By divesting from Israel, Ben & Jerry’s did more than end the sale of ice cream in the occupied Palestinian territories. As the leading brand, Ben & Jerry’s is the face of the U.S. ice cream – a $19 billion U.S. market. Its divestment not only signals a significant economic impact but also a strong ethical stance in the human rights discourse at large. It bolsters Palestinian advocacy efforts and increases international pressure for policy reform.
“We believe it is inconsistent with our values for our product to be present within an internationally recognized illegal occupation,” wrote Ben & Jerry’s in a statement. Corporate divestments from Israel not only shift significant financial resources but also set precedents for other investors and reflect growing societal concerns about corporate responsibility in geopolitical conflicts.
What Is Divestment?
Divestment is the process of selling off assets for either financial, ethical or political reasons. In the context of the Israel-Hamas war, divestment refers to the withdrawal of investments from companies or entities operating in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories.
Anyone who has watched the news in recent months has seen students at major universities calling for divestment. Protestors at Columbia University, for example, have a long list of divestment targets, demanding the college disclose and divest from companies like Amazon, Google and Airbnb.
Other major corporations, including Hudson’s Bay Company and UniCredit, have also announced divestments. To understand the significance of major corporate divesting from Israel, let’s consider Ben & Jerry’s as a case study.
Impacts of Ben & Jerry’s Divesting from Israel
Ben & Jerry’s divestment from the occupied Palestinian territories represents a strong ethical stance, influences public discourse, interacts with complex legal and political frameworks and applies economic pressure. This move highlights the potential for businesses to impact global human rights and policy issues through their investment decisions.
The Ben & Jerry’s divestment has placed economic pressure on Israel with an impact on both U.S. and Israeli economies and contributed to a broader social and political discourse around Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
Economic Pressure on Israel
Ben & Jerry’s divestment from Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories puts economic pressure on Israel by challenging the legitimacy of its occupation and potentially promoting other companies or countries to reconsider their business ties.
The tangible economic pressure from divestment involves a combination of direct financial losses, disruptions in supply chains, impacts on local employment, stock market reactions, regulatory costs and changes in consumer behavior. Collectively, these pressures incentivize changes in policies and practices, aligning business operations with human rights considerations.
Impact on Israel and the US Markets
In Israel, the decision led to increased support for local ice cream brands and alternative suppliers. Local impacts include the reallocation of market share within Israel’s economy, particularly in the affected territories. In the U.S., depending on Ben & Jerry’s political affiliation, many consumers have supported and boycotted the company’s decision, leading to temporary influxes or declines in sales within certain demographics or regions.
The shifts in consumer preferences due to the controversy could have led to short-term changes in market share within the premium ice cream segment. In the past year, Ben & Jerry’s has lost nearly $1 billion in sales. This has allowed competitors like Häagen-Dazs, Baskin-Robbins and smaller artisanal brands to see an uptick in sales from consumers boycotting Ben & Jerry’s.
State-Level Regulations That Penalize Companies
The Israeli government lobbied states like North Carolina with anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) laws, which penalize companies that boycott Israel, potentially impacting business relations and financial interests. These state-level regulations prohibit state entities from contracting with or investing in companies that participate in boycotts against Israel or Israeli-controlled territories.
Broader Economic and Political Reactions
Human Rights Watch praised Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, urging the U.S. to follow suit in response to human rights abuses. The move by Ben & Jerry’s prompted reactions from various political and business entities. Israeli officials and pro-Israel groups in the U.S. pushed back strongly, labeling the move as economic terrorism and antisemitic. They warned of broader economic ramifications, including potential boycotts of Unilever products and strained business relations between U.S. entities and the company.
In summary, Ben & Jerry’s divestment from the occupied Palestinian territories not only applies economic pressure but also reflects a strong moral position, influences public discourse and interacts with complex legal and political frameworks in the name of human rights advocacy.
– Sheridan Smith
Sheridan is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Khilo aur Barho: Education Initiative in Pakistan
British Foreign Aid Allocation
In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) allocated £41.54 million in official development aid (ODA) to Pakistan. Furthermore, current plans are to increase this amount to £133 million in 2024/25. The aid strategically focuses on education, support for women and girls, humanitarian efforts and climate change initiatives. Programs like GOAL have already had a positive impact on millions of children.
