Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is seen as the most important measurement of a country’s overall success. However, my argument today is that it is time for that to change. What we choose to measure as a country matters. It really matters; because it drives political focus and it drives public activity. The limitations of GDP as a measure of a country’s success are all too obvious. GDP measures the output of a country’s work, but it says nothing about the nature of that work – about whether that work is worthwhile or fulfilling. It values activity in the short term that boosts the economy even if that activity is detrimental to the sustainability of our planet in the longer term. When we look ahead to the challenges of climate change, then I think the case for a much broader definition of what it means to be successful as a country is needed. That is why country’s need to establish a new pathway for political policy. Redirecting attention from how wealthy a population is – to how happy and healthy a population is – the wellbeing of the country.

Yes, economic growth matters. It is important. But it is not all that is important. The objective of political policy should be a collective wellbeing… What really matter to us in our lives? What do we value in the communities we live in? What kind of country and society do we really want to be?

And when we engage the population in those questions, I believe that countries across the globe will have a much better chance of addressing the inequalities that exist in their country today. Indicators such as: income inequality, the happiness of people, access to green spaces, access to housing… None of these are captured in GDP statistics, but are all fundamental in a happy and healthy society.

This broader approach that I’m proposing is at the heart of an economic strategy where we give equal importance to tackling inequality as we do to economic competitiveness. I’m not saying that we should abolish GDP measurements completely. I’m saying that we should accompany GDP with other measures, such as the Human Development Index: which also accounts for literacy rates and life expectancy; to better capture the entire picture of Australia. This approach will drive society’s commitment to fair work, as it ensures that work is fulfilling and worthwhile.

In order for countries to accurately address the inequalities present within society, we need to know exactly what issues to identify – and right now, GDP does not provide an accurate measure. Our focus needs to be measure in terms of wellbeing.

By Lucy Lönnqvist

Banks must partner with fintech to accelerate the digital banking transformation

In a webinar discussion hosted by TagPay and moderated by Omar Ben Yedder from African Banker; Yves Eonnet (TagPay), Djiba Diallo (Ecobank Group), Obinna Ukwuani (Bank of Kigali) and Carl Manlan (VISA), discussed how the digitalisation of banks is a huge opportunity across Africa and partnerships with fintech would address the challenges of financial inclusion and the rapid scaling up that is needed across the continent.

Banks have to be equipped with the tools that enable them to pre-empt the market and respond quickly to customer demands in asecure and cost-effective way. For the banks to stay relevant Djiba Diallo, Senior Fintech Advisor, Ecobank Group said that it is important to understand fintechs and leverage the opportunities. Banks are still there and still needed but need to adapt to what is happening on the continent and partnering with fintech companies is key to doing that.

Many banks are partnering with Fintech companies to help them digitalise, enabling them to expand their services and reach more customers at the same time.

Obinna Ukwuani, Chief Digital Officer, Bank of Kigali said, “We see digital transformation as a necessity, so the bank has invested in transitioning the bank into this new era”. “All companies are becoming technologies companies, whether a bank or not”.

Cash currently leads the way in the majority of Africa, but to increase financial inclusion, which is increasing already through financial technology, digital banking will need to have continued growth. Financial inclusion also enables banks to feed new businesses and entrepreneurs, and hence builds the economy at the same time. Using the technology of mobile telephones, digital banking will have a significant role to play now and in the future.

Carl Manlan, Vice President, Head of Social Impact, CEMEA, VISA said, “Because we are cash dependent the opportunity to introduce digital payments to help promote financial inclusion is critical and to that we need to ensure that there is adequate financial literacy and skills building along the way to make it work for more people.”

Partnership between banks and fintech’s will not only help reach more customers but also build financial literacy amongst consumers. In addition, the industry will need to develop the talent and skills, and this can be done across Africa ensuring the industry continues to grow.

Banks no longer see Fintech’s as disruptors but partners. More often, as a key part of their business with a shared responsibility for delivering to customers

Banks are going into a new world and need new platforms, new technology and a new architecture, the old core banking system is being surpassed and a new core banking system is needed. FinTech’s will help banks provide a better service to customers, working together and within the same regulatory framework. Digital banking helps with financial inclusion and formalising the economy and banks, globally, need to react to the digital revolution and customer demand.

