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The curious case of Africa’s Progress and the missing Millennium Development Goals – By Susana Edjang | African Arguments

May 21, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Gambia, MDGs, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

The curious case of Africa’s Progress and the missing Millennium Development Goals – By Susana Edjang | African Arguments.

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that have driven the global development agenda, since September 2000, when Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, and 191 member states surprised the world by unanimously agreeing and making, the Millennium Declaration.

The Millennium Declaration was both a surprising and encouraging outcome for global progress. Not long before the Millennium Declaration was signed, just the previous year, 1999, world leaders failed to launch “the Millennium Round” of trade negotiations during the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting in Seattle. High, middle- and low-income countries could not find it in themselves to agree a global trade agenda that would benefit citizens in rich and poorer countries. In contrast, the MDGs were aspirational and unanimously adopted. They presented a vision of the world very difficult to disagree with; a world with less hunger; with education for all, without unnecessary deaths of women and children from diseases and misfortunes that could easily be prevented. Despite this rosy picture, however, the MDGs faced criticism from the start. They were criticised for being too driven by a pro-aid agenda favoured by the “Triad” — the United States, Europe and Japan — that with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had pushed through the Millennium Declaration. Through aid disbursed to achieve the MDGs, these donor groups were said to increase their influence over national policies in aid recipient countries…

Free Ebook for Parents on Reading with Your Baby and Child | Barnardos Ireland

May 17, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized Early Education, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Free Ebook for Parents on Reading with Your Baby and Child | Barnardos Ireland.

Are you a parent of a baby, toddler or young child? Would you like to find out how you can help with your child’s reading skills and educational development? Our free ‘Your Child’s Literacy Skills’ ebook has easy to understand tips on fun ways you can enjoy books and language with your child.

Children of 10 are ‘saving for university’ | Money | The Guardian

May 9, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News 'Austerity Generation', Education, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Children of 10 are ‘saving for university’ | Money | The Guardian.

Children as young as 10 are already saving up for key milestones in their lives such as university, buying their first home or starting a business, a report has found.

The tough economy has produced a generation of financially savvy children, many of whom are more switched on to savings than their parents were at the same age, according to the findings from investment provider Scottish Widows.

With university tuition fees and finding the money for a house deposit still some years away, 11% of children said they had already begun saving towards the cost of college, university or buying a home.

A further 6% said they were saving up for a car – while an entrepreneurial 2% were putting money aside to start their own business.

However, toys, games and gadgets remain children’s saving priorities, with 48% of youngsters saving up for this purpose…

Africa is riskiest place to be born; 1 million babies die on day of birth globally: new report – The Washington Post

May 9, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Child Mortality, peter singhateh, Save the Children Leave a comment

Africa is riskiest place to be born; 1 million babies die on day of birth globally: new report – The Washington Post.

NAIROBI, Kenya — More than 1 million babies die the day they are born every year, and the 14 countries with the highest rates of first-day deaths are all in Africa, according to a new report released Tuesday.

Somalia, Congo, Mali, Sierra Leone and Central African Republic are the five countries with the highest rates of such deaths, according to the report “Surviving the First Day” from the aid group Save the Children.

Children who walk to school ‘are ahead of the rest’

April 30, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News Education, Exercise, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Children who walk to school ‘are ahead of the rest’ – Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim – Tue, Apr 30, 2013.

Post Celtic tiger, walking to school might seem a nice alternative to being dropped at the gates daily in a gleaming 4×4. But apart from the obvious physical benefit of a bit of basic exercise, is there another advantage to making our children exercise their bodies? Apparently so. It also helps them exercise their brains.

A recent Dutch study of 20,000 children aged 5-19 proved that those who cycled or walked to school performed better on tests demanding concentration, the effects of which lasted up to four hours after they began the school day.

The study showed that the impact of early morning exercise was greater than the effect of diet – including a good breakfast. But more than the short-term impact of improved concentration, the research showed that the cumulative effect of walking or cycling to school was the equivalent to someone half a year further on in their studies…

Pambazuka – A lethal cocktail for Africa

April 30, 2013

Peter Singhatey African Center for Strategic Studies, Articles on Africa Africa, Development, Gambia, peter singhateh, Proverty Leave a comment

Pambazuka – A lethal cocktail for Africa.

The World Bank’s working definition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is ‘Private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services or undertake community development.’ But many people now ask whether the NGOs that work in Africa are progressively engaged in activities that are developmentally sustainable. And, by the way, how democratic and accountable are the NGOs?

IRIN Africa | Children bear brunt of CAR crisis

April 29, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized Africa, child soldiers, Conflict, peter singhateh Leave a comment

BANGUI, 25 April 2013 (IRIN) – Sporadic armed clashes, looting of orphanages, recruitment into armed groups, and widespread school closures have made life perilous for children in the Central African Republic (CAR) in the wake of a 24 March rebel coup by the Séléka alliance.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), some 2.3 million children are directly affected by the breakdown of law and order and the interruption of basic services.

On 12 April, 14 children were wounded in the capital, Bangui, when a rocket-propelled grenade fell on a playing field. Two days later, a rocket landed on a church, killing seven people, including three infants, and wounding 11 children – three of whom had to have their legs amputated.

“It’s scandalous that children are being caught in crossfire as they go about their daily lives, playing football or going to church,” said Souleymane Diabaté, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in CAR…