Educational Challenges in Pakistan
Despite some progress in recent years, Pakistan’s education system still faces significant challenges. Both government and private schools struggle to provide quality education. A nongovernmental organization focused on women’s rights in Punjab attributes the state’s historic neglect of education to insufficient resource allocation and lack of budget prioritization. This situation highlights widespread governance failures that compromise educational standards and perpetuate public distrust in the system. Reports indicate problems such as absentee teachers, bribery for teaching positions and inadequate government oversight in private schools, all of which further exacerbate the educational crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated educational challenges, resulting in 26.2 million children out of school by 2024. Girls face disproportionate effects, with only 64% in Punjab and 54% in KP ever attending school. Systemic deficiencies and socio-cultural barriers compound these ongoing challenges, as families in impoverished areas often prioritize boys’ education due to financial constraints and traditional gender roles. High education costs, including fees and related expenses, frequently push girls into labor or early marriage.
Strategies for Educational Reform
Khilo aur Barho’s approach to improve educational outcomes:
Looking Ahead
The Khilo aur Barho initiative is making strides toward addressing educational disparities in Pakistan. With the goal of enrolling 100,000 children in school and ensuring that 150,000 girls can read by age 10, this program focuses on improving access to education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. By targeting marginalized groups and enhancing teaching quality, the initiative aims to create lasting change in the educational landscape of Pakistan.
– Georgia O’Keeffe
Photo: Flickr
Uganda’s Economic Growth in the Face of Global Challenges
Economic Growth and Performance
In 2024, Uganda’s economy is expected to grow by 6.0%, a testament to its resilience and robust economic strategies. This growth projection follows a substantial 6.3% increase in real GDP in 2022, reflecting the country’s capacity to bounce back from economic downturns. The primary drivers of this growth have been the agriculture and services sectors. Agriculture, particularly food crops, has thrived due to favorable weather conditions and government initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and sustainability.
The services sector has also shown strong growth, especially in trade, repairs and health services. For example, as more Ugandans move to urban areas, there is an increasing need for retail services, which has led to the proliferation of shopping malls, supermarkets and smaller retail outlets. Improved transportation networks and better logistics support this growth, making it easier for businesses to distribute goods across the country.
Inflation and Monetary Policy
Inflation in Uganda peaked in late 2022, driven by global supply chain disruptions and high commodity prices. However, it has since been on a declining path, due to the Bank of Uganda’s (BOU) monetary policy. The BOU has implemented measures aimed at stabilizing inflation around 5%, which include adjusting interest rates and using open market operations to control liquidity. The proactive approach aims to mitigate economic shocks and prevent unnecessary volatility in monetary policy reactions.
External Financial Support and Debt Management
A significant challenge Uganda face is its reliance on external financing, particularly in light of global monetary tightening and rising borrowing costs. However, Uganda’s external debt profile is relatively favorable, as it is predominantly owed to multilateral creditors such as the World Bank, IMF and African Development Bank. These institutions offer concessional loans with lower interest rates and longer repayment periods, which reduces the risk associated with commercial loans. Increasing domestic revenue through improved tax collection is crucial for financing development projects and maintaining debt sustainability. Effective tax policies and administration could further enhance government revenue, reduce dependence on external debt and provide more resources for essential public services and infrastructure projects.
Sectoral Contributions and Structural Challenges
Uganda’s economic growth has been uneven across different sectors. While agriculture and services have performed well, the industrial sector has struggled, particularly in construction. The construction sector has faced challenges such as high costs of materials, regulatory hurdles and insufficient infrastructure investment. Additionally, Uganda faces structural challenges like the impact of climate change, limited fiscal space and stagnant productivity. These ongoing challenges are compounded by high local lending rates, which stifle business growth and innovation.
Investment and Development Initiatives
International organizations like the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) are actively supporting Uganda’s development across various sectors. These organizations invest in projects that aim to diversify the economy, support smallholder farmers and improve access to finance and jobs. For example, initiatives in the agricultural sector focus on enhancing productivity through modern farming techniques and access to markets. In the financial sector, efforts are being made to increase access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are vital for job creation and economic diversification.
