Posts

,

Youth Empowerment in Nigeria: A Pathway to Stability and Growth

Youth Empowerment in NigeriaNigeria is a nation on the brink. With a population exceeding 227 million, more than 70% are under the age of 30. By 2050, Nigeria will likely have the third highest population in the world, surpassing the United States. Yet, the country faces a brewing demographic crisis: chronic youth unemployment, political disenfranchisement and rising insecurity threaten to ignite widespread unrest. Youth empowerment in Nigeria is no longer a development goal—it is a critical tool for national stability and economic growth.

Nationwide Youth Disillusionment

As of 2020, Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate hovered around 33.3% in 2020. This economic stagnation, paired with urban overcrowding and growing distrust in government institutions, has contributed to the rise of protests like #EndSARS and the spread of armed insurgency in northern regions.

The International Crisis Group has warned that Nigeria’s fragile social contract is under pressure, and that failure to provide meaningful opportunities for youth could destabilize West Africa’s largest democracy.

Investing in Peace Through Empowerment

Programs aimed at youth empowerment in Nigeria are increasingly viewed not only as developmental tools but as instruments of peacebuilding. One such effort is the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), a government and UNDP initiative launched in 2021. The program offers year-long fellowships in private and public sector organizations for recent graduates, helping reduce the gap between education and employment. One measurable outcome of NJFP is that more than 20,000 fellows have been matched with host organizations across various sectors in Nigeria as of 2024.

Education Access and Human Development

Nigeria ranks 164h out of 191 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) as of the 2023 report, placing it in the “low human development” category. The HDI measures key indicators such as life expectancy, education levels and gross national income per capita.

A closer look reveals that youth empowerment in Nigeria—or the lack thereof—is central to the country’s persistent development challenges. Youth represent the engine of national progress, yet many lack access to quality education, skills training or meaningful work. According to UNICEF Nigeria, around 10.5 million Nigerian children remain out of school, with many dropping out before completing a national secondary school education.

An initiative working to combat this is the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which partners with both federal and state governments to increase school enrollment through conditional cash transfers, free textbooks and girl-child education programs.

By investing in youth, Nigeria can significantly boost its HDI over time. Improvements in educational attainment, employment rates and health outcomes among young people directly translate to gains in national productivity, income growth and life expectancy. Empowering youth is not just social policy—it is a development strategy.

Long-Term Barriers to Empowerment

Despite promising initiatives, significant barriers remain. Many rural areas lack reliable electricity and internet connectivity—both of which are essential for participation in today’s digital economy. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 12% of Nigerians have adequate access to the internet as of May 2022. 

Moreover, institutional bottlenecks and corruption continue to undermine youth-focused programs. Transparency International ranked Nigeria 145th out of 180 countries in its 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index.

Organizations like Tech4Dev and Andela are helping by building scalable programs that combine tech education with job placement services, particularly targeting underserved regions. These programs close the digital skills gap through scalable programs that merge education with employment opportunities, particularly for underserved communities.

Tech4Dev’s Digital for All Initiative

Tech4Dev’s Digital for All initiative emerged in partnership with Microsoft and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. It has provided basic to intermediate digital literacy training to more than 400,000 Nigerians with a strong focus on rural youth and women. The program includes job readiness tracks in areas such as cybersecurity, productivity tools and software development, with localized delivery to improve accessibility across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

Andela’s Learning Community

With support from Google and Facebook, Andela’s Learning Community (ALC) offers intensive technical training in software engineering, product design and cloud computing. Since its inception, ALC has trained more than 100,000 young Africans with many participants securing freelance and full-time roles with global tech firms. The community-driven model allows learners to access mentorship, peer support and employment pipelines from entry-level to senior roles.

These initiatives not only equip youth with relevant, future-proof skills but also serve as bridges to employment, helping to reduce inequality and support Nigeria’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

Conclusion: Youth or Chaos

Nigeria stands at a major crossroad. Ignoring its burgeoning youth population invites instability. Empowering its young population—through targeted investments in education, jobs and leadership—can not only lift millions out of poverty but also prevent the next generation from resorting to violence. With the right support, Nigeria’s youth can become its greatest asset—not its greatest risk.

