Category: General

A learning institution in Nakuru is promoting youth participation in drama and film as an intentional strategy to pass on compelling messages about moral values, climate change, health issues and food security.

According to Roots Academy’s headmaster, Mr Collins Odhiambo, by amplifying Grade 3 pupils’ voices through drama, the young generation adds their voice to the existing social economic environment and sensitises each other persuasively to be the transformative change agents.

Odhiambo indicated that, from a holistic perspective, the institution uses drama to foster inclusion and alienate stereotypes, thus promoting moral values and national and cultural aspirations.

The head teacher disclosed that the institution had developed a creative talent ecosystem where budding playwrights and music composers were being encouraged to create content that promoted national moral values and peaceful co-existence.

Speaking during the institution’s cultural day, the head teacher indicated that theatre and music must not be used to exhibit acts and messages that promote ethnicity, nudity or violence.

‘If used appropriately, drama and music have the greatest potential for promoting patriotism, national unity and high moral values,’ said Odhiambo.

The head teacher observed that in the wake of technological advancement that has increased uptake of social media, the country was grappling with challenges posed by undesirable content posted by both local and foreign music composers and content developers.

The head teacher was happy that the Ministry of Education was committed to nurturing and promoting the competencies of the participants from an early age and called on the Nakuru County government to start looking at performing arts and creative writing as sources of employment as it was a multi-billion industry that Kenya must exploit through development of talent.

Odhiambo noted that theatre and performing arts were crucial in shaping attitudes and preferences of the country’s young generation, adding that issues like corruption, negative ethnicity and lawlessness should be tackled by being portrayed as undesirable things in any society.

‘Inculcating positive moral values and high social standards in children at an early age amounts to setting the foundation for dismantling ills that have bedevilled this country for generations, particularly bad politics and corruption,’ noted the Head teacher.

He further said that in times of tension, drama and music had the capacity to whittle down mistrust, adding that through music, the country’s history could be preserved for posterity.

Deputy Head Teacher Mr Cleophas Mutai pointed out that using drama and film as a forum to disseminate messages about moral values, climate change, health issues and food security was in line with Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which advocates for the holistic growth and development of a child.

He stated that CBC will provide solutions to some of the problems ailing our society, such as indiscipline and general lack of moral values.

Mr Mutai indicated that drama and film can be used to disseminate information about conflict resolution, human rights, and other topics that are important for peacebuilding. He added that it can also be used to broadcast messages that promote peace and tolerance and challenge damaging narratives and stereotypes.

‘It also serves as a medium for people to share their perspectives, experiences and ideas and engage in constructive dialogue to address conflicts’, added Mutai.

Drama and film can also reach remote and marginalised communities that may not have access to other forms of media or information. Further, the genres can support peacebuilding initiatives by amplifying voices of peace activists, promoting peace-oriented events and covering peace-related news and issues.

Overall, radio can play a crucial role in promoting peace and stability, by fostering dialogue, encouraging understanding, and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives,’ stated the Deputy Head Teacher.

A parent, Ms Sarah Kiarie, stated that it is through changing the younger generation’s mindset that the country can restore the lost sense of oneness and brotherhood it once shared and strove to uphold.

‘Our ‘moral revolution’ must surely start somewhere, and soon. It must commence at the individual level because charity begins at home. In old days, people believed in virtues like courtesy, kindness and patience. Kenyans, back in the good old days saw much value in doing the right thing. Being a person of virtue was laudable,’ she said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading pan-African Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) working to advance digital rights and digital inclusion, has joined the National Coalition on Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation in Kenya.

The national coalition aims to address critical issues surrounding freedom of expression, content moderation, and dis or misinformation in the digital age. This will be done in view of Kenyan citizens’ unique online challenges.

According to PIN’s Chief Operating Officer, Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, the organisation’s decision to join the coalition emphasises its dedication to advocating for digital rights across Africa.

