March 2021 News
HEADLINES
Quiz the politicians on tackling global challenges ahead of 2021 Holyrood elections
The Alliance is delighted to be hosting an online Question Time event from 18.30-20.00 GMT on Thursday 11 March, to encourage Scottish political parties to include commitments to global sustainable development in their manifestos ahead of the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Make sure you don't miss out on this key opportunity to quiz politicians and have your voice heard on Scotland’s role in building a greener, fairer world.
Breaking Point: New report reveals how Covid-19 will push fragile states towards catastrophe in 2021
A new report published by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has revealed the worrying extent of the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the world's most fragile states. The report sets out the state of play in the six places – Afghanistan, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen – that were the focus of the DEC’s Coronavirus Appeal, together with the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.
It examines the impact of Covid-19 so far and what 2021 holds for vulnerable people in these places, as well as giving an overview of how appeal funds were spent in the first three months of the DEC-funded humanitarian response.
FOCUS ON CLIMATE
Fairtrade, Climate and You: Why climate is at the heart of the this year's Fairtrade Fortnight campaign
Fairtrade Fortnight is as important as ever. The majority of us may be at home, but we are still relying on and buying essential items thanks to the dedication of key workers. But key workers at the start of many supply chains are struggling. In addition to low wages, farmers of crops such as tea, coffee and cocoa face low, volatile market prices and rising production costs. And alongside the coronavirus crisis and market challenges, the climate crisis is intensifying.
Read on to discover why climate is being placed at the heart of this year's Fairtrade Fortnight campaign.
Submit your entries for the Alliance Photo & Film Competition: The Climate Crisis from the Front Line
The Alliance Photo & Film Competition 2021 is open for entries, with the deadline extended to Friday 7 May 2021. We'd like to invite you to get involved.
The Competition is an opportunity for international development practitioners, photographers, videographers and anyone else with a link to Scotland to showcase sustainable development projects across the world.
Due to the constraints of the Coronavirus pandemic, entries dating back to 2018 are welcome.
OPINION
The Spirit of Malawi: Tackling corruption considered key to the country's progress
In researching her book The Spirit of Malawi, Susan Dalgety found that the ‘c’-word cropped up again and again; corruption. Corruption isn't unique to lower income countries like Malawi, but it has a disproportionate impact, and Malawians say corruption may be one of the biggest threats to Malawi’s nascent democracy.
Find out why recent events give reason for cautious optimism that progress is being made on this thorny issue.
Why the Scottish Football Supporters Association wants to make a difference outside its own backyard
The Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) is committed to harnessing the power of sport to build lasting partnerships that enact change – not just on the pitch, but on a holistic level, challenging issues like homelessness and building a communal response around health, wellbeing and community action.
International disability charity CBM launches new campaign to tackle the blindness crisis in Zimbabwe
Every day, people become needlessly blind because of conditions that could be easily treated, like cataracts. Worldwide, a shocking 3 out of 4 people who are blind don’t need to be, and too often, losing sight also means losing the chance to go to school, live independently or earn a living.
International disability NGO CBM is shining a light on the urgent need to offer sight-saving treatment through its Light up Lives campaign, which aims to scale up access to sight-restoring cataract surgery and other treatments, especially in rural areas.
Want to write a blog or opinion piece for us? Find out more.
IN OTHER NEWS
Scottish Government renews commitment to international development
Yemen condemns international donor funding shortfall as UK cuts ODA
CGD: Measuring the Risk of Arms Exports and Commitment to Development
World Health Organisation Call to Action: Vaccine Equity Declaration
Least developed countries urge climate finance help at UN Security Council
ODI: How humanitarians should consider LGBT+ issues in their work
UPCOMING EVENTS
Steps for success for Scottish Government grantees
9 & 16 March 2021
This online workshop will cover different aspects of MEAL relevant for annual reporting and the end of a project for small grant recipients, discussing how to analyse your findings and share project learnings.
Building MEL back better for the pandemic context and beyond
24 March 2021
This webinar, focusing on remote MEL, will draw together examples of how the sector has adapted and improved its remote data collection, analysis and learning processes during a difficult and disruptive year.
GET INVOLVED
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