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07 November 2023
The 11th Annual Model United Nations Namibia (MUNNAM) High School Conference has concluded successfully.
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01 November 2023
Namibian Students Step Into Diplomatic Roles at the Ongoing 2-Day Model UN Namibia Conference 2023: Addressing Urgent Public Health Issues.
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01 November 2023
MODEL United Nations High School Conference set to tackle global health challenges in 2023 session
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The Sustainable Development Goals 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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27 November 2022
FAO supporting Namibia to develop new Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme
The first ever Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme (CCAP 2015-2020) registered commendable progress towards improving food production and incomes for farmers in Namibia. The Framework aimed to increase the application of CA principles and practices among the crop-growing farmers of Namibia.
Godfried Meeja, from Otjozondjupa region says that adopting CA was the best decision he ever made as a farmer as he increased yields and now earns a decent income, while Paulina Aluuma added her voice to the awareness encouraging other farmers to adopt CA as it is an effective means to counter negative climate change effects such as low and variable pattern rainfall experienced in their Oshana region.
“CA has been promoted as an entry point to Climate Smart Agriculture and has the potential to contribute towards mitigation of some of the climate change and food systems challenges in Namibia,” Mildred Kambinda, Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) noted in the meeting to evaluate the ended CA framework.
Formulating second generation of CA Framework
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through a 10 countries regional project “Strengthening Coordination, Scaling Up and Governance of Conservation Agriculture in Southern Africa (SUCASA)” is supporting development of the second generation of CCAP in Namibia.
The five-year Programme will inspire Namibia’s farmers towards adopting CA in order to ensure resilience, food security and nutrition as well as environmental protection.
The development of the first generation of the CA framework was also supported by FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR).
“As the global climate crisis intensifies, more and more countries are beginning to adopt climate-smart, sustainable agriculture to ensure food security to feed millions of vulnerable people", Ferdinard Mwapopi, Assistant FAO Representative (Progammes) in Namibia said during a consultative meeting.
"Namibia still remains a net importer of food items and is thus highly exposed to environmental and economic factors affecting it as well as those prevailing in food exporting countries, and this increases its vulnerability to the shocks", added Mwapopi.
Transitioning to climate-smart agriculture practices
Consultations among key stakeholders are underway from development partners, academia and farmers to guide the design of the new intervention, and also ensure ownership and its successful implementation.
The new CA framework is being designed with the technical support from FAO and will seek to transition Namibian farmers from rain-fed traditional farming practice toward climate-smart agriculture.
Conservation Agriculture adoption and scaling up is highlighted in the 5th National Development Plan for Namibia 2017-2022 and the MAWLR Strategic Plan 2017-2022. The country has a target to have more farmers adopt at least one of the CA practices; minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic soil cover, by 2025 to ensure food and nutrition security.
The urgent need to scale up CA
Agriculture in Namibia is primarily rain-fed with the majority of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
“Despite agriculture being the main source of food for the smallholder farmers, most conventional farming practices have negative impacts on the ecosystems and contribute to environmental degradation, for example loss of soil quality,” Mwapopi noted.
With the country’s vulnerabilities such as prolonged dry spell and floods which at times take place simultaneously, Conservation Agriculture adoption would provide sustainable food production.
The FAO support is aimed at enhancing institutional and individual capacities of researchers, extension officers and farmers to enable the adoption of new agricultural good practices for improved crop production.
The capacities of the MAWLR are being developed to promote CA principles to help farmers increase production and productivity, thus reducing risks and building resilience to climate change.
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27 November 2022
Youthconnekt Namibia Launched
OTJIWARONGO, Namibia — The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially launched the YouthConnekt Namibia initiative on 21 September 2022.
YouthConnekt Africa is a Pan-African program established by the African Union to co-design and expedite suitable solutions for youth socio-economic development, as well as to support intergovernmental knowledge exchange on policy, initiatives, and collaborations.
Operationalised in 2020, the YouthConnekt Africa hub aims to contribute to the achievement of Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mandate, the AU 2063 agenda and the AU Youth Charter.
Through national YouthConnekt initiatives, the hub accomplishes its mandate by coordinating a global network to create a continental ecosystem for African youth; sharing experience and knowledge on programme and policy design, youth initiatives and providing a conduit for resources at scale and data on youth empowerment initiatives.
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Hon. Emma Kantema-Gaomas said YouthConnekt Namibia aims to involve Namibian youth in the YouthConnekt Africa Hub, where they will be expected to share ideas, submit business initiatives and acquire technical development skills.
“Our mandate as a ministry is focused towards the promotion of youth empowerment initiatives as expounded in our third national youth policy. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure that we join hands with development partners and other progressive organisations in the development of youth,” said Hon. Kantema-Gaomas during the launch.
She added that there is an urgent need for youth participation at the top end of the country’s economy, hence, the government has put together a variety of policy interventions designed to bring youth into the mainstream of the economy in order to improve inclusion and cohesion.
“Africa's most valuable resource is its youth, and Namibia is no exception, with youth constituting the majority of the population,” she stated.
Loide Amkongo, UNFPA Namibia Assistant Representative and Officer in Charge urged youth to read more to keep abreast with developments and opportunities. “Read, Reach and participate,” she advised the youth during a panel discussion on how Namibian youth can prepare themselves to fully benefit from the YouthConnekt.
“Finally Namibia has officially become part of YouthConnect Africa. We have started to connect with youth from all over Namibia and I cannot wait to connect with youth from the rest of the continent. I want to thank our government for this wonderful initiative, bringing youth together for problem-solving, promoting youth engagement, and empowering the youth,” said Valmary Jantjie, a youth from! Kharas region.
