Africa

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA:  With over 45% of the world still without internet access, on 13 September 2018, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) called for the increased utilization of TV Whitespace technology (TVWS) to help bridge the digital divide that is still impacting billions of people across the world. Speaking on the third day of ITU Telecom World 2018, a… Continue Reading »

NEW YORK, USA: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has launched the 2018 edition of the ‘Goalkeepers Data Report’ charting progress towards the SDGs against 18 indicators. This year’s report highlights ways that young people can help to transform Africa, given the use of promising approaches in health and education. Gates also released the results… Continue Reading »

AFRICA: A two-day conference on youth employment in agriculture has highlighted opportunities to tap the potential of Africa’s vast youth population to contribute to sustainable development of the continent. With an estimated 60% of Africa’s 1.2 billion population being under the age of 25, the discussions underscored the need to create tens of millions of… Continue Reading »

NEW YORK, USA: The South African SDG Hub released a report on challenges and opportunities related to SDG implementation in the country. The report highlights a number of issues relevant to implementing the SDGs in South Africa, from partnerships and tools to the role of science, technology and innovation (STI). The South African SDG Hub, housed… Continue Reading »

NEW YORK, USA: The governments of Botswana, Colombia, Ecuador and Tunisia are reporting on urban SDG indicators, with support from the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). A UN-Habitat companion guide titled, ‘SDGs: Monitoring Human Settlements Indicators,’ provides… Continue Reading »

GABON, AFRICA: It is impossible these days to drive around the cities of Gabon without noticing the large billboards promoting internet access at rates that were unimaginable only a few years ago. This is a wonderful development for Alphonse, a young, 34-year old public-sector professional. WhatsApp, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram are all applications that this ultra-connected… Continue Reading »

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Saarah Saint had almost everything a young South African needs to be successful: a strong work ethic, professional ambition, and creativity. But the one thing she didn’t yet have—a higher education degree—threatened to derail her plans for a career in advertising. Johannesburg’s Vega School, which prepares its students for careers through “Work-Integrated… Continue Reading »

CAMEROON, AFRICA: Cameroon resident Richard Tambe has a dream to make Cameroon more accessible to it’s citizens and visitors.   To realize that dream, he registered with GAATES and successfully completed his certification as an expert in accessibility of the built environment. Richard was highly motivated to achieve his certification to give him the credibility to… Continue Reading »

INTERNATIONAL: Early warning, a critical component of disaster risk reduction (DRR), can prevent loss of life and reduce the economic impacts of hazardous events, including disasters, according to a multi-hazard early warning systems checklist developed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in partnership with the UN Office for DRR (UNISDR), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization… Continue Reading »