Yves Eonnet, Chairman of TagPay, summed up the event by saying, “The time we are entering is very exciting for us [FinTech’s] and for you [banks].” “The expertise that we have opens up banks to new ventures and new capabilities, especially due to the low cost and speed of deployment.”

“Systems are designed to target new customers, financial inclusion, or new sectors that are poorly served. This is exciting in Africa because this for me, is the beginning of a new era for banks,and all banks in the world are looking at what is happening in Africa. Because in Africa you have this situation, which is unique,with the financial inclusion issue where banks need to attract new customers, therefore you have customers to serve, have the technology to do it, have the dynamism of the culture that makes it possible and that is where we are to build the bank of the future. I often say the Silicon Valley of banking is not in California but in Africa, it is where it is happening.”

Ends//

To listen to the webinar in full: https://bit.ly/3xb0Pu6

Speaking at an event organised by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Jeanine Mabunda Lioko, an MP in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighted activities that had demonstrated success in her own country in relation to conflict-related sexual violence, but stressed much more action was needed globally.

The NDI is working on developing an International Mechanism to Support Accountability and Justice for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Conflict. Whilst there has been some progress, the absence of accountability for sexual and gender-based violence can prevent healing and reconciliation as well as weakening the rule of law and undermining the strength of institutions.

Ms Mabunda said that the under-reporting of crimes was a concern, as highlighted in a UN Report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council in June 2020. There is a need for countries to empower people to report sexual and gender-based violence safely and anonymously. In the DRC, a hotline was set up, in 2014, to do so had proved successful, in part because it allowed crime to be reported but also provided a ‘safe space’ where women could be heard. This is particularly important where a physical safe space is not accessible.

The reporting of sexual violence would also aid countries in understanding the issues they have and dealing with them. Some of the most successful initiatives are designed and implemented by the community but this needs to be supported by the rule of law. She said that victims needed to be given confidence that justice will be served should crimes be reported.

Ms Mabunda called on all Governments to act to combat gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination, saying a global conversation was needed to address the issues that many faces across the world. Mabunda said, “There is a role for the international community which has demonstrated previously that it can react and have an impact. Linking international financial support to improvements being made in certain areas is one such way that international bodies could influence countries to take action against this problem.” If there was a better understanding of the levels of gender-based violence, then clear targets, and actions to meet those targets, could be set. Failure to meet targets could result in a reduction of international aid a country could receive.

For many, there are still stigmas that are attached to sexual and gender-based violence and this needed to be addressed. Countries should take responsibility and make sure that they raise awareness of the issues. It is also essential that the judiciary are trained in handling cases of this type and that perpetrators face justice and are held to account.

Covid-19 pandemic is an ongoing global disaster that put almost every country under severe health crisis. While many media houses and even some governments labeled it the ‘China Virus’, experts expected a fall from grace for ‘Brand China’. Though many rich economies had popular dissatisfaction against Beijing, many developing countries had a positive affiliation with the Chinese. In several surveys conducted on China’s image abroad, the Asian giant was considered to have better managed the pandemic over the United States. This may seem a little surprising, but it also demystifies China’s global engagement activities amidst a lukewarm counter-narrative from the US in these regions.

China’s attempts to build ‘Brand China’

 The Covid-19 pandemic has reduced the image of China to its lowest rating. Beijing has been pulling from all cords to build a positive image with its media and diplomatic channels. These image-building efforts find their origins in its soft diplomatic policies to build a ‘Harmonious world’ (in 2008) followed by the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative (BRI) (2013). The initiatives included global media outreach, cultural exchanges, and economic partnerships with countries to build an affluent relationship across the world.

