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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01 July 2022

LGBTQI+ flag and United Nations flag raised in solidarity of Pride Month and creating ‘safe spaces’ in Namibian society

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Positive Vibes Trust1 and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) hoisted the LGBTQI+2 flag for the first time at the UN House today to demonstrate the UN’s commitment to creating ‘safe spaces’, free of stigmatisation and discrimination. Pride month is celebrated across the world as a peaceful liberation and self-affirmation movement and recognises the different sexual orientations and gender identities that comprise humanity. Marking the last day of Pride month, the occasion brought to the fore the need to reflect on the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion, celebrating progress made in all spheres for the LGBTQ+ community and demanding action on what is yet to be done. Delivering the welcome remarks at the event, Alka Bhatia, UNDP Resident Representative highlighted UNDP’s role in developing activities to strengthen and develop the capacity of civil society organisations, with interventions focused on the most vulnerable groups including the LGBTQI+ community. “The Inclusive Governance Initiative3 (IGI) is one of UNDP’s Africa regional projects that supports countries, including Namibia to include sexual and gender minorities in national efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to promote and protect human rights,” said Bhatia. UNDP is working closely with Positive Vibes Trust in leading this initiative on the ground. “Article one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings, it holds the unanimous promise of a world where everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights,” said Sen Pang, Resident Coordinator, UN Namibia. “In the spirit of ‘Leaving no one behind’, we recognise that LGBTQI+ communities have a vital role to play if we are to deliver on the promise of the SDGs. We cannot build a better world when everyone does not feel a part of it,” Pang added. During a short ceremony, the LGBTQI+ flag and the UN flag were hoisted together. This gesture demonstrates the UN Family and partners’ unequivocal support and celebration of Pride in Namibia. It highlights the need to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace, building more integrated workplace culture where everyone can be proud of who they are. The ceremony was vibrant with performances from Y-FEM, poetry by Bella and stories on the realities of the community by Desiree Haman and Jonathan Solomons. Namibian music icon and activist Lize Ehlers added her voice calling for more people to create ‘safe spaces.’ The message of solidarity and allyship was also echoed by the master of ceremonies, renowned Activist and actor, Adriano Visagie. Jonathan Solomons, LGBTQ+ and sex worker activist, Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer for the Free to be movement and representative of Positive Vibes Namibia reflected the stories and voices of some community members during his address; “Growing up gay is the most difficult thing anyone can go through. I don’t understand why people think this life is my choice.” Gay man, Walvis Bay, Namibia. “All I ever wanted was love, to feel that I belonged.” Gay man, Windhoek, Namibia. “Every day when I wake up, when I wash, I leave the house, when I take a taxi, I am trans.” Transgender women, Windhoek Namibia “I went to the police station to lay charges. They just made a fool of me and said that they would not make a case. ‘How can a man be raped by another man? And you want to be female, so the guy was good to rape you.’ They just start laughing at me: ‘You know that sodomy is not allowed in this country, we cannot take your case. You’re also a sex worker, so just go out, go out.’ And I was just walking out, what can I do? I was powerless.” Transgender sex worker, Windhoek, Namibia. Solomons called for Namibian policies and laws to focus on equity and justice, “Let us cast neutrality aside and ensure our policies, laws, our practice address the inequities faced by our community and facilitate the justice of all Namibian people, “he said. “In our culture, we raise flags to mark important events, like raising a white flag when you get married. Today’s flag raising at the UN house is significant, it makes a profound statement, the meaning relays to us, ‘you are welcome in my presence’ this is a ‘safe space,’ and we are grateful to the UN for this. Thank you, UNDP, for the partnership, the work we do together has great value and immense impact,” said Nortin, Brendall, Programme Manager at Positive Vibes Trust. The LGBTQI+ flag will continue to hang in the UN House Reception area as a visual reminder to all who enter and exit, that the UN house in Namibia is a ‘safe space’ promoting inclusion and diversity.

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15 June 2022

Pioneering 25-year-old parliamentarian from Namibia and National Population and Family Planning Board in Indonesia win 2022 UN Population Award

Member of Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, the Honourable Emma Theofelus. Ms. Theofelus is the current Deputy Minister of Information in Namibia and the youngest-ever winner of the Award. The institution laureate is the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) from the Republic of Indonesia, a non-ministerial government agency that formulates national policies, implements family planning initiatives and mentors experts in the field of population dynamics.
Ms. Theofelus received the individual award for her work advocating for women’s empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Namibia. Born in 1996, she is one of Africa's youngest cabinet ministers, and has used her youth-friendly perspective, and her experience as an advocate for sexual and reproductive health, to directly address the country’s adolescents.
As a deputy minister, she led the country’s public communication campaign on COVID-19 preventions in Namibia, and as a Member of Parliament, her motion enabled feminine hygiene products to be identified as a tax-free commodity. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Theofelus was a member of the Namibia chapter of AfriYAN, a regional youth-led organisation, where she led pioneering efforts to fight teen pregnancy and protect young people’s sexual and reproductive health. In the institution category, BKKBN has been recognized as a shining example of successful, innovative and rights-based family planning initiatives in the Republic of Indonesia, which continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst its many achievements, it has trained population experts, engaged with non-governmental and faith-based organisations on population issues, and developed programmes to assist families caring for older persons. It also played a leading role in advocating against harmful practices, helping to raise the minimum age for marriage for girls from 16 to 19 in 2019. The UN Population Award has honoured individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to population, development and reproductive health since 1983. The committee for the award in 2022 is chaired by Her Excellency Ms. Amal Mudallali, Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations, and is composed of representatives of nine other UN Member States. The United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs represents the UN Secretary-General in the committee, and UNFPA serves as its secretariat. About the UN Population Award
Each year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health issues and solutions. The Award was established by the General Assembly in 1981, in resolution 36/201, and was first presented in 1983. It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize. The Committee for the United Nations Population Award is composed of 10 UN Member States, with United Nations Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director serving as ex-officio members. Nominations for the award are accepted through 31 December of each year. UNFPA serves as its secretariat. About UNFPA UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education.