Riaan Siyama, a youth from the Zambezi region also looked forward to connecting with fellow youth and hearing their thoughts and ideas, especially on how to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. Siyama is a co-founder of Building Every Opportunity for Change, a civil society organisation that works with men to prevent GBV in Zambezi region.
“Without concerted efforts to address GBV and other forms of gender injustices, the lives of women and girls in the country remain at risk."
"I’m very thankful that we have been accorded the opportunity to be part of the YouthConnekt Namibia launch where we can showcase our work as well as collaborate with other youth around the country and make it effective for us to combat these social illnesses in our country,” he added.
The fifth YouthConnekt Africa Summit took place in Kigali, Rwanda in October this year, where hundreds of young people from the member states of YouthConnekt Africa gathered to share experiences, knowledge, and skills. Some of the members of YouthConnekt Namibia attended the summit in Kigali.
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14 November 2022
Adolescents and youth with disabilities, and adolescents living with and affected by HIV empowered on HIV and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights
UNAIDS Namibia in collaboration with the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) and National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN) with the support of UNICEF and UNFPA recently facilitated a two-day workshop on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Windhoek, as part of the 2gether4SRHR initiative.
The workshop provided a safe platform for adolescents to interact and share key issues, successes and challenges that they face, for enhanced programming to address gaps in the HIV response, and to strengthen linkages between adolescents with disabilities and other adolescents, including those living with and affected by HIV to strengthen inclusion and partnerships.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted access to life-saving sexual and reproductive and other health services for adolescents, especially those with disabilities and those living and affected by with HIV. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted access to life-saving sexual and reproductive and other health services for adolescents, especially those with disabilities and those living and affected by with HIV.
In her opening remarks, Dr Alti Zwandor, UNAIDS Namibia Country Director, encouraged participants to actively contribute during the workshop and continue engaging in programmes for and with youth and adolescents to end inequalities. “I hope that your views, suggestions, and recommendations from this workshop will inform the outcome document that will be developed to provide guidance on gender-transformative and human rights-based interventions for adolescents with disabilities in Namibia."
" I therefore urge you to be as free, open, and frank as possible,” said Dr Zwandor.
Among other challenges, the lack of sign language interpreters and skills is a big concern in Namibia as interpreters are usually fully booked when needed by the hearing-impaired community. This was also highlighted by the Namibia Planned Parenthooh Association (NAPPA), a youth friendly service provider for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and support.
This continues to limit access to health and other social and essential services, leaving people with disabilities behind. “We often get discouraged to seek services from health facilities as there are no sign language interpreters to communicate our needs to healthcare workers and information hardly reaches us," said Martha, an adolescent with hearing impairment. Participants emphasized the need for the inclusion of adolescents with disabilities in the HIV and COVID-19 responses to ensure that people with disabilities access quality and equitable health services.
UNAIDS has long advocated for a three-track approach to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities in the HIV response, being:
Disability-specific activities and mainstreaming disability across all aspects of HIV responses.
Participation and active involvement of people with disabilities in all programme elements.
Disability-inclusive policies, programmes and implementation strategies that ensure appropriate funding and resources.
UNAIDS Namibia calls for all partners to use the social model, which acknowledges that the current inequalities are not due to peoples’ disability or vulnerability, but the inability of society to eliminate barriers challenging persons with disabilities. This will ensure inclusive development and programming for adolescents and youth so that they benefit from available services, and that the social and structural barriers that prevent young people from accessing HIV services are removed.
Speaking on behalf of the NFPDN, Mr. Orben Muluti calls for communities to start practicing equity and not equality.
“Equity will help us move to a better world, where all societal systems recognize the issues of people with disabilities and work collectively with them to mainstream disability in all aspects of life.” said Muluti.
In closing, the NNAD Director, Mr Paul Nanyeni highlighted the limited communication modalities for people with disabilities and emphasised the need to strengthen joint advocacy for the inclusion of sign language as an official language in Namibia.
The workshop was facilitated by various partners including AfriYAN Namibia, Regain Trust, NAPPA, Youth Empowerment Group (YEG), UNFPA, UNICEF and UNAIDS. The outcome document will be shared with all stakeholders for accelerated action for HIV and SRHR programming for adolescents with disabilities.
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03 December 2022
International Day of Persons with Disabilities Marks 29 Years of Disability Advocacy
It was first launched in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3. The event is in its 29th year of celebration, marking nearly three decades of meaningful change for the community of Persons with Disabilities.
Such days allow us to pose and shine a light on different situations of Persons with different disabilities worldwide and what our contributions as society are towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of life.
This day is aimed at celebrating the successes of persons with disabilities and promoting their rights and well-being in all spheres of society and development.
Although we live in a world where the contributions of persons with disabilities are not seen, it is very important to remember that a disability is less than the abilities of someone with a disability.
This year’s theme is “Transformative solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World”
Focusing on three areas namely-
Employment,
Sports and
Innovation by and for persons with disabilities.
Today and every day the UN is working together with people with different disabilities to create a world that is accessible, equal and inclusive for our fellow Brothers and Sisters who are differently abled, but the UN cannot do this alone since disability is a cross-cutting issue.
How can you assist the UN in creating an accessible, equal and inclusive world for persons with disabilities around you?
As we commemorate the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we do enjoy the following poem entitled "No One" by Ms Pelgrina Ndumba, a UN Namibia Country Staff Member with a Visual Impairment.