Through BRI, China has been able to capitalize on engagements with various African, MENA Middle East, and North America) and European nations, thereby enhancing its propaganda through their media.  Under a lesser-known program, ‘Digital BRI’ China has been using satellite technology to enhance television broadcasts” Most of the television broadcasts in the region are from China and many native journalists are trained by the Chinese as a part of the policy. A similar paradigm can be seen with journalists from the US and many parts of Europe where they are incentives are provided pro-China articles and stories.

With the Coronavirus finding its origins from Wuhan in China and later being disseminated across the world, the pandemic as expected had crippled China’s global image. But somehow, thanks to constant propaganda and ‘medical diplomacy’, the Chinese found themselves develop a positive rating in many European, MENA, and African Nations. During the onset of the pandemic, efforts were made to build a more positive image of China in these regions with increased reportage. Based on reports by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 54 journalist unions in 50 countries and suggested that in more than half of the countries, coverage on China at the onset of the pandemic was more positive. Among these, European nations had a higher number of positive stories and reportage towards the Chinese.  With the Chinese dragons having such a strong influence on the media ecosystem, there were not many hindrances to its’ brand revamping efforts. Measures were also extended towards Facebook and Twitter which were actively used for ‘pro-China’ posts and ads from various diplomats, journalists, along with native accounts to build a sense of trust among the populace.

Efforts were also concerted in ‘BRI partnered’ nations. For instance, Siberia had an official billboard with the words “Thank you, brother Xi”. Over 30000 tweets originated from the state, celebrating Siberia-Sino relations. As a result, despite popular dissatisfaction, the influence of tamed storytelling had turned the tide on China’s image in the nation. This was further strengthened with ‘Mask diplomacy’ which improved ‘brotherhood’ among nations. In countries surveyed within Africa, China was seen as a beneficial partner. Similarly in Europe and MENA, most of the respondents had positive affiliation towards the Chinese whereas Latin America saw some detraction against its Asian partner.

However, countries such as India and Australia have led the international push back of the Chinese propaganda. In 2020, India banned over 43 Chinese apps amidst a diplomatic move against China and Australia placed an embargo on China’s CGTN and CCTV news media. CGTN’s license was also revoked by UK-based Ofcom due to its biased reporting. Italy, a partner of BRI, had also called out China’s disinformation and false narrative during the pandemic.

Role of the US

The US had its own challenges during the ongoing pandemic. The constant rise in COVID-19 deaths, an underwhelming employment rate, and a change in the nation’s presidency had placed the nation on a backfoot. This had a negative impact on ‘Brand America’ which was further fuelled by the Chinese. The US, which was known for its convincing propaganda during the two World Wars and during the Cold War, had done very little to counter Chinese attempts at winning hearts. While the United States may have time and against tried to contain China from infiltrating its digital tech space and domination, it has done less than the bare minimum to defend its global leader image. Though, there was not much deviance from it is western ‘allied’ partners in favor of China, the fact that several Eastern and Northern European nations welcomed Chinese diplomatic initiatives spells worry for the US. Based on a survey by Pew Research regarding the abroad image of the US, less than half the respondents in the UK had favorably viewed the US, respondents from France and Germany too had similar outlook with just 31% and 26% of adults from respectively holding a positive view of the United States of America., from the Coronavirus.

These ratings might not infer a positive point of view over the Chinese, but it does showcase a popular dissatisfaction against the US. Post-Cold war, its influence on image building waned in regions such as MENA and Africa, which was filled in by the Chinese which had dominated the media ecosystem.

Conclusion

China has the ambition to take over the US as a global economic leader, and it is expected to push more of its agendas and anti-US sentiment across the world. With its robust global partnership policies and media dominance, the dragons have tried to build an alternate narrative across the world as it did during the pandemic. More than the presence of Chinese public diplomacy and facts, it was the absence of any initiatives on the same by the West and the US that boosted its image.

Democrats in Congress are reportedly worried how President Joe Biden’s plummeting approval ratings amid the chaos in Afghanistan will affect the Democratic Party as a whole.

