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The U.S. Embassy in Egypt is commemorating International Education Week from November 14-18 by celebrating Egypt and the United States’ expanding ties in the field of education.
On November 14, the U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, released the Open Doors Report, which showed that during the past academic year (2021-2022) 3,967 Egyptians studied at American colleges and universities—the highest number ever recorded, an 8 percent increase over the prior academic year, and a more than 70 percent increase from ten years prior.
These Egyptian students join the roughly one million students from abroad who studied in the United States during the past academic year, as the United States and Egypt work to increase student access to globalized education, a key goal of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
In highlighting the strength of the U.S.-Egypt partnership in education, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein noted, “We are thrilled to see more Egyptian students take advantage of the unique educational opportunities available in the United States.
The roughly 4,000 accredited colleges and universities in the United States provide a world-class education in a diverse and welcoming environment.
And I can tell you from personal experience that students who study abroad bring a unique set of skills, perspectives, and experiences that will benefit them in any career and life pursuit."
During International Education Week, the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and EducationUSA advisors are conducting in-person and online events for students and academics interested in exchanges or long-term study in the United States.
The U.S. Embassy provides a wide range of exchange programs, which enable hundreds of Egyptians to benefit from educational and professional exchanges in the United States each year.
The U.S. Government, through USAID, also offers scholarships to graduate, undergraduate, and public and private sector professionals to study in the United States.
For example, the newly announced USAID Egyptian Pioneers program will provide 700 scholarships and more than 600 exchange or training opportunities to mid-career professionals, including Egyptian government officials.
Through EducationUSA, Egyptian students can access resources and guidance on study in the United States.
For more information on EducationUSA, visit: https://www.amideast.org/egypt/study-in-the-usa <https://www.amideast.org/egypt/study-in-the-usa>
At COP27, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a suite of programs to advance gender-responsive climate action.
New announcements include:
Advancing Gender-Responsive Climate Action
USAID announced $21.8 million dedicated to gender-responsive climate action from the Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund, surpassing its $14 million COP26 commitment.
This includes funding for organizations working in over 37 countries to address gender-based violence connected to climate, support to national governments to increase gender equality in their national climate commitments, and programs that advance green jobs for women and gender-smart climate information services.
Through USAID’s Climate Finance Development Accelerator mechanism (CFDA), USAID announced the launch of its new Climate Gender Equity Fund, which will leverage private sector funding to scale climate finance that advances gender-equitable climate action.
USAID and online retailer Amazon, Inc., announced a new five-year partnership, with initial seed funding of $6 million to establish the Climate Gender Equity Fund. This new initiative will increase access to climate finance for women-led climate organizations, as well as businesses that advance gender-equitable climate solutions in the least developed countries around the world.
As part of its commitment to gender equality and climate change, Amazon is also announcing a new commitment to allocate $50 million from its Climate Pledge Fund to invest in women-founded and women-led climate tech companies.
Amazon will collaborate with USAID and the Climate Gender Equity Fund to source new investment opportunities and broaden its pipeline of female applicants.
USAID and Amazon will work together to secure at least $60 million in additional funding and invite others to join us in advancing this critical issue.
Investing in Climate Leadership for Egyptian Women
USAID has made a $23 million initial investment in a new, nine-year program, Egyptian Pioneers, that aims to build a more inclusive and capable Egyptian workforce, while contributing to climate goals.
The investment will support leadership and professional training, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, and study abroad programs in the United States for more than 500 Egyptian women.
Together, these deliverables will accelerate climate action by scaling gender-equitable approaches that leverage women and girls’ unique knowledge, priorities, and experiences – all through impactful partnerships with the private sector, other U.S. government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, and philanthropies.
Following last year’s announcement at COP26 and as outlined in USAID’s Climate Strategy, USAID is committed to increasing participation and leadership for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth in all their diversity in climate action in at least 40 partner countries by 2030.
U.S. Ambassador Peter H.
Vrooman and Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) Rector Dr. Manuel Guilherme Junior inaugurated an American Shelf at the UEM Student Center to provide educational advising and information about learning English for university students and faculty.
In celebration of more than 30 years of cooperation between the two institutions, this American Shelf is one more example of the United States’ investment in the future of Mozambique and the higher education system.
In response to a request by UEM leadership, this new American Shelf offers information for UEM students and faculty to learn about and prepare for study in the United States.
The U.S. Embassy offers more than 10 exchange programs for youth and professionals each year.
These programs support Mozambicans’ educational and professional ambitions, with the goal of preparing them to find success upon their return to Mozambique.
An EducationUSA adviser will also hold regular office hours to guide those interested through the college application process for U.S. higher education institutions.
