Latest News And Updates
The COVID-19 global pandemic is pushing the world to a new paradigm, teaching us what is really crucial for our societies to continue operating. Emergency supplies are sent across the globe to assist combatting the crisis, often as express cargo. These unprecedented circumstances are also leading millions of companies and people to trade and buy online, many for the first time: an experience that might ultimately convert them into regular online traders and shoppers.
As the fate of the world amidst and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic looms on the horizon, it is becoming rather clear that the notion of the virus as a global pandemic is logistically flawed. A more accurate approach would be to view it as a simultaneous outbreak of innumerable local epidemics, slightly at odds with each other.
During these uncertain times of the COVID-19, Information pauses to be a vital factor on the possibilities of conquering the global pandemic. Nonetheless, the fate of the pandemic does not solely lie on access to information in the world, but whether we can understand the information in the languages we speak, read and write.
“COVID-19 was not necessarily caused by climate change, but chances of future occurrences however are at high stakes. Can there be future zoonotic related viruses? What happens when the permafrost melts? What happens in the case of increased forest degradation where animas are forced to live in closer proximity? It is all possible. Let’s all look into the horizon and strategize on a global sustainability shift.” Says Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
Financing for Development (FfD) Process- As part of the Civic Society FfD group, The Youth Cafe advocacy in the process has included a letter sent to the president of ECOSOC, co-facilitators (Barbados and Latvia) and UN DESA seeking to reorient the forum as a COVID 19 centric Crises Forum for renewed global solidarity and solutions.
Young people are a tremendous and essential asset worth investing in, which is why it is very important not to overlook the influence of the youth during a global crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In Africa alone, young people number 845 million: at The Youth Cafe, we believe that this gives the world 845 million reasons to work with them. In increasing numbers, young people in Africa are proactively combating the spread of the virus and working to mitigate and address the pandemic’s impacts.
Utilizing the mobilisation inspired by the 50th Earth Day, The Youth Cafe and its partners are convening a Virtual Youth Dialogue with UNEP ED Inger Andersen with intention of providing young people the opportunity to hear from Ms. Andersen and most importantly share their concerns, challenges and also suggestions on how UN Environment can further support youth movements and respond to their needs in these times. Overall, this youth dialogue will also serve as a learning opportunity for youth groups across the world, and comes at a time where motivation is much needed.
The Youth Cafe is honored to be featured in a new study by The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development titled “ Insights into Youth Networks Working Around Agriculture and Rural Development in Africa”. The Study identified 40 networks spatially spread around Africa though online searches and snowballing methods. A full list of all identified networks is attached in the appendix. This study however selected and discussed 12 networks in detail, including The Youth Cafe. This selection was based on availability of data and representativeness of the networks. Based in Bonn, Germany, The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development is currently a network of 40 bilateral and multilateral donors, international financial institutions, intergovernmental organizations, foundations, and development agencies.
How is Africa responding to the threat of Covid-19? Is it realistic for African countries to go on lockdown – or is social distancing an impossible ask? What has been learnt from the responses to past epidemics, particularly Ebola, and what can Africa teach the world through its experiences of public health emergencies? And what are opportunities for all of us, Africans and Europeans, in comparing and combining our approaches to Covid-19?