Democratic lawmakers are concerned that Biden’s handling of the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan as well as COVID-19 may undermine the party in the near future and cause a backlash that ousts Democrats from power in Congress and across the United States. As The New York Times reports:

With President Biden facing a political crisis that has shaken his standing in his party, Democrats across the country are increasingly worried about their ability to maintain power in Washington, as his administration struggles to defend its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and stanch a resurgent pandemic that appeared to be waning only weeks ago. …

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers announced congressional investigations into the administration’s handling of the withdrawal, as a handful of Democratic lawmakers weighed whether calling for the resignation of Mr. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, would help the president “reset the narrative,” according to a Democratic House member, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The harrowing images appalled even the president’s staunchest supporters, many of whom — like a majority of the American public — support the decision to remove American troops from Afghanistan. But some of them worry the execution of the withdrawal has undermined Mr. Biden’s central campaign promise to restore a steady hand to governance, particularly on issues of national security.

Biden’s approval rating has fallen across multiple polls since Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban on August 15. Since then, the U.S. has overseen a frenzied and chaotic evacuation of thousands of U.S. personnel and citizens from Kabul’s Karzai International Airport.

Biden’s polling averages for RealClearPolitics and 538 tumbled below 50% for the first time last week.

As The Daily Wire reported:

The 538 poll found Biden with a 44% disapproval rating. The highest average approval rating the RCP poll has ascertained for Biden during his presidency was at 55.8%; he has dropped over five points.

A new Reuters poll conducted on Monday found that Biden’s approval rating had dropped by seven percentage points to rest at 46%, leaving him at his lowest level of his presidency.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe that the Biden administration has botched the pullout from Afghanistan. Biden has continued to defend his decision and handling of the effort while claiming that a prior conditional agreement made between former President Donald Trump and the Taliban forced Biden’s actions.

The developments come as the president has also struggled to find the proper messaging on COVID-19. Biden has continued to push masking and health restrictions because of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Last week, the Transportation Security Administration said that it was extending the federal mask mandate into 2022.

source: The Daily Wire

When Japan decided to donate Covid-19 vaccines to Taiwan to counter pandemic crisis, US also manifested gesture of ties to approach suffering people of Taiwan, the words got spread around world and states frequently judged, vaccine donation is Japan’s diplomatic strategy to threat China.
What a calamity appears to be unfolding an intense and no often than even a huge number of analysts imagined. Very recently, ministry statements of China have been interviewed, who call Japan’s donation “extremely irresponsible” and annoying to national unity and territorial integrity.
How China considers expanding ties of Tsai’s government with strategic democracies is rival behavior of Japan and US. It ought, at least, to be a concern for Taiwan; China’s own territory, to calm situation, but to choose the tie with China rather than Japan.
Who discloses the consequences are likely to be, when Tsai’s government of Taiwan accepts donation for Covid-19 vaccines from Japan and America, showing gesture of gratitude? China has long been a skeptic of the Japan interest in Taiwan, and China has stuck to that position even as the number of expenditures dedicated to Taiwan have notoriously contracted.

On 12th of March, the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad, very recent refreshed dynamic forum among Australia, India, Japan and the United States, counted their new befall to jointly dispense vaccines in the Pacific region. Area concerned issue that is of immediate significance to partners but has so far been completely influenced by rival. On the other side, the emerging China donated and/or sold billions of doses to periphery and low-income nations are located around, moreover the United States lent only a few million “loans” to Canada and Mexico, while Japan even lost the number of exporting vaccines. No frequent support on the Australian part was visible before the words on Quad’s proclamation. India was the only country to supply more than 66 million doses to needy states around the world – prior to demising second wave vanquished New Delhi to recruit attention on its endeavor at home.
The Japanese government wounded itself in the face of rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, Japan facilitated Taiwan with 1.24million doses of AstraZeneca’s covid-19 jab, later, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen charged China with blocking access to the vaccine, during the outbreak of the worst corona virus since the fall of pandemic. With China’s increasing in weight economic and military powers and its perused stressing tough timing to Japanese sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, known to the Chinese as the Diaoyutai Islands, altered dilemma of policies of Tokyo administration. Daniel Sneider, lecturer in East Asian Studies at Stanford University, said “The Japanese conservatives have really seized upon the Taiwan issue as a way of drawing lines with the Chinese”. However, in this comprehensive circumstance that Japan, at the glance on history, ruled as a colony over Taiwan, jumped on the island’s aid as it infiltrated to secure the supply of the coronavirus vaccine. Further Sneider put it, “It’s about demonstrating that Japan has an interest in the continued de facto independence and security of Taiwan. It’s that simple.”
Tsai, received worldwide acclaim for her response to the pandemic since its inception, is engaging public outrage after frequent inclination in the COVID-19 infection, began month before. Further, the number of infections 11,968 and deaths 333 recruited on the list, a good number of all reported in the past month. The number of Taiwan’s vaccinated population is very less, 3%, there is growing anger over the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines. Tsai’s government considered China responsible for all causalities and crisis, did not allow Taiwan accessors to reach the cross Covid-19 vaccines.
Orderly, vaccine was needed to Taiwan and governance could not afford to import Covid-19 vaccine from People’s Republic of China and Tsai’s government chose Japan. Tsai’s government showed prosperous triumph, considering Japanese donation. Even though, people of Taiwan showed gesture of gratitude, took selfies travelling to Japan – captured pre-pandemic – and uploaded on social media.

