In Angola, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis remain major public health challenges, particularly affecting children’s nutrition, learning ability, and school performance in endemic regions. Addressing these diseases is essential for promoting child development and equitable access to health care. Aligned with global health commitments and the 2030 Agenda, Angola aims to eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis… [Read More]
WHO
Africa Unites to Bolster Diphtheria Response as Member States Renew Pledges
Brazzaville – As diphtheria continues to pose a threat across eight African Member States, Ministers of Health have renewed their political commitment to halt the resurgence of this vaccine-preventable disease. The renewed pledges aim to strengthen immunization systems, coordinate partners, and accelerate country-level action to protect vulnerable populations. The high-level advocacy meeting, convened by WHO… [Read More]
Top 5 Organizational Takeaways for Nonprofits from 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, nonprofit leaders have gained valuable insights into what drives organizational health and resilience. This year presented unprecedented challenges, revealing that the most effective organizations are those capable of adapting quickly to changing circumstances rather than relying solely on rigid strategic plans. Adaptive leadership, which balances long-term vision with tactical… [Read More]
How Growing Transphobia Fuels Authoritarianism and What Can Be Done
In 2018, the author experienced a violent attack in Thessaloniki for being with a friend wearing a skirt, marking their first encounter with the risks of being visibly gender non-conforming. While no physical scars remain, the incident left a lasting psychological impact, highlighting the pervasive hatred directed at transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. This personal… [Read More]
International Migrants Day: ILO Urges Protection and Decent Work for Myanmar Migrants
The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with Myanmar civil society, community-based, and labour organizations, commemorated International Migrants Day on 14 December 2025 in Yangon under the theme “Every Migrant, Every Story, One Humanity.” The event was organized through the EU-funded Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy… [Read More]
WHO Reports Early and Severe Flu Season Across European Region Amid Emerging Strain
Influenza is spreading across the WHO European Region earlier than usual, driven by a newly dominant virus strain that is putting significant pressure on health systems in some countries. Public health authorities are advising individuals to take simple protective measures to safeguard themselves and others during this winter season. The influenza season began approximately four… [Read More]
Historic Global Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health Adopted by World Leaders
World leaders at the Eightieth United Nations General Assembly have adopted a landmark political declaration to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and promote mental health through a fully integrated approach. The declaration, agreed upon ahead of the fourth high-level meeting on NCDs and mental health held on 25 September 2025, represents the first global commitment addressing… [Read More]
Second WHO Global Summit Advances Innovation and Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in collaboration with the Government of India, bringing together ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners from over 100 countries. The Summit aims to advance the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, focusing on stronger evidence, better regulation, health… [Read More]
$23 Million ADF Grant to Boost Renewable Energy Access in Bosaso, Somalia
The African Development Fund has approved a $23.36 million grants package to bring clean and reliable electricity to Bosaso, Somalia. The project, titled Rehabilitation and Expansion of Bosaso Power Grid and Strengthening of Energy Sector Institutions, is funded through $9.62 million from the African Development Fund and $13.74 million from the Transition Support Facility. It… [Read More]
Strengthening AMR Strategies in Angola: WHO Conducts Technical Mission
Angola recently enhanced its national response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through a joint technical mission organized by the Ministry of Health, with specialized support from the World Health Organization (WHO). The mission involved experts from WHO Headquarters, the Regional Office for Africa, and the WHO Office in Angola, aiming to strengthen institutional capacity in AMR… [Read More]
What India’s Largest Transparency Initiative Teaches About Access and Impact – Guest Post by Pallavi Prabhakar
Over two billion people live in countries where governments under-deliver on essential public services, yet citizens rarely use formal grievance systems to demand improvements. To address this participation gap, transparency programs have been introduced to make government performance visible, assuming that informed citizens will press officials for change. However, despite significant investments, evidence is limited… [Read More]
Calling Young Artists Worldwide to Explore Nature’s Hidden Wonders