Books on English learning and U.S. culture and history are also available at American Shelf-UEM.
“This American Shelf is a tangible testament to our strong partnership with Eduardo Mondlane University,” said Ambassador Vrooman during the inauguration ceremony.
“We look forward to expanding access to English, broadening opportunities for educational, cultural, and professional exchanges, and connecting with Mozambican youth and academics.”
More than 1,500 Mozambicans from all 11 provinces have benefitted from academic and professional exchange programs in the United States.
Since 1990, more than 500 UEM students and professors have studied in the United States on U.S. government-funded scholarships, primarily the Fulbright program.
UEM has hosted about 50 American Fulbright teachers, researchers, and students in Mozambique.
And in December 2021, the U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), created Career Development Centers with UEM and Michigan State University in Maputo and Manica Provinces.
These Centers offer training and employability advising to students preparing to enter the job market and create ties between UEM and the Mozambican private sector.
American Shelf-UEM is open during UEM operating hours, Monday – Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm.
Visitors can meet with an EducationUSA adviser at the Shelf on Thursdays.
Visit the Shelf for more information about programs and resources available.
Today, the Government of Ethiopia and UNICEF, inaugurated a one-stop centre (OSC) that provides comprehensive medical, legal, and psychosocial services to victims of gender-based violence (GBV) in a safe environment.
The ceremony was attended by H.E Dr. Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister for the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia, and representatives from the Amhara regional state.
“Women and children have suffered from an increase in gender-based violence due to the conflict,” said H.E. Dr. Ergogie Tesfaye.
“This has a life-long impact on their physical, sexual and psycho-social well-being.
This one-stop centre that we are inaugurating today gives access to a holistic service to survivors to recover from such trauma and reduces the incidences of GBV in the future.”
The centre provides critical medical services including the clinical management of rape, abortion care, emergency contraceptive and treatment for diseases like HIV and sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B.
It also provides mental health and psychosocial services as well as legal aid to victims.
In addition, it provides referral services including shelter and livelihood support in collaboration with partners.
“The establishment of the one-stop centre is a critical step towards scaling up prevention and response services for children who are victims of GBV,” said Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia.
“UNICEF is committed to addressing GBV through a comprehensive approach that prioritizes access to services by working closely with the Government and other partners.”
A wide community awareness campaign is also underway so that victims of gender-based violence will not be afraid to seek the services provided at the centre due to stigma.
In the last two months, the case flow has increased due to the construction of the new centre with the full-service provision.
There is also a plan to establish more one-stop centres in Amhara region including Debark and Sekota.
This one-stop centre is funded by FCDO and USAID and UNICEF and partners are grateful for this support.
/Lizzy Okōji
Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an international NGO, has trained more than 30 journalists in Abuja to equip them with the necessary skills in conflict and sensitive reporting and mitigating misinformation and disinformation.
The NGO organized the training with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) to prepare journalists for the general elections in 2023. journalism and networking, the role of the media as agents of change, the promotion of peace and democratic values in news reporting. It also trained participants in the use of technology to track fake news, among others. Mr. Perry Tukuwei, Project Coordinator, SFCG and a Mr. Perry Tukuwei, Project Coordinator, SFCG and specialist in elections and government, told the News Agency that the training was organized for journalists, broadcasters and influential people in social networks, among others. from Nigeria that the training was organized for journalists, broadcasters and social media influencers, among others. He said the capacity of civil society organizations w as well as strengthened sensible principles in the office, as well as steps to mitigate hate speech. Tukuwei emphasized that the training would strengthen the capacity of journalists to be agents of change to drive the conversation of inclusive governance processes for women, youth, people with disabilities (PWD). ) and internally displaced persons. “We look forward to seeing how we can mitigate the rise of hate speech, misinformation and disinformation; we know that the fourth estate of the kingdom plays a key role in the formation of narratives and stereotypes. “Once we build the capacity of media stakeholders, they can start to push these messages within their networks and we can change the negative narratives.” At the end of this training, we want journalists to keep in mind that we are training them on a common approach,” he said. Tukuwei also pointed out that media professionals needed to work together for success. he said that one of the action plans of the training would be to establish a Common Ground Journalism Forum so that journalists can carry out initiatives to promote democracy and inclusion in the electoral process. Tukuwei said the training was also repeated in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun and on a national scale due to the presidential elections and more will be held when the off-cycle elections come. Mr. Temisan Etietsola, National Media Specialist, SFCG, said media professionals were needed to contribute to peacebuilding and social change. Etietsola said that the media can also play a role in building trust, finding solutions, inspiring, educating and entertaining the nation without compromising the basic principles of true journalism. tensions, the media have a crucial role to play; they can inflame the situation or they can use their considerable power to defuse the tension. “In other words, they can be part of the problem or they can be part of the solution; the media can provide four key things to enable social change. “Journalists can clarify issues and raise awareness, counter rumors, and provide accurate and reliable news and information,” he said. Etietsola called on journalists to always examine issues impartially and such issues inclusively, reflecting diverse perspectives. He also urged them to give voice to the voiceless, allow dialogue and understanding, respect the interests of others, and propose options and solutions to conflicts. He called on journalists to seek solutions and strengthen relationships, reduce stereotypes, prejudices and misconceptions, and encourage flexibility and openness towards others.