Taiwan tolerates a stake in COVID-19 cases, Japan have stepped foot ahead and dispensed vaccines against the infection to the island. Nevertheless, this is typical of Japan’s vaccine diplomacy: clear, strategic, more comprehensive and global. When the current episode of pandemic came into existence, Japan has been coming up with logistical support to Taiwan countering Chinese rivalry. Japan’s move to donate Taiwan has annoyed China who considers Taiwan it’s belong territory.
Although, the support for Taiwan expresses that these measures demonstrate Tokyo’s – Washington, a considered too – commitment to curb Chinese political maneuvers aimed at Taiwan to scatter discord in society. Beijing affirms full sovereignty over Taiwan, a governance of almost 24 million people inhabited of the southeastern coast of mainland China. Meanwhile both parties, in fact have been governed separately for more than seven decades.
Taiwan’s expanding strategic ties with democracies, including United States of America indicate increase in China’s aggression, which has been often opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that “Taiwan’s independence” means war. A delegation took train from US to Taiwan, announcing the donation of 750,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses. The trip separately harms US-China ties and also measured behavior with Taiwan, counting it “extremely irresponsible”
Wu Qian, Chinese ministry spokesman said in a statement. “If anyone dares to separate Taiwan from mainland China, the People’s Liberation Army will hit back and be determined to protect national unity and territorial integrity at all costs,”

The House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the United States Congress, has recently passed a bill aimed at granting statehood to Washington, D.C. The House Resolution 51 – the Washington D.C. Admission Act-, passed with a vote of 232-180 on June 26, with the majority of House Democrats supporting the initiative to give birth to the 51st U.S. state. Even though this vote can certainly be considered historic, it is worth noticing that it doesn’t constitute the first ever attempt to turn the district into a real state. In fact, the push for statehood has been particularly strong in recent years, and both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama supported it during their presidency.

The reasons behind embracing a changing of status for D.C. are various. Firstly, the District of Columbia is large enough to be a state. With around 705,000 residents, the area counts more people than Vermont and Wyoming, and in term of numbers is almost comparable with other states such as Delaware or Alaska. Secondly, to make D.C. completely autonomous would be a synonym of achieving full representation. In this sense, the local population has neither a Senator nor a House Member, but just a non-voting delegate -Eleanor Holmes Norton-, who can only draft legislation. Another favorable point toward creating a new state is its adherence to constitutional principles. The U.S. Constitution states indeed that Congress has the authority to redefine the borders of the federal district and shrink its size. Such act has already been done in 1846, when the portion west of the Potomac river was returned to Virginia.
Following this frame, the bill would resize the federal capital to a small area which encompasses, among others, the White House, the Capitol building, the Supreme Court and the National Mall. The rest of the city would become the 51st state, named the Washington, Douglas Commonwealth after abolitionist Fredrick Douglas. But the necessity for a new state has also been raised among racial justice turmoil following George Floyd’s death, in particular after the forcible clearing of peaceful protesters outside the White House to allow President Trump’s photo op at a local church. For this reason, making D.C. a state would enfranchise the city’s very large African American population, thus making an important victory for civil rights.