– Kenneth Oko-Oboh

Kenneth is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

SIDS4 Brings New Hope for Small Island Developing States

SIDS4In May 2024, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) gathered at the fourth U.N. International Conference (SIDS4) held in Barbuda and Antigua. After being recognized internationally for their multifaceted struggles towards poverty, SIDS4 proposed the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).

Disaster-Prone

SIDS are countries among the most disaster-prone areas of the world, frequently experiencing tsunamis, floods, sea-level rise and more. These factors result in the entrapment of an ongoing poverty cycle. While receiving lower levels of international development financing, about 20.7 million of the SIDS population faces poverty.

These countries reside in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS). The U.N. Office of Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has committed to numerous initiatives that invest in sustainable futures for these citizens, as disaster costs in SIDS are among the highest in the world. In the past 50 years, these countries have lost more than $153 billion on natural disaster recuperation.

ABAS was designed to build resilient economies, create prosperous societies, promote sustainable practices, and protect environmental development. Environmental concerns and natural disasters are the overwhelming priority of the U.N., due to the cumulative impacts of irregular weather patterns and natural disaster shocks.

Just in Caribbean SIDS, the UNDRR reports that between 2000 and 2022 SIDS experienced 91% of economic losses due to tropical storms, resulting in almost $32 billion in damages. While SIDS contribute less than 1% of global GHG emissions, they are the most impacted when it comes to noticeable destruction in their communities.

Poverty Rates

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) developed a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to determine causes and patterns in poverty rates among SIDS countries. As health and standard of living are leading contributing factors, almost 50% of the Pacific SIDS and 46% of AIS SIDS are facing poverty, according to the 2024 report.

The ABAS initiative targets preventative measures to ensure citizens will be better prepared for disasters both natural and expected. To reduce poverty, the U.N. states that they will implement “accelerated actions towards full and effective implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.”

The U.N. plans to support the implementation of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, operationalizing the global goal of solving natural disaster crises and reducing risks for SIDS. Another initiative to support the vulnerable population is the allocation of pre-disaster funds to build resilience and prevent a never-ending cycle of poverty.

After declaring in 1992 that SIDS were a special case regarding environment and social development, the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development committed to providing the necessary aid to meet sustainable long-term goals. With unique vulnerabilities such as small size remoteness, biodiversity loss and narrow resource space, the U.N. continues to this day to create programs of action.

The work from ABAS continues to work towards its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of lessening the poverty rate in SIDS countries, policy intervention, and allowing access to international funding. Only with cross-regional research on the direct impacts of natural disasters on poverty will SIDS countries keep moving towards a more prosperous population as a whole.

– Rachael Wexler

Rachael is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Women’s Rights in Eritrea

Women’s Rights in EritreaWomen have played a pivotal role in the building of the Northeastern African country of Eritrea. After a 30-year-long conflict, Eritrea achieved independence from its neighboring country of Ethiopia. During the war, Eritrean women made up one-third of the army. They actively participated in combat, breaking from previous societal patterns of gender inequality and discrimination. The historical work of Eritrean women to the liberation of the nation paved the way for gender inequality awareness and ensuring women’s rights in Eritrea.

Advancing Women’s Rights in Eritrea

In 1979, 14 years before the end of the conflict, the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) began its operations. The organization advocates for civil laws that protect women’s rights in Eritrea. Some other points of action by NUEW include work toward fair access to educational resources and minimizing poverty among Eritrean women. A 2023 UNDP report states that ever since Eritrea became independent, gender equality became a key focus of the Eritrean government.

Eritrean women today hold governmental positions and get empowerment through freedom of land ownership, amongst other gender equality reforms outlined in the country’s constitution. According to a 2020 report by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), women occupied 22% of the parliament seats. Improved literacy also shows the progress of women’s rights in Eritrea. The literacy rates for girls increased from 54.8% in 2008 to 68.9% in 2018.

However, additional data shows that there is still more work necessary in advancing women’s rights in Eritrea. The World Bank Gender Landscape shows a 14% gap in labor force participation between the genders. It also shows that in the national parliament, men occupy 3.5 seats for every seat that women occupy.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Despite Eritrea’s progress in gender equality as a result of women’s wartime contributions, women’s rights in Eritrea remain at risk.  Traditions and cultural norms prevent the full attainment of gender equality.