Strategic and Policy Recommendations
Enhancing coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities is essential for maintaining economic stability. For instance, aligning fiscal policies with monetary policy objectives could help control inflation and ensure sustainable public finances. Additionally, Uganda should focus on boosting productivity in established sectors like agriculture while exploring new growth avenues such as value-added production and export diversification. Investing in infrastructure, education and health services is critical to improve human capital and support long-term economic growth. Climate change adaptation and transition financing present opportunities that Uganda can potentially capitalize on to bolster its external balance position.
Looking Ahead
Uganda’s steady economic growth, driven by agriculture and services sectors, reflects its resilience amid global challenges. Effective monetary policies have stabilized inflation, creating a favorable environment for recovery. External financial support and strategic investments in infrastructure and education aim to enhance Uganda’s economic stability and long-term growth prospects. Addressing structural challenges and boosting productivity remain crucial for sustaining this progress.
– Sofia Reynoso
Photo: Flickr
4 Organizations Helping the People of Togo
4 Organizations Helping the People of Togo
Looking Ahead
Togo is making strides toward reducing poverty with the aid of international organizations and positive economic developments. CARE, Caritas Togo, SOS Children’s Villages and AAM Nation Care are key contributors, offering vital resources and support to those in need. As these ongoing efforts persist, Togo is on a path toward a more stable and prosperous future for its citizens.
– Kimran Gill
Photo: Flickr
Ben & Jerry’s: Divesting from Israel
“We believe it is inconsistent with our values for our product to be present within an internationally recognized illegal occupation,” wrote Ben & Jerry’s in a statement. Corporate divestments from Israel not only shift significant financial resources but also set precedents for other investors and reflect growing societal concerns about corporate responsibility in geopolitical conflicts.
What Is Divestment?
Divestment is the process of selling off assets for either financial, ethical or political reasons. In the context of the Israel-Hamas war, divestment refers to the withdrawal of investments from companies or entities operating in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories.
Anyone who has watched the news in recent months has seen students at major universities calling for divestment. Protestors at Columbia University, for example, have a long list of divestment targets, demanding the college disclose and divest from companies like Amazon, Google and Airbnb.
Other major corporations, including Hudson’s Bay Company and UniCredit, have also announced divestments. To understand the significance of major corporate divesting from Israel, let’s consider Ben & Jerry’s as a case study.
Impacts of Ben & Jerry’s Divesting from Israel
Ben & Jerry’s divestment from the occupied Palestinian territories represents a strong ethical stance, influences public discourse, interacts with complex legal and political frameworks and applies economic pressure. This move highlights the potential for businesses to impact global human rights and policy issues through their investment decisions.
The Ben & Jerry’s divestment has placed economic pressure on Israel with an impact on both U.S. and Israeli economies and contributed to a broader social and political discourse around Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
Economic Pressure on Israel
Ben & Jerry’s divestment from Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories puts economic pressure on Israel by challenging the legitimacy of its occupation and potentially promoting other companies or countries to reconsider their business ties.
The tangible economic pressure from divestment involves a combination of direct financial losses, disruptions in supply chains, impacts on local employment, stock market reactions, regulatory costs and changes in consumer behavior. Collectively, these pressures incentivize changes in policies and practices, aligning business operations with human rights considerations.
Impact on Israel and the US Markets
In Israel, the decision led to increased support for local ice cream brands and alternative suppliers. Local impacts include the reallocation of market share within Israel’s economy, particularly in the affected territories. In the U.S., depending on Ben & Jerry’s political affiliation, many consumers have supported and boycotted the company’s decision, leading to temporary influxes or declines in sales within certain demographics or regions.
The shifts in consumer preferences due to the controversy could have led to short-term changes in market share within the premium ice cream segment. In the past year, Ben & Jerry’s has lost nearly $1 billion in sales. This has allowed competitors like Häagen-Dazs, Baskin-Robbins and smaller artisanal brands to see an uptick in sales from consumers boycotting Ben & Jerry’s.