Edited / Alli Hakeem
Source Credit: NAN
Today, the US Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, launched a two-year, $1.2 million activity aimed at supporting the positive participation of young people and strengthen their participation in local government processes.
In the next few years, the population of Tanzania will grow by 10 million people.
The average Tanzanian is 17.5 years old, and 44 percent of the population is under the age of 15.
In the Mtwara region alone, about a third of the population are young.
Like youth around the world, Mtwara youth face broad challenges, including access to education and employment, as well as a desire to be more active in their communities.
Implemented by the International Rescue Committee, in collaboration with the Mtwara Society Against Poverty and Door of Hope to Women and Youth Tanzania, the Youth-First!
The activity identifies and empowers young change-makers who facilitate dialogues, mobilize their peers, lead awareness-raising and empowerment activities in their communities, and serve as liaisons with local government, religious and traditional leaders.
Youth-led organizations will also be empowered to strengthen youth voices in local government.
Speaking at today's event, USAID Office of Governance and Democratic Rights Director Bret Saalwaechter commented, “It is crucial that young people are represented, engaged and leading their communities.
This is a collaborative effort, and I have no doubt that the youth of Tanzania are ready and capable of assuming new and higher levels of leadership in service to the country.”
Kaduna State is gradually emerging as a new business destination of choice in Nigeria, attracting major investments in the last seven years. So far, the state has generated investment portfolio of about $4.3 billion spanning areas of agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing and retail services. Already, more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created. This feat was achieved by deliberate planning through the creation of a one-stop-shop and operationalizing of the ease of doing business charter to break barriers to investments and expansion of the fiscal space. The state, in 2018, was ranked first in the country by the World Bank in the ease of doing business. This is a quantum leap from the 24th position it occupied in 2014. According to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, the government’s cardinal agenda is anchored on providing enabling environment for the private sector to drive the economy while government provides the enabling environment. “This is driven by numerous policy actions and reforms that are geared towards revamping our competitive edge by making Kaduna the state of choice for investments decisions. He said that the government vision was driven by the recognition that the private sector provides the fastest way to create jobs and global competitiveness for the bulging youthful population. “Kaduna State Government has attracted a total investment portfolio of $4,488,000,000, comprising actualized and announced investments, and has created 75,750 direct and indirect jobs, in the last seven years,” according to El-Rufai. The journey began in 2016 when the state held its first Economic and Investment Summit, tagged KadInvest 1.0, which attracted 25 local and foreign investments worth $500 million. Subsequently, the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency developed an investment regulation framework to drive Public Private Partnership to facilitate investment across multiple sectors. During the KadInvest 2.0 in 2017, Kaduna state government unveiled its 2016-2020 Development Plan and SIP as vehicles for achieving SDGs through the annual budgetary framework. Thus, the state’s annual budget had since then, largely funded infrastructure development Some of the key investments attracted to the state in 2017 include Olam Poultry and Feed Mill, Mass Housing at Millennium City, KADICT, etc. A 3-year MoU was also signed with USAID to help drive economic development in the state and also launch of the Eyes and Ears Citizen Engagement Platform. Also, the KadInvest 3.0 in 2018 was used to unveil the state Infrastructure Master Plan (2018-2050). A total of 14+ investments were solidified through foreign and domestic investments. The state attracted 79 per cent Foreign Direct Investment and 21 per cent Domestic Investment, including the new flagship Dangote Peugeot Automobile Plant while more focus was made to building human capital. KadInvest 4.0 in 2019 brought about the operationalisation of the Kaduna Industrial Master Plan and improved the investment portfolio by 300 per cent. It was during the event that the state launched into the Industry 4.0 phase focusing on developing knowledge-driven economy while revamping industries. KadInvest 5.0 in 2020 was on “Infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation” and had the first Sub-National Virtual Economic and Investment Summit in Nigeria. It launched the Oxford Business Group Kaduna Report and the Public Private Partnership Policy and Manual. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state grew its investment portfolio by over $500 million. In 2021, the government focus was on promotion of knowledge-based economy through its 5-year Development Plan (2021-2025), which carries the blueprint showcasing where the state wants to be by 2025. According to El-Rufai, the plan contains a “tourism catalogue to proactively showcase our tourist sites and investment opportunities to the international market. ”It also has the Skills for Prosperity plan, a demand driven Skills and Education Programme that will equip youths with high quality skills needed by industries,” he said. In the last investment summit held from Oct. 13- Oct. 17, President Muhammadu Buhari commended the state for emerging the investment destination of choice in Nigeria. He said it was a recognition of the state’s policy drive and consistency which made the business community to continue to bring more investments. During the 7th edition of Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, various projects were opened to full business. Some of the companies include Falgates Foods and Rice Mill, AFEX Aggregation and Processing Centre, the KASTLEA Vehicle Inspection Centre, Kaduna Galaxy Mall, and COP Fertilizer Company. Others include a film village, three housing estates: Muwaffaq Estate, Nuru Siraj Estate, and Rheyno Estate, and Amsco Neighbourhood Centre. The event was rounded up with the launch of the new Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Charter 2022. There was also the declaration of the state’s Green Economic Zone as a Special Economic Zone with Free Trade Zone Status and Operational License by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). The state is angling to attract more investors by touting its population and infrastructure. “Kaduna state is the third biggest consumer market in Nigeria, the third most populous state in Nigeria and has 52 per cent of Nigeria’s consumer market. ‘’Besides, Kaduna state is rich in mineral resources as it has over 25 non-oil mineral deposits, including gold, iron ore and marble,’’ the governor said during the KadInvest 7.0. He also listed some of the major achievements of his administration, which include raking in N52 billion as Internally Generated Revenue in 2021 as against N11 billion in 2015. These also include completion of roads and recreational facilities, construction and expansion of schools, launch of aerial services for drugs supply and completion of an additional 300-bed hospital in Kaduna. According to El-Rufai, what the state has been doing is to become more innovative and resilient against global economic shocks by harnessing its comparative advantages to build the confidence of investors. As part of its future plans, the state is eyeing N20 trillion investments by 2050, raise investment in agriculture to contribute 40 per cent of overall state GDP by 2025. It also wants at least 10 percent share of electronics sector; 10 per cent in Motor Vehicle Assembly sector; 20 per cent penetration of renewables, and increase electricity grid by at least 400 MW. The government also plans to formalize artisanal mining to capture unaccounted mining activities in the state and their corresponding revenue generation. It also wants to revive brownfield textile industries and improve support services provided to cotton farmers. Other areas are innovation via ICT in the areas of Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Education. Expanding road network and provision of inter and intra transportation scheme, and exploring opportunities in rail freight transport between major industrial sites in the state. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A delegation from Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org), including Board Chairman E.
Gyimah-Boadi, CEO Joseph Asunka, Director of Analytics Carolyn Logan, and COO Felix Biga, is in Washington, DC, this week for a series of high-level meetings.
level commitments.
In partnership with the US Institute of Peace, the delegation will meet Tuesday with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for a briefing on the Afrobarometer findings on governance, democracy, change climate, health, COVID-19 and poverty.
Meetings with the US State Department and the Center for Strategic and International Studies are scheduled for Wednesday.
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans think.
With an unrivaled track record of over 350,000 interviews in 39 countries, representing the views of 80% of Africa's population, AB is leading the charge to close the continent's data gap.
On Thursday, the delegation will hold talks with the Obama Foundation on youth, gender, and intergenerational dynamics, followed by a high-level roundtable discussion with top U.S. government officials.
The packed visit ends Friday with meetings at the World Bank and the US National Security Council (NSC) with Judd Devermont, special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the NSC.
Afrobarometer data informs many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's World Governance Indicators.
The data is also used for country risk analysis and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as The Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB datasets are publicly available (http://www.Afrobarometer.org/) and can be analyzed for free using AB's online data analysis tool (https://bit.ly/3D6RMP6).
An advocacy group in Abia, called Abia North Political Projects, has selected a Methodist cleric, Bishop Ndukwo Onuoha, as a consensus governorship candidate for Abia North Senatorial District for 2023.
The Director- Lead of the group’s Screening Committee, Dr Uduma Nnate, said this at the formal unveiling of Onuoha before newsmen in Umuahia on Monday.
Nnate said that Onuoha came top at the end of the screening of six of the 10 Governorship Candidates of other parties, who hail from the district.