Despite remarkable, the bill is not expected to go too far, mainly for the vehement Republican opposition. Currently, Republicans control the Senate, hence making the chance to pass the bill from the House to the upper chamber extremely low. President Donald Trump is of the same opinion. He pointed out that he’s ready to veto the bill in case it reaches his office, thus making it clear that for now there is no will to increase democratic power in the Senate. In order to assess whether the project of an independent D.C. could be effectively realized, it is necessary to wait for the next presidential elections. If democratic candidate Joe Biden wins in November, then the issue can be handled differently. However, the path to D.C. statehood will face some obstacles, including the so called ‘filibuster’, a practice that allows a minority of the Senate to block legislation. If approved, it will eventually end the ‘no taxation without representation’, considering that D.C. residents pay the highest federal taxes per capita but still don’t have any representation in Congress.

Recent crises of the European Union — most notably the financial crisis, post-2008, and the migration crisis — strained EU solidarity to a point from which it has not recovered. Faced with the current crisis, precipitated by COVID-19, it is unclear whether European cooperation will be able to withstand the additional tension.

Rise in bottom-up discontent:

In the midst of a global crisis of unprecedented scale, and faced with a long and complex road to recovery, European solidarity is currently more tested and necessary than ever before. However, the lack of a single ‘national’ European consciousness is accelerating discord within the already fragile union. In Italy, stark imagery of people burning the EU flag in a demonstration of discontent is symbolic of the effect this crisis is having and will have, on this tenuous union. Despite an EU procurement scheme which provided 1.5 billion euros of PPE across 25 member states as well as the sharing of ICU facilities and vital medical supplies, polling suggests that 88% of Italians feel that Europe is failing to support Italy in the crisis, with 67% of Italians considering EU membership a disadvantage. The procurement scheme has now been rolled out, but its delayed creation and implementation meant that the EU lost vital ground in the global narrative to China and Russia, who provided supplies for some of the hardest-hit countries. The Union suffered popular discontent in previous crises. However, the polling data from Italy suggests that it is different this time around, as Euroscepticism grows amongst previously supportive middle-class Italian liberals. Post-Covid, it is likely that Euroscepticism will not remain at the periphery, adding further strain to the band of EU cooperation.

Economic Fallout:

Economic forecasting from the European Commission predicts that the imminent recession will be greater than that post-2008, with income in 2020 expected to fall by 10% resulting in an average budget deficit of 11% across the eurozone. The economic response to the impending post-COVID financial crash encapsulates the discord within the EU. Initially, a €540 billion relief fund primarily centred around the ESM was proposed. First provided in response to the financial crisis it is a proven failure in providing long term stability, evident in the lacklustre Greek economy. The stringent austerity measures attached to the loans have impeded economic recovery and led to an immediate growth in Euroscepticism within the worst affected countries; a situation that the Union knows it could not afford to repeat.

The tightrope that EU leaders at the core of decision making have to walk torn between a large enough fiscal stimulus with a radical reform in the form of Eurobonds and finding an agreement deemed acceptable to all member states has resulted in an economic response that will ultimately disentangle EU integration. The 750 billion package announced is the first time debt has been mutalised across the eurozone however although the common debt suggests unity the terms are evidence of the contrary. Throughout negotiations, the frugal four, a fault line established post-2008, have doggedly opposed common debt resulting in a thrashed out deal that falls below the required mark. Simply the package is not large enough to borrow the phrase from economist Yanis Varoufakis to is ‘macroeconomically puny’. Whilst the sum seems large the way the grants are formed means that for example, Italy will receive net 0.6% GDP set against the impending gloom of austerity at around 9% not dissimilar to levels seen in Greece post-2009. Furthermore, the fact that the sums for each country have been cemented prior to the economic fallout is the gravest mistake; the full effects are yet to be known but the EU’s measure lacks the fluidity to effectively deal with the crisis.