No one
Seeking the acceptance of our communities should not be in vein, because no one will live our lives on our behalf.
A life of societal discrimination and ignorance should be a story of the past, because no one can live our lives on our behalf.
A helping hand to cross the street or to count money should not discourage us from achieving our goals, because no one should live our lives on our behalf
We are valuable agents of change; we are well able and should make a mark on the world because no one will live our lives on our behalf.
We are more than our faces; we are more than what you see. Our potential SHOULD be fully realized because no one will live our lives on our behalf.
Nothing about us will be done without us, because no one will live our lives on our behalf
Daily, we must face the inescapable challenges birthed from stigma and hate.
We are who we are today, because no one will live our lives on our behalf.
Morale
In whatever you do always be yourself, because you are not who you are by mistake and don’t let anything or anybody put you down, because you are able.
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15 November 2022
Towards an Early Warning System for Harmful Algal Blooms in Namibia
IOC-UNESCO and Namibia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources organized major consultation to assess the specific needs and requirements for establishing an early warning system for harmful algal blooms in the Southern African country.
About 300 hundred species of microalgae are reported at times to form mass occurrences, so-called algal blooms. Nearly one-fourth of these species are known to produce toxins harmful to nature and to human beings, and the scientific community refers to these algal events as ‘Harmful Algal Blooms’ (HAB).
Proliferations of microalgae in marine or brackish waters can cause massive fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins, and alter ecosystems in ways that humans perceive as harmful.
The impact of harmful microalgae is particularly evident when marine food resources (e.g. fisheries and aquaculture) are affected. Even though not all species are visibly affected by harmful algal blooms – such as shellfish and finfish –, they accumulate the toxins in their organs and subsequently transmit them to humans through consumption, leading to serious health threats.
“In the interest of food safety for the end consumer, an early warning system for HABs will serve as a food safety intervention tool to identify potential risks required to be managed; to maintain consumer and customer confidence; and to expand national, regional and international trade through the promotion of a safe seafood commodity.” - Heidi Skrypzeck, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Namibia
Monitoring of harmful algal blooms is essential in providing forecasts and early warnings for a potential HAB event, enabling regional authorities, industry, or individuals to take actions to mitigate public health, environmental, or economic risks and impacts.
The 5-6 October workshop gathered 32 participants from government ministries, the private sector, academic institutions, and official laboratories to define the early warning system requirements for Namibia, review current capacities and resources in place, and outline missing knowledge and data gaps.
As a result of collaboration between the Government of Namibia, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO) and UNESCO’s Windhoek Office, the workshop marked the starting point of the development of an early warning system for HABs in Namibia combining monitoring with a mitigation and adaptation strategy.
“Through its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO strives to assist Member States in managing and mitigating the impacts of harmful algae, essential for a productive and sustainable seafood industry.” - Henrik Enevoldsen, Head of Ocean Science at IOC-UNESCO
The workshop helped national stakeholders identify and share the main causes and effects of harmful algal blooms in Namibia, including mortalities, human food poisonings, ocean oxygen depletion, and the associated economic and ecological impacts – in particular on the export of shellfish products.
Participants identified an urgent need to establish a rapid monitoring and regulatory framework to ensure the protection of human health and safe seafood trade from the regular occurrence of harmful algae in the country.
“Engaging from the beginning with the different stakeholders is crucial to ensure that the early warning system being developed will eventually effectively meet their specific needs.” - Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein, invited expert from the University of Côte d’Azur
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07 November 2023
The 11th Annual Model United Nations Namibia (MUNNAM) High School Conference has concluded successfully.
This year's conference, held from 1st to 2nd November, saw high school delegates from across Namibia engage in thought-provoking discussions centred on the theme of "The rising burden of chronic diseases and pandemics poses a challenge for public health systems and requires innovative approaches to improve population health, A new wave in public health."
The MUNNAM conference brought together 100 high school delegates from different schools who adeptly assumed the roles of diplomats representing their respective countries. Over two days of intensive deliberations, these young diplomats showcased their skills in debate, lobbying, and diplomacy to address pressing global health challenges and their associated socio-economic and political implications.
The conference culminated in the formulation of a comprehensive resolution that offers innovative approaches to tackling the critical issues discussed during the event. Delegates exhibited remarkable diplomatic acumen, cooperative spirit, and a deep commitment to addressing real-world challenges.
At the conclusion of the conference, outstanding delegates were recognized with prestigious accolades, including "Best Delegate," "Best Speaker," "Best Delegation," and "Best School," in honour of their exceptional contributions to the discussions and their exemplary display of diplomacy.
For over a decade, MUNNAM has been a catalyst for youth engagement and empowerment in Namibia, fostering a deep understanding of the role of the United Nations, member states, civil society, and other stakeholders in addressing complex global issues. This annual high school conference has equipped hundreds of Namibian youths with practical skills in research, public speaking, resolution writing, debate, negotiation, and diplomacy. These skills not only enrich their academic experience but also serve as a solid foundation for their future careers.
The UN System in Namibia, the British High Commission in Namibia, and the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture in Namibia are proud to present the MUNNAM program as an enriching extracurricular activity that adds substantial value to the curriculum, spanning various subject areas such as history, geography, science, economics, and English. The program in stills a keen interest in global politics while providing a fun, experiential learning platform for young minds.
Charlotte Fenton, Deputy British High Commissioner, expressed her delight in supporting the Model UN program for the third consecutive year, noting its role in nurturing global citizenship awareness and fostering collaboration among learners. She commended the participating high school students for their confidence and enthusiasm in engaging in diplomatic discourse.