State-Level Regulations That Penalize Companies
The Israeli government lobbied states like North Carolina with anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) laws, which penalize companies that boycott Israel, potentially impacting business relations and financial interests. These state-level regulations prohibit state entities from contracting with or investing in companies that participate in boycotts against Israel or Israeli-controlled territories.
Broader Economic and Political Reactions
Human Rights Watch praised Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, urging the U.S. to follow suit in response to human rights abuses. The move by Ben & Jerry’s prompted reactions from various political and business entities. Israeli officials and pro-Israel groups in the U.S. pushed back strongly, labeling the move as economic terrorism and antisemitic. They warned of broader economic ramifications, including potential boycotts of Unilever products and strained business relations between U.S. entities and the company.
In summary, Ben & Jerry’s divestment from the occupied Palestinian territories not only applies economic pressure but also reflects a strong moral position, influences public discourse and interacts with complex legal and political frameworks in the name of human rights advocacy.
– Sheridan Smith
Photo: Flickr
An End to Global Poverty by 2030?
Good News for Global Problems
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is not solely focused on ending global poverty. In fact, of the 17 goals of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development, only goals 1 (no poverty), 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 8 (decent work and economic growth) aim to end global poverty and promote good economic decisions specifically. In general, the U.N. Sustainable Development Agenda aims to help countries worldwide achieve peace and financial stability. Renewable energy, wind power and crop rotation are examples of sustainable development practices used around the world. Sustainable development is a critical part of poverty reduction because it ensures longevity in developing countries.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda
The U.N. is an international organization focused on relief and humanitarian aid. Since October 24, 1945, the U.N. has provided philanthropic assistance and promoted international peace. Sustainable Development originated in 1972 at the U.N. Conference on the Human Environment, led by Maurice Strong. The 1987 Brundtland Report, “Our Common Future,” and the Earth Summit Conference in 1992 sparked interest in Sustainable Development. Predictably, when the Sustainable Development Agenda was introduced, it was unanimously adopted by every U.N. Member State back in 2015. Sustainable Development combines the idea of environmentally and economically safe Development for developing countries.
Reaching Sustainable Development Goals
The U.N. has been committed to addressing global poverty through sustainable development despite unaccounted-for economic fragility, climate and health emergencies. Despite these setbacks, sustainable development has improved in the past nine years, with critical improvements in access to electricity and clean water and increased immunity to certain diseases. Notably, global access to electricity rose to more than 90% in 2021 from 87% in 2015. Similarly, 74% of the world’s population has access to safely managed drinking water, compared to only 70% in 2015.
Although progress on the goals stalled, the U.N., through the 2023 SDG Summit, has reignited hope and optimism in member states about achieving the 2030 Agenda. The summit served as a crucial platform for renewing commitments, sharing innovative strategies and fostering international cooperation to overcome the challenges impeding progress. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, including governments, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector, the U.N. aims to accelerate actions and ensure that the ambitious targets of the SDGs are met.
– Audrey Deras
Photo: Flickr
Hope for Haiti’s Children: The Organization Helping Haiti’s Orphans
Hope for Haiti’s Children
Hope for Haiti’s Children (HFHC) is a nonprofit organization that works with orphans and other impoverished children in every phase of their lives, providing aid in nutrition, housing, health care, education, training and spirituality. Moreover, the organization offers sponsorship programs for underprivileged Haitian children, which benefit not only the children themselves but also their families, schools and communities. HFHC has also achieved sustainable nutrition goals by building a chicken coop and enriching the diet of the children by feeding them eggs. A protein-rich diet will help children battle malnutrition and prevent stunted growth. The chicken coop is also used to educate them about animal farming.
Sponsorship Programs
Last year, the Promising Adult Continued Education Sponsorship (PACES) program was introduced. It focuses on training the future labor force of the country with variable marketable skills and trades. The program is divided into two categories: residential and off-site training. The former is for younger students and includes the subjects of computer, language, baking, gardening and sewing. The latter includes the trades of solar technology, nursing, electrical work, plumbing, culinary arts, tile laying and cosmetology. As of 2022, 17 students enrolled in the program and were certified, becoming competitive in the local job market.