The current crisis renewed the calls for change to future proof the eurozone and strengthen cooperation however this will not be achieved. The measures imposed will over the course of the next five years see an incomparable rise in Euroscepticism across members who suffer as a result of being shackled to the eurozone.

Constitutional challenge:

The landmark case from the German Constitutional Court, which ruled that the EU’s top judges failed to properly scrutinise the bond-buying programme and have asked for the ECB to show proportionality within its quantitative easing programme, undermining the ECJ’s superiority. The decision suggests that the Bundastag and the Federal Government have an obligation to ensure integration measures are based on what the German citizens agreed, thus opening up a Pandora’s box on the central question of sovereignty. Although the ECJ have attempted to reassert primacy with a stark statement denouncing the German ruling, it demonstrates the animosity to greater and deeper cooperation within the strongest of the EU powers.

The Covid-19 pandemic is the third major crisis the EU has experienced in a twelve-year period. The first two crises accentuated areas of discord within the Union. Past crises were not adequately resolved and the band of cooperation never fully rebounded. The current crisis poses the single greatest threat on all three areas of discord and therefore will stretch European cooperation to its limits.

We have all been touched by the Covid-19 pandemic in some way – but the impacts have been far from equal. Refugees, asylum seekers and displaced families have largely been forgotten in the Covid-19 conversation. In a pandemic, poverty becomes even more deadly. As more of our lives and work move online, African refugees and displaced families in Chad; and in Africa in general, risk being left out of the game; according to reports of our Africa regional bureau.

While Covid-19 has caused disruption to most people’s lives in Africa and around the world, displaced families and refugees who have children with additional needs or disabilities are experiencing even greater upheaval. Hence, we are calling for all people of faith to support refugees and displaced families in this special season.

As we are approaching the 2021 Eid Al-Adha, we invite you to participate in this year’s Qurban campaign to reach out to the African refugees and displaced families who are in dire need. There are two main celebrations in Muslim cultures around the world which are of most importance, one being Eid Al-Fitr, the celebration of the end of the fasting month – Ramadhan, and Eid Al-Adha, also known as the festival of Sacrifice. It is during this time Muslims prepare a sacrifice in the form of a meat hamper or distribution also known as Qurban. To give Qurban is to not only remind us of the humility of the human spirit, but to also help feed those who are less fortunate. In many cases, there are some poor communities in the world that only eat meat during the Qurban period because of their inability to afford meat.

Who will conduct the Eid Qurban and how will it be distributed?

The Qurban will be personally handled and delivered to the refugees and displaced families who need it the most — in association with local organizations, and be completed and supervised by our Africa regional director, Idriss Zackaria and his team in Chad.

With your assistance, Young Diplomats’ Africa team of dedicated volunteers will help millions of the oppressed and underprivileged displaced families in Chad and around the African continent. Today, even the world’s most developed countries are battling for limited healthcare resources. In comparison, basic amenities like soap and clean running water are hard to come by in those refugees’ camps. Therefore, we call for more actions than Eid Qurban campaigns; we call on concerned countries to make a special effort at this difficult time.

For donations and international bank transfer, the following are the details you may need:

Account Name: NGO Young Diplomats

Bank: United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Account Number: 70403100084

IBAN: 60008 05704 70403100084 52

Swift Code UBA TCHAD: UNAFTDND

Thanks for getting in touch with us:

Email: youngdiplomatsafrica@gmail.com or editor@young-diplomats.com

Website: https://www.young-diplomats.com/

Address: Young Diplomats – Africa Regional Bureau, 6318, N’Djamena, Chad  

For more information about the crisis

https://www.young-diplomats.com/stories-of-hope-and-despair-form-central-african-refugees-in-chad/

https://www.young-diplomats.com/fleeing-war-fighting-for-survival-chadian-returnees-face-new-struggles/

https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2018/3/5aab91664/chad-funding-shortfall-threatens-central-african-refugees.html

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1005252

www.young-diplomats.com/inside-nigeria-a-massive-internal-displacement-crisis/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/02/1003791

Version française

Aïd al-Adha: Partagez vos sacrifices avec les réfugiés et les familles déplacées en Afrique.