‘PIN works diligently to propose policy solutions and monitor the legal and policy landscape surrounding information and communication technologies (ICTs) to empower and protect citizens’ online rights,’ he added.

The organisation’s Programmes Officer, East Africa, Miriam Beatrice, stated, ‘We firmly believe in the objectives and vision of the National Coalition on Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation in Kenya. Through this coalition, we will work to ensure that content moderation strategies are founded on international human rights best practises and tailored to the specific needs and challenges Kenyan netizens face.’

The coalition, led by UNESCO East Africa, has other notable members such as the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Build Up, Article 19, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Code for Africa, Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTAnet), Africa Centre for People, Institutions, and Society (Acepis), representatives from Academia, and the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), among others.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) has been selected as a convening agent in the island nation for the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR).

The announcement was made by SeyCATT and GFCR in a joint press release on Wednesday.

What this means is that “over the next seven years SeyCCAT will manage grants and other blended finance mechanisms for catalysing businesses that are coral-positive. Meaning that we will build on the existing efforts started with the Seychelles Blue Bond to leverage new funds to either grant, loan or invest in national businesses,” Marie-May Jeremie, the SeyCCAT chief executive, told SNA on Wednesday.

SeyCCAT was established in November 2015 after a debt-for-nature swap which saw $21.6 million of Seychelles’ external debt re-structured on more favourable terms. A first of its kind in Seychelles, it is a non-profit trust fund set up to oversee and manage this initiative, which ultimately led to investments in ocean stakeholders in Seychelles.

As a convening agent for the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, SeyCCAT will mobilise a wide and representative cross-sector partnership that has widespread stakeholder backing to lead the implementation of the Seychelles’ Ocean’s Resolve programme.

The Ocean’s Resolve aims to elevate the focus on coral reefs within Seychelles’ pioneering initiatives on the Blue Economy and sustainable finance and promote the wider use of blended finance, which combines public and private capital.

Seychelles will benefit in that “in the first 18 months of the seven-year programme, a grant of $426,000 will be received to kick-start the programme with local partners,” said Jeremie.

According to the press release, Jeremie emphasised the immense value of the coral reefs for Seychelles.

“Coral reefs are the cornerstones of our marine ecosystem. They support our unique biodiversity, generate jobs and incomes for local communities and businesses, and protect the people and the islands from storm surges and rising sea levels. With the Ocean’s Resolve programme, we hope to ignite action to protect these critical ecosystems and create a sustainable and resilient economic model that benefits the people of Seychelles today, tomorrow, and for generations to come,” said the CEO.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, and a few other local partners, Ocean’s Resolve will support the implementation of two core marine management frameworks.

The frameworks are the Seychelles National Policy and Strategic Action Plan on Coral Reef Conservation and Management, and contribute towards the implementation of the Seychelles’ Marine Spatial Plan.

Building on the groundwork laid by the Seychelles Blue Bond, which was launched in October 2018, in collaboration with the local Business and Technology Incubator (BTI), Ocean’s Resolve will aim to maximise the long-term positive impact of projects and enterprises that benefit coral reefs.

The press release state that “as the area of Seychelles’ MPAs (marine protected areas) has drastically increased from less than 1 percent to 33 percent over the past decade, the programme will also aim to attract investment and build the capacity required to realise the conservation and sustainable use objectives of these marine protection areas.”

Source: Seychelles News Agency

According to Jorge Cardoso, spokesman for the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for 17 August in Luanda, the meeting will also discuss the execution of the 96 planned projects.

He put at around US$1 billion the budget estimate needed, as the regional financing fund will be one of those tools, as a facilitator.

In his speech, Jorge Cardoso added that the regional development fund envisages a capitalisation of US$3 billion.

The value will be earmarked for funding priority projects in the region and allow each country to contribute a share of this capital.

The meeting is also analysing financial issues of the mission based in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, to fight against armed insurrection, since 2021.

In order to secure this mission, the official announced a financial proposal of US$42 billion to be co-participated by all Member States.

