In spite of everything, a culture of peace is emerging in all fields of human endeavour
monthly, year 21st, no. 306 – 23rd December 2021
Good News Agency carries positive and constructive news from all over the world relating to voluntary work, the work of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and institutions engaged in improving the quality of life – news that doesn’t “burn out” in the space of a day. It is distributed free of charge through Internet to media and editorial journalists, NGOs, service associations and high schools and colleges around the world.
It is an all-volunteer service of Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale, an educational charity associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information It is a supporter of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace. In the final report of the Decade for a Culture of Peace project (2001-2010) provided to the UN Secretary-General for presentation to the UN General Assembly, Good News Agency is included among the three NGOs that have been playing an active role in the field of Information through Internet.*
* * * * * * *
The news are be divided into seven areas of reference:
1. Government and politics
2. Education and teaching
3. Economy, finance and planning
4. Arts of living and relationships
5. Work, science and industry
6. Society and communication
7. Rules, regulations and environment
In this way we intend to cover seven main fields of human life and activities, in which to record and promote, as always, the presence of goodwill in action and the culture of peace and cooperation that are for us the guiding values in these complex times. Each news item you will find in the seven fields will in turn be linked to one in particular of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 United Nations
SDGs number 1-No Poverty-
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
SDGs number 2-Zero Hunger
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
SDGs number 5-Gender Equality
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
SDGs number 6-Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
SDGs number 10-Reduced Inequalities
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
SDGs number 12-Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
SDGs number 13-Climate Action
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
SDGs number 14- Life below Water
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
SDGs number 15-Life on Land
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships to achieve the Goals
Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
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Government and politics – Education and teaching – Economy, finance and planning
Arts of living and relationships – Work, science and industry
Society and communication –Rules, regulations and environment
Ghana: institute stringent measures to protect rights of Women, Children - Nywe
(by Rafia Abdul Razak)
8 December 2021 - The Chairperson of the Network for Young Women Empowerment (NYWE), Ms Ida Nakaar, has asked traditional authorities to institute stringent measures to protect the rights of women and children against domestic violence in the Upper West Region. She said the situation was becoming rampant in the region, particularly in the rural communities. Ms Nakaar, who was speaking at a stakeholders' engagement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children on Monday, said violence against women and children was an issue that involved every individual and needed to be addressed to enhance the economic development of the country.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202112090157.html//
News related with SDGs number 5-Gender Equality
33 human rights wins to celebrate this year
6 December 2021 - It’s been a busy year for Amnesty International with positive changes taking place around the world. Laws have been rewritten, awards have been won, prisoners of conscience released and our supporters have continued to campaign with passion to ensure people can live free from torture, harassment or unjust imprisonment. Here’s a round-up of human rights wins to celebrate this year…
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/12/33-human-rights-wins-to-celebrate-this-year//
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2021/2073 of 25 November 2021 in support of enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) through satellite imagery
26 November 2021 – The Council of the European Union (…) has adopted this Decision:
Article 1
1. For the purpose of giving immediate and practical application to certain elements of the EU Strategy, the Union shall support the project of the OPCW to enhance its operational effectiveness through satellite imagery and imagery analysis provided by SatCen with the following objectives:
- expanding the OPCW’s capacity to support OPCW-mandated activities (the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT), the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT), etc) through imagery analysis as a source of evidentiary substantiation or corroboration of findings, and
- utilising targeted imagery analysis for areas of interest (sites, routes, etc) in planning for OPCW-mandated missions (incidents of alleged use (IAUs), challenge inspections (CIs), technical assistance visits (TAVs), etc) in order to increase security and confidence in verification accuracy. (…)