The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) has had a steady decline since the 2007 ban. While this significantly reduced the harmful practice, a UNICEF 2021 report shows that FGM still takes place in some rural areas. In 2010, the prevalence of FGM was as high as 33.2% among girls under 15. In 2016, the percentage decreased to 3.8% among the same population.
The UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme is working toward the complete eradication of the practice by 2030.

With the Ministry of Health, of Labor and Social Welfare as well as the National Union of Eritrean Women, the program aims for its collaborative approach to work as a primary tool for the eradication of FGM. The engagement of the different institutions helps with the discussion of FGM beyond culture and tradition. They hold community events and open and communal conversations regarding this particular issue.

The program aims to raise awareness of its physical dangers and related health concerns, as well as introduce girls’ and women’s rights into the conversation. The same 2021 UNICEF report shows that 425 community events to discuss FGM took place in 2019 across a multitude of villages in Eritrea.

Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE)

Elizabeth Chyrum founded Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE), a nonprofit organization that highlighted different concerns regarding women’s rights in the country in 2017. The organization reported a continuous violation of women’s rights in the country and, therefore the breach of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). According to HRCE, Eritrean women are at high risk of suffering from sexual abuse practices, stating that the subject is still taboo within parts of the nation.

HRCE’s targeting actions toward helping women in Eritrea include conducting interviews and research to better understand human rights violations against Eritrean women. The nonprofit also issues calls to action for the Eritrean government and aid agencies, advocating for easy access to sanitary products for women, protection of women in detention centers and support for women who are victims of harassment.

The Future

Alongside the work of organizations such as UNICEF and NUEW, the UNDP has proposed the Global UNDP Gender Equality Strategy for the years 2022 to 2025.

This strategy uses the “Six Signature Solutions” for the advancement of women’s rights in Eritrea. Instead of focusing on gender equality alone, the strategy targets other topics of concern, like the environment and governance, according to a 2023 UNDP report. UNDP looks at gender inequality in the environment and assesses that extreme weather, such as droughts, highly affects the livelihood of Eritrean women.

Among other advancements, the “Six Signature Solutions” aims to empower women by improving their access to business ownership. By also targeting governance, the UNDP looks for gender inequality in public institutions and does so by, among other initiatives, designating gender focal points in governmental offices.

Despite the country’s notable advancements, persistent challenges still threaten the full implementation of gender equality in Eritrea. Efforts by its government, alongside national and international organizations, highlight ongoing violations and emphasize the collective commitment that is needed to advance gender equality in the country.

– Paula Pujol-Gibson
Photo: Flickr

,

Poverty in Sri Lanka

Poverty in Sri LankaSri Lanka is one of many countries that grapples with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that 125 million people worldwide sank into poverty over the first 18 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contributed to an additional 71 million people falling into poverty. Sri Lanka is facing staggering levels of poverty and is exploring resolutions to combat the decline.

Rising Economic Challenges

The primary economic crisis in Sri Lanka started with attempted resolutions by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. After the Sri Lankan civil war ended in 2009, the president took out huge loans from foreign creditors — including China — to pay war expenses and build more infrastructure. The 2019 Easter bombings and COVID-19 pandemic demolished Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, one of the country’s main sources of revenue, causing it to default on its loans.

With China holding about 26% of Sri Lanka’s debt, the country is now in ‘debt trap diplomacy’. Additionally, 56% of the debt is held by private banks with high-interest rates. Most of this debt was accrued for infrastructure projects that did not yield high enough returns to repay the loans.

Humanitarian Crisis and Sri Lanka Poverty

Between 2020 and 2022, poverty in Sri Lanka rose from 13.1% to 25%. That number continues to rise, as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war compound the existing lack of access to resources, such as food and fuel. Inflation rose 46% in 2022, with recent government resolutions causing massive job loss within Sri Lanka.

Agriculture, another huge sector of Sri Lanka’s economy, took a hit in 2021 when the president introduced a ban on chemical fertilizers in an effort to promote “all organic” farming. This disruption of Sri Lanka’s booming tea industry, alongside disrupted supply chains — has created major food insecurity, with 66,000 people suffering from severely acute food insecurity.