As for the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), he said that there is greater demand on the contribution of Member States for a budget above 500 million dollars, in order to deploy a mission in the region.

During the Summit of Heads of State and Government, Angola is expected to take over from DRC at the helm of SADC, until August 2024.

SADC comprises Angola, South Africa Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

João Lourenço made the call at the opening of the 4th edition of the Fair of Municipalities and Cities of Angola and 9th National Forum of Municipalities and Cities of Angola held Thursday in Lubango, southern Huila province.

The president, who paid a 48-hour visit to Huila province, referred to the world food crisis that has become part of the global agenda, worsened by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two of the major cereal producers and suppliers for the world.

According to the head of State, Angola is no exception in the face of the world food crisis and the moment is not for lamentations, not event pointing the finger at anyone.

He said that in view of the conflict Russia-Ucraine, the price of the highest consumption foods, such as cereals, has been rising around the world, with a tendency to get worse.

From this perspective, the President stressed that Angola needs to take advantage of the abundance and quality of his arable soils, good climate, immeasurable water resources that the country has and young human resources to transform this potential wealth into real wealth .

“The crisis is global and affects everyone,” he said, stating that this is the time for the State to recover the lands that have been in the possession of citizens who do not explore and distribute them to those willing working on them.

In his view, these abandoned land should be attributed to young people who are anxious in large cities and want to experience another reality, which will give their lives more dignity.

According to João Lourenço, data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation points to the region of Sub-Saharan Africa as the most affected by the food crisis, where most countries are in this situation.

Angolan statesman reiterated, on the other hand, the Executive’s commitment to continue to develop strategies to create a good business environment, diversify the economy, increase national production, exports, and reduce imports.

He also reaffirmed the State’s commitment to increase offers of opportunities and jobs.

The President also recommended to the bank sector to put in the center of priorities the pressing need for funding to the real economy, without a warning of the regulator, because without the impulse of the bank the economy does not grow.

Ending his speech, João Lourenço has congratulated the organisation of the fair, hoping that the edition will serve as a real stage where the different economic agents and civil society actors discuss topics that aim to promote the potentialities and

Turning to the socio-economic development of the country and the diversification of the economy, the Municipal Fair brings together exhibitions from the country’s 164 municipal administrations, 18 provincial governments, ministries and public institutes.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan head of State João Lourenço inaugurated Thursday the 4th Edition of the Angola’s Municipalities and Cities Fair (FMCA) opened for the first time in Lubango, southern Huila province.

The event aims to encourage local development, promote cooperation and exchange among different cities and municipalities in Angola.

Representatives from the country’s municipalities and cities will share information about their respective territories, programmes, projects and investment opportunities during the evnt running until Sunday.