Anthea Basson, Head of the United Nations Information Centre in Windhoek, extended her gratitude to the teachers and passionate past participants, emphasizing the collective effort required to sustain the Model UN program over 11 successful years.
The 2023 MUNNAM conference was a remarkable showcase of the potential and passion of Namibian youth, reinforcing the importance of diplomatic dialogue and international cooperation in addressing global health challenges. The UN System in Namibia and its partners look forward to continuing their support for this impactful initiative, building a brighter future through the engagement of young leaders.
About MODEL UN The MUNNAM program in Namibia, under the custodianship of UNIC Windhoek, is a flagship educational initiative that equips participants with invaluable life skills and a deeper understanding of the United Nations, multilateralism, and the world at large. Participants gain expertise in research, public speaking, resolution writing, debate, negotiation, and diplomacy, positioning them for success in their academic journeys and future careers.
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04 November 2023
MODEL United Nations High School Conference set to tackle global health challenges in 2023 session
This year, delegates discussed “The rising burden of chronic diseases and pandemics poses a challenge for public health systems and requires innovative approaches to improve population health, A new wave in public health.” Model United Nations is a dynamic simulation of UN bodies that enables young people to step into the shoes of diplomats, gaining first-hand experience in international relations and diplomacy.
This year’s conference convened 100 high school delegates from 20 different schools who assumed positions of diplomats representing their respective countries. The two-day deliberations allowed the delegates time to debate, lobby and present their positions with the goal of formulating four resolution that addresses the global health challenges and their related socio-economic and political effects.
At the end of the conference, delegates had the opportunity to earn prestigious accolades such as “Best Delegate, Best Speaker, Best Delegation and Best School” The individuals were honored for their outstanding contributions to the discussions and diplomacy showcase during the conference.
MUNNAM has been an impactful vehicle for youth engagement since 2012, allowing young people to explore complex global issues underscoring the role of the UN, member states, civil society and other role players in addressing these challenges. The annual high school conference has empowered hundreds of Namibian youths for over a decade and developed an understanding of multilateralism and the role of member states in promoting consensus and building peace. The programme has delivered dynamic young people passionate about youth advocacy and grassroot programmes that foster civic engagement.
The UN System in Namibia and the British High Commission in Namibia in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture in Namibia are proud to present this programme to high school learners as an extra-mural activity that adds great value to the curriculum. The programme spans subject matter in history, geography, science, economics, and English. The Model UN delegates gain practical skills they can build upon during their studies and future career paths. The MUNNAM lays a foundation for young people to have a vested interest in world politics and is a fun experiential learning activity.
“The British High Commission in Namibia is pleased to support Model UN for the third consecutive year. The programme nurtures an awareness of global citizenship and cultivates an ethos of collaboration among learners. It is inspiring to watch high school learners articulate their ideas and engage in diplomatic discourse with confidence and enthusiasm in the span of two days. I wish all learners all the best of luck in their preparation for the 2023 conference,” said Charlotte Fenton, Deputy British High Commissioner.
The Model UN Namibia team is excited to meet new delegates for the 2023 Conference, recognizing the support of teachers and past participants. Anthea Basson, Head of the United Nations Information Centre in Windhoek, emphasizes the importance in maintaining the sustainability of the Model UN program for 11 years.
About MODEL UN
The MUNNAM programme in Namibia is a flagship educational programme of the United Nations Information Centre in Windhoek. Delegates learn useful life skills such as research, public speaking, resolution writing, debating, negotiating, lobbying as well as solutions-based thinking and diplomacy. Participants learn more about the UN, multilateralism and the ability to take on a position outside their own. MUNNAM has been running for close to a decade with UNIC Windhoek as custodian.
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01 November 2023
Namibian Students Step Into Diplomatic Roles at the Ongoing 2-Day Model UN Namibia Conference 2023: Addressing Urgent Public Health Issues.
Windhoek, Namibia, November 1, 2023
In a gathering of young minds and seasoned diplomats, the 11th Model United Nations Namibia (MUNNAM) Conference kicked off today, November 1, and will continue through November 2 at the UN House in Windhoek. This ongoing event has attracted students from various schools across Namibia, who have assumed the roles of UN delegates, to deliberate on the urgent public health issue.
Model UN Namibia has seen a significant increase in female representation and empowerment among Namibian girls. Approximately 70% of participants are female, many of whom are taking up leadership roles. Over the past decade, 20 girls have co-chaired sessions, 200 boys have been involved in conference coordination, and nearly 10,000 learners have been directly impacted through the conference and mock simulation participation.
Students from diverse educational institutions across Namibia have come together to take on the roles of UN delegates representing different member states. They are engaging in debates that offer a glimpse into the potential future leaders of international diplomacy.
With an impressive 40 years of diplomatic experience, His Excellency Charles Moore, British High Commissioner to Namibia, aimed to provide the students with an understanding and inspiration through a glimpse into the roles of diplomacy. He encouraged the young participants by stating, "I hope some of you will be encouraged to look at international diplomacy as a career because it is the most fabulous."
Mr. Mzingisi Gqwede, Director of Adult Education in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Hon. Anna Nghipondoka. The speech underscored the crucial roles of education and innovation in addressing the challenges of chronic diseases and pandemics. It highlighted Namibia's efforts in public health awareness, the adoption of digital health solutions, and the necessity for international cooperation. The address reinforced that these health challenges 'pose a challenge for all public health systems and require innovative approaches to improve population health effectively.