The Future for The Children of Sri Lanka

With the alarming lack of resources, the rise of malnutrition is projected to heavily affect children. Lack of funding for clean drinking water projects, as well as the importation of water treatment chemicals as a stopgap measure, leaves Sri Lankan children extremely vulnerable to a variety of diseases. All of these issues, alongside schools remaining closed until 2022, leave an estimated 4.8 million children of Sri Lanka with increased mental health and psychosocial issues in addition to living in deep poverty.

UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action supports access to essential health care services for children and women. It ensures the maintenance of government functions in addition to access to clean water and solutions to child health risks.

Sri Lanka has shown incredible resilience during these hard times. The “Leave No One Behind” initiative started by the Sri Lankan government and the Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) provides volunteer relief through community kitchens, distribution of nutrition packs and support to access medicine.

– Isabella Polo
Photo: Flickr

The Gendered Impact of Disasters in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda
The landscape and structure of Antigua and Barbuda make it particularly susceptible to extreme weather events like hurricanes and storms. For instance, in 2017, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria destroyed $136 million worth of physical assets, harming the tourism industry and significantly reducing the available housing on the island. International institutions and organizations have partnered with local governments to strengthen the island’s resilience to hurricanes and other weather events. Here is what some are doing to address disasters in Antigua and Barbuda.

Aid to Address Disasters in Antigua and Barbuda

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) granted more than $46 million to the island’s state environmental department to “climate-proof” local buildings and make them less likely to be damaged during climate-related disasters. With financing from the European Union, the UNDP allocated $5.7 million to help recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma. 

These environmental disasters and extreme weather events negatively impact women more than men. There remains a structural preference towards men in matters of inheritance, marriage and community and state programs of land distribution. Because of this male preference for asset control, management and distribution, women have less access to economic opportunities than men, which may force them to rely financially on men. With less access to income-generating activities, disasters can impact women the most as they may lack the financial stability to bounce back rapidly from the damages that an environmental disaster causes. This also puts women at risk of gender-based violence as fewer economic opportunities could make them more financially reliant on men. 

Women are also overrepresented in the service and tourism industry, an industry which is particularly affected by weather-related disasters. Additionally, when schools close because of weather events, data shows that women are more likely to stay home and care for their children, missing out on the income from their work. Female-headed households are often more vulnerable to natural disasters as they are often single-parent and tend to be larger, with women often caring for dependents like children or elderly family members. After the hurricanes Maria and Irma, studies demonstrated that women paid 1,000 more dollars in damages to recover from the disaster than men. 

A Progressive Rise in Female Representation in Governmental Bodies and Initiatives 

One way to mitigate the gendered impact of environmental disasters would be to ensure accurate political representation of women in governmental bodies. Currently, women hold only 11% of the seats in the national parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, which makes policies and decision-making less susceptible to reflect all the intricacies of the gender inequality still affecting women in Antigua and Barbuda. However, women are more involved in recovery initiatives after environmental disasters and often take charge in the aftermath of these disasters through their work with organizations such as the Barbuda Council, a local governmental institution with more women than men among its members. The Environmental State Department also launched an internship program for university students meant to turn into full-time positions upon graduation. More women than men enrolled in the program, leading to the department now primarily being staffed with women in 2021.

These positive changes in the government have translated into more state initiatives to reduce the gendered impact of environmental disasters. The Environmental State Department has committed to specifically targeting and reducing gender-based vulnerabilities in the face of weather events. 

The Sustainable Island Resource Framework

In partnership with the UN Environment Program, Antigua and Barbuda has also created the Sustainable Island Resource Framework, a funding allocation mechanism dedicated to reducing the effects of environmental disasters and changing weather patterns. The Fund has expressed its intent to integrate the protection and prioritization of vulnerable groups such as single mothers and children in its decision-making. These developments cast a positive light on the future in terms of reducing the gendered impact of environmental disasters. 

– Tatiana Gnuva
Photo: Flickr

Fragility and Rule of Law in Guinea-Bissau

Rule of Law in Guinea Bissau
Violence and instability on a structural level severely hinder the application of poverty reduction plans and can even lead to poverty increasing in the affected region. A clear example of this is the Sahel region in West Africa. Civil unrest, military plots and the expansion of Islamic terrorist groups in the region have made it one of the world’s only places with an increasing poverty level according to the World Bank. Guinea-Bissau lies just south of this region, but it is still at risk of falling to the same threats besetting its northern neighbors. Helping solidify the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau can make a regional leader in the fight against poverty.

