Pambazuka - Uganda to ban NGOs accused of promoting gay rights
'KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda said on Wednesday it was banning 38 non-governmental organisations it accuses of promoting homosexuality and recruiting children.
Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, along with more than 30 other countries in Africa, and activists say few Africans are openly gay, fearing imprisonment, violence and losing their jobs.
Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo told Reuters the organisations being targeted were receiving support from abroad for Uganda's homosexuals and accused gays and lesbians of "recruiting" young children in the country into homosexuality...
Friday, 29 June 2012
German court bans circumcision as 'assault' on children via @independent_ie
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/german-court-bans-circumcision-as-assault-on-children-3152582.html
JEWISH and Muslim groups in Germany condemned a court ruling yesterday that deemed circumcision to be equivalent to grievous bodily harm. The court in Cologne declared that the procedure violated a child's "fundamental right to bodily integrity". Religious groups claimed the ruling could lead to "circumcision tourism". The court said the right of the child outweighed that of parents in what legal experts said could be a landmark case...
JEWISH and Muslim groups in Germany condemned a court ruling yesterday that deemed circumcision to be equivalent to grievous bodily harm. The court in Cologne declared that the procedure violated a child's "fundamental right to bodily integrity". Religious groups claimed the ruling could lead to "circumcision tourism". The court said the right of the child outweighed that of parents in what legal experts said could be a landmark case...
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Senegal faces al-Qaeda threat (Magharebia.com)
Senegal faces al-Qaeda threat (Magharebia.com)
As Senegal prepares to send troops to Mali as part of a regional stabilisation force, a new report indicates al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is targeting the West African state.
Dakar daily Le Quotidien reported June 21st that "intelligence services have learned of specific threats of attacks on Senegal by this armed Islamist organisation which claims to represent al-Qaeda. The terrorist group, which operates in the Maghreb and Sahel regions, including Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, now wants to add Senegal to the list of countries it fights in."
As Senegal prepares to send troops to Mali as part of a regional stabilisation force, a new report indicates al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is targeting the West African state.
Dakar daily Le Quotidien reported June 21st that "intelligence services have learned of specific threats of attacks on Senegal by this armed Islamist organisation which claims to represent al-Qaeda. The terrorist group, which operates in the Maghreb and Sahel regions, including Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, now wants to add Senegal to the list of countries it fights in."
Monday, 25 June 2012
Friday, 22 June 2012
Mobile Money: How Cell Phones Can Fight Hunger in the Sahel
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/connell-foley/mobile-money-cell-phones-sahel-hunger_b_1615127.html
Cell phones have the power to make this process significantly more efficient -- for both the organization and the affected communities. With mobile money transfer (m-transfer) technology, cash vouchers can be delivered instantly by phone and turned into cash by visiting a local mobile phone agent. This means that the organization does not have to go through the logistics of moving from village to village to hand out cash, potentially compromising the security of their staff and the people coming to receive it. It also means that community members no longer have to travel to a central distribution point, which often means leaving children and work at home.
Concern has successfully implemented m-transfer programs during previous food crises in Niger and Kenya. In April 2010, Concern launched the first m-transfer program in French-speaking Africa with a leading mobile provider, Zain (now Airtel Niger). In response to annual hunger gaps, the program delivered approximately $38 for three months and $47 for two months to vulnerable households across 116 villages using Zain's m-transfer service, ZAP. In a study conducted with Tufts University, Concern then measured how the money was being used and the household wellbeing of those receiving cash via m-transfer against those receiving it manually...
Cell phones have the power to make this process significantly more efficient -- for both the organization and the affected communities. With mobile money transfer (m-transfer) technology, cash vouchers can be delivered instantly by phone and turned into cash by visiting a local mobile phone agent. This means that the organization does not have to go through the logistics of moving from village to village to hand out cash, potentially compromising the security of their staff and the people coming to receive it. It also means that community members no longer have to travel to a central distribution point, which often means leaving children and work at home.
