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Kenya has launched a new financing mechanism designed to strengthen its digital economy by unlocking capital for local digital platforms and startups. As part of the initiative, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Co-operative Bank of Kenya signed a $900,000 loan portfolio guarantee agreement under the Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen) programme. Through… [Read More]

More than 125,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria as of 17 March, according to the latest data from the Displacement Tracking Matrix of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Around half of those crossing are children, highlighting the growing humanitarian concerns linked to the movement of families across the border. Most arrivals are… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Government of Australia have signed a new Strategic Partnership Framework for 2026–2030, renewing their long-standing collaboration to address humanitarian challenges and strengthen migration governance across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The agreement was acknowledged during a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, attended by Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative… [Read More]

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched a new joint initiative with the United Nations and the World Bank to strengthen social protection systems and expand access to decent work, particularly for young people, women and vulnerable groups. The project was officially introduced on 16 March in Kinshasa as part of… [Read More]

On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, the International Labour Organization is drawing attention to the urgent need to improve safety and health conditions for forestry workers, with a particular focus on initiatives underway in Brazil. Forests provide employment and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide, supporting sustainable forest management, timber production and… [Read More]

Women trainers participating in a programme supported by the International Labour Organization are helping transform livelihoods and promote leadership among women in Timor-Leste. Through the Agroforestry Skills Programme, three trainers are not only improving their own professional paths but also empowering others in their communities to build sustainable futures. In many Timorese communities, traditional social… [Read More]

A new report from the International Labour Organization shows that social dialogue is helping to expand gender equality and care-related rights across several countries in Latin America. Through collective bargaining and innovative workplace practices, businesses and workers are improving policies related to parental leave, flexible work arrangements and support for employees with family responsibilities. The… [Read More]

The Maier Foundation has donated $150,000 to West Virginia State University (WVSU) to expand scholarship opportunities for students. The grant was announced during the university’s Day of Giving and Founders Day celebrations and will support both immediate financial aid and long-term scholarship funding. Of the total contribution, $50,000 will provide direct scholarship support for students… [Read More]

In learning spaces across Aswan in Egypt, the Akelius Language Learning Programme is helping transform classroom teaching and student engagement through digital education tools. The initiative is part of a two-year partnership between UNICEF, Egypt’s Ministry of Education and Technical Education, and the Akelius Foundation, aimed at expanding inclusive learning opportunities for marginalized children across… [Read More]

The UNESCO has begun deploying emergency measures across the Middle East as violence escalates in the region, focusing on protecting education personnel and institutions, supporting cultural professionals and heritage sites, and strengthening the safety of journalists. While discussions with Member States continue to expand and adapt the response, several urgent actions are already being implemented… [Read More]

The UNESCO has partnered with Australia to support a new national education strategy aimed at addressing rising antisemitism in schools. As part of this initiative, a teacher-training programme is being piloted to help educators respond more effectively to incidents of antisemitism and promote inclusive and respectful school environments. The programme comes in response to a… [Read More]

New findings from the Zero-Dose Learning Hub supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance show that many under-immunised children remain unseen due to aggregated data, fragmented health information systems, and assumptions made at national levels. The evidence suggests that improving immunisation coverage requires not only better data and funding but also stronger accountability and strategies tailored… [Read More]

Coastal towns across the United Kingdom have long depended on tourism, but many are now facing economic and social challenges as visitor patterns have changed over the decades. The popularity of affordable package holidays, which began in the 1950s and expanded through the 1960s and 1970s, made overseas travel more accessible, while the rise of… [Read More]

Learning poverty remains a major challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 89% of children unable to read and understand a simple, age-appropriate text by the age of 10. In Malawi, this crisis is particularly evident, as many children attend school but still struggle to develop the basic reading skills needed to progress academically. This… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted the first global Guidelines aimed at promoting labour rights and preventing violence and harassment for professional athletes worldwide. The decision was reached on 6 March after five days of tripartite discussions involving government, employer, and worker representatives from the sport sector, marking a significant step toward improving working… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has approved $240 million to launch the first phase of the West Africa Coastal Areas Blue Economy and Resilience Program (WACA+), an initiative designed to protect vulnerable coastlines while promoting private sector–led growth in the blue economy across Benin and Mauritania. The financing package includes $207 million from the International Development… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has announced a 21-month debarment with conditional release for Mauritius-based PricewaterhouseCoopers Associates Africa Ltd., PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, Kenya, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Rwanda Limited over collusive and fraudulent practices linked to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project under the first phase of the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program in Ethiopia. The project aimed to increase… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) for Pakistan covering the period 2026–2030, outlining a roadmap to support the country’s shift toward sustainable and inclusive economic growth driven by private sector development. The five-year strategy focuses on strengthening private sector growth, promoting inclusion and empowerment, and improving resilience and… [Read More]

The Inclusive Futures programme, UK aid’s flagship disability inclusion initiative, has shared valuable lessons after eight years of work across Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Delivered by a consortium led by Sightsavers and the International Disability Alliance, the programme partnered with more than 200 organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), governments, INGOs, research… [Read More]

Pension reforms over the past three decades have sought to strengthen the connection between social security contributions during working life and the benefits received in retirement. This approach aims to encourage employment and extend working lives, while reducing fiscal pressures on ageing pension systems. The 1999 Polish pension reform, which replaced a traditional defined benefit… [Read More]

An inquiry into the state government’s community consultation practices has revealed that recent engagements have not consistently followed best practice principles. The report highlighted that the state government’s Public Engagement Framework, which is intended to guide meaningful consultation, has often been applied inconsistently across departments and agencies. Conducted by the Legislative Council Environment and Planning… [Read More]

Armed conflict often draws attention to immediate casualties and overwhelmed hospitals, but the broader health consequences for civilians are less visible. In the Middle East, the recent escalation in Lebanon, Iran, and the Gulf countries is another phase of a prolonged conflict, where dense urban areas face repeated bombardment. While direct injuries are evident, the… [Read More]

Digital wallets are increasingly used to store payment cards digitally, but their potential goes far beyond payments. When integrated as digital public goods with appropriate safeguards, they allow people to prove eligibility for social protection benefits, share health records in emergencies, or present certified documents for employment quickly and securely. Recognition and interoperability across systems… [Read More]