History of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau declared independence from Portugal in 1973. The young republic soon faced the political instability characteristic of post-colonial Africa. A coup in 1980, a civil war in 1999 and a further coup in 2012 provoked high legal insecurity and ensured that the country’s economy would stagnate.

However, after a transition to democracy in 2014, the country has been able to prosper relative to its neighbors. Despite a coup attempt in 2022, Guinea-Bissau has stood as one of the main democracies in West Africa. Guinea-Bissau’s government has since focused on addressing corruption, economic development and law enforcement in collaboration with international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The Challenge

As the Fragile State Index identified, Guinea-Bissau faces great issues with socioeconomic instability. Slow economic growth following the COVID-19 pandemic combined with increased political polarization and the prominence of Islamic fundamentalist groups and drug trafficking have led to high social unrest. Furthermore, a lack of inclusive dialogue and state reach to rural areas has created a challenge for the continuation of the democratic system. In turn, this perpetuates the situation of poverty in the country, as violent flare-ups and a fragile rule of law scare off investment, slow job creation and eliminate entrepreneurship opportunities. Yet, in spite of the monumental challenges to the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau, the government has not stood idle, and the international community has taken steps to improve the situation.

Current Projects and Solutions

As previously mentioned, Guinea-Bissau does not stand alone in its fight to preserve the rule of law. The government together with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization devised a $4.2 million plan to boost its private sector competitiveness with a special focus on the agricultural sector implementing more productive methods.

Furthermore, the UNDP has set out a program to end political isolation and polarization in the country. It is developing platforms for inclusive dialogue and ideas exchange, namely the “Na No Mon” initiative, which is Creole for “in your hands.”

Through initiatives like Na No Mon, Guinea-Bissau aspires to mend the rift that has split its society and the first results are starting to show. More than 4,000 people have gained access to justice services from the state. Furthermore, through collaboration with the UNDP, Guinea-Bissau has improved the capabilities of law enforcement in rural areas and has provided 149 health care facilities with malaria monitoring equipment. The Fragile States Index reflects all this, where Guinea-Bissau has significantly improved its score. Through these improvements, the Guinea-Bissau government aims to restore investor confidence in the country and to set its people on a route to ending poverty in the country and maybe even being a role model for other countries in the region for attracting investors and improving living conditions.

Prospects for the Future

The challenges Guinea-Bissau faces are many, but the country has seen steady progress in the past few years. The upcoming elections in 2024 and the stability of the ensuing government will be crucial to solidify the country’s progress and set Guinea Bissau on a road to stability and economic growth. Until then, the international community can but celebrate the great strides society has taken towards reinforcing the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau.

– Daniel Pereda
Photo: Flickr

The Unprecedented Impact of Laos’ Economic Crisis

Laos' Economic Crisis
In Summer 2022, Laos’ economic crisis hit a breaking point. The national debt rose to more than 10% of the GDP of the country. Two-thirds of workers had their pay either decrease or remain the same. Food insecurity increased to dangerous levels, with 35% of households reporting regularly not eating a meal for an entire day. However, despite these worrying statistics, the economy has shown signs of rejuvenation in the past year; major international organizations have worked to aid the Asian nation. To grasp the scope of this issue affecting millions, a breakdown of the key issues, people and possibilities is necessary.

What Caused the Crisis?

Similar to much of the world’s economic shortcomings over the past three years, the main cause of this crisis is the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that is not the only cause of the issue. Laos relies heavily on trade with China which has also seen a slowdown in the growth of their economy. Also, the war in Ukraine has proved to be an additional factor that has severely affected worldwide trade and commerce.

Public and publicly guaranteed debt (PPG) is the main issue that Laos faces. Laos owes most of this debt to its main trading partner – China. As China has not had the GDP growth it would have wanted, the pressure to recoup some of the money owed from Laos increased. Public debt dwarfed government revenues in 2022, with 966% more debt than revenue. The Lao currency, the kip, has currently lost 90% of its value in comparison with the U.S. dollar. 

As is the case with many developing countries, the economy is incredibly fragile and subject to the international climate. Increased global prices for items such as fuel have caused inflation to peak at around 23%, the highest rate in Laos since 2000 and almost three times larger than the global average. 

