AIDF Newsletter - Aidforum.org

Addressing the most prominent international development challenges

Dear ~Contact.FirstName~,

Over the last few weeks the United Nations honoured a number of days dedicated to the most prominent international development challenges – poverty reduction, health, education, sanitation and equality amongst others. This month's newsletter brings to your attention a selection of articles on each of these topics.

The World Toilet Day (19th November) highlighted access to sanitation as the most lacking target of Sustainable Development Goals - 2.4 billion people still live without adequate sanitation. Sanitation has a huge impact on the start of a child’s life. Diarrhoea, caused by lack of water and sanitation facilities, is the third biggest killer of children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa. The Universal Children’s Day (20th November) aimed to promote welfare of children.

The International Day for Africa Industrialization (20th November) discussed sustainable diversification and development of African economic sector. Building resilient infrastructure, promoting industrialization and fostering innovation are on the agenda. This year’s theme was Small and Medium Enterprises for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth.

The Geographical Information Systems Day (18th November) marked the importance of geographic technologies and raised awareness of about the value GIS presents to humanitarian aid organisations.

Last but not least, World AIDS Day (1st December) challenged people to rethink stereotypes around HIV with their Think Positive: Rethink HIV campaign, which highlights the developments in understanding what AIDS and HIV is and how it can be treated.

These topics – and many others – will be discussed at the upcoming Aid & Development Africa Summit (2-3 February), which proves to be a timely gathering of all the key decision-makers from civil society, UN agencies, governments, investors, research institutes and the private sector who are involved in East Africa. The Summit will take place at the United Nations Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Kind regards,
AIDF Team

World AIDS Day - Think Positive: Rethink HIV

On December 1st 2015, the National Aids Trust (NAT) will be challenging people to rethink myths and stereotypes around HIV with their ‘Think Positive: Rethink HIV’ Campaign on World AIDS Day. They are trying to highlight the developments in understanding what AIDs and HIV is and how it can be treated.

Earthquake in Nepal - 2 water treatment systems from Kärcher Futuretech in use in Kathmandu May 2015

According to information from the UN, around 4.3 million people were affected by the consequences of the two severe earthquakes in Nepal. To safeguard the population's supply of drinking water, mobile water treatment plants from Kärcher Futuretech were deployed very quickly after the first earthquake.

Women Must Be Part of Africa’s Development: Africa Industrialization Day

Following on from our article discussing Africa Industrialization Day, this article discusses the main concerns and discussions which took place. “In recent years, many countries in Africa have experienced significant economic growth and progress in human development. Yet, inclusive and sustainable industrial development remains elusive”

Disaster Risk Reduction efforts in the Greater Horn of Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there are still significant communication gaps between climate information producers and the communities at risk. A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Science highlights the urgent need for bridges to be established to connect policymakers, representatives, experts on climate and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and local communities.

Recognising importance of GIS for Humanitarian Aid Organisations

18th November is dedicated to mark importance of the Geographical Information Systems (GIS). While we praise existence of services like Google Earth and other geographic technologies, which help architects, engineers and many other organisations, there is a relative scarcity of awareness about the value GIS presents to humanitarian aid organisations.

Main Event

Aid & Development Africa Summit 2016 I United Nations Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

02/02/2016 - 03/02/2016

With over 40 top speakers and 150 participants already confirmed, the Aid & Development Africa Summit 2016 offers an unparalleled opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities in improving aid delivery and development strategy in Sub-Saharan East Africa.

Other Events

Aid & Development Asia Summit 2016 I United Nations Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

21/06/2016 - 22/06/2016

AIDF Global Disaster Relief Summit 2016 I Ronald Reagan Building, Washington DC, USA

07/09/2016 - 08/09/2016

"‘‘I think AIDF summit is very good summit and has brought together very different stakeholders across government, UN agencies, private sector & NGO’s into one platform to discuss the frontier developments in addressing disaster reduction and other sustainable development agendas...’’"

Dr. Shamika Sirimanne

Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, UN ESCAP

"AIDF summit provides a very useful forum for people to come together and discuss the burning issues facing food security in the world and to meet like-minded individuals who are trying to address these issues within the powers that they have. It gives us an opportunity to combine our forces and collectively affect change. I think it’s an excellent forum and I’m happy to be a part of it."

Amit Wadhwa

UN World Food Programme (WFP) Indonesia

3rd Floor, Two America Square - EC3N 2LU
London, United Kingdom
E-mail: info@aidforum.org
Phone: +44 207 871 0188
Fax: +44 207 871 0101

This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*. If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, manage your preferences or unsubscribe here.