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16 May 2022

Teachers training workshop on the SDGs

The Intercultural Relations/ Germany Exchange partnered with the Namibian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MOEAC), and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek to host a Teacher’s Training Seminar on the SDGs. The event, held at the Habitas Research Centre on 4-21 April 2022, was attended by teachers from across the Khomas region. An estimated number of 200 teachers attended the training seminar. Seven teachers who trained through the “Namibian-German Partnership, Khomas Regional Governor’s office” coordinated and served as facilitators. The course aims to equip teachers with relevant information and new research tools to teach Namibian learners about the SDGs. The seminar outlined different didactic strategies for various levels of schooling. The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek donated “Frieda and the SDGs” storybooks to all the teachers to improve teacher-learner understanding of the SDGs and its connection to everyday life. The main objective of this teaching workshop is to ensure that the trainees gained the best educational experience on the SDGs. To share ideas that improve their teaching practice and create a learning environment where they can extend the awareness of SDGs to the classroom and across the community. The teaching strategies introduced at the event lays a solid foundation for the educators to enhance the quality of their teaching on the SDGs lessons. The training also emphasises the need for teachers to highlight the importance of responsible global citizenship to their students. With less than a decade to go to achieve the SDGs, it is crucial to increase citizens’ awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals. These workshops are an important means to ensure the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda features in teacher capacity building in Namibia.

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17 May 2022

5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour

The 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour has opened in Durban, South Africa, with a strong call for urgent action to combat the rising numbers of children in child labour.

Speaking at the start of a week of discussions in Durban, South Africa, and online, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on delegates to commit to taking “far-reaching actions” to make a difference in the lives of children.

“We are here because we share a common conviction that child labour in all its facets is an enemy. Child labour is an enemy of our children’s development and an enemy of progress. No civilization, no country, and no economy can consider itself to be at the forefront of progress if its success and riches have been built on the backs of children.”

His call was echoed by Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder. “Some may say that child labour is an inevitable consequence of poverty and that we have to accept that. But this is wrong. We can never resign ourselves to child labour. We do not have to. Tackling the root causes such as household poverty is essential. But make no mistake, child labour is a violation of a basic human right, and our goal must be that every child, everywhere is free from it. We cannot rest until that happens.” With the 2025 UN Sustainable Development Goals deadline for the elimination of child labour looming, many speakers outlined the urgent need to recover the progress that had been made in many regions prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest figures show that 160 million children – almost one in ten of all children worldwide – are still in child labour. Numbers are rising, and the pandemic threatens to reverse years of progress. Child labour has grown particularly in the 5 to 11-year-old age group.

It is the first time the Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour has been held in Africa – a region where, based on sheer numbers, child labour numbers are highest and progress has been slowest. Most child labour on the continent – some 70 percent - is in agriculture, often in settings where children are working alongside their families.

The conference will build on four previous Global Conferences, held in Buenos Aires (2017), Brasilia (2013), The Hague (2010), and Oslo (1997), which raised awareness of the issue, assessed progress, mobilized resources, and established a strategic direction for the global movement against child labour.

It is expected to conclude with a Durban Call to Action that will outline concrete commitments to scale up action to eliminate child labour.

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30 June 2022

UN SDG Book Club African Chapter Interview Series: Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi

About Olubunmi: Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi is the founder of publishing house Clever Clogs Books and convener ofthe Akada Children's Book Festival. She is also Chairperson of the Association of Children’s Authors & Illustrators of Nigeria. Passionate about creating visually-engaging, culturally-relevant content for children, she has a desire to see steadily increasing literacy rates within her community. A woman of diverse competencies, Olubunmi was Executive Council Chairperson of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) for 2018 and 2019. A member of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee for the 2019 Nigerian Economic Summit, she sits on the board of Punch Nigeria Limited; Punch Commercial Printing; Punch Media Foundation and is a board member of the Lagos Chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization. A prolific writer, Olubunmi’s articles cover a range of areas: sanitation, commerce, agriculture, resource maximization, and land use in Nigeria. Her collaborations with talented artists ensure the creation of beautifully-illustrated children’s picture books designed to make reading attractive, inspire innovation and excite children, parents and teachers. Her published works include: Tobi Visits the Conservatory; Kob the Antelope; Diary of a Toddler; Tobi Bakes A Cake; Tobi Learns To Swim and Why Do You Wash Your Hands? (www.cleverclogsbooks.com). Articles written by Olubunmi have been published in: The PUNCH, BusinessDay, Guardian, The Nation, Vanguard, New Telegraph, Sun, This Day and others. Olubunmi has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from City University London. She has completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School and the Advanced Management & Leadership Program at Oxford University Said Business School. She is a member of: Institute of Directors of Nigeria; Young Presidents’ Organization; Corporate Governance Society of Nigeria and Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Nigeria. Olubunmi has read her books and given keynote speeches at numerous conferences, schools, bookclubs, and events in various parts of Nigeria and internationally. Why do you write children/young adults books? Tell us about the attraction of this genre. The primary purpose of my books is to encourage a love of reading in children. My focus is to nurture the concept of reading for pleasure and make reading a fun recreational option for today’s children. My books are deliberately not over- didactic but there is always a purpose, always a message and these are tools for sparking conversation between parents and their children. It is my hope that my books will be bedtime story favourites for children everywhere. It’s important that children have a wide variety of well-written, age-appropriate books from which to choose. I made the decision to start writing children’s books in 2016 when I realised that we simply don’t have enough readily-available picture books specifically for children living in this continent. There are many points of view in life, and children’s books by indigenous authors helps to make sure that more points of view are represented and presented to children from the moment they start to read. I write my books to help tell our stories, develop our narrative and to give children protagonists who look like them and or live in their kind of environment. This helps to build up their self-esteem and helps them to understand that there is also worth, value and credibility in the culture to which they were born. These things, in part, formed my decision to start writing for children and what I love most about writing for children is their enthusiasm about my books and their reaction when a new book comes out. Their pure delight in the books, their love of the characters, and their requests for more books to read are my biggest inspiration and reward. Meeting the readers, seeing them read the books, hearing what they and their parents have to say about the books are a constant source of encouragement and fuel the drive to keep going. Talk to us about your book in the context of relevant the SDG(s). How does it address SDG concerns? Why Do You Wash Your Hands? is an illustrated children’s book that tells an engaging story about when, why and how we wash our hands. It addresses SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Handwashing, as we all know, is a simple way to avoid communicable diseases and prevent frequent visits to the hospital. My book shows young readers and their care givers at least 13 different occasions when they should wash their hands. The book is published in English; Igbo; Hausa; and Yoruba. It was released in honour of Global Handwashing Day (October 15) and in line with the UN's Year of Indigenous Languages (2019). Itis culturally-relevant, enlightening, and entertaining. This makes it ideal for parent-child discussions as well as being excellent bedtime story material. The pictorial illustrations further demonstrate the hand washing exercise whilst enhancing comprehension for young readers. Tell us about the research process for your books in general, and for Why Do You Wash Your Hands? (Gini Mere I Ji Akwo Aka Gi?) in particular? In general I do a lot of reading and I also observe what happens around me. For Why Do You Wash Your Hands? in particular, I did research at a hospital facility. I also looked into what the medical profession tells people about handwashing and I searched online for facts about handwashing. My books are primarily “here and now realism” books, in other words I write about everyday occurrences and distill them into components that a child can understand. I draw inspiration from things that adults may view as mundane but children view as exciting, such as washing your hands or eating a meal together, and so on. How do you work with your illustrator? Walk us through the process. Once the manuscript part is ready then an author has to decide if she wants to find a publisher to take the book to market or self-publish. If you are going the traditional publishing route, then the publisher will take care of commissioning the illustrator. If however you are self-publishing you’ll need to pick your illustrator carefully. I start by selecting the illustrator whose style best suits the story. We agree on the terms and conditions, price, payment plan and the timeline, then we sign a contract. I then compile a detailed illustrator’s guide. This helps me to organise my thoughts and confirm that all the parts that make up the book are ready and properly placed. The illustrator’s guide is like a manual for the book. It contains the manuscript, the production notes, pagination guide, the info for the imprint page, the back page, the book spine and so on. Once the guide is complete, I send it to the illustrator. The illustrator then commences work first in sketch form, to make sure that she understands whatthe author has in mind. Once amendments have been made, the sketches are signed off, then the illustrator does the colour work. If the illustrator is also the book designer, the illustrator will place the text as well. Once I sign off on the approved draft, the illustrator finalises the pages and prepares the files to be sent to the printer. For most of my books this process takes on average 3 months, however, there was one project that took over 8 months to illustrate, so patience is useful. What are the advantages and disadvantages in modelling characters after people you know? Most writers write about things or people they know or have researched extensively. The advantage of modelling characters after people you know is that it gives your writing added authenticity. A disadvantage is that not everyone wants characters in books modelled after them, particularly if the character is in someway unsavoury. They may also view it as an invasion of their privacy. What in your opinion are the most important elements of good writing? Young or old, readers of fiction want the same thing: a well-written, entertaining story with which they can relate. As simple as they may seem, children’s books, just like books for adults, need a clearly conceptualised setting; interesting characters; engaging dialogue; a cohesive plot; a distinct voice and good editing. Even baby books (those near indestructible board books with no words or few words) also need well- thought out settings and relatable characters. Above all, for children’s books you need dynamic illustrations that help move the story along; retain the attention of a young reader and give the story depth. Children want to be entertained even while they are learning. They want books with lots of colourful illustrations; concise words that go directly to the point; topics relevant to something they are going through; or themes that resonate. If you could meet any one of your characters, from any one of your books, which would it be? What kind of conversation do you envisage having? I am fascinated by people who live selfless lives. would have a conversation with the matron in Why Do You Wash Your Hands? I would talk to her about her motivation for, and experience with, looking after orphaned children. In view of your book’s status as a UN SDG Book Club Africa book pick, what would youlike to see in terms of impact and reach? What I would really like is for policy makers to please support local publishing houses by buying copies of their books and placing these books in public libraries. Organisations with excess fundscould also please set up public libraries. This is what I would like to see in terms of impact and reach of my books generally. For Why Do You Wash Your Hands? specifically I would like it be instrumental in the adoption of better hand hygiene habits by people across the world. Finally, what words of wisdom do you have for today’s children, growing up in oursocial media and screen dominated world? Confirm humanity. Be more connected to people than to your devices. Look up from your phones and communicate in person with those around you. And lastly, wash your hands, wear your face mask when appropriate, and practice all necessary precautionary measures. Stay healthy and stay safe.