In August 2022, Fitch, a New York-based capital company, rated Laos’ Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at a ‘CCC-’, meaning ‘substantial credit risk.’ Fitch has described this rating as a “very low margin for safety, default is a real possibility.” Laos’ economic crisis has caused the nation to receive a rank in the bottom 15 across the globe for financial security. 

Who Does Laos’ Economic Crisis Affect?

The poorest in Laos are on the front lines of this crisis. A report by World Vision International (WVI) highlighted the precarious position of food security. Out of 217 households surveyed across 38 communities, 62% stated they experienced severe food insecurity, ranging from skipping meals to going over a day without eating. 

Even more worrying, it was reported that 46% of households used personal savings to be able to afford food, 26% took out loans, and 14% had to take on additional daily labor. One in three households began to sell assets to be able to eat, such as livestock, transportation and mobile devices. 

Fortunately, the citizens of Laos often rely on their own agriculture for their food production so the crisis has not impacted as many families as severely as first feared. However, some households in rural areas that were not adequately equipped to maintain agricultural production had to resort to growing their own food, resulting in a poorer diet and increased risks of health conditions. 

Laos’ economic crisis caused a major decrease in public spending on crucial services and infrastructure. Low-income households had to reduce health care spending, and 7% of children dropped out of school due to not being able to afford to keep their children enrolled. 

Laos’ citizens had to take drastic measures in an attempt to secure work. Farmers who could no longer afford fuel for their machinery abandoned their professions and homes and immigrated to other countries to seek out jobs, an incredible risk to their safety and stability. 

What is the Hope for Laos?

Despite the hardships millions are currently facing there is hope for the future. The World Bank published ‘The Vital Five’, a five-step plan to secure macroeconomic stability. These goals are:

  • Cut costly tax exemptions to raise public revenue
  • Improve the governance of public and public-private investment
  • Restructure public debt through negotiations
  • Strengthen financial sector stability through legal and regulatory tools
  • Enhance the business environment through regulatory reforms

Laos was also one of the quickest developing economies in Southeast Asia before a slowdown caused firstly by natural disasters towards the end of the 2010s, and then the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate at which Laos’ economy was growing before 2018 is a good sign for future progression; the foundation was already laid out and saw great success. 

Investments in newly constructed sectors such as hydropower are also great opportunities to boost trade and commerce in the nation. About 21% of the economy was directly contributed by hydropower and mining in 2021, despite only accounting for 1% of all jobs. Further expansion into these avenues will create sustained opportunities for job security for thousands of the Lao people. 

The UNDP, the United Nations International Development Agency, stated that “The future of the country must be built of its current and future assets: its natural capital, its young population and its revitalized links to its neighbors and to the world. Now is the time to increase spending on health and education to establish a workforce that is ready for the future, and to pave a pathway for all Lao to prosper.”

Looking Ahead

Laos’ economic crisis is a matter that will continue to affect the most vulnerable for years to come. However, with the work of international organizations such as the World Bank and the UN, Laos has the structure in place to attain the goals set and ensure security and prosperity for its people. The government of Laos must adapt quickly and invest in its citizens to steer away from this crisis and towards a more equal, developed nation. 

– Oliver Rayner
Photo: Flickr

The Pandemic and the Digital Divide in Jamaica

Digital Divide in JamaicaThe nationwide pause of in-person learning on March 13, 2020, underscored the glaring digital divide in Jamaica. Generally, the digital divide refers to a gap between those who do and do not have ready access to an array of technology services including computers and smartphones. However, an additional layer to the definition points to a divide in the quality of digital services. 

Particularly, while an individual may possess technological devices, the quality of their internet access can interfere with their ability to use those devices effectively. In an increasingly digital economy, access to up-to-standard and high-speed technology has become a necessity. This can enable full and effective participation in the workplace and throughout educational institutions. 

Background

The digital divide was highlighted following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 which caused a worldwide disruption in education, leaving 90% of children impacted. The effects of this disruption were also felt through the absence of in-person education and the subsequent switch to remote, online learning. 

As 34% of children in Jamaican households do not have access to a technological device and lack reliable internet access for educational purposes, concerns surrounding the ability to acquire the needed devices for remote learning were raised. 