Young artists worldwide are invited to participate in the eighth annual United Nations World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest, which encourages them to explore the vital connections between plants and wildlife. The 2026 theme, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods, highlights the crucial role these plants play in human health, biodiversity,… [Read More]
India Hosts WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine to Boost Research Investment
The World Health Organization (WHO) is hosting a summit on traditional medicine (TM) in New Delhi, India, starting 17 December 2025, with a focus on advocating for increased research funding. The event aims to strengthen the evidence base for TM to better integrate it into formal health systems. Notably, around 40% of today’s pharmaceutical products… [Read More]
Cross-Border Strategies to Improve Vaccine-Preventable Disease Outbreak Response
In November 2025, a significant cross-border capacity building meeting was held to strengthen preparedness and collaboration against vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks between WHO India and WHO Nepal. The sessions took place in Gorakhpur, India, from November 13 to 14, and in Biratnagar, Nepal, from November 17 to 18. The initiative aimed to equip Surveillance Medical… [Read More]
Third Edition of HCLTech Climate Action Grant Awards $1M to Tackle the Climate Crisis in the Americas
HCLTech has announced the third edition of its Climate Action Grant in the Americas, continuing its commitment to support scalable and sustainable solutions that address the climate crisis. This year, the program will award $1 million to three non-profit organizations across ten countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and… [Read More]
Protecting Waste Workers in Nepal: Advancing Safety and Labor Standards
In Kathmandu, Nepal, informal waste management workers often face precarious working conditions, including lack of formal employment contracts, social security, and protections against workplace hazards. These workers are exposed to low wages, job insecurity, and limited safety measures, with gender disparities and low awareness of rights further increasing their vulnerability. Through the Promoting Rights and… [Read More]
Part II: How Public Institutions and Civil Society Shaped the Serbia–Kosovo Normalization Process
Across the OECD and beyond, collaborative governance is becoming increasingly essential. The concept of “co-production,” where public services and policies are designed together with communities and civil society, demonstrates that reforms are more durable, legitimate, and effective when built through partnerships. Countries such as Canada, Finland, and New Zealand leverage civil society to reshape healthcare,… [Read More]
Can Teachers Drive Digital Transformation? The Bahamas Shows How
The Bahamas is emerging as a regional leader in digital transformation in education, driven by a strong national commitment to improving digital literacy and modernizing learning systems. Key initiatives include the establishment of a Digital Transformation Unit and strategic partnerships with the University of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. Through these… [Read More]
Minister Heydon Announces Strengthened Oversight for Agri-Food Regulator to Ensure Food Supply Transparency
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced new regulations granting enhanced powers to the Agri-Food Regulator, reinforcing a key commitment under the Programme for Government to improve transparency and fairness across the agri-food supply chain. Established in December 2023 under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, the Regulator… [Read More]
Enhancing Inclusivity in Insider Mediation for Stronger Organizational Harmony
This guidance note emphasizes the vital role of women, young people, and other historically excluded groups in insider mediation (IM) across diverse contexts. Despite their active engagement, these actors often face intersecting structural, sociocultural, and institutional barriers, including violence, stigmatization, limited access to decision-making spaces, and the lack of long-term support tailored to their realities…. [Read More]
$23 Million Boost from African Development Fund to Enhance Clean Energy in Bosaso
The African Development Fund has approved a grants package of $23.36 million to bring clean and reliable electricity to Bosaso, Somalia. The project, named the Rehabilitation and Expansion of Bosaso Power Grid and Strengthening of Energy Sector Institutions, is funded through $9.62 million from the African Development Fund and $13.74 million from the Transition Support… [Read More]
South Africa’s Shift to a Liberalised Electricity Market: Lessons from International Experience
South Africa has made significant progress in stabilising its electricity supply and addressing the long-standing issue of loadshedding, where controlled power cuts occur when electricity demand exceeds supply. To sustain this progress and secure energy for future economic growth, the country will need over $100 billion in new investment by 2035, marking one of the… [Read More]
Mastercard Foundation Backs Female-Led African Enterprises to Boost Inclusive Growth
Five35 Ventures has secured an anchor commitment from the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, a move that will strengthen support for women-led startups across Africa and expand the reach of gender-lens investing on the continent. The investment positions Five35 to scale its activities across East, West and Southern Africa while deepening engagement with early-stage women… [Read More]
