Their NEWS [Archives:2008/1131/Local News]
International Essay Competition 2008
Young people are not only the future, they are also the now. More than one fifth of the world's population is between the ages of 12 and 24, with 1.3 billion young people living in developing countries. Over the last two years, consultations and research work with youths have demonstrated that they can make a difference in fighting poverty through their actions and advocacy activities in youth organizations. Youths are key agents of change, but too often the nature and impact of their projects are not recognized or documented sufficiently, and youth face difficulties being heard and engaging more directly in civic life.
In order to learn how youths can make a difference in reducing poverty, the World Bank launched the International Essay Competition. The Essay Competition is an annual, worldwide competition targeting youths aged between 18 to 25 years and managed by the World Bank Office in Paris. The competition is designed and implemented in partnership with Country Offices of the World Bank and Public Information Centers (PIC) in 84 countries, as well as partners representing universities, NGOs and youth organizations all over the world.
The fourth edition of the Essay Competition in 2007 on the theme of Corruption attracted 2240 submissions from over 130 countries all over the world (90% of submissions came from developing countries).
This year the World Bank has teamed up with the Cities Alliance and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – sponsor of the Essay Competition 2008, to invite youths all over the world to participate in the International Essay Competition 2008, under the theme of urbanization: Shaping the City of Your Dreams.
In 2007, for the first time in human history, the majority of people in the world, particularly in developing countries, will be living in urban areas. Life in the city is often associated with more opportunities, better access to employment, education, health and other services. Cities are often called engines of economic growth, contributing disproportionately to the national gross domestic product (GDP). They are also centers of innovation, entrepreneurship and investment. But many cities also have a large part of their population living in slums, without essential services such as water, sanitation and energy, and threatened by environmental hazards, violence and social exclusion. As more and more people move from the countryside to the city, and as city populations grow, there is a growing need for solutions to the issues of urban poverty, environment, and urban infrastructure (housing, roads, water, energy etc.).
For more information go to: http://www.essaycompetition.org.
IATA joins forces
with Solar Impulse
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has become an Institutional Partner of Solar Impulse – the solar airplane that will fly around the world with no fuel and zero emissions. The agreement, signed by Bertrand Piccard, President of Solar Impulse and Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA, establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations. IATA will provide assistance to ensure the smooth passage of the solar plane around the world.
Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA said, “Solar Impulse and IATA share a vision. We are natural partners. We are both looking towards a zero carbon emission future for air travel. Solar power is one of the building blocks that will make this happen. The Solar Impulse initiative is proof that with vision anything is possible – even carbon free flight.”
Solar Impulse is building the first prototype airplane that aims to demonstrate the feasibility of flying day and night, only propelled by solar energy. The first test flights will take place in early 2009. In 2011, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, CEO, will fly around the world with five stop-overs. IATA will help make this dream a reality by providing support including assistance in obtaining air traffic control clearance.
UNFPA Scales Up Efforts To Save Millions Of Women
A new thematic fund for maternal health has been created to boost global efforts to reduce the number of women dying in pregnancy and childbirth. The fund, established by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will also encourage developed countries and private sponsors to contribute more to saving women's lives.
Every minute a woman dies due to complications in pregnancy or childbirth, adding up to half a million women dying every year. Another 10-15 million women suffer serious or long-lasting illnesses or disabilities.
“No woman should die giving life,” said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. “To have a healthy society, you have to have healthy mothers.”
In many countries, however, progress in maternal health has been slow. In some, the situation has actually deteriorated over the last 20 years. The reason is insufficient political will and inadequate resources, as women's health is often pushed off the agenda in favour of other priorities.
“It is critical to invest in women if we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,” said Ms. Obaid. “We urge countries to dedicate more resources to improving national health systems, training skilled birth attendants and promoting family planning. Millions of deaths and disabilities could be prevented, if every woman had access to reproductive health services.”
Improving maternal health and reducing maternal deaths are at the heart of Millennium Development Goal number 5.
The thematic fund, which UNFPA has established in partnership with governments, United Nations organizations and other international partners, will help countries increase their access and use of quality maternal health services that would reduce maternal deaths and disabilities. It will also increase the capacity of health systems to provide a broad range of quality maternal health services, strengthen mechanisms to reduce health inequities, and empower women to exercise their right to maternal health.
The thematic fund will focus on supporting 75 countries with the greatest need. The goal is to raise $465 million during 2008-2011
Poll names Aljazeera the most respected news organization in Middle East
According to a poll conducted by The Knowledge World Center for Polls (KWCP), Aljazeera news channel is the most respected news organization in the Middle East, the Gulf Times reports.
Results from the poll are based on responses from Arab academics in over 19 countries.
The poll found that 98 percent of political science and media scholars in the region said they watch at least three hours of Aljazeera every day and about 96 percent found the channel to be a reliable source of news.
“This is the largest poll of its kind ever undertaken in the Arab World, said a KWCP official. “By working for almost one year and sampling almost half of all political science and media professors in the region, we believe that we have illuminated peoples' understanding of broadcast news.”
Reuters offers course
on news reporting
Reuters is offering a course in news reporting for journalists from the developing world. Last day to apply: April 7.
The class will be taught by senior TV journalists from Reuters and will offer training in TV production, writing, camera work, editing and research.
This 5-day course will take place in London between June 2 and 6. The cost for this course is GBP200 a day (US$400), which includes travel and living expenses. Full or part time bursaries are available to journalists from the developing world.
Applicants must have at least 2 years of experience and a good level of spoken and written English.
To apply, visit http://www.reuterslink.org/register.htm?_returnUrl=%2Fapply.htm%3Fcourse%3D%252Fcourses%252Ftv_london_june08.htm. To learn more, email [email protected].
Arab league adopts a new charter to control TV broadcasts
The Arab League has adopted a new charter giving state control over TV broadcasts deemed controversial. According to Agence France Press, the charter asks all satellite Television broadcasts “not to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols” and to instead “protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalization.”
In November, The Dubai government, pressured by Pakistan's Pervaiz Musharaf, shut down the popular independent Pakistani Geo TV based in Dubai. The only country in the Arab league that has not so far adopted this charter is Qatar, which is home to Aljazeera.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned some Arab governments for adopting the new charter, which will give state control over satellite broadcasters. IFJ General Secretary, Aidan White, asserted this action to be a step backward. He said this is “a serious blow to press freedom if it limits media to broadcasting government-friendly views.”
Broadcast Managers to get training in organizational development
The Radio Netherlands Training Center is offering an international course to help broadcasting managers in developing or transition countries meet the challenges of their profession. Application deadline: February 29.
Management work involves understanding creativity and production and offering leadership)often with limited resources available. The course goal is to better equip managers for those challenges.
There are no fellowships for this course; applicants must get sponsorship or pay their own way. The training is scheduled for May 26 to June 6, 2008, in Hilversum, Netherlands.
For more information, contact [email protected] or visit http://www.rnw.nl/rntc/courses/ICBM2008.php.
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