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy–sixth session - Agenda item 26 (b) - Agriculture development, food security and nutrition: natural plant fibres and sustainable development
Revised draft resolution: Natural plant fibres and sustainable development
16 November 2021 - The General Assembly, (…)
1. Invites all relevant stakeholders to scale up efforts to promote awareness of the benefits of the sustainable production and use of natural plant fibres;
2. Underlines the importance of unlocking the benefits of natural plant fibres, and encourages all stakeholders to promote the sustainable production and use of natural plant fibres in all relevant areas and sectors; (…)
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N21/341/31/pdf/N2134131.pdf?OpenElement
News related with SDGs number 2-Zero Hunger
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy–sixth session – Second Committee - Agenda item 24 (b)
Revised draft resolution: Eradication of poverty and other development issues: eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
16 November 2021 - The General Assembly, (…)
2. Reaffirms that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, for all people everywhere, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, as well as an overarching objective of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (…)
8. Encourages all countries and other relevant stakeholders to promote inclusive economic transformation in rural areas that increases productivity while ensuring productive employment and decent work, access to quality public services, reliable and appropriate social protection systems, quality and resilient infrastructure, roads and telecommunications, as well as preparedness planning for crises and early warning (…)
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N21/339/49/pdf/N2133949.pdf?OpenElement
News related with SDGs number 1-No Poverty
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy–sixth session – Second Committee - Agenda item 20 (h)
Draft resolution: Education for sustainable development in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
11 November 2021 - The General Assembly, (…)
4. Calls upon the international community to provide inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary and distance education, including technical and vocational training – so that all people, irrespective of sex, age, race or ethnicity, and persons with disabilities, migrants, indigenous people, children and youth, especially those in vulnerable situations, may have access to lifelong learning opportunities that help them to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to exploit opportunities to participate fully in society and contribute to sustainable development;
5. Reaffirms the commitment at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind and commit to taking more tangible steps to support people in vulnerable situations and the most vulnerable countries and to reach the furthest behind first; (…)
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N21/333/31/pdf/N2133331.pdf?OpenElement
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY – Indonesia and IRENA Agree Partnership to Decarbonise Southeast Asia's Largest Economy
9 November 2021 – Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), have today (November 4) signed a partnership that will see the two parties work closely to identify and implement decarbonisation pathways aligned with a 1.5°C future. Indonesia took over as G20 President for the first time in history at the recently concluded Rome Summit, where the world's largest economies agreed to stop overseas coal funding by the end of this year and acknowledged the role of pricing. (…)
News related with SDGs number 13-Climate Action
Germany gives CHF 2.8 million to help developing countries meet SPS standards, combat COVID-19
10 December 2021 - Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has contributed EUR 2,675,000 (approximately CHF 2.8 million) for 2021-2024 to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to help developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) meet international food safety, animal and plant health standards for trade. The contribution will also help these countries to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and to recover from the pandemic.
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres21_e/pr894_e.htm//
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
UNICEF launches globally a US$9.4 billion emergency funding appeal for children affected by conflict, the climate crisis and COVID-19
7 December 2021 - In Iraq, funds would support essential programs for 1 million people, almost 780,000 of them children, through 2022.
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Government of Ontario launches Flagship Initiative to lead Development of EV and Smart Transportation Technologies
7 December 2021 - The Ontario government has launched a flagship program to drive innovation and investment across Ontario's electric, connected and autonomous vehicle sector. Its $56.4 million investment in the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is part of Driving Prosperity The Future of Ontario's Automotive Sector, the government's plan to drive deals and secure production mandates for hybrid and electric vehicles, create a domestic battery ecosystem, and strengthen Ontario's position as a North American automotive and electric vehicle (EV) innovation hub.