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30 June 2022

UN SDG Book Club Africa Interview Series: Mwanawetu Mmuni

About Mwanawetu: Mwanawetu Mmuni is a Tanzanian author. Her books include Usimwacheatoke, Nifikirie, Nadhariayamaishayamtinamtu, and others. Kilimochetu, Kiburichaponzakichwa, Ukutiukuti, Safari yaMikumi, Hadithizakarneya 21, Ken naKandi, Jifikirie, Jumannekatikamsituwamaajabu, Unamjuahuyu? Come with me, Umebadilika. She writes in various genres including adventure, historical books, romances, African culture, children's literature, bio-books, biography and economics, philosophical magazines in kiswahili. Her books are published as textbooks, audiobooks, and e-books. A wife and the mother of two boys, she has been a secondary school teacher for over ten years. A proud owner of Swahili books and magazine digital library, Mwanawetu enjoys writing, reading, cricket and tennis. She is a keen vegetable gardener. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.mwanawetubooks.co.tz Why do you write children/young adult books? Since children pass through many challenges, children’s literature provides opportunities to respond to their challenges. I leverage their knowledge of their own culture and other cultures and I leverage the creativity and emotional intelligence of children when I sit down to write. I also engage with the personalities of children and with social development issues and with family histories across generations. Talk to us about your book in the context of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals. How does it address SDG concerns? Ken Na Kandi addresses the concerns of SDG 4 – Inclusive, Equitable and Quality Education. The story has 2 main characters – 2 children - who go through a hard time at school. Tell us about the research process for you book. Researching my book was not difficult. Along the coast of the Indian Ocean, multitudes face the challenges of poverty, religious isolation, disability, early marriage and pregnancy, gender-driven violence, cultural discrimination and attitudes against women’s status and lack rural development. The impacts of those challenges are: outmoded cultural practices, ignorance, legal restrictions, family costs, opportunity costs, socio-cultural barriers, early marriages, gender biases in the classroom setting, inaccessibility of schools, cultural perceptions of boy’s superior abilities and poor performance of girls in education. What in your opinion are the essentials of good writing? Focus, accuracy, assurance and coherence. Also writing should be educative and it should aim for socio-cultural development. If you could meet any one of your characters from Ken Na Kandi, which would it be? I would be very grateful to meet my characters! Dalila, Ken’s teacher, I think. I would advise her that the school is responsible for keeping children safe from harm and abuse. The school should create a safe learning environment and should identify pupils who are suffering or who are at risk of injury and the school should take suitable action. Finally, what words of wisdom do you have for today’s children growing up in our social media and screen dominated world? I would warn them about the negative influence social media can have on teenage behaviour and attitudes in certain areas including body image, their health and in matters of citizenship.

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24 June 2022

SDG Book Club African Chapter's Lorato Trok celebrates children in the desert.

