ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.asean.org/news
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

.
ASEAN Community Vision 2025
Thursday, 13 August 2015.
The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 Process

1. What is the ASEAN Community Vision 2025? What is the background and purpose of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025?

:: ASEAN Leaders took the decision at the 23rd ASEAN Summit in November 2013 to develop a Post-2015 Vision to realise a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, and a truly people-oriented, people-centred and rules-based ASEAN.

:: The Vision will be a bold, visionary, progressive and forward-looking document to reflect the aspirations of the next generation of ASEAN nationals. It aims to sustain the momentum of regional integration and further contribute to strengthening the ASEAN community-building efforts.

:: ASEAN community-building is a continuous and evolving process. It is therefore important to chart the future direction of the ASEAN Community into the next decade. This vision, when realised, will further consolidate and deepen the ASEAN community-building and regional integration process.

:: Through the consolidation and integration process, it is envisaged ASEAN will be able to respond proactively and effectively to the emerging threats and challenges presented by the rapidly changing regional and global landscape…

OECD [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

.
Increasing tax revenues is crucial to development in emerging Asian economies
Increasing tax revenues and ensuring sustainable domestic resource mobilisation will be critical as emerging Asian economies seek to boost the provision of public goods and services and improve economic growth and living standards.
19-August-2015

The Global Forum releases new compliance ratings on tax transparency
The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes published new peer review reports today for 12 countries or jurisdictions, moving further ahead with its goal to implement global standards on transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes.
3-August-2015

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

.
Selected Press Releases
OIC Calls for Ceasefire and Commitment to Peace Accord in Northern Mali
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed its deep concern over the degeneration of the security situation in northern Mali and condemned vigorously the aggravation of tension and the escalation of violence between the main signatory groups of the Accord for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali…
20/08/2015

OIC Secretary General Calls for Support to Victims of Flooding in Southeast Asia
The OIC is following with deep concern the consequences of torrential monsoon rains brought by tropical cyclone Komen and other severe weather conditions across Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Myanmar and parts of Southeast Asia. Heavy flooding in the region has caused the loss of hundreds of human lives, the displacement of millions of people and wide-spread destruction of properties…
17/08/2015

OIC Highly Commends Saudi Arabia’s Support for UNRWA, Stresses the Need for the International Community’s Commitment towards the Agency
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has highly commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its announcement of a 35 million US dollar contribution for the benefit of the United Nations’ Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in reaction to the latter’s critical budgetary crisis that has reached 101 million dollars, which threatens to necessitate postponing the start of the new school year and causing a decline in the basic and humanitarian services extended by the Agency to over five million Palestinian refugees….
13/08/2015

OIC Institutions Agree to Intensify Joint Collaboration in Countering Extreme Violence, Sectarianism and Islamophobia
OIC institutions agreed to increase joint collaboration and formulate a plan to counter extreme violence, sectarianism and Islamophobia at a high level meeting held at the General Secretariat in Jeddah on Tuesday, August 11, 2015….
12/08/2015

IMF [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.imf.org/external/news/default.aspx
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

.
IMF and USAID Strengthen Cooperation on Capacity Development
Press Release No. 15/385
August 20, 2015
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that enables the two organizations to enhance their close cooperation in capacity development. IMF Deputy Managing Director Carla Grasso and Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment, Charles North, signed the agreement today in Washington DC

IMF Executive Board Reforms the Fund’s Policy on Poverty Reduction Strategies in Fund Engagement with Low-Income Countries
Press Release No. 15/371
August 6, 2015
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on June 22, 2015, discussed and adopted the proposed reform set out in a Board paper on “Reform of the Fund’s Policy on Poverty Reduction Strategies in Fund Engagement with Low-Income Countries—Proposals.”

