improvements in human development. Namibia’s HDI value for 2019 is 0.646, which puts the country in the medium human development category, positioning it at 130 out of 189 countries and territories. From Sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia is compared with Botswana and South Africa, which have HDIs ranked 100 and 114 in 2019, respectively. Between 1990 and 2019, Namibia’s HDI value increased from 0.581 to 0.646, an increase of 11.2 percent. Specifically, Namibia’s life expectancy at birth increased by 2.1 years, this means years of schooling increased by 1.4 years and expected years of schooling increased by 1.5 years. Namibia’s GNI per capita increased by about 57.0 percent between 1990 and 2019. Although Namibia’s Inequality-adjusted HDI for 2019 is 0.646, when the value is discounted for inequality, the HDI falls to 0.418, a loss of 35.3% due to inequality in the distribution of the HDI dimension indices. And the Human inequality coefficient for Namibia is equal to 33.6 %. In comparison, South Africa shows a loss due to inequality of 34.0 %. The average loss due to inequality for medium HDI countries is 26.3 % and for Sub-Saharan Africa it is 30.5%. The Namibia National Human Development Report (NNHDR) 2019 titled, “Addressing Inequality and Disparities: Towards a New Dignified Life for All Namibians”, introduces a multidimensional lens to analysing the drivers of inequality in Namibia. The report confirms that Inequalities exist in Namibia in terms of income, wealth distribution and the available opportunities, between women and men, urban and rural areas, and different groups within the population. When individuals do not have the same opportunities as others, they are hindered from achieving individual goals and reaching their full potential. The historical biases that have skewed the provision of opportunities have negatively affected various segments of society. It notes that there is an unequal distribution of income within the Namibian population, despite the country’s classification as an Upper – Middle-Income economy. The NNHDR found that, 65.5% of labour force in Namibia are in employment, while only 14% of the Namibian population earn a monthly wage income in excess of N$1353 – the minimum wage of private households as per Labour Commissioner And Domestic Workers Union Agreement 2017. Further disparities in access to land or housing pose a major challenge; while women remain at a disadvantage in income, health, and protection. Moreover, education disparities in Namibia are defined by the urban/rural divide, regional variations, and income/wealth differences. Women and men in urban areas (96% and 95%, respectively) are more likely to be literate than those in rural areas (90% and 85%, respectively).17.9% of households in Namibia have to travel a distance longer than 10 kilometres to the nearest health facility. Of those living in rural areas, 36.5% lived more than 10 kilometres from the nearest health facility. Towards a new dignified life for all: An agenda to reduce inequalities in Namibia This report draws conclusions from the trends and status of inequality in its multiple dimensions in Namibia, and proposes the following recommendations: •Structural economic transformation and an efficient and effective financing mechanism; •Integrated gender-responsive policies and programmes, as well as an effective and efficient social protection system for all; •Investment in better research and development, measurement, and data collection and analysis, to deepen the understanding of inequality in Namibia. In Namibia, the launch of both reports will take place on Wednesday, 24 February 2021 at the United Nations House in Windhoek. To learn more about the Human Development report 2020 and UNDP’s analysis on the experimental Planetary Pressure-Adjusted HDI, visit http://hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report To learn more about the Namibia National Human Development report 2019 findings on Inequality and Disparities, visit https://bit.ly/3utFVFG

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Press Release

21 November 2020

Despite progress, COVID-19 threatens to cause irreversible harm to children’s education, nutrition and well-being - says UNICEF

Gobabis, Namibia, 20 November 2020 – Data from 87 countries reveals that 1 in 9 known COVID-19 infections are among children and young people under the age of 20, according to a UNICEF analysis report called “Averting a Lost COVID Generation”, released yesterday ahead of today’s World Children’s Day.
The report comprehensively dispels the myth that children are spared the worst of COVID-19. Children – especially the poorest and most marginalized – are amongst the hardest hit from disrupted services and increases in poverty.
Speaking at an event on behalf of the President of Namibia H.E. Hage Geingob, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Hon. Doreen Sioka said “ We have achieved many milestones which we are proud of and it is this progress that encourages us to recognise and address the emerging challenges brought forth by COVID-19 to ensure that no child is left behind.”
According to recent government reports, as of 10th November 2020, 15% of the COVID-19 confirmed cases in Namibia are in the 0-19 age groups – this means 1 in 7 of the total confirmed cases are children.
The reports further states that despite the overall decrease in the total confirmed cases since the lifting of the Covid-19 State of emergency, the casing continue to flare up in close settings such as schools and hostels. “This is just the ‘tip of the pandemic iceberg’. Not only are children suffering the direct consequences of this disease, the longer this crisis continues, the worse it gets for children. Missed education, worsening malnutrition, and rapidly rising poverty all threaten a lost generation” said Rachel Odede, UNICEF Representative to Namibia.
Averting a Lost COVID Generation is the first UNICEF report to comprehensively outline the dire and growing consequences for children as the pandemic drags on. It shows that while symptoms among infected children remain mild, infections are rising and the longer-term impact on the education, nutrition and well-being of an entire generation of children and young people can be life-altering.
Using new data from UNICEF surveys across 140 countries, the report notes that:
• Around one-third of the countries analyzed witnessed a drop of at least 10 per cent in coverage for health services such as routine vaccinations, outpatient care for childhood infectious diseases, and maternal health services. Fear of infection is a prominent reason.
• There is a 40 per cent decline in the coverage of nutrition services for women and children across 135 countries. As of October 2020, 265 million children were still missing out on school meals globally. More than 250 million children under 5 could miss the life-protecting benefits of vitamin A supplementation programmes.
• 65 countries reported a decrease in home visits by social workers in September 2020, compared to the same time last year.
More alarming data from the report include:
• As of November 2020, 572 million students are affected across 30 country-wide school closures – 33 per cent of the enrolled students worldwide.
• An estimated 2 million additional child deaths and 200,000 additional stillbirths could occur over a 12-month period with severe interruptions to services and rising malnutrition.
• An additional 6 to 7 million children under the age of 5 will suffer from wasting or acute malnutrition in 2020, a 14 per cent rise that will translate into more than 10,000 additional child deaths per month – mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Globally, the number of children living in multidimensional poverty – without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation or water – is estimated to have soared by 15 per cent, or an additional 150 million children by mid-2020.
To respond to this crisis, UNICEF is committed to continue working with the Government of Namibia and development partners and the Private Sector – to seek solution to:
1. Ensure all children continue to learn, including by closing the digital divide.
2. Guarantee access to nutrition and health services and make vaccines affordable and available to every child. 3. Support and protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence and neglect in childhood.
4. Increase access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene and address environmental degradation and climate change.
5. Mitigate the rise in child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all.
Namibia celebrated the day in Gobabis, Omaheke Region under the theme, “Kids Take Over” as part of the global “Reimagine” campaign which is focused on engaging children and young people. About 30 girls and boys out of school and children on the street aged 12-18, directed the programme and showcased their vision of the world they want to build amidst COVID-19 and beyond through song, dance and creative arts and crafts. During the week the children also participated in discussions and interviewed key political and government decision makers in Omaheke. “As we are gathered here today, we are reminded of the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable members of our society – children. We in Omaheke re-commit ourselves to work together with children – to reimagine their world where every child is safe, healthy, prosperous, has access to all services that will allow him/her to grow and develop to his/her full potential” said Hon. Pijoo Nganate, Governor Omaheke Region;

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