June 7 2022. It was four days before Christmas 2021 and I was in the Northern Cape visiting my familyIt was hot and the only thing that could save me was my writing. I opened up my laptop even though I had vowed not to check emails at all. There was an email from my publisher and the first thing I saw was ‘Congratulations’. My first thought was that her company had won an award because I saw that the email was from the UN. There was no way my name was linked to the United Nations. Then, I read the email and screamed! My book had been picked by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Book Club African Chapter. It had been selected for its reading list as one of the best books in Africa in English in the SDG 5 Gender equality category for children ages 6-12. Ecstatic is an understatement. This was the highest honour of my career. Social media was abuzz. My small town was proud. The media caught wind of it and I became the talk of the town. Then I got news in the new year that I had been selected by the SDG Book Club Africa to attend the 2022 Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival in the United Arab Emirates.This is a major scoop for any author. Sharjah is without argument the literature hub of the United Arab Emirates! The date was set. Sunday May 15th. My flight was not until 1.30 in the afternoon. I was there by 11 in the morning. Why was there no movement at the Emirates counters? Was I too early? Only to find out that my flight had been re-scheduled for 10.30 am! The travel agency did not alert me. But nothing was going to stop me from going to Sharjah. I contacted the organisers. On Monday May 16th, I was on my flight to Dubai. Sheikh Khalifa bin zayed al Nahyan, The President of the UAE had just passed on. The region was in mourning. My scheduled Monday event had been postponed to Tuesday May 17th. All things aligned. The organisers of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival went all out. This was one of the most organised children’s content events I have ever attended. Children’s content creators from all corners of the globe were there. From Australia to Iraq. Animators, illustrators, cartoonists, authors, television producers, the list goes on. Although Africa’s pool of authors was a tiny representation of the continent (Kenya, Morocco and South Africa), the 3 of us made an impact during our panel discussion. Kenyan academic and author, Christopher Okemwa, lit up the hall when he sang an African folksong from one of his books. It was great to see people running from other parts of the venue to witness the pulse of Africa. Since my career has predominantly been in field work and promoting literacy in young people, the schools outreach programme was the highlight of my time in Sharjah.It was impressive to see the level of appreciation for the author and the exceptional organisation that the three schools I visited in Dubai and Sharjah had put into my visit. From the principal to the librarian as well as head boys and girls, it was visible that the leadership of the schools took these visits seriously and respected my work as an author. They had done research on my work and displayed pictures of my books and my photo on the entrance of their libraries. How heart-warming! We had robust discussions about injustice, inequality, the environment and yes, how to be a writer. Young people are the future. As an African author of children’s picture books and non-fiction biographies for young adults (YA), it is a tall order to have my work celebrated and treated with the same respect our peers who are novelists and non-fiction adult authors receive in the mainstream in Africa. It’s rare that our work is considered for international prizes. Even though research has shown that being exposed to literature at an early age is a child’s passage to lifelong learning, there is no dedicated children’s literacy event in Africa within the a flurry of annual literature events in major cities of the continent. It was important for me to attend this festival as it has entrenched my belief that writing for children is not a futile exercise. The celebration of children by assembling celebrated creators of children’scontent on the highest pedestal was an eye opener. That a writer from rural Kenya, a black woman author from a small town in South Africa can be on the same stage with Vashti Harrison, a New York Times best-selling children’s author-illustrator and two-times NAACP award recipient is a testament to our shared passion for children. It was this passion that had brought us from our respective countries onto a shared platform at Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. The UN SDG Book Club African is a welcome platform. It will elevate children’s authors and bring much needed attention to this crop of writers. May this be a firm step towards many more platforms for the celebration of children’s authors. Lorato Trok UN SDG Book Club African Chapter author of Rosina Sedibane Modiba: A Dream Denied and other books.

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24 June 2022

How can literary artists and other creatives contribute to sustainable development and to the sustainable growth of the book ecosystem?

This paper was presented by Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha at an SDG Book Club Africa panel discussion hosted by Borders Literature for all Nations at the 2022 Nigeria International Book Fair on Saturday 14th May 2022. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets of the United Nations adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, seek to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. These goals are integrated, indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental. Literary artists and other creatives can contribute to the achievement of these SDGs by creating literary masterpieces that explore SDG themes in various genres and formats targeted at a variety of audiences. These literary masterpieces create awareness about societal ills, are conversation starters, and can proffer solutions via advocacy if channeled to the appropriate quarters. The UN SDG Book Club African Chapter provides a formidable platform that unifies and enhances networking among creatives, book clubs, and libraries across Africa. I have always been driven by a desire to write and speak up for voices that are mere whispers and pain so deep that it cannot be expressed. A lot of my writing focuses on the challenges of being an African woman living in a largely patriarchal society in which a woman is supposed to be silent and fulfill oppressive traditionally crafted gender roles. My book Rude Awakening was a UN book pick for exploring SDG5: Gender Equality. It highlights the non-inclusive inheritance laws in Eastern Nigeria and the oppression of widows by their in-laws. My book Shadows From the Past highlights the psychological effects of domestic violence and child abuse. Domestic violence and abuse can be prevented if communities speak out and take action. As we say in Lagos: SORO SOKE! Victims who mange to survive but who do not receive therapy can grow up to be emotionally traumatized adults incapable of having healthy relationships. The extremely sad death of the Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi and the tales of abuse that have trailed her passing shocked several people and there is presently a cry for justice and the implementation of laws that will not only protect women but empower them to speak up and have the courage to Leave to Live. The term ‘book or literary ecosystem’ was defined by Stacey Megally as the interconnected businesses and people, who create, publish, distribute, and sell books. Taking a cue from biological definitions of an ecosystemI have defined a book ecosystem as the complex interaction between people, processes and structures that provide books and literary materials that satisfy human needs, either directly or indirectly. This definition permits the consideration of external factors that can affect the people involved in the conception, writing, production n, advertisement, marketing, and sale of books and literary materials in any format. “…as writers, we do not need to act as helpless, powerless “small cogs” in the publishing machine. Perhaps more so now than at any time in the past, we, writers and as readers, have the potential ability, if we wish to exercise it, to influence and to build portions of the emerging literary ecosystem.” Andrew Fox. For creatives to contribute to sustainable growth of the book ecosystem there must be a healthy and constructive co-operation between all team members in the book project. There must be focus, commitment, synergy, and unity engrained in their teamwork. Even though the finished product often bears only a few names on the cover, a team was involved. Creatives must remain teachable and desirous of excellence and the maintenance of the book industry’s best standards and practices. New and innovative marketing strategies and algorithms need to be learned and solo marketing efforts are unlikely to bring sustainable growth. External factors can disrupt the book system to varying degrees and creatives need to discover how to cope with these issues when they occur. Examples include: piracy, intellectual property theft, pandemics, war, insecurity, health challenges, infrastructural deficits such as energy issues, unavailability of reliable and affordable internet services and economic hardships. To ensure sustainable growth of the book ecosystem, it is important to ensure equity in writing opportunities and access, greater inclusivity, celebration of diversity, more support for emerging writers, better exposure for underrepresented stories and authors, and increasing visibility of books in the ecosystem. Better funding, more affordable training programmes, subsidized warehousing, print-on-demand facilities and a seamless order fulfillment process in bookstores and retailers will also help. There is a lot that can be done and with the will and desire to have a system that fosters creativity instead of frustrating it, we will get there. Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha

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Press Release

05 July 2022

Amidst global crises, UN High-Level Forum ready to advance action on Sustainable Development Goals

New York, 5 July - Amidst a world challenged by geopolitical tensions, a persistent COVID-19 pandemic, a burgeoning climate crisis and rising poverty, world leaders are coming together at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) from today to 15 July to chart the best way forward to bring  the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.

The eight-day Forum convened under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) takes place as multiple crises around the world are putting the very viability of achieving the SDGs by 2030 at risk. The poorest and most vulnerable are being hit the hardest. An urgent rescue effort and collective actions are needed to rapidly change course and set the world on track towards a sustainable future, guided by a renewed commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation.

“We are facing continued vaccine inequity, rising inflation, major supply-chain disruptions, and crippling geopolitical uncertainties,” said United Nations Economic and Social Council President Collen Vixen Kelapile. “We are on a dangerous path to harming future generations, if we do not act now. It is within our power to turn the tide.”
Acting now critical to secure the global goals
Thousands of participants, including Heads of State, over 100 ministers, and leaders and representatives of the UN system, business and civil society will convene in person to respond to the impacts of the lingering pandemic and war in Ukarine, including  global economic inflation, rising inequalities and closely interrelate crises in food security, energy supplies and finance. Member states will discuss what action to take to build back better to secure accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda during the Decade of Action for sustainable development.

This year, the Forum will review in depth Goal 4 on education, Goal 5 on gender equality, Goal 14 on life below water and Goal 15 on life on land as well as Goal 17 on partnerships for the Goals, which is considered each year.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in his remarks at the recent second briefing by the Global Crisis Response Group, stressed that “we need to make resources available immediately to help the poorest countries and communities.” He called on the global financial system to recognize the opportunities in new technology and renewable energy and to “rise above its shortcomings and use all the instruments at its disposal, with flexibility and understanding, to provide support to vulnerable countries and people.”

The HLPF will demonstrate the continuing commitment of the international community to step up international solidarity and to launch ambitious recovery policies that advance the SDGs. Both are indispensable in tackling  conflicts around the world.

“The urgent need for international solidarity and multilateral cooperation cannot be stressed enough,” said UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs LIU Zhenmin. “We need to act swiftly to drive transformative change. We must remain committed to the people-centered and planet focused path to prosperity that we set out in the 2030 Agenda. This can only happen if we all act together.”
44 countries to assess their progress
This year, 44 countries, both developed and developing, will present their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of national implementation of the SDGs.

The VNR countries are: Andorra, Argentina, Belarus, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Pakistan, The Philippines, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.

The Forum will also mark  the official launch of The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 (7 July). This annual progress report provides a global overview of progress towards the SDGs based on the most recent data. The 2022 report is expected to demonstrate the devastating impacts of the multiple and interlinked global crises – the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere –  across the SDGs.

The Forum will culminate in the adoption of a ministerial declaration. It will also kick off preparations for the Sustainable Development Goals Summit to be held in 2023.

Special events on transformative solutions
A series of special events will be organized in conjunction with the HLPF, in collaboration with various partners. The special events aim to mobilize stakeholders most engaged or impacted by the implementation of the SDGs.
SDGs Learning, Training and Practice Workshops
(In person: Tuesday 5 July 11:00-13:00 EDT,
Virtual: 5,6,7,11, and 12 July, 8:30-10:15, 14:00-15:45 EDT)
Higher Education Sustainability Initiative HESI+10 Global Forum
(Virtual, 6 July, 7:00-8:30 AM EDT)
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World
(In-person: Tuesday 6 July, 10:00-13:00 EDT)
Local and Regional Governments Forum
(Virtual: Thursday 7 July, 8:00-10:30 EDT;
In-person: Tuesday 12 July, 15:00-18:00 EDT)
SDG 6 Special Event
(Virtual, Wednesday 13 July, 8:30-10:00 EDT)
Chief Sustainability Officers for SDGs
(Virtual, Wednesday 13 July, 9:00-10:30 EDT)
Parliamentary Forum
(In-person, Wednesday 13 July, 10:00-13:00)

In addition, approximately 350 side events featuring States, the UN system and civil society will take place during the HLPF. At the same time, more than 15 VNR Labs will provide an informal platform for experience sharing and reflection on the Voluntary National Review process.
About the High-Level Political Forum:
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the central global forum for providing political leadership, guidance and recommendations on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were unanimously adopted by world leaders in September 2015. The Forum provides an opportunity for countries, civil society and businesses to highlight the efforts they are taking to achieve the SDGs and to engage in mutual learning through the exchange of ideas and best practices.