This inability to access needed technology also affected attendance in the online learning landscape. Some academic institutions saw less than 60% attendance in their virtual instruction environments. In addition, less affluent households who did manage to procure a device like a tablet found difficulty splitting the device’s time between multiple children — therefore leaving the online classroom largely unattended by numerous households. 

For years, closing this digital divide in Jamaica has been a pressing concern in education among policymakers and government officials. However, with the switch to virtual instruction, there has been a redoubled effort to close the digital divide among citizens of the country. 

Pandemic Effects

Caroline Dyche, a Professor at the University of the West Indies Mona Branch (UWI), spoke to the notable shift from a physical learning environment to a virtual one in Jamaica. While a regular class schedule was maintained in her Language, Linguistics and Philosophy courses, she noted the remote experience was “more problematic than effective.”

Nevertheless, Dyche mentioned various efforts put in place to facilitate learning in the midst of the adversity. Students were able to contact their professors during their scheduled office hours — two hours per week – and outside the allotted time if needed. Moreover, communication between students and professors via email was encouraged, with a number of professors participating in WhatsApp groups with students to provide assistance with inquiries if necessary. 

Typically, students attended online classes through devices such as their cell phones with their data plans. However, Dyche noted that poor Wi-Fi connectivity among students would cause frequent disruptions throughout classes as students found themselves attempting to rejoin classes repeatedly. This issue of inconsistent internet connection illustrates the difficulties of remote learning as a consequence of the digital divide in Jamaica. 

To address problems faced by students who did not own technological devices in the midst of virtual education, students were able to borrow tablets from UWI’s library for extended use. Furthermore, Dyche adds that the library’s online services were increasingly utilized during the pandemic — including the interactive “Ask a Librarian” feature.

Addressing the Challenge 

Upon recognizing that approximately 120,000 students faced an educational setback due to unequal access to technology services, the Ministry of Education opted to host a summer catch-up program in 2021. Yet, while students did attend these summer classes, they were described as having wavering attendance alongside a short learning time. 

Similarly to UWI, the use of Google Classroom, WhatsApp and phone calls were common strategies employed by Jamaican teaching professionals to continue communication and engagement with their students. For those unable to access or afford the technology required, institutions such as Little Bay Primary started a drop-off program to physically deliver lessons and assignments to their students to be picked up by the end of the week. 

The country’s government also showed initiative in addressing the concerns of technological access raised by those through providing daily educational content with the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, announced that the PBCJ would broadcast this content using digital transmission technology and students without access to a Smart TV could use a digital set-top box to allow their current television to receive these transmissions. 

The government also further invested in high-speed fiber-optic technology in order to improve access to cable and internet connection for those with unreliable Wi-Fi networks. In the midst of the transition, ensuring every community had access to Wi-Fi was prioritized through the installation of hotspots in locations throughout the country including Port Antonio, Ocho Rios and Annotto Bay. 

Looking Forward

Although there has been a return to physical learning in Jamaica as of late 2022, the digital divide still remains an issue. The efforts to close the digital divide in Jamaica have continued in 2023 as the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) provided a grant of $350,000 to fund the installation of 17 internet sites within community centers and schools. While the gap will be difficult to completely close, the steps taken by educational institutions, organizations and government officials towards addressing the divide during and beyond the nationwide switch to remote learning shows progress. 

The work being done also furthers the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal for education to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

– Katrina Girod
Photo: Pixabay

, ,

The UN Calls for Debt-Poverty Pause as Global Poverty Rates Rise

Debt-Poverty Pause
The United Nations (U.N.) has called upon global finance ministers to provide a debt-poverty pause for impoverished countries. It has emphasized the need for funding to go toward social programs that will help reduce poverty, rather than toward repaying debts.

A Global Poverty Crisis

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic, paired with the subsequent rise in inflation and borrowing costs, has resulted in an additional 165 million people falling into poverty. The UNDP says that more than 20% of the population worldwide is living on less than $3.65 a day, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities like food.

In response to the pandemic and the rise in costs of food and fuel, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many low-income countries resorted to substantial borrowing. This situation strained their economies as it affected agricultural commodity supplies and led to energy prices reaching close to record levels.