Concern has successfully implemented m-transfer programs during previous food crises in Niger and Kenya. In April 2010, Concern launched the first m-transfer program in French-speaking Africa with a leading mobile provider, Zain (now Airtel Niger). In response to annual hunger gaps, the program delivered approximately $38 for three months and $47 for two months to vulnerable households across 116 villages using Zain's m-transfer service, ZAP. In a study conducted with Tufts University, Concern then measured how the money was being used and the household wellbeing of those receiving cash via m-transfer against those receiving it manually...
The importance of teaching empathy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2012/jun/21/aung-san-suu-kyi-empathy
As a religious studies teacher, I feel that empathy is an essential skill for all students. Learning to empathise will better equip students to interpret the experiences of others, especially when others' attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking are alien to their own. It also allows for better intercultural understanding and community cohesion between people of different economic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
As Aung San Suu Kyi visits the UK for the first time in 24 years, religious studies teacher Andrew Jones on how Burma's opposition leader can inspire your pupils
As a religious studies teacher, I feel that empathy is an essential skill for all students. Learning to empathise will better equip students to interpret the experiences of others, especially when others' attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking are alien to their own. It also allows for better intercultural understanding and community cohesion between people of different economic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Human trafficking - One of the great crimes of our age | Irish Examiner
Human trafficking - One of the great crimes of our age | Irish Examiner
The EC reported that hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked — kidnapped — in the EU every year. Women and men, boys and girls, invariably poor and vulnerable, are traded for sexual or labour exploitation, removal of organs, begging, domestic service, forced marriage, illegal adoption or other abuses.
The EC reported that hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked — kidnapped — in the EU every year. Women and men, boys and girls, invariably poor and vulnerable, are traded for sexual or labour exploitation, removal of organs, begging, domestic service, forced marriage, illegal adoption or other abuses.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Asylum is still a relevant issue in post-boom Ireland
Asylum is still a relevant issue in post-boom Ireland
OPINION: On World Refugee Day, the UNHCR urges Ireland to update an asylum procedure that was adopted as a temporary measure six years ago
EACH YEAR on World Refugee Day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shines a light on the courage and perseverance of refugees around the world. Tragically, 2011 was a record year for forced displacement across borders, with more people becoming refugees than at any time since 2000.
OPINION: On World Refugee Day, the UNHCR urges Ireland to update an asylum procedure that was adopted as a temporary measure six years ago
EACH YEAR on World Refugee Day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shines a light on the courage and perseverance of refugees around the world. Tragically, 2011 was a record year for forced displacement across borders, with more people becoming refugees than at any time since 2000.
allAfrica.com: Africa: What Does China Want in Africa?
allAfrica.com: Africa: What Does China Want in Africa?
Recent stories about China's growing interest in Africa are worth commenting on. For China, Africa is a source of cheap coal and oil, two vitally important resources for its energy needs. As for African states, China is the ideal commercial partner that seldom slaps special political pre-conditions upon its readily available suppliers, and regularly gives the continent diplomatic backing. ...
Recent stories about China's growing interest in Africa are worth commenting on. For China, Africa is a source of cheap coal and oil, two vitally important resources for its energy needs. As for African states, China is the ideal commercial partner that seldom slaps special political pre-conditions upon its readily available suppliers, and regularly gives the continent diplomatic backing. ...
United States' new sub-Saharan African plan: trade not aid
United States' new sub-Saharan African plan: trade not aid
The Obama administration is signalling that the US is changing the way it does the aid business, promoting bilateral trade rather than one-way grants and loans.
Friday, 15 June 2012
4,000 people from 110 countries delighted to receive Irish citizenship via @independent_ie
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/4000-people-from-110-countries-delighted-to-receive-irish-citizenship-3139241.html
SOME had come looking for work and found love as well. Others had found love over the internet and crossed the ocean to settle in Ireland. How all of the 4,000 people who officially became Ireland's newest citizens yesterday came to set foot on Irish shores may have varied. Yet, they all had something in common, they had already become just a little bit Irish.