Lectures, exhibitions, business meetings, exchange of experiences on best practices in areas such as infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and education also stand out at exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in coordination with the Huíla Provincial Government.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Interior Minister Kamal Feki and his Libyan counterpart, Major General Imad Mustafa Trabulsi, held a working meeting in Tunis on Wednesday to discuss ways of tackling irregular migration and facilitating services at the Ras Jedir border crossing, in addition to common security challenges. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both ministries. The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that both sides agreed on the need for more coordination and bilateral cooperation in the field of security to reflect the true brotherly relations between the two peoples and the strength of the partnership between the two countries, especially in the field of intelligence sharing, training and combating organised crime. During the meeting, the ministers stressed the importance of the issue of African migrants from the Sahel and sub-Saharan countries and its impact on the two countries, as well as the need to reduce the flow of migrants at the borders, which requires concerted efforts and joint coordination in order to find solutions that take account of the overriding interest of both countries. They also agreed to call on international organisations to support the efforts of the Tunisian state and the Red Crescent in providing humanitarian assistance and not to hesitate to fulfil their duty towards the migrants and inform them. During the working session, it was agreed to set up a joint field team to monitor the flow of traffic at the Ras Jedir border crossing and to make serious proposals on all related issues to be applied on the ground in order to facilitate the passage of travellers from both sides. The two sides called for strengthening the work of the Permanent Joint Security Committee and continuing to hold joint coordination meetings in order to further consolidate and elevate bilateral relations to the highest level. The Libyan minister arrived in Tunisia this morning. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Source: EN – Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Issues related to migration and the challenges it poses, as well as Tunisian-German economic and financial cooperation and the prospects for its development, were the focus of a meeting between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mounir Ben Rejiba, and German Minster Katja Keul. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday evening that the Secretary of State reminded the German official of the evolution of the political process in Tunisia and its pillars, which aim to “establish a genuine and sustainable democracy at the service of the citizens, in response to the demands of Tunisians and based on their history and lived experience”. In this context, Ben Rejiba pointed out that the main challenge facing Tunisia today is economic. For her part, the German official recalled the historical relations between her country and Tunisia and reiterated Germany’s willingness to work with Tunisia to overcome the current economic and social challenges. Katja Keul talked about the issue of migration, stressing the importance of a consensual approach in order to deal with the massive influx of migrants. The German official, who is visiting Tunisia from 8 to 11 August, on Wednesday, held a working session with members of the Bureau of the Committee on Foreign Relations and International Cooperation of the Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP). The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of trade and economics, higher education, scientific research, vocational training, renewable energy, as well as intensifying investment programmes and enhancing cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism. During her visit to Tunisia, Katja Kuehl will exchange views on German-Tunisian relations with representatives of the government, parliament and civil society. Developments in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and migration issues will form a special part of the talks, according to the German Foreign Ministry’s Information Centre.

Source: EN – Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Members of the Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Committee of the Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) held a working session with German Minister of State, Katja Keul, on Wednesday. The MPs expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between Tunisia and Germany in the fields of economy, trade, higher education, scientific research and renewable energy, according to a statement issued by the parliament. Both parties underlined the importance of relations between the ARP and the Bundestag in the framework of strengthening cooperation at bilateral and multi-party levels. The need to give new impetus to these parliamentary relations by increasing the number of visits was emphasised. The parliamentarians reviewed the recent political changes in Tunisia, highlighting the role played by the parliament in building the new republic and upholding the principles of democracy and human rights. They also spoke of the economic and social difficulties facing Tunisia and underlined the support provided by some countries, in particular Germany. Mrs. Keut welcomed the excellent relations between the two countries and reiterated Germany’s willingness to support Tunisia’s efforts towards economic recovery and sustainable development. She spoke of the high volume of German investment and the number of German companies in Tunisia. The German state minister reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between Tunisia and the European Union, which, in her view, opens up new prospects for cooperation between the two parties in various fields, including the fight against irregular migration. The challenge of combating irregular migratory flows requires collective action based on tackling the main economic, social and even climatic causes of this phenomenon. Keul is on a working visit to Tunis from August 8 to 11.

Source: EN – Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Independent High Authority for Elections (French: ISIE) will reserve 279 seats for persons with disabilities in the upcoming elections of local councils, ISIE President Farouk Bouaskar said. This will be under decree-law No. 10 of 2023 on elections of local councils and the composition of regional councils and districts. The decree-law provides for an extra seat for persons with disabilities who meet requirements, with an additional seat for each local council in a given delegation, Bouasker Wednesday told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference held by the Tunisian Organisation for the Defence of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (French: OTDDPH). In the event of multiple candidacies, lots will be drawn to allocate seats. An election information campaign, Bouaskar said, will be organised to help acquaint voters with the basic concepts of local councils and their composition and access to regional councils, the Council of Regions and Districts. A campaign to update the register of voters will be launched in mid-August. OTDDPH Secretary General Bouraouiya Agrebi stressed the need to allocate seats to people with disabilities in local councils so as to increase their participation in political and public life.

Source: EN – Agence Tunis Afrique Presse