For more information: https://hlpf.un.org/2022
Follow live via UN Web TV: https://media.un.org/en/webtv/
Media contacts:
UN Department of Global Communications
Francyne Harrigan, M: +1 (917) 367-5414 | E: harriganf@un.org
Sharon Birch, T: +1 (212) 963-0564 | E: birchs@un.org

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Paul Simon, T: +1 (917) 367-5027 | E: simonp@un.org
Helen Rosengren, T: +1 (212) 963-9492 | E: rosengrenh@un.org

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Press Release

23 May 2022

Launch of UN Energy Compact Action Network

New York, 4 May 2022 – Against the backdrop of a global energy crisis and worsening climate emergency, today the UN took a major step to catalyse the large-scale action and support needed for the transition to clean, affordable energy for all and net-zero emissions, with the launch of a Plan of Action by some thirty leading organizations comprising “UN-Energy”. Speaking of the interlinked triple crises of energy, food and finance arising from the war in Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently stated that “we can maximize this moment to push for the transformational change our world needs.” He added that “now is the time to turn this crisis into an opportunity,” to work towards progressively phasing out coal and other fossil fuels, and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and a just energy transition, to address our worsening climate emergency. An Energy Compact Action Network was also launched to match those governments seeking support for their clean energy goals with those governments and businesses that have pledged over $600 billion to support these commitments. Coalitions were announced to support energy access and transition in Nigeria and the city of Santiago, Chile, showcasing the Network’s potential, as well as to advance or expand coalitions supporting green hydrogen and a stronger role for women in leading and benefiting from the energy transition. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of the 2021 High-level Dialogue on Energy, stated: “The Global Roadmap that emerged from the High-level Dialogue calls for strengthened efforts by the UN system supported by UN-Energy, including the creation of a global multi-stakeholder Energy Compact Action Network. I welcome today’s launch of the UN-Energy Plan of Action and the Network. This will help us sustain the momentum by generating concrete action towards clean and affordable energy and net-zero emissions.” UN-Energy Plan lays foundation for collective work "Especially at this crucial time, I am pleased to launch the UN-Energy Plan of Action. The current context has led to a wider understanding of how energy underpins the entire 2030 Agenda. It is paramount that the commitments taken at the 2021 High-Level Dialogue on Energy and COP26 are translated into actions on the ground -- especially in support of the most vulnerable," said Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. "The UN-Energy Plan of Action is our collective response to today’s global energy and climate challenges. As part of this, UNDP is stepping up its energy work to support countries in achieving a just energy transition, helping them advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals while tackling the climate crisis." The UN-Energy Plan of Action Towards 2025 rolled out today sets out a framework for collective action by nearly thirty UN and international organizations -- in order to achieve the massive pledge they made at the time of the High-level Dialogue. In line with the milestones set out in the Global Roadmap, by 2025, UN-Energy committed to support, facilitate and catalyse, inter alia, 500 million more people to gain access to electricity, and 1 billion more people to gain access to clean cooking solutions, as well as a 100 per cent increase in renewables capacity globally, no new coal power plans in the pipeline after 2021, 30 million jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and doubling annual clean energy investment globally. To tackle these large-scale challenges, the Plan identifies seven work areas: 1) scaling up collective UN-Energy action to close the energy access gap and ensure just, inclusive energy transitions that leave no one behind; 2) catalysing multi-stakeholder partnerships by scaling up Energy Compacts, including through the Action Network; 3) growing the momentum, by spearheading a global campaign for SDG 7 action; 4) leading by example, by greening UN-Energy organizations’ operations; 5) convening an annual Global SDG 7 Action Forum on the margins of the UN General Assembly High-level Week in September; 6) informing global agenda-setting by providing analytical inputs and policy guidance to key intergovernmental processes; and 7) leveraging the power of data, digitalisation and visualisation for strengthening monitoring, tracking, accountability and the communication of results. The Plan acknowledges that UN-Energy must tap deep into the capacities of its member organizations and build on their activities and networks that will be essential to operationalize the agenda set out, and that UN-Energy organizations will need to mobilize transformative actions by a huge network of diverse stakeholders in order to achieve the level of impact required on the ground. Action Network harnesses the power of partnerships The Energy Compact Action Network launched today, which will be supported by UN-Energy, brings together nearly 200 governments, businesses and other civil society partners who have made voluntary commitments to Energy Compacts, in order to direct investment, know-how and resources to help achieve the commitments made Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and UN-Energy Co-Chair, said: “The Energy Compact Action Network will play an important role as the only global platform that brings together offers of support and requests for support on SDG7 from all stakeholders, and across different areas of the energy transition – such as energy access, efficiency and technology. By creating opportunities for collaboration, the Network will transform the billions of dollars in finance and investment committed in the Energy Compacts into on-the-ground action towards the sustainable energy future that we urgently need.” Today’s launch featured announcements by several new or expanded coalitions to demonstrate how countries, cities, businesses, foundations and other partners can join forces through the Action Network. Sustainable Energy for All, UNDP and Husk Power Systems are among the partners who announced they are answering Nigeria’s call for support in achieving its Energy Compact commitment of bringing electricity to 25 million people by 2023, using solar home systems and mini-grids, ultimately electrifying 5 million homes, schools, hospitals and other public utilities and creating 250,000 new jobs. As part of their own Energy Compacts, SEforALL will support implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition plan, and UNDP has identified Nigeria as one of its partner countries for its offgrid lighting project, the Africa Mini-grid Programme. Husk Power Systems, extending its market-based support, will build on its six operational mini-grids in Nigeria with 24 more in 2022, 100 more by 2024 and 500 by 2026. Together these plans will accelerate the pace of delivery in Nigeria’s decentralized renewable energy sector, bringing electricity and livelihoods to millions.
The government of the Santiago Metropolitan Region in Chile and the multinational energy company Enel, along with the Universidad de Desarollo in Chile, announced that they will work together through a coalition Energy Compact to achieve the city’s 2030 vision to increase the end-use of electricity for transport and heating, shifting away from more polluting fuels, and to increase the share of solar energy in the region's electricity generation. This includes raising the share of electric buses to 100 per cent of the city’s fleet by 2030, expanding the network of electric charging stations and other actions to accelerate the shift to electric transport.
A work plan to strengthen the role of women in a just and inclusive energy transition was launched by partners including the Governments of Canada and Kenya, Student Energy and ENERGIA, coordinated by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). This Gender and Energy Coalition aims to accelerate action to give women equal opportunity to lead, participate in and benefit from the energy transition and equal access to and control over sustainable energy products and services.
The Government of Namibia and the multinational corporation Acciona Energia announced that they are joining a coalition of governments, businesses and others who have made Energy Compact commitments to develop green hydrogen as a renewable energy source. The Green Hydrogen Compact Catalogue, presented by the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), will serve as a platform for collaboration and partnerships across the public, private and financial sectors, expanding all parts of the green hydrogen value chain, from financing and production of renewable energy to production of green hydrogen and its derivatives and off-takers.
ABOUT UN-ENERGY UN-Energy brings together some 30 organizations that are global leaders in their respective fields, covering together all aspects of energy and sustainable development. Working with over 190 countries on programmes and services at the global, regional and national levels, UN-Energy organizations are key partners for all stakeholders working towards SDG 7. Members (UN entities): FAO, IAEA, IFAD, ILO, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNDESA, UNDP, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNEP, UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNESCWA, UNFCCC, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOHRLLS, UN WOMEN, WFP, WHO, WMO, World Bank. Partners (non-UN entities): IRENA, SEforALL More information and statements from the heads of these organizations supporting the Plan of Action can be found at un-energy.org. Media Contacts UN-Energy Secretariat/UN DESA: Pragati Pascale, pascale@un.org, Kuba Wesolinski, wesolinski@un.org; UNDP: Sarah Bel, sarah.bel@undp.org. SEforAll: Divya Kottadiel, divya.kottadiel@seforall.org, UN DGC: Devi Palanivelu, palanivelu@un.org. On the web: un-energy.org | Twitter: @UN_Energy Launch event livestream: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k13/k13hjztgqi