Ms. Hopolang Phororo, the UN Resident Coordinator for Namibia, highlighted the significance of the Model UN, stating, 'The Model UN, which brings us here today, is a valuable engagement tool for high school students to learn about the United Nations and global challenges. It provides them with a platform to understand the complexities of international diplomacy, the importance of multilateralism, and the urgency of global issues such as health crises.
The 11th MUNNAM Conference is proving to be more than a simulation; it's a crucible for innovation and diplomacy. With students at the forefront, the event is showcasing not only the challenges facing public health but also the promise of future leaders capable of tackling these complex issues. As the conference progresses, stakeholders and participants look forward with anticipation to the outcomes and resolutions that will emerge.
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24 October 2023
UN DAY MARKS 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE SDGS' IN NAMIBIA
Windhoek, Namibia - The United Nations Day celebration in Namibia marked a moment of reflection on the enduring partnership between Namibia and the United Nations, dating back to the early days of Namibia's quest for independence in the late 20th century. Held in the capital city of Windhoek, the event was graced by government officials, civil society organizations, and members of the Diplomatic Corps. It shed light on the substantial strides realized in collaboration with the United Nations since the onset of Namibia's journey towards independence, particularly emphasizing the pivotal role the UN played in supervising Namibia's transition to independence in 1990 following the adoption of Resolution 435 by the UN Security Council.
United Nations Day, commemorated on October 24, marks the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, symbolizing the organization's birth. This day not only celebrates the achievements of the United Nations but also emphasizes the enduring hope it symbolizes for a better world, particularly resonating with Namibia's historical journey with the UN. This year's celebration theme was 'Journey Through the SDGs,' showcased through an exhibition, where all UN agencies participated, reflecting the collaborative spirit towards sustainable development while honoring the long-standing relationship between Namibia and the UN.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Hopolang Phororo, reminisced on the Namibia-UN alliance since 1946 when Namibians sought UN aid for independence, marking strides towards global peace and human rights. She highlighted the daunting challenge of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with only 15% of targets on track. Despite progress in poverty reduction and gender equality, more effort is needed. She mentioned the upcoming Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025-2029) and the 2024 Summit of the Future, co-hosted by Namibia and Germany, as steps towards addressing global inequalities and advancing the SDGs.
The Director of Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, spoke on the historical ties between Namibia and the UN, touching on crucial milestones like Resolution 435 and the UNTAG mission. He highlighted the pivotal role of the late Martti Ahtisaari, who recently passed away on October 16, 2023, in leading the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) mission that was instrumental in supervising the country's transition to independence following the adoption of Resolution 435 by the UN Security Council. The event honored the late Martti Ahtisaari with a moment of silence.
Ambassador Shaanika spoke from the heart on the importance of empathy, urging individuals to put themselves in the shoes of those who are suffering. He stressed that every human has a dream and aspiration to live a better life and called for change to make these aspirations a reality. Reflecting on the broader impact of our actions, Shaanika also urged adults and elders to contemplate the world they are shaping for their children to inherit, reinforcing the call for collective action toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
Partners are committed to reinforcing the collaborative spirit between the government, civil society, and UN agencies to address the nation's challenges. The event highlighted both the enduring partnership and the joint journey ahead, reiterating the vision of leaving no one behind as aligned with the principles of the United Nations.
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06 October 2023
Namibia and UN Forge New Partnership for Sustainable Development
Windhoek, Namibia - October 6, 2023
During a critical review meeting of the United Nations Partnership Framework 2019-2023 and Common Country Analysis, the United Nations and its partners engaged in a comprehensive reflection, assessing accomplishments, lessons learned, areas for growth, and strategies to incorporate into the new Cooperation Framework, 2025-2029. This introspective session, occurring at a pivotal juncture for Namibia, coincides with crucial national developments, notably the 2023 Population and Housing Census and the formulation of the National Development Plan 6 (NDP 6).
The review meeting served as a forum for profound introspection, emphasizing the UN's commitment to remaining responsive and adaptive to Namibia's evolving needs. As the nation prepares for transformative endeavors encapsulated in the NDP 6 and other parallel initiatives, this collaborative effort between the Government of Namibia, partners, and the UN stands poised to catalyze positive change, fostering a future where sustainable development is not just an aspiration but a tangible reality.
Ms. Hopolang Phororo, UN Resident Coordinator, set the stage with a resounding message of evolving from a traditional development assistance approach to a dynamic cooperation framework. "This pushes us towards strengthened joint planning and programming beyond sectoral approaches; this we cannot achieve alone," she emphasized, aligning the partnership with Namibia's National Development Plan 6.
This renewed cooperation, informed by lessons learned and achievements across four key pillars, is poised to accelerate essential Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address critical national priorities. These four pillars encompass Economic Progression, Social Transformation, Environmental Sustainability, and Good Governance.
Ms. Wilhencia Uiras, Executive Director of the National Planning Commission, underscored the lasting impact they aim for, saying, "I want my future generations to recognize the positive changes initiated in 2023.”
Regarding Economic Progression, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) now play a pivotal role in the nation's economic landscape, accounting for 12% of Namibia's GDP and providing livelihoods for over 200,000 individuals. Moreover, the agriculture sector has witnessed significant advancements with 5,000 hectares of land now under irrigation.
On Social Transformation, in the education sector, there's a commendable milestone with 72.7% of all learners across the nation now enrolled in the primary phase. Additionally, The national budget allocated to non-contributory social protection has increased to 11.5%, surpassing the target of 5%. The number of identified potential victims of trafficking has increased to 23 per year, surpassing the target of 18 per year. Health system capacity was strengthened, and it was able to provide quality health and nutrition services and effective detection and control of outbreaks.