Fritz, a PACES program graduate, was able to enroll in university after completing the program. HFHC has sponsored him since he was 5 years old and he still maintains contact with his sponsor, whom he considers his mom. Now, he works as an outreach minister in the city of Thomazeau and trains local leaders through his leadership seminars, mentoring 200 teens of HFHC. His mom expresses her pride over Fritz’s journey. She has been an HFHC sponsor since 1995, supporting many of Haiti’s children during the years and contributing to educational, health care and lunch programs.
Vision 2030
In view of this, Project Hope was developed in 2019 as a long-term plan for improving the organization’s infrastructure by 2030. This includes doubling the capacity of the Thomazeau Christian Orphanage to accommodate 24 children, building a health and wellness clinic at the Hope Center in Thomazeau and extending the Hot Lunch Program to all its schools.
Additionally, HFHC aims to equip every school with a qualified nurse to follow up on medical needs and educate parents and children on health and wellness. It also aims to expand schools to have individual classrooms for each grade instead of shared space and ensure that each school has the physical build-up to provide schooling for the entire 13-grade curriculum. Finally, it plans to ensure the availability of vocational and job training programs throughout the year at the Hope Center.
Final Remark
By the end of 2023, Hope for Haiti’s Children had sponsored 2,401 children, 3,000 lunch programs, 3,800 Christmas Joy Boxes and more than 200 Christian Youth Camp Attendees. HFHC’s current success indicates a greater likelihood of fulfilling the Project Hope goals by 2030, which could reduce the child poverty rate in Haiti.
– Hafsa Dijoo
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Experiencing Period Poverty in gaza
Period Poverty among Women and Girls in Gaza
In a study conducted by the United Nations (U.N.), an estimated total of 700,000 Gazan women and girls menstruate but do not have access to hygiene products, such as pads and toilet paper. Even more troubling is their barred access to toilets and running water. Various shelters run by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the U.N. aid agency for Palestinians, say there is only one roll of toilet paper per 498 people. Within these same shelters, more than 400 residents share a single bathroom.
The situation is no better for women who live in shared apartment complexes with extended family. Limited access to water forces many to restrict the times they flush the toilet– only doing so when deemed necessary. Three functioning water pipelines remain for the whole of Gaza, thus making it increasingly difficult for women to wash themselves. Showering has become a luxury only some women can afford. Many women rise early and queue in front of hospitals in the hopes of showering before the water supply is cut for that day. Others are there to use the bathroom. Queues can number from up to 1,000 people.
Current Experiences
Owda is a Gazan woman documenting her experience online. She shared a video of one of many makeshift bathrooms found within the displacement camps. She points to the toilet in question, a garbage basket on the ground inside a meager tent and says to the camera: “There is no water. There is nothing around them. There is no infrastructure. They’re living in just a tent and they need bathroom(s). They’re humans.” The U.N. indicates that these sanitary conditions leave many Gazan women at risk of contracting reproductive and urinary tract infections. The sanitary pads that are at the disposal of Gazan women are poorly crafted and only further increase their risk of infection.
Gazan women and girls, therefore, are no longer afforded any privacy in tending to their menstrual hygiene. This issue has put a strain on the psychological health of many women within the strip. Some women share that the mounting stress they are experiencing has caused their menstrual cycles to come twice a month, further exacerbating the issue. As political tensions continue to rise, period poverty within the Gaza Strip only becomes a more pressing matter.
With Extreme Circumstances Comes Extreme Measures
The difficulty in obtaining female hygiene products has forced many Gazan women to resort to dangerous measures. Some women wash previously used pads to cope with the lack. Others have opted for old shreds of clothing, towels and ripped pieces of the tents they are using as shelter as substitutes for pads. Adult diapers and measly tissues are also on the list of items used as surrogates. The use of these substitutions may cause skin irritation, infection and deadly toxic shock syndrome. Though they pose great risks to their health, Gazan women have few other options.