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Libya: Officials Pledge to Strengthen the Protection of Children and Education in Libya
3 December 2021 – On 24 and 25 November 2021, Geneva Call hosted a Conference on the protection of children in Libya, attended by the Vice-President of the Libyan Presidential Council, the Libyan Minister of Justice, other Libyan members of government and the Libyan Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Over two days, hosts and participants reflected on concrete ways to improve child protection in Libya, culminating with the signature of a Statement to Strengthen the Protection of Children and Education. In the Libyan context, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of armed violence; “the figures about child protection in the country are worrying” stated Alain Délétroz, Geneva Call’s Director General, during the opening speech of the Conference. In June 2021, the UN Secretary General’s Report on Children in Armed Conflict reported 96 incidents of children killed or maimed, and 166 grave violations of IHL committed against children. In addition, a total of 287 schools are reported to have been damaged or destroyed. As Mr. Délétroz reminded the audience, the questions of child protection and education represent “a crucial issue for the future of Libya.” (…)
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Somalia: Oldest physical rehabilitation centre continues to offer hope
3 December 2021 – Thirty-nine years on, the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) rehabilitation centre in Mogadishu continues to serve as a revolving door between despair and hope for patients who visit the facility. Tragic stories from Somalia's civil war era to common occurrences in Mogadishu today- explosions, car bombs, shoot-outs, grenade attacks and suicide bombs – make a turnaround for the better. More than 2,700 people were attended to at the facility between January and September this year. Out of them, 96 were children born with a congenital birth defect called clubfoot that if left untreated will not be able to walk normally. Other services patients received include physiotherapy as well as providing prostheses, orthoses, crutches, walking frames and wheelchairs. Most of the staff at the centre are long-tenured employees who are passionate about their work. (…)
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/somalia-oldest-physical-rehabilitation-centre-continues-offer-hope
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
UN Agencies back bold plan to ensure every child in need gets a regular healthy meal in school by 2030
16 November 2021, New York – United Nations agencies have announced their strong support for an international coalition aiming to rapidly improve the nutrition, health and education of school-age children around the world following pandemic-driven school closures. In a joint declaration, five agencies committed to assisting the School Meals Coalition, a grouping of more than 60 countries led by France and Finland, whose vision is to give every child in need the opportunity to receive a nutritious meal in school by 2030. The coalition is also committed to ‘smart’ school meals programmes, which combine regular meals in school with complementary health and nutrition interventions for children’s growth and learning. School children are not the only ones who benefit. The leaders of the five agencies noted that school meals can serve as “springboards” for food system transformation (…)
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Joint FAO-IRENA Report on Renewable Energy for Agri-food Systems launched at COP26 - Report tables recommendations for decision makers in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
5 November 2021 - The production, distribution and consumption of food uses about a third of the world's energy and is responsible for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, making its decoupling from fossil fuels a priority in the fight against climate change. A new report launched today (Nov 4) on the side-lines of the UN's Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow explores the relationship between the world's agri-food systems and renewable energy and argues that solutions are within our grasp. (…) The report, Renewable energy for agri-food systems - Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris agreement, is the result of a joint effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (…)
News related with SDGs number 13-Climate Action
Denmark commits millions to vulnerable farmers through IFAD’s climate adaptation fund
9 December 2021, Rome – In the wake of COP26, which featured a strong call for increased finance to help the world’s poorest countries adapt to the impacts of climate change, Denmark today announced a contribution of about US$29 million to the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to assist small-scale farmers to cope with unpredictable weather. Research supported by IFAD shows that the yields of staple crops such maize could decrease by as much as 80% by 2050 in parts of Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe due to climate change, resulting in increased hunger and poverty. Without timely investments in adaptation, climate change could push more than 140 million people to migrate by 2050.
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
Meghalaya Government and WFP partner on transforming targeted public distribution system to improve food security
19 November 2021, New Delhi/Shillong – The Government of Meghalaya and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have joined forces to reach over two million people through transforming the targeted Public Distribution System. As part of the partnership, WFP and the Department will undertake supply chain optimization of the entire targeted Public Distribution System in the state, and introduce innovative solutions and technologies. Among the highlights of the partnership is the piloting of alternate storage mechanisms to reduce losses and improve warehouse management by sharing global best practices on warehouse management, and making supply chains efficient and cost-effective. This includes applying smart technologies based on the ‘Internet of Things’.
News related with SDGs number 2-Zero Hunger
PepsiCo partners with the UN World Food Programme in Iraq to support farmers affected by conflict, displacement, and climate change
18 November 2021, Erbil - Today, PepsiCo Inc and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced a new partnership to support farmers in Iraq impacted by conflict and climate change and help build a more sustainable agricultural supply chain in the region, particularly for potato crops. Through PepsiCo Foundation’s support, WFP will provide farmers with training and technical expertise, and share agricultural best practices, such as the targeted use of irrigation and fertilizer. PepsiCo will purchase potatoes from the farmers to use in food production, helping build the farmers’ livelihoods. The partnership is part of PepsiCo’s positive (Pep+) agriculture strategy which focuses on regenerative farming practices and empowering farming communities to improve the livelihoods of more than 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain, and sustainably source 100% of the company’s key ingredients by 2030.