According to the UNDP, approximately 25 low-income countries spent more than 20% of their revenues on debt servicing in 2022. This is the highest number of countries surpassing this threshold since the beginning of the century. This rate can also continue to rise if global interest rates increase further. Debt interest payments account for more than 10% of the general government revenue in 46 countries, and developing countries owe around 30% of the worldwide $92 trillion of government debt. Costs associated with servicing debts are rising quickly, attributed to the actions of the world’s influential central banks, which are raising interest rates in response to the rapid increase in inflation rates.

The rise of interest rates means that poorer nations now spend two or three times the share of their revenues on paying back their debt compared to wealthier countries. Impoverished countries also spend about two times more on interest payments than public assistance and social support programs.

The UNDP Pushes for a Debt-Poverty Pause

The UNDP says that low-income countries need reprieves from repaying their debt to alleviate the repercussions of rapidly increasing borrowing costs. It urges countries burdened with debt to allocate resources typically used for debt servicing toward mitigating the social effects of economic shocks. This approach aims to alleviate some of the adverse effects on society due to these shocks so that the focus can be on poverty reduction.

Looking Forward

The United States (U.S.), the European Union and the other members of the Group of 20 (G20) recently met to discuss global solutions, including debt restructuring and global poverty. However, the debt restructuring discussions made very little progress during the finance meeting of the G20 countries in India.

The UNDP continues to push for debt alleviation to fight global poverty. So far, there have been some elements of international financial activity aiming to increase focus in terms of financing poverty reduction and social programs. However, western countries and the G20 still have work to do. The UNDP has urged Western countries to give developing countries the debt-poverty pause they require to focus their financial efforts on alleviating poverty in their communities.

– Marisa del Vecchio
Photo: Flickr

Improving Electricity Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Electricity Access in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Africa Minigrids Program is an effort that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led to improve electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa. Using solar mini-grids, the program will work with 21 African countries up until 2027 to solve the energy crisis through renewable energy.

Energy Access and Poverty in sub-Saharan Africa

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), sub-Saharan African nations have some of the world’s lowest energy access rates. In fact, the agency notes that “Sub-Saharan Africa’s share of the global population without access to electricity rose to 77% from 74% before the pandemic.” The most recently available IEA data states that less than half of the region’s population, some 48.5%, have access to electricity as of 2019.

That being said, the lack of access to electricity intertwines with poverty in the region. According to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022, sub-Saharan Africa not only has the lowest electricity access rates but also holds the highest concentration of impoverished people.

Additionally, a 2018 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report says that policy solutions in 2018 did not “recognize the transformative potential of solar off-grid and mini-grid solutions to deliver clean energy access.” This is set to change with UNDP’s Africa Minigrids Program, which plans on using these methods to improve electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa.

How the Program Works

According to the Africa Minigrids Program’s website, the initiative will help improve electricity access across 21 sub-Saharan partner countries by “increasing the financial viability of, and promoting scaled-up investment in renewable energy minigrids in Africa, with a focus on cost-reduction levers and innovative business models.” By doing this, the program would also impact socio-economic development in the region since industries such as agriculture, health care and education require stable and consistent electricity access to see successful outcomes.

The UNDP is not alone in affecting change in electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) financially supports the project with funding that will help the UNDP and its program partners, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the African Development Bank (ADB), implement the program, starting with an initial phase of supporting 11 out of 21 partner countries.

According to the program brochure, the first phase began in 2022, with the subsequent two phases expected to begin in 2023. Combined, the 21 countries are home to “more than two-thirds of the total unelectrified population of Africa,” with a total combined population of 396 million individuals without electricity. The program estimates that more than 200,000 schools and clinics will gain access to electricity as a result of the program along with upward of 900,000 businesses.

Benefits of the Program

Without a doubt, the electricity that the Africa Minigrids Project provides will have a significant impact on the impoverished populations of the 21 AMP countries. According to the World Bank, improving access to electricity is “key to boosting economic activity and contributes to improving human capital, which, in turn, is an investment in a country’s potential.”

Electricity in the region would help power schools, medical facilities and businesses, allowing millions a chance to improve their lives and move one step closer to living a life free of poverty. The Africa Minigrids Program presents a transformative approach to improving electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa, one that will positively affect millions of people currently living in poverty.

– Mohammad Samhouri
Photo: Wikipedia Commons