SOME had come looking for work and found love as well. Others had found love over the internet and crossed the ocean to settle in Ireland. How all of the 4,000 people who officially became Ireland's newest citizens yesterday came to set foot on Irish shores may have varied. Yet, they all had something in common, they had already become just a little bit Irish.
Monday, 11 June 2012
'What lies ahead for us is uncertain'
'What lies ahead for us is uncertain'
GENERATION EMIGRATION: This year’s journalism class at the University of Limerick began their course in 2008. Now, as they prepare to graduate, the students explain their plans for the future, and whether they will emigrate or remain at home
GENERATION EMIGRATION: This year’s journalism class at the University of Limerick began their course in 2008. Now, as they prepare to graduate, the students explain their plans for the future, and whether they will emigrate or remain at home
Banning the veil
Banning the veil
THE DANGEROUS folly of attempting to ban the public wearing of the veil has been highlighted by events in recent days in Belgium. The arrest of a young woman last week for breaching the country’s ban on the full face veil predictably provoked a riot, followed on Tuesday by an inflammatory intervention by the Flemish nationalist far right, certain to spark further violence. Vlaams Belang, a party with neo-Nazi roots, has offered a €250 reward to anyone who reports a veiled woman to the police.
THE DANGEROUS folly of attempting to ban the public wearing of the veil has been highlighted by events in recent days in Belgium. The arrest of a young woman last week for breaching the country’s ban on the full face veil predictably provoked a riot, followed on Tuesday by an inflammatory intervention by the Flemish nationalist far right, certain to spark further violence. Vlaams Belang, a party with neo-Nazi roots, has offered a €250 reward to anyone who reports a veiled woman to the police.
Friday, 8 June 2012
Britain moves on forced marriages
Britain moves on forced marriages
Forced marriage is “little more than slavery”, British prime minister David Cameron said as his government announced plans to make it a criminal offence.
Parents who force their children into a marriage will face jail in what Mr Cameron said was a “clear and strong message” that the practice would not be tolerated.
Forced marriage is “little more than slavery”, British prime minister David Cameron said as his government announced plans to make it a criminal offence.
Parents who force their children into a marriage will face jail in what Mr Cameron said was a “clear and strong message” that the practice would not be tolerated.
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Euro’s survival needs shift in strategy | Irish Examiner
Euro’s survival needs shift in strategy | Irish Examiner
Rather than the austerity prescription Germany is promoting, the euro needs policies to promote growth and ease deficit targets to avoid sustained recession, writes Laura Tyson
FISCAL profligacy did not cause the sovereign-debt crisis engulfing Europe, and fiscal austerity will not solve it.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Facebook explores access for kids under 13
Facebook explores access for kids under 13
Facebook is working on technology that would permit children under the age of 13 to use the social network site with parental supervision, people familiar with the effort said on Monday.
Facebook currently requires members to be at least 13, but the new effort is being made because many children lie about their age to get access Facebook and its 900 million members, a source told AFP.
Facebook is working on technology that would permit children under the age of 13 to use the social network site with parental supervision, people familiar with the effort said on Monday.
Facebook currently requires members to be at least 13, but the new effort is being made because many children lie about their age to get access Facebook and its 900 million members, a source told AFP.
Poverty rate higher for non-EU nationals in Ireland
Poverty rate higher for non-EU nationals
CONSISTENT POVERTY is higher among non-EU nationals living in Ireland than Irish nationals a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute has found.
The Annual Monitoring Report on Integration 2011, published today, found that consistent poverty was almost twice as high among non-EU nationals than among Irish people living in Ireland.
CONSISTENT POVERTY is higher among non-EU nationals living in Ireland than Irish nationals a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute has found.
The Annual Monitoring Report on Integration 2011, published today, found that consistent poverty was almost twice as high among non-EU nationals than among Irish people living in Ireland.
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