A new UNICEF report highlights that affordable, quality childcare is inaccessible in many of the world’s wealthiest countries. According to the report, Luxembourg, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Germany rank the highest on childcare provisions among high-income countries. Slovakia, the United States, Cyprus, Switzerland, and Australia rank the lowest. Where Do Rich Countries Stand on Childcare? – published by UNICEF’s Office of Research – Innocenti, ranks countries across the Organisation for … [Read more...] about Affordable, quality childcare inaccessible in many of world’s wealthiest countries: UNICEF Report
Economic empowerment of rural women positively impacts social norms and strengthens food security
The programme, 'Accelerating Progress towards Rural Women's Economic Empowerment', finds that economic empowerment of rural women as farmers, entrepreneurs and leaders contributes towards alleviating poverty, increasing food security and achieving gender equality. These findings, based on an evaluation of a six-year multi-agency global initiative implemented in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Nepal, Niger, and Rwanda, were shared at a high-level event in Rome earlier this … [Read more...] about Economic empowerment of rural women positively impacts social norms and strengthens food security
UK watchdog says Covid-19 vaccine reactions normal amid Norway concern
The UK’s health regulator said that it hasn’t seen any worrisome reactions to Covid-19 vaccines so far after reports from Norway raised safety concerns. At a public board meeting, interim chief executive officer of the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, June Raine, said: “There’s nothing unusual in what we’re seeing. At the moment it’s really fulfilling what we expected.” Norway’s authorities said that 33 elderly people living in nursing homes died shortly after being … [Read more...] about UK watchdog says Covid-19 vaccine reactions normal amid Norway concern
Norway contributes additional funding to Multi-Donor Programme for Safety of Journalists
The Kingdom of Norway and UNESCO signed a new Programme Cooperation Agreement, through which Norway reinforces its support to the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) with a generous contribution of 14 million Norwegian Krone (around 1,600,000 USD). A longtime ally of UNESCO and its Communication and Information Sector in promoting freedom of expression online and offline and the safety of journalists, Norway’s previous contributions have rendered … [Read more...] about Norway contributes additional funding to Multi-Donor Programme for Safety of Journalists
Norway contributes US$40 million to Unitaid to fight COVID-19
Unitaid is delighted to welcome a contribution of NOK 350 million (US$40 million) from Norway towards its vital work on COVID-19 treatments and tests. As a founding member of Unitaid, Norway has been a longstanding supporter of its efforts to bring forward life-saving global health innovations. Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, said: "I would like to express my gratitude to Norway for the significant contribution to Unitaid to advance the development and equitable access … [Read more...] about Norway contributes US$40 million to Unitaid to fight COVID-19
Norway to offer voluntary contribution of $33 million to UNESCO’s action
Norway will contribute some 316 million Norwegian crowns (33 million US dollars) to UNESCO’s action for the biennium 2020-2021 in the fields of education, safeguarding cultural heritage, protection and sustainable management of the oceans, support for freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, and artistic freedom. Two outstanding partnership agreements have been signed to this end with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation … [Read more...] about Norway to offer voluntary contribution of $33 million to UNESCO’s action
European NGOs plan to push Norwegian fund for arms ban
A German non-governmental organisation, Facing Finance has joined forces with other NGOs in Europe to exercise pressure on the Norwegian finance ministry for the Government Pension Fund Global’s (GPFG) adoption of new ethical investment guidelines. The Norwegian government had appointed the Ethics Committee to review ethical guidelines driving GPFG’s investments at the beginning of the summer, but Facing Finance is particularly looking at exclusion criteria for arms manufacturers. Director … [Read more...] about European NGOs plan to push Norwegian fund for arms ban
COVID- 19 Pandemic poses long-term threat to labour markets in developed economies
The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent severe economic restrictions has had a profoundly destructive impact on labour markets in virtually every part of the world. Developed economies, including the United States, the European Union and Japan, were no exception. In just two months, the aggregate unemployment rate for the OECD countries jumped from 5.2 per cent in February 2020 to 8.5 per cent in April. However, while the unemployment rate has soared into double digits in the US and in … [Read more...] about COVID- 19 Pandemic poses long-term threat to labour markets in developed economies
Innovation Fund | Boosting the EU’s Green Recovery €1 billion
The Commission is launching the first call for proposals under the Innovation Fund, one of the world's largest programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, financed by revenues from the auction of emission allowances from the EU's Emissions Trading System. The first call will provide grant funding of €1 billion to large-scale projects for clean technologies to help them overcome the risks linked to commercialisation and large-scale demonstration. This support will … [Read more...] about Innovation Fund | Boosting the EU’s Green Recovery €1 billion
Norway provides NOK 1 Billion to Developing Countries to enhance quality of Higher Education
The Norwegian government increases its support to the NORHED partnership, which aims to enhance the quality of higher education in poor countries. The goal is to give more young people in developing countries a job-relevant higher education that benefits society. Norway is therefore now giving more than NOK 1 billion to developing countries for higher education and research. The money will be distributed over the next six years through the NORHED II programme, which is managed by … [Read more...] about Norway provides NOK 1 Billion to Developing Countries to enhance quality of Higher Education