On Environmental Sustainability, tangible progress has been achieved in disaster management, exemplified by the significant reduction in internally displaced individuals from 3,900 to 2,000. Furthermore, all 14 regions of Namibia have taken proactive measures by developing disaster risk management/contingency plans, illustrating a comprehensive approach to potential emergencies and disasters.
On Good Governance, emphasizing transparent and participative governance, there's a laudable achievement in policy engagement, with 7 policies reviewed in collaboration with civil society, exceeding the target of 5. This underscores the nation's commitment to fostering transparency and ensuring that policies resonate with all stakeholders.
Both the UN and Namibia are committed to furthering their collaboration, building on the achievements and addressing challenges to ensure sustainable development. This commitment reflects their shared vision for a prosperous future and will be encapsulated in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, 2025-2029.
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Press Release
28 November 2022
Labour Migration Governance Key to Protecting Migrant Workers in Southern Africa
The President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnagwanga will officially open the high-level conference which seeks to find ways to foster fair and effective labour migration governance and the protection of migrant workers in Southern Africa. Led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the High-Level Tripartite Dialogue is a culmination of activities and research organised by the Southern African Migration Management (SAMM) Project to identify priorities at the national level and advance in the implementation of country-level labour migration policies and action plans in the SADC region.
It is designed to improve migration management in the Southern African and Indian Ocean region guided by, and contributing to the realisation of, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda goal 8 on decent work and economic growth and goal 10 on reducing inequality and Objective 6 of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) to Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work.
Since almost half of all migrant workers in the SADC region are women, the conference will spotlight the importance of labour migration policies to be gender-responsive and evidence-based. For many women, as for men, migration can represent a positive experience and have important emancipating and empowering impacts.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA, year ), the feminization of migration has reached significant levels in the Southern African region with 47 per cent of all migrants being female.
But often female migrants are confronted with gender specific disadvantages and vulnerability in the migration process and in their employment. Women workers, especially young female migrants, often end up in situations of double or even triple discrimination, disadvantage, marginalization and vulnerability (including violence and harassment as well as forced labour.
“Maximizing the benefits of labour migration and minimizing the risks and social costs requires sound and effective labour migration governance,” said Ms. Hopalong Phororo, ILO Director for ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia. “Expert studies and data show that migration, particularly labour migration, is an important enabler and beneficiary of regional integration and economic development in Africa.”
Across the world, migration is largely linked to the search for a job and better wages, and even if employment is not the primary driver, it usually features in the migration process at some point. In Southern Africa, as in many parts of the world, migrants face prejudice, intolerance and stigmatization in their workplaces and communities.
“It is necessary to advocate for improved migration management in Southern Africa, as a pivotal approach to addressing the challenges of migration, and ensuring that migration has a positive outcome for the country, migrants, and the members of their families”, said Mr. Ashraf El Nour, IOM Regional Director for Southern Africa.
The Southern African region has had a long history of intra-regional migration. All Member States of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are involved in labour migration flows as countries of origin, transit, or destination and often they play the three roles at the same time.
In the SADC region, migrant workers are present in agriculture, fishing, mining, construction, food processing, domestic work, caregiving, cleaning, restaurants-hotels, transportation and retail trade.
The two day conference will promote fair, ethical and effective labour migration governance through tripartism that brings Ministries of Labour/Employment, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, as well as workers’ and employers’ organisations and social dialogue particularly in the development of rights-based, gender-sensitive and evidence-based labour migration legislation and policies, taking account of labour market needs.
The conference will assess labour migration governance progress so far, gaps and challenges as well as main opportunities to consider in the SADC region. It will also identify tripartite constituents’ labour migration governance priority areas of collaboration, share existing and proposed good practices and recommendations and mention current roles and contributions. It will also provide a platform to tripartite partners to re-organise and re-strategize on labour migration governance in Southern Africa
About the SAMM Project
The SAMM Project is a United Nations Multi-Agency programme composed of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The European Union is supporting and funding the implementation of the project.
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Press Release
25 November 2022
Message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member — and we know that other stresses, from the COVID-19 pandemic to economic turmoil, inevitably lead to even more physical and verbal abuse.
Women and girls also face rampant online violence, from misogynistic hate speech, to sexual harassment, image abuse and grooming by predators.
This discrimination, violence and abuse targeting half of humanity comes at a steep cost. It limits women’s and girls’ participation in all walks of life, denies their basic rights and freedoms, and blocks the equal economic recovery and sustainable growth our world needs.
Now is the time for transformative action that ends violence against women and girls.
This means governments designing, funding and implementing national action plans to tackle this scourge.
It means involving grassroots and civil society groups at every stage of decision-making.
It means ensuring that laws are implemented and respected, so survivors see their rights to justice and support upheld.
It means supporting public campaigns that challenge patriarchal norms and reject misogyny and violence.
And as this year’s theme — “UNITE: Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls” — reminds us, it means standing with activists around the world who are calling for change and supporting survivors of violence. I call on governments to increase funding by 50 per cent to women’s rights organizations and movements by 2026.
Let’s take a stand and raise our voices in support of women’s rights.
Let’s proudly declare: We are all feminists.
Let’s consign violence against women and girls to the history books.
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Press Release
26 October 2022
WFP calls for action following World Food Day to avoid another year of global record hunger
“We are facing an unprecedented global food crisis, and all signs suggest we have not yet seen the worst. For the last three years, hunger numbers have repeatedly hit new peaks,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley.