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Press Release

15 March 2022

Peer-to-peer learning workshop on policies for creativity

UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture of Namibia, is organizing a “Peer-to-peer learning workshop on policies for creativity: Monitoring and implementing the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions” from 29 March to 1 April 2022 in Swakopmund, Namibia. Originally planned in 2021 and postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this workshop, proposes to reflect on strategic orientations for future participatory policy monitoring and policy making for creativity in light of the upcoming “UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development Mondiacult 2022”. This workshop builds on the results and achievements of a series of sub-regional training of trainers on participatory policy monitoring held in 2019, and of the implementation of the EU/UNESCO project “Supporting new regulatory frameworks to strengthen the cultural and creative industries and promote South-South cooperation” on participatory policy making and peer-to-peer learning. Gathering representatives from fifteen countries from around the world, it is expected that the workshop serves as a policy lab on creativity, sustainable development and thinking the future post-COVID-19. Through focus group sessions, the peer-to-peer exchanges aim to provide opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences leading to mutual learning on the future of policies for creativity. Moreover, these exchanges are equally organized with a view to create a community of practice around policy monitoring and formulation for creativity as well as to build local expertise and capacities. To this end, the workshop will count on the presence of the 15 partner countries from the EU/UNESCO project as well as several African partner countries from the UNESCO-Sida project “Reshaping cultural policies”, and representatives from the sub-region that have engaged in the Quadrennial Periodic Reporting (QPR) exercise and in the EU/UNESCO project during the first phase. Representatives from Botswana, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Palestine, South Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, as well as members of the 2005 Convention Expert Facility, selected national experts and representatives from UNESCO field offices will thus be present. The workshop is supported by the European Union and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

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