News related with SDGs number 1-No Poverty
FAO and KSrelief to scale up cooperation on humanitarian work, data-driven development
17 November 2021, Rome – The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) announced an ambitious new five-year Strategic Joint Cooperation Agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The agreement commits the partners to scale up joint action to meet humanitarian needs, address drivers of acute food security, and help at-risk agricultural communities build resilience to shocks that undermine their productive potential. As a first step under the new expanded partnership, KSrelief today contributed $5 million to improve the food security and nutrition of Yemen’s most vulnerable smallholder farmers. The $5 million will fund an FAO project assisting more than 24 000 highly vulnerable smallholder farming families comprised of 168,000 people. It will provide them with high quality vegetable seeds, tools and irrigation kits, and animal feed and mineral blocks, while also offering them training on nutrition-sensitive agriculture to help them improve their diets.
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
Startup steps up to commercialize biobased acrylics
(by Rebecca Coons)
10 November 2021 - In Illinois, a startup has officially launched using catalyst technology developed by the University of Minnesota that converts corn-derived lactic acid into acrylics. (…) the company says the technology cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 35% compared to petroleum-based acrylics and is also cost-competitive. (…)
News related with SDGs number 12-Responsible Consumption and Production
Single-use spa underwear gets the sustainability treatment
(by Rebecca Coons)
10 November 2021 - A German brand has launched a plant-based version of the notoriously unsubstantial disposable undies spas provide for nearly-nude treatments like body scrubs and massages. Called Zero Waste, Urb’n Nature makes the scanty skivvies from cellulose fibers and cotton. The line is fully compostable, available for both sexes, and includes thongs, boxers, briefs, and tank tops. (…) The garments are also hypoallergenic, breathable, and crease resistant.
News related with SDGs number 12-Responsible Consumption and Production
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy–sixth session – Third Committee - Agenda item 28 Social Development
Revised draft resolution: Fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations Volunteers programme
and twentieth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers
2 November 2021 - The General Assembly, (…)
1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on volunteering for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims for all human beings to fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment and notes the progress made by stakeholders under the plan of action to integrate volunteering into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
2. Recalls the importance of integrating volunteerism, as appropriate, into the planning for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and encourages the United Nations system, civil society and the private sector, in partnership with Member States, to support such efforts and promote a conducive environment for volunteerism and volunteers to enhance the sustainability of development results; (…)
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N21/317/38/pdf/N2131738.pdf?OpenElement
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
CHT in Bangladesh towards Peace and Prosperity: Peace Accord in 1997 paves the way
(by Hafizur Talukdar)
11 December 2021 -The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord has entered into two eras. The agreement was signed 24 years ago with the aim of ending the bloody clashes between the Bengalis and the government forces and establishing peace with the tribes and hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. After the agreement, it was hoped that if implemented, the winds of peace would blow in the mountains and the economy would gain momentum. In the last 24 years, this hope has been fulfilled. The way of life of the locals has changed. Various development projects undertaken by the government have changed the economic condition of millions of people living in the area.
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The Women Peace and Security Index: a new lens on forced displacement
10 December 2021 - The Women Peace and Security (WPS) Index, published by Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) and the PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and Security (PRIO GPS) draws on recognized data sources to measure and rank women’s inclusion, justice, and security across 11 indicators in 170 countries. This year, Norway, Finland, and Iceland lead the rankings, while Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen are at the bottom.
News related with SDGs number 5-Gender Equality
AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - Dialogue between government and rebels: the Church hopes for a return to the negotiating table
9 December 2021 – Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - "The situation is slowly improving in the Country, although the fact that the rebels entered Kaga-bandoro and Bossangoa two weeks ago is of some concern, and thus did not respect the unilateral ceasefire declared by the government in October. We are rather concerned because we do not know what it means and if it is part of a strategy. In general, the situation in Bangui and other prefectures is calm but, after this resumption of military operations by the rebels, it is not known what could happen".