"Let me be clear: things can and will get worse unless there is a large-scale and coordinated effort to address the root causes of this crisis. We cannot have another year of record hunger".
The global food crisis is a confluence of competing crises – caused by climate shocks, conflict, the prolonged impact of COVID-19 and economic pressures – that has continued to push up the number of severely food insecure people all around the world, including in Namibia, where out of a population of 2.3M, there are 0.3M (13%) who are consuming food insufficiently.
In WFP Namibia, we strive to achieve a better life for all through 32 sustainable food systems projects across the country with 1,457 direct beneficiaries. Additionally, 29 schools are piloting Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) projects with 11,730 beneficiaries. Finally, for cash-based transfers through the
Japanese government, 17,712 vulnerable people have been selected in Omaheke, Kunene and Oshikoto regions, including nearly 3,700 malnourished children under the age of five. Each family will receive a value voucher equivalent to US$ 38 per month for three months (October 2022- December 2022) to cope with the inflation in the price of food and commodities secondary to the Ukraine-Russia war. Building on this year’s theme for World Food Day – “No one left behind” – WFP calls for coordinated effort across governments, financial institutions (IFIs), the private sector, and partners to mitigate an even more severe food crisis in 2023. This includes reinforcing national economies, social protection
systems, and regional and domestic food systems – at speed and scale. "It is the business of each of us to practice the theme of this day by planting one fruit tree together with a crop wherever we live,’’ said Ms Ericah Shafudah, Deputy Country Representative of WFP Namibia. This year’s World Food Day (WFD) celebration took place in Uukwiyuushona village on the premises of Uukwiyuushona Combined School on Saturday, 15th October 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) spearheaded the preparation of WFD, and WFP participated as a sponsor. The role of WFP was to support one beneficiary (a 55-year-old female farmer in Oshana) in setting up a shade-netted garden of 0.5 ha for the planting of spinach, carrots, cabbage and beetroot among other vegetables, for a diversified diet including income generation. The farmer will use the vegetables to
support a kindergarten with 19 children and a household of 7 people (26 beneficiaries in total). The total support cost for this activity was N$60,000 (US$ 3,500). Another activity for this event was capturing a video as part of the FAO-WFP Namibia school meals Campaign (SMC) in the Mphe Thuto Primary School, Omaheke region. The video was selected for showcasing during the Junior World Food Day on the 14th of October 2022. While these efforts provide succour to some of the severely vulnerable, it is against a challenging global backdrop in which the number of acutely hungry people continues to increase requiring a concerted global action for peace, economic stability and continued humanitarian support to ensure food security around the world. Other sponsors participating in the celebration by implementing various activities were the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), GIZ Namibia, Namibia Agronomic Board, Agri Gro, Coca Cola, NamWater, MeatCo, Namport, Choppies Namibia, Marco Fishing Charitable Trust, Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Programme (NAMSIP), Agro Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA), Shivute Family Trust, Oshakati Town Council, Kaap Agri, Uukwambi Traditional Authority and the Ombandja Traditional Authority. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on Twitter_ @WFP_Africa, @WFPNamibia. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram: @WFPNamibia For more information, please contact the following persons:
Luise Shikongo, Communications and Reporting Associate, WFP/ Namibia: luise.shikongo@wfp.org
Rawan Taha, Operational Information Management (OIM) and Performance Reporting (PR) Officer, WFP/ Namibia: rawan.taha@wfp.org
Japanese government, 17,712 vulnerable people have been selected in Omaheke, Kunene and Oshikoto regions, including nearly 3,700 malnourished children under the age of five. Each family will receive a value voucher equivalent to US$ 38 per month for three months (October 2022- December 2022) to cope with the inflation in the price of food and commodities secondary to the Ukraine-Russia war. Building on this year’s theme for World Food Day – “No one left behind” – WFP calls for coordinated effort across governments, financial institutions (IFIs), the private sector, and partners to mitigate an even more severe food crisis in 2023. This includes reinforcing national economies, social protection
systems, and regional and domestic food systems – at speed and scale. "It is the business of each of us to practice the theme of this day by planting one fruit tree together with a crop wherever we live,’’ said Ms Ericah Shafudah, Deputy Country Representative of WFP Namibia. This year’s World Food Day (WFD) celebration took place in Uukwiyuushona village on the premises of Uukwiyuushona Combined School on Saturday, 15th October 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) spearheaded the preparation of WFD, and WFP participated as a sponsor. The role of WFP was to support one beneficiary (a 55-year-old female farmer in Oshana) in setting up a shade-netted garden of 0.5 ha for the planting of spinach, carrots, cabbage and beetroot among other vegetables, for a diversified diet including income generation. The farmer will use the vegetables to
support a kindergarten with 19 children and a household of 7 people (26 beneficiaries in total). The total support cost for this activity was N$60,000 (US$ 3,500). Another activity for this event was capturing a video as part of the FAO-WFP Namibia school meals Campaign (SMC) in the Mphe Thuto Primary School, Omaheke region. The video was selected for showcasing during the Junior World Food Day on the 14th of October 2022. While these efforts provide succour to some of the severely vulnerable, it is against a challenging global backdrop in which the number of acutely hungry people continues to increase requiring a concerted global action for peace, economic stability and continued humanitarian support to ensure food security around the world. Other sponsors participating in the celebration by implementing various activities were the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), GIZ Namibia, Namibia Agronomic Board, Agri Gro, Coca Cola, NamWater, MeatCo, Namport, Choppies Namibia, Marco Fishing Charitable Trust, Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Programme (NAMSIP), Agro Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA), Shivute Family Trust, Oshakati Town Council, Kaap Agri, Uukwambi Traditional Authority and the Ombandja Traditional Authority. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on Twitter_ @WFP_Africa, @WFPNamibia. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram: @WFPNamibia For more information, please contact the following persons:
Luise Shikongo, Communications and Reporting Associate, WFP/ Namibia: luise.shikongo@wfp.org
Rawan Taha, Operational Information Management (OIM) and Performance Reporting (PR) Officer, WFP/ Namibia: rawan.taha@wfp.org
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Press Release
22 August 2022
Connected African Girls Coding Camp Brings ICT skills to Namibian girls
The coding camp is commissioned by ECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) in partnership with the government of The Republic of Namibia (MICT), UN Namibia, UN WOMEN, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Telecom Namibia.