Nous avons tous été touchés par la pandémie de Covid-19 d’une manière ou d’une autre – mais les impacts sont loin d’être égaux. Les réfugiés, les demandeurs d’asile et les familles déplacées ont été largement oubliés lors de la conversation Covid-19. Dans une pandémie, la pauvreté devient encore plus meurtrière. Alors que de plus en plus de vies et de travaux se déplacent en ligne, les réfugiés africains et les familles déplacées au Tchad; et en Afrique en général risquent d’être exclus du jeu, selon le rapport de notre bureau régional pour l’Afrique.

Alors que Covid-19 a perturbé la vie de la plupart des gens en Afrique et dans le monde, les familles déplacées et les réfugiés qui ont des enfants ayant des besoins supplémentaires ou des handicaps connaissent des bouleversements encore plus importants. Par conséquent, nous appelons tous les croyants à soutenir les réfugiés et les familles déplacées en cette période spéciale.

Alors que nous nous approchons de l’Aïd Al-Adha 2021, nous vous invitons à participer à la campagne Sacrifice de cette année pour atteindre les réfugiés africains et les familles déplacées qui en ont besoin. Il y a deux célébrations principales dans les cultures musulmanes à travers le monde qui sont les plus importantes, l’une étant l’Aïd Al-Fitr, la célébration de la fin du mois de jeûne – le Ramadhan, et l’Aïd Al-Adha, également connu sous le nom de festival du sacrifice ou l’Aïd El Kabir ou encore Tabaski. C’est pendant cette période que les musulmans préparent un sacrifice sous forme d’un panier à viande ou d’une distribution également connue sous le nom de Qurban. Partager la viande du sacrifice, c’est non seulement nous rappeler l’humilité de l’esprit humain, mais aussi aider à nourrir ceux qui sont dans le besoin. Dans de nombreux cas, certaines communautés pauvres dans le monde ne mangent de la viande que pendant la période de L’Aïd en raison de leur incapacité à acheter de la viande.

Qui dirigera l’opération de distribution de la viande et comment se déroulera-t-elle ?

La distribution sera effectuée en collaboration avec des organisations locales et livré aux réfugiés et aux familles déplacées qui en ont le plus besoin. Cette opération sera supervisée par notre directeur régional pour l’Afrique, Idriss Zackaria et son équipe au Tchad.

Avec votre aide, l’équipe de jeunes volontaires de Young Diplomats Africa aidera des millions de familles déplacées opprimées et défavorisées au Tchad et dans le continent africain. Aujourd’hui, même les pays les plus développés du monde se battent pour des ressources de santé limitées. En comparaison, les équipements de base comme le savon et l’eau courante propre sont difficiles à trouver dans ces camps de réfugiés. Par conséquent, nous appelons à plus d’actions que les campagnes de l’Aïd El Kebir; nous appelons les pays concernés à faire un effort particulier en cette période difficile.

Pour les dons et virement bancaire international, voici les détails dont vous pourriez avoir besoin:

Nom du compte: ONG Young Diplomats

Banque: United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Numéro de compte: 70403100084

IBAN: 60008 05704 70403100084 52

Code Swift UBA TCHAD: UNAFTDND

Vous pouvez nous contacter par :

Email: youngdiplomatsafrica@gmail.com ou editor@young-diplomats.com

Adresse: Young diplomats – Bureau régional pour l’Afrique, 6318, N’Djamena, Tchad

Site Web: https://www.young-diplomats.com/

Pour plus d’informations sur la crise

https://www.young-diplomats.com/stories-of-hope-and-despair-form-central-african-refugees-in-chad/

https://www.young-diplomats.com/fleeing-war-fighting-for-survival-chadian-returnees-face-new-struggles/

https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2018/3/5aab91664/chad-funding-shortfall-threatens-central-african-refugees.html

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1005252

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/02/1003791

www.young-diplomats.com/inside-nigeria-a-massive-internal-displacement-crisis/