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Bangladesh: Dhaka Peace Declaration Adopted
9 December 2021 - The two-day ‘World Peace Conference 2021’ ended in Dhaka. The conference was held as part of the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. The World Peace Conference 2021 ended with the adoption of the Dhaka Declaration at the conclusion of the World Peace Conference on Sunday (December 5).
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Dakar Forum on Peace and Security: “There can be no security without human security”
6 December 2021 - Speaking at the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security, Peter Maurer, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stressed that there can be no stability or emergence in Africa if action focused solely on military solutions; it was essential to invest in the human dimension.
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Volunteers help fellow villagers access healthcare in conflict-affected eastern Ukraine
3December 2021 – The long-running conflict in eastern Ukraine has continued since 2014. In the Donetsk region, many have left villages and towns near the fighting but some people either do not want to leave or cannot leave. A lot of them are elderly people, many with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Yet people often find it difficult to access healthcare. In some villages, volunteers supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are providing transport and health information to help people get the medical care they need. “There was before and after. Groceries became unavailable abruptly. Medical services became unavailable. The kindergarten and school shut down. Everything changed in the blink of an eye,” says Valentyna Naumovychm, a volunteer working with MSF. “Now the village is dying out. Mostly the elderly remain. Those who could leave, left. There were 500 people here, 300 households. Now there are 136 people and 75 households.” Those who stayed behind, she adds, never forget about the conflict: “We are constantly reminded of it.” Volunteers like Valentyna provide a crucial lifeline for people living in villages close to the conflict. Incidents of shelling and shooting happen almost every day in some of these areas. Around many villages, landmines remain a serious threat. Partly as a result of these risks, transport systems remain disrupted and many services are simply not available. This often includes medical services. (…)
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Gabriela Hearst Initiative to Help Save the Children’s Afghanistan Crisis Children’s Relief Fund
1 December 2021- Fairfield, Connecticut- From December 1st to December 25th, 100 percent of net proceeds across all ready- to-wear, handbags, and accessories in Gabriela Hearst flagship stores (985 Madison Avenue, New York and 59 Brook Street, London) and gabrielahearst.com will be donated to Save the Children’s Afghanistan Crisis Children’s Relief fund. All Gabriela Hearst handbags, which are usually only available via a wait list, will be click-to-buy on gabrielahearst.com. (…) Years of conflict, natural disasters (especially droughts) and the fallout of COVID-19 have pushed Afghanistan to the brink of disaster. Tragically, millions of Afghan children are growing up in high intensity conflict zones, forcing many families to flee. Over half of the world's refugees come from three countries and more than 5 million children are now just one step away from famine. The Save the Children teams on the ground in Afghanistan are focusing on providing children with food, medical care, education and shelter. (…)
News related with SDGs number 10-Reduced Inequalities
2001-2021: Two decades dedicated to capacity building for health emergency preparedness and response
10 December 2021 - The WHO Office in Lyon, France — a Centre of Excellence in strengthening public health laboratories — contributes to global health security and supports countries in building stronger health emergency capacities. Today, the Office is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Greater adoption of telemedicine could offer economic and social benefits for Canada
(by Marco Hafner, Erez Yerushalmi, Eliane Dufresne, Evangelos Gkousis)
7 December 2021 - RAND Europe researchers examined the potential impact of continued, long-term use of telemedicine in Canada. They found that, alongside the benefits from tools such as telemonitoring and digital health records, widespread use of teleconsultations could lead to significant benefits for Canadian patients, the Canadian economy and wider Canadian society. The findings directly contribute to the evidence base in telemedicine and virtual healthcare more generally.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1274-1.html//
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/1969 of 27 October 2021 on the request for registration of the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Call to Action – Environmental protection in all policies’ pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council
12 November 12, 2021 – THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION (…), whereas, (…)