The hybrid training brings together African women and girls between 12 to 25 years of age, with 100 from Namibia physically attending while hundreds more join virtually from around the African continent. The coding camp runs from 16 - 24 August 2022 and is hosted at the Windhoek Palm Hotel.
“The Government of the Republic of Namibia continues to support projects like the Connected African Girls Coding Camp as they directly benefit and uplift our citizens. The Government through the Ministry of ICT is committed to implementing effective legislation that provides easy access to ICTS with the aim of creating a knowledge-based society. Over the years, the Government has made significant strides to integrate digital technology with the national development objectives,” says Hon. Dr. Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Information and Communication Technology during his keynote address during the official opening.
“In our endeavors to ‘leave no one behind’ to harness ICTs in education will go a long way in contributing to achieving Goal 17 of Agenda 2063’s aspiration 6 which seeks to eliminate all barriers to quality education, health and social services for women and girls on the African continent,” says Sen Pang, UN Resident Coordinator, UN Namibia.
The African Connected Girls initiative aims to narrow the digital gap by empowering young African women and girls with the necessary foundational building-block skills to find long-term success in education, employment, and entrepreneurship, while creating a conducive environment for collaborative efforts.
The Namibian Connected African Girls Coding camp features four main workshops on animation, web development & gaming, IoT & robotics, and 3D printing. Graphic design is included as a common course in line with artificial intelligence, design thinking, and computational thinking. This camp will also feature master classes on Gender-Based Violence, UN SDGs, and Agenda 2063 including personal development skills.
“To prepare our young women to lead the fourth industrial revolution, we must champion initiatives such as the Connected African Girl initiative. Coding has become the new literacy! Girls and young Namibian women need to become digitally savvy and active participants in shaping Namibia's digital future,” says Jean Paul Adam, Director, Technology, Climate Change and Natural resources Division, UNECA.
On the final day of the camp, an innovation fair will be held enabling the girls to showcase their projects developed during the coding camp by targeting solution-oriented ideas in response to the continent’s socio-economic challenges. In the last four editions of the coding camp, trainees
have developed 198 innovative projects, of which 40 were recognized for their contributions to the community. Some attendees from the Connected African Girls Coding Camp shared what they hoped to achieve with this initiative: "I want to learn more skills to train others and start up computer classes at our school. I would like to learn more about ethical hacking." - Ndapandula Hango, Grootfontein, Grade 10 "People are using technology more in this modern age, children must learn to use technology. I use technology for research and play games. I really want to learn to create my own games." - Caren Sue Kahmann, Hardap Region, Grade 9. "I am obsessed with gaming. I want to gain more skills on how to design games and code. I am here for the skills that I can learn." - Theresia Ndilimeke, Grade 10 Khomas Region "My younger brother introduced me to coding initially. In grade 10 I realised how important it is in relation to my subjects. I am very interested to learn how to use my subjects ( in the workshop) in a way that will help me develop new ways of entrepreneurship and help me improve the living standards in rural areas. - Latoya Bernard, Otjikoto Region, Grade 12
have developed 198 innovative projects, of which 40 were recognized for their contributions to the community. Some attendees from the Connected African Girls Coding Camp shared what they hoped to achieve with this initiative: "I want to learn more skills to train others and start up computer classes at our school. I would like to learn more about ethical hacking." - Ndapandula Hango, Grootfontein, Grade 10 "People are using technology more in this modern age, children must learn to use technology. I use technology for research and play games. I really want to learn to create my own games." - Caren Sue Kahmann, Hardap Region, Grade 9. "I am obsessed with gaming. I want to gain more skills on how to design games and code. I am here for the skills that I can learn." - Theresia Ndilimeke, Grade 10 Khomas Region "My younger brother introduced me to coding initially. In grade 10 I realised how important it is in relation to my subjects. I am very interested to learn how to use my subjects ( in the workshop) in a way that will help me develop new ways of entrepreneurship and help me improve the living standards in rural areas. - Latoya Bernard, Otjikoto Region, Grade 12
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Press Release
12 August 2022
Joint Launch of Projects Funded by the Japanese Supplementary Budget
The projects, aimed at furthering the Sustainable Development Goals, will be supported by the Japanese Supplementary Budget.
The package from the Japanese Government amounts to more than U$3.2 million, and it will be distributed to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
I’m confident that through our integrated, multi-sector approach to development programming, and by drawing upon skills and capabilities from around the region and internationally, UN Namibia will make a lasting contribution to addressing Namibia’s development priorities for the benefit of generations to come
- Mr. Sen Pang, UN Namibia Resident Coordinator.
The projects plan to assist the government of Namibia by providing emergency responses to locust-affected regions, promoting Carbon Markets and mitigating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), among other issues.
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Latest Resources
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Resources
06 February 2023
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