Nnate said that the six candidates submitted their curriculum vitae to the committee and promised to accept the outcome of the screening.
The other candidates included Ndukwo Anagha (Allied Peoples Movement), Chief Kalu Ijomah (National Rescue Movement) and Chief Mascot Kalu (Action Peoples Party).
Others were Dr Ngozika Ogbuneke (Social Democratic Party) and Prof. Greg Ibe of APGA.
Nnate said that the group was formed and registered to be a political mouthpiece for the area.
He also said that its mandate was to ensure that Abia north produced the next governor, in line with the Charter of Equity propounded by the founding fathers of the state.
“The group has been at the forefront of promoting and encouraging aspirants from Abia North from different political parties until the conclusion of primaries.
“After the primaries, we discovered that 10 of the 18 political parties gave their governorship ticket to Abia North sons or daughter.
“It became obvious that as a people, we cannot go for the governorship election with 10 candidates at the same time and expect to win or miracle to happen,” Nnate said.
He further said that the criteria for assessing the candidates included “capacity, credibility, competence, sound health, political party and knowledge of good governance”.
He said that all the screened candidates were “qualified and met our selection criteria but we must present only one person”.
“We, therefore, humbly request our other candidates who are not chosen to rally round the consensus candidate to ensure victory for God’s own State.
“We are aware that the ticket you hold belongs to your political party and will definitely consult your party before stepping down,” Nnate said.
The group described Onuoha, who hails from Item in Bende Local Government Area, as “a peace-builder, quintessential community mobiliser and astute programme strategist”.
It further said that the governorship hopeful had collaborated with UN, World Bank, USAID, Global Fund and other international donor agencies to facilitate development in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onuoha is a former Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Privatization Matters.
He is also a former member of the Presidential Committee on Ports Reforms under Obasanjo’s administration.
The clergyman is the President, Vision Africa International, a media outfit with headquarters in Umuahia.
He is also the Executive Director, Nigerian Inter-faith Action Association, a Christian-Muslim collaboration that provides a platform for inter-religious synergy to end malaria in Nigeria.
He picked the ADC’s governorship ticket after defeating Mr Otisi Ukiwe, the son of the former Military Vice President, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd.
), in a keenly contested primary election in Umuahia.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
On October 20, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) accepted a contribution from a leading Nigerian philanthropic organization, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), to partner in tuberculosis (TB) control and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
efforts in Nigeria.
ASR Africa will provide critical inputs, valued at $500,000, for national responses to TB and GBV.
These contributions will expand the impact of current USAID programs, implemented through local organizations in Nigeria.
Specifically, ASR Africa's contribution will provide: 11 Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Diagnostic Machines, also known as TB-LAMPs, with reagents and laboratory consumables; renovation of 10 Directly Observed Therapy for Tuberculosis or DOT centers; and approximately 1,200 dignity kits for survivors of gender-based violence in selected states in Nigeria.
The TB-LAMP diagnostic machines will allow 11 facilities to effectively diagnose TB, which remains a challenge in low-resource health facilities.
All people diagnosed with these machines will receive TB treatment at TB DOT centers that will be refurbished by ASR Africa.
The dignity kits contribution will also strengthen services for survivors of gender-based violence, including medical and psychosocial services, at Sexual Assault Rescue Centers, also known as SARCs, which are supported by the President's Emergency Plan to USAID AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Program.
As part of USAID's efforts to deepen private sector engagement in Nigeria, the Agency is working with private sector partners in the country to mobilize resources to reduce the burden of the disease and ensure a better quality of life for those affected.
“The private sector has immense potential to deliver sustainable development results,” Rachel Goldstein, director of USAID/Nigeria's HIV/AIDS and TB office, said at the gift acceptance meeting in Abuja.
"Each of ASR Africa's contributions will amplify the impact of USAID's development programming in Nigeria while demonstrating the opportunity for public-private partnerships to effectively address unmet development needs."
Presenting the donation letter, Ubon Udoh, Managing Director of ASR Africa, said: “ASR Africa is committed to the development of Nigeria's health sector.
The end-to-end diagnosis-to-treatment partnership with USAID will provide additional capacity and expand ongoing efforts to address TB and HIV in Nigeria.” USAID has partnered with the Nigerian government on the TB response since 2000 and the HIV response since 2003.
Through these efforts, USAID has contributed to a reduction in TB-related deaths by nearly 50 percent.
.
Through PEPFAR, USAID now provides comprehensive, life-saving HIV treatment services to more than 663,000 people and procures and delivers medicines to more than 1.9 million Nigerians receiving antiretroviral treatment.
