The inside track from Progressio's International development experts
As we approach World Environment Day, Pope Francis has made a strong statement of intent on what the Christian responsibility is when it comes to protecting our environment. During Sunday morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope quoted Psalm 104 to show the link between the Holy Spirit and the health of the world we live in.
In Malawi, local organisations have struggled for years to get young people engaged with the issues that surround HIV and AIDS, such as stigma and healthy living. The Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (COWLHA) has found that Progressio ICS volunteers have made the difference. Here is one story that shows how young people are finally aware of the impact HIV and AIDS is having in their country.
The day holds great significance for Progressio’s work overseas as several of our projects are working to address sustainable livelihoods and food security. A fantastic example of this was seen in Malawi with our partner Environment Africa.
Heavy fighting continues to grip Yemen. Amongst the devastating impacts of the war is an increasing difficulty to supply vital humanitarian assistance to millions of vulnerable people in the country. 22 major aid agencies, including Progressio, are now warning that life-saving work risks coming to an abrupt end within a week unless land, sea and air routes are opened immediately.
Written by Bernie Morgan
Like all great ideas, Live Below The Line is simple to understand. Spend £1 a day on food for five consecutive days. Then donate the money you would have spent to a participating charity. Get yourself some sponsors to increase the donation. Job done.
We've teamed up with Action 2015 to create an active youth panel made up of representatives from multiple development agencies, as part of their activities they decided to launch a blog with comments, insight and analysis in to this years General Election from a youth perspective. Read our favourite entries here.
In the light of the deaths of 800 people who were on a boat carrying migrants hoping to reach the shores of Europe that sank off the coast of Libya this weekend, Pope Francis has spoken out. He made a heartfelt appeal to international leaders to react quickly to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.
It’s a reality we don’t want to think about and find hard to imagine. It’s hardly in the news like most of the countries where Progressio works, but the Yemini people are suffering. Abeer, our Yemini Country Manager has spent night after night like all other mothers in the capital Sana'a have: hugging her children as bombs are dropped from the Saudi airforce supporting the ousted Yemeni President. Like many, she’s managed to get out with her family to a village that is safer. Like many, she’s already exploring how to make a better future for her country.
Progressio’s parallel event at the 59 UN-Commission on the status of Women (CSW) that took place in New York from 9-20 March 2015 was titled 'Given the complex interplay between social norms, religious beliefs and human rights around the world, how can we advance women’s and girls' Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights?.
Development Worker Diego Matsvange discusses some of the water issues and challenges facing Zimbabwe and the community he is currently working in as an Agro-ecology, Product Development and Market Linkages Adviser, alongside local partner organisation Environment Africa Zimbabwe.
What does water mean to you?