Birth control has become a favored remedy among Gazan women, who would rather delay their cycle than deal with the physical and psychological burden that comes with it. Contrary to pads, the pill is readily available and far less expensive than hygiene products. A month’s supply’s worth of birth control costs approximately $3. The extreme measures Gazan women are reduced to take speak of the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, it highlights how women, once again, bear the blows of war. Gaza’s ongoing period poverty epidemic confirms the previous statement.
An International Call for Change
The international community has noticed Gaza’s shortage of menstrual hygiene products and has done its best to aid the crisis. Anera, a nonprofit organization, has provided hygiene kits, which include pads, underwear and wet wipes, to more than 20,000 women and girls. ActionAid has also supported the women in Gaza by preparing hygiene packages with a month’s worth of supplies. Despite their admirable efforts, more has to be done to aid the women in Gaza and stop the rate of period poverty from rising.
– Yasmine Nowroozi
Photo: Flickr
Boosting Sustainable Agriculture in Rural North Macedonia
North Macedonia has the immediate opportunity to design and implement green policies, which can increase the resilience of its agriculture sector. The development of agricultural production in North Macedonia is crucial, given its importance for the economy and jobs. Here are some of the key strategies boosting sustainable agriculture in rural North Macedonia.
Crop Yields and Quality
Sustainable farming practices such as organic farming and crop rotation can improve soil health and increase crop yields. By embracing these farming methods and minimizing the use of chemicals, farmers can ensure soil quality and promote environmental sustainability. Organic crop production is an emerging sector in North Macedonia, although there is significant room for improvement. In addition to enhancing crop production both in quality and quantity, organic farming can create the potential for agrotourism and connect agricultural production in North Macedonia with foreign markets.
Furthermore, embracing practices such as agroforestry and integrating animal production with crop production allows the diversification of income sources for farmers. This can reduce risk, enhance food security and potentially lead to increased welfare and economic stability.
Enhancing Water Efficiency
Drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting are water conservation methods that can ensure the adequate hydration of crops without depleting water resources. The North Macedonian agribusiness has been focused on identifying sustainable practices for pest control and disease management while also improving irrigation systems and developing crops that are better suited to local conditions. This is crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity, as water scarcity is one of the main factors that is negatively impacting sustainable agriculture in North Macedonia.
Accessing New Markets
As sustainable farming meets the market demands of organic and fair-trade food standards, farmers can tap into new markets both locally and internationally, increasing their earnings. This was achieved through cooperation with Coop, one of the largest supermarket chains in Switzerland. The Swiss support for organic production allowed North Macedonia to export its products and boost its economy.
Agricultural cooperatives encourage farmers to share resources and collectively market their products, which enhances community cohesion and economic resilience. The Macedonian Association of Agricultural Cooperatives (MAAC) and the Support to Development of Agriculture Cooperatives project provide success stories of community cooperation initiatives where farmers develop opportunities for investment, growth and collaboration.
Attracting Youth to Agriculture
Innovative and sustainable farming can make agriculture more appealing for young people, which helps ensure the future of farming communities. Innovative solutions such as the use of drones, satellite imaging and soil sensors are being increasingly embraced to optimize resource allocation and improve crop production, increasing agricultural productivity and reducing waste. Additional successful projects included innovative climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies, which the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has implemented, helping improve productivity, competitiveness, sustainability and resilience.
As North Macedonia embraces sustainable agriculture to revitalize its rural areas, the National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development 2021-2027 offers a hopeful vision for the future. This initiative not only supports the transition to climate-smart and ecofriendly farming practices but also aims to support rural communities’ economic resilience. By meeting these national goals, sustainable farming has the potential to drive significant positive change in North Macedonia.
– Ilgın Özkul
Photo: Flickr
The Luminos Fund’s Second Chance Program
The Second Chance Program
Recent studies demonstrate significant improvements in literacy and numeracy among program participants. For example, a study conducted by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education found that children enrolled in the Second Chance program showed notable progress in their academic skills. Children who participated in the program “outperformed other students by an average of 10% across math, English and the local language (Sidama).”