The objectives of the amended initiative are expressed as follows: ‘The Commission has to safeguard and improve Europeans' quality of life, whilst protecting other species and the natural environment as a whole. Thereby, the Commission must propose a legal act- recommendation that leads to a better understanding and compliance with environmental protection measures in EU Member States. The objective of the initiative is for the Commission to propose a legal act that would assure Europeans that their national authorities are taking into account environmental considerations when introducing new or amending existing policies.’ (…)
has adopted this Decision:
Article 1
The European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Call to Action – Environmental protection in all policies’ shall be registered. (…)
News related with SDGs number 15-Life on Land
Key Cop26 pledges could put world 9% closer to 1.5C pathway
(by Jonathan Watts)
11 November 2021 – (…) New Cop26 pledges announced on methane, coal, transport and deforestation could nudge the world 9% closer to a pathway that keeps heating to 1.5C, according to a study by the world’s most respected climate analysis coalition. (…) However, this is dependant on governments keeping their climate promises (…)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/11/key-cop26-pledges-could-put-world-closer-pathway
News related with SDGs number 13-Climate Action
GWEC and UN Global Compact launch global roadmap for offshore wind
10 November 2021 – To increase the role played by offshore wind energy in mitigating climate change, deployment needs to ramp up across the globe. (…) An increasingly busy marine space is one of the key barriers to increasing offshore wind energy capacity. As such, GWEC and the UN Global Compact are calling for increased collaboration between industry, governments, authorities and the marine spatial planning community to simplify and optimize the planning and implementation processes of renewable energy projects. The roadmap calls for the following improvements: (…)
News related with SDGs number 12-Responsible Consumption and Production
UK GOVERNMENT - UK backs new small nuclear technology with £210 million - Each small modular reactor could be capable of powering 1 million homes - equivalent to a city the size of Leeds.
10 November 2021 – Highlights
- Government commits £210 million to develop small modular reactors in the UK, matched by private investment
- new nuclear critical to strengthening energy security as we reduce Britain's dependency on volatile fossil fuels
Matched by private sector funding of over £250 million, today's investment will take forward phase 2 of the Low-Cost Nuclear project to further develop SMR design and take it through the regulatory processes to assess suitability of potential deployment in the UK. New nuclear has a crucial role to play in providing reliable, affordable, low carbon energy as Britain works to reduce its dependency on volatile fossil fuels and exposure to global gas price spikes. (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Making aircraft fuel from sunlight and air
(by Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V. (IASS))
4 November 2021 - Scientists have built a plant that can produce carbon-neutral liquid fuels from sunlight and air. The next goal will be to take this technology to industrial scale and achieve competitiveness. Researchers now describe how this novel solar reactor functions and outline a policy framework that would provide incentives to expand the production of 'solar kerosene'. (…)
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211104115245.htm
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Accenture, Dubai Cares, Microsoft and UNICEF launch digital education platform under Generation Unlimited to help address global learning crisis
12 December 2021, Dubai – Accenture, Dubai Cares, Microsoft and UNICEF announced today the launch of a global, digital learning platform for young people. Operating under the Generation Unlimited partnership, the Passport to Earning platform aims to address the global education crisis – currently exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic – and prepare the next generation for decent work. The platform will provide young people aged 15-24 across the world with free, certified education and skills training. Young people using the platform will be able to use the certifications gained to support future employment and entrepreneurship opportunities made available on the platform. The Passport to Earning platform was unveiled today at the RewirEd Summit, the largest global education summit of its kind. Passport to Earning is built on Microsoft’s Community Training (MCT) platform and will form an extension of UNICEF and Microsoft’s Learning Passport, a digital learning platform aimed at school-age children struggling to access mainstream education. Operational in 20 countries, the Learning Passport was recently identified by Time Magazine as one of the 100 best inventions of 2021. The platform will offer online and offline digitalized curricula with supplemental content curated at the national level.