Hana’s story epitomizes the transformative impact of the Second Chance program. Despite missing two years of schooling due to the pandemic, Hana not only caught up with her peers but also excelled academically. She had become a top-performing student in her class, inspiring her community and demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in restoring educational opportunities to disadvantaged children.
The Education and Life Skills Program
Moreover, World Vision Ethiopia’s Education and Life Skills (EdLS) Program is dedicated to improving developmental outcomes for children in targeted communities. It focuses on enhancing literacy skills, supporting early learning and ensuring readiness for primary education among children aged 7-14.
Throughout 2023, the program was active across 34 Area Programmes (APs), implementing three distinct project models: Learning Roots (LR) in 21 APs, Basic Education Programme (BEP) in 19 APs and Unlock Literacy (UL) in 19 APs, all aimed at achieving these crucial outcomes. With an investment surpassing $4.9 million, the EdLS positively impacted approximately 294,000 children, with a strong emphasis on benefiting more than 150,000 girls.
This significant investment underscores the program’s commitment to enhancing the educational quality and fostering a supportive learning environment, ultimately contributing to long-term educational and social development in these communities.
The Impact of the Programs
The success of the Second Chance and the EdLS programs extend beyond individual achievements to encompass community-wide benefits and offer inspiration to other organizations for a domino effect. Active community involvement and engagement have been integral to the sustainability and impact of the Second Chance and the EdLS programs. Local stakeholders, including parents, teachers and community leaders, play a vital role in supporting children’s educational journey and fostering a conducive learning environment.
The Luminos Fund’s Second Chance program in Ethiopia exemplifies the transformative potential of targeted educational interventions. By equipping disadvantaged children with essential academic skills and comprehensive support systems, the program not only addresses immediate educational challenges but also cultivates long-term resilience and prosperity within communities. Through rigorous academic studies and compelling success stories like Hana’s, the program underscores the critical role of education in empowering children and building a brighter future for Ethiopia’s next generation.
– Demi Olin
Photo: Flickr
The Mattei Plan: Italy’s Billion-Dollar Investment Plan in Africa
The pillars of the program
The Mattei Plan has six focus areas to guide its efforts:
Collaboration is key
This project will be implemented through a collaboration involving various stakeholders from the Italian government—including multiple Ministries and the Italian Export Credit Agency—as well as from the private and civil society sectors. A notable aspect of the Mattei Plan, which has garnered praise, is its inclusive approach; unlike previous initiatives, it will not be enacted unilaterally from the top down. Instead, African leaders will play an active role in executing the programs, with partners jointly designing key goals and targets.
Evidence of this collaborative approach was visible when 21 African Heads of State and Governments attended the summit where the plan was announced. Additionally, the presence of European Union President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted significant European interest in this innovative, collaborative investment approach in Africa. This integrated approach can deliver short-term goals but also identify areas in which other already existing programs can come in and improve. This comprehensive, cooperative format of the Mattei Plan is original and can change the structure of Italy’s international partnerships.
Benefits for Europe
Italy stands to gain significantly from the Mattei Plan, especially through its “Energy” pillar. Italy aims to become a key energy supplier to Africa, with the state-owned oil and gas company ENI, already a major player in Africa, expecting high returns from the plan. The plan is named in honor of ENI’s founder, Enrico Mattei. Additionally, water services management company ACEA and oil company ENEL are exploring opportunities in Africa related to the environment and energy sectors.
During another meeting involving stakeholders of the Mattei Plan, African Development Bank director Dr. Akinwumi Adesina highlighted the benefits of Italy’s investment in Africa. The continent is home to six of the 10 fastest-growing economies and has the fastest-growing middle class. It also has the highest concentration of the global population under 35 years old, with 75% of the continent’s population below that age.
Looking Ahead
The Mattei Plan, with its €5.5 billion initial investment, aims to transform Italy’s foreign aid policy and foster significant economic and social development in nine African countries. By focusing on key areas such as education, agriculture, health, energy, water and infrastructure, the plan seeks to improve living conditions and reduce migration pressures. Collaborative efforts involving African leaders, European stakeholders and Italian businesses underscore a new model for international partnerships, poised to benefit both Africa and Italy.
– Clara Tripodi
Photo: Flickr