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
5 Good Things That Happened for the Planet in 2021
(by Linnea Harris)
9 December 2021 - It wasn’t all bad. Here’s some of the good news from this year:
https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-wins-2021-2655952220.html//
News related with SDGs number 15-Life on Land
Global Environment Facility approves $13.6 million for FAO-led projects
9 December 2021, Rome - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today welcomed approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for four FAO-led projects in eight countries, totaling more than $13.6 million in funding. The latest projects will address urgent environmental challenges - such as land degradation and soil erosion, biodiversity loss, unsustainable fishing, and food production - that affect the food security and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. To be implemented in partnership with and co-financed by the governments of Barbados, Cabo Verde Guyana, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, the projects will directly benefit more than 135,000 people and restore over 4,150 hectares of degraded landscapes. Overall management of more than 5 million hectares of land and marine habitats will be improved and 37,000 tonnes of over-exploited fish stocks will be moved to more sustainable levels, in a key initiative that coincides with the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022.
https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/GEF-approves-fao-projects/en
News related with SDGs number 14- Life below Water
Caritas Asia: Witness to charity and dialogue between religions
(by Robin Gomes)
8 December 2021 - Caritas Internationalis is marking 7 decades of its service with a series of 7 regional or continental webinars. The last of these virtual seminars took place on December 7 on Asia. Caritas Internationalis (CI) is a confederation of more than 160 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. It turns 70 on 12 December. To mark seven decades of service, CI has held a series of seven regional or continental webinars. The last of these virtual seminars took place on Tuesday and was dedicated to Caritas Asia.
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
‘We are uniting’: Long-duration energy storage competitors join forces at COP26
(by John Engel)
11 November 2021 - Normally competitors in the quest to deploy long-duration energy storage, and replace fossil fuels with dispatchable clean energy at all hours of the day, 24 companies joined forces at the COP26 United Nations climate summit to form the Long Duration Energy Storage Council (…) which aims to provide guidance to governments and grid operators on the path to deploying 85-140 TWh of long-duration energy storage globally by 2040. (…)
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
Smart city evolution: How cities have stepped back from a 'tech arms race'
(by Danielle McLean, Maria Rachal, and Dan Zukowski)
9 November 2021 - Following the 'first wave' of the smart cities movement, local leaders describe how they have largely shifted from a tech-first to a resident-first approach. (…) When asked how the smart cities movement has changed in the past five years, many city leaders describe how an early exuberance for the potential of new smart city technologies may have distracted them from their primary concern: the residents, their perspectives and their needs. (…) Some of those new priorities include finding smarter ways — including with new technologies — to meet those needs while safeguarding residents’ privacy. (…)
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Smart City Expo
November 2021 - Held in Barcelona since 2011, Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) is the international leading event for cities. Our mission is to empower cities and collectivize urban innovation across the globe. Through promoting social innovation, establishing partnerships and identifying business opportunities, the event is dedicated to creating a better future for cities and their citizens. (…) Over the years, SCEWC has grown into much more than a three-day event. By creating and nurturing an international innovation community, sparking cross-sectoral conversations, forging and fostering partnerships, and building a platform to share knowledge, we’ve developed a groundbreaking model of advocacy for a better urban world. (…)
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Rules, regulations and environment
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Japan assists Indonesia to decarbonise power sector - TEPCO Power Grid and partners to provide roadmap to help south Asian country achieve carbon neutrality
25 November 2021 - Japanese energy and grid players have concluded an agreement for a survey on power sector decarbonisation in Indonesia. Under the agreement, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), TEPCO Power Grid, JERA and Tokyo Electric Power Services will draw up a proposed roadmap that embodies the targeted power source structure and power supply system while taking into account the specific conditions in Indonesia fully. The agreement (…) will also consider measures that JICA could implement in Indonesia in support of the roadmap. (…)
https://renews.biz/73891/japan-assists-indonesia-to-decarbonise-power-sector/
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY - IRENA and OLADE Reinforce Commitment to Boost Renewables in Latin America and the Caribbean
25 November 2021 - The Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), have signed a new agreement to work closely in efforts to scale up the deployment of renewable energy in the Latin American and Caribbean region as it pursues ambitious 2030 goals. The Memorandum of Understanding (…) establishes a general framework of collaboration to strengthen policy frameworks and stimulate low-carbon investment flows through a series of initiatives including investment forums and efforts to promote regional energy integration. (…)
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY - UK government and IEA spearhead largest ever global initiative to make products more energy efficient (…)
25 November 2021 - The UK government and the International Energy Agency announced today (Nov 4) that four major economies - Australia, Indonesia, Japan and Nigeria - have signed onto their action plan for rapidly improving the energy efficiency of products sold around the world, bringing the total to 14 and making it the largest ever global initiative of its kind. Jointly led by the UK government and the IEA, the COP26 Product Efficiency Call to Action is an ambitious initiative to double the efficiency of key internationally traded products by 2030 in order to help drive reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions and consumers' energy bills. The Call to Action encourages governments to deploy a range of policies such as product standards, labels and incentives to raise the efficiency of high-energy consuming products. (…)
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
Australia passes laws to boost offshore wind - Three bills establish regulatory framework for electricity infrastructure projects in Commonwealth waters
November 25, 2021 - The Australian Parliament has endorsed a package of new laws which will support the development of Australia’s offshore wind industry. The three bills, which passed the final stage in the Senate today, establish the regulatory framework around electricity infrastructure projects in Commonwealth waters. (…)
https://renews.biz/73903/australia-passes-laws-to-boost-offshore-wind/
News related with SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy–sixth session – Second Committee -Agenda item 20 (j) - Agriculture development, food security and nutrition: natural plant fibres and sustainable development: Revised draft resolution: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
16November 2021 - - The General Assembly, (…)
3. Welcomes the significant progress recorded with regard to several targets of Sustainable Development Goal 7;
4. Strongly encourages Governments and other relevant stakeholders to take actions to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, increase the global share of new and renewable energy, improve the inclusion of developing countries in energy sector cooperation, where relevant, and increase the rate of improvement in energy efficiency for a clean, low-emission, low-carbon
climate-resilient, safe, efficient, modern, affordable and sustainable energy system, (…)
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N21/340/90/pdf/N2134090.pdf?OpenElement
News related with SDGs number 15-Life on Land
Bioenergy Devco closes $100M in new capital to accelerate anaerobic digestion projects
(by Helena Tavares Kennedy)
14 November 2021 - In Maryland, Bioenergy Devco, developer of anaerobic digestion facilities that transform organic waste into renewable energy and healthy soil products, secured $100 million in financing from funds managed by Irradiant Partners, which will support the development of multiple anaerobic digestion facilities to drive sustainable organic waste recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North America. (…)
News related with SDGs number 15-Life on Land
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK - European Commission, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and EIB advance partnership in climate technologies
3 November 2021 – At the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Bill Gates, the Founder of Breakthrough Energy, together with European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer, have officially entered into a pioneering partnership that will boost investments in critical climate technologies. (…) The partnership between Commission, European Investment Bank and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst will mobilise up to 820 million ($1 billion) between 2022-2026 to accelerate the deployment and rapidly commercialise innovative technologies that will help deliver European Green Deal ambitions and the EU's 2030 climate targets. (…)
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
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Good News Agency is published monthly (except August) in English, Italian and Portuguese. Past issues are available at www.goodnewsagency.org . Rome Law-court registration no. 265 dated 20 June 2000. Managing Editor: Fabio Gatti (fabio.gatti@goodnewsagency.org). Editorial research by Fabio Gatti, Isabella Strippoli, Elisa Minelli, Salvatore Caruso Motta, Chiara Damilano, Francesco Viglienghi, Carlo Toraldo, Andrea Landriscina, Nazzarena Franco. Webmaster, media and NGO coverage: Simone Frassanito (simone.frassanito@goodnewsagency.org)
Good News Agency is distributed free of charge through Internet to media and editorial journalists of the daily newspapers and periodical magazines and of the radio and television stations, NGOs, service associations, high schools and colleges as well as over 26,000 Rotarians around the world.
It is an all-volunteer service of Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale, a registered, not-for-profit educational charity chartered in Italy in 1979 The Association operates for the development of consciousness and promotes a culture of peace in the ‘global village’ perspective based on unity in diversity and on sharing. It is based in Piazzale degli Eroi 8, 00136 Rome, Italy. The Association is a member of the World Association of Non Governmental Organizations.
* http://decade-culture-of-peace.org/2010_civil_society_report.pdf - In section A - International Organizations, page 12, the Report says: ”Diffusion and exchange of culture of peace information via the Internet has become the major instrument for several international organizations, notably the Culture of Peace News Network, the Good News Agency and the Education for Peace Globalnet.”