World Bank [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

.
Solutions for Youth Employment Sets Ambitious Goal
The global coalition aims to provide catalytic support to employment and productive work for 150 million youth by 2030
Date: August 12, 2015

Investors Welcome Newly Released World Bank Green Bond Impact Report
Over the past seven years, the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has been engaging with investors to drive growth and innovation in the green bond market.
Date: August 11, 2015

In Latin America, a Concerted Effort to Green the Landscape
August 7, 2015
Innovative approach helps developed and developing countries find ways to preserve forests and slow the pace and impact of climate change.
Latin American countries, such as Chile, El Salvador and Mexico, are taking a variety of steps to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Restoring forests. Monitoring the loss of individual trees. Using biological fertilizers. Working with communities. What do all of these have in common?
They are all part of a menu of solutions that countries in Latin America are adopting to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). REDD+ is a global initiative to help create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests; it offers developing countries incentives to reduce emissions from forest land, while developed countries pay for the carbon that is not released into the atmosphere as a result of forest conservation…

In Africa, Progress in Country-Led Government Reforms
WASHINGTON, August 5, 2015 —The overall quality of government policies and institutions designed to spur development and reduce poverty in African countries remained steady in 2014, with the greatest progress…
Date: August 5, 2015

Annual Assessment of Policies and Institutions in Africa Shows Slippage in some Policy Areas, Gains in Others
WASHINGTON, August 5, 2015— The latest World Bank review of government policies and institutions in Africa shows that 26% of countries made broad progress in supporting development and poverty reduction in 2014.

The review is the annual World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) Africa analysis, which rates the performance and challenges of poor countries. Since 1980, CPIA ratings have been used to determine the allocation of zero-interest financing and grants for countries that are eligible for support from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group’s fund for the world’s poorest countries.

CPIA scores are based on a scale of 1–6, with 6 the highest, and are measured using 16 indicators in four areas: economic management, structural policies, policies for social inclusion and equity, and public sector management and institutions. The overall CPIA score reflects the average of the four areas of the CPIA.

The average CPIA score for these African countries was 3.2 in 2014.

Report pdf: Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) Africa : assessing Africa’s policies and institutions (includes Djibouti and Yemen)

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

.
More parliaments back Common Principles
21 AUGUST 2015
Two more parliaments – Italy and Burkina Faso -have formally endorsed the internationally-agreed guidelines on parliamentary support adopted by IPU Members last October. The Common Principles for Support to Parliament have now received more than 67 endorsements from national parliaments, as well as five from parliamentary assemblies and 14 from partner organizations. IPU is encouraging other parliaments to add their endorsement through a simple letter to the IPU Secretariat in the lead-up to the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in New York (31 August-2 September).

New guidelines offer key information on parliamentary research
21 AUGUST 2015
New guidelines produced by IPU and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) have been published, offering parliaments information on how to strengthen their research services. Library and research services play a pivotal role in the development of democracy by promoting better access to information and increasing comprehension of the impact of legislation and proposed public policies. The new guidelines provide a wealth of practical information, including how to create or expand research services, how they can be funded, how to ensure impartiality, what services should be offered and how the services can be staffed and run. There is also guidance on useful partnerships and feedback on lessons learnt by other parliaments. The guidelines are available for download in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

Democracy Day to focus on public participation
21 AUGUST 2015
IPU and its Members will this year mark International Day of Democracy on 15 September with a call for “Public participation for democracy”. The theme has been chosen to reflect the critical importance of public engagement in democracy to help ensure better political decision-making and politicians’ accountability to the people. The focus will not only be on the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens to engage in democracy, but also why it is important for civil society to actively participate. The theme will encompass both formal and informal ways to engage in democracy, such as voting and petitioning, and the dynamic use of social media for political conversations. IPU is urging parliaments to seize the opportunity to engage with citizens and civil society groups to explore key questions, including how to widen existing opportunities for interaction and how to draw in groups currently less engaged – such as women, young people and minorities.

CARE International [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases.aspx

.
CARE Calls for Concerted Efforts to Re-establish Humanitarian Legitimacy
GLOBAL
18 AUGUST 2015
On August 19, the international humanitarian community celebrates World Humanitarian Day to honor aid workers dedicated to providing life-saving assistance and to remember those who have tragically lost their lives fulfilling this humanitarian imperative.

Joint Position Calling for a Pledge to Empower Women at the World Humanitarian Summit
GLOBAL
17 AUGUST 2015
The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) aims at major global reforms to better protect and assist people affected by crisis. The undersigned organisations call on the WHS to put women’s leadership, gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV) at the heart of these reforms.

Casa Alianza [to 22 August 2015]
Covenant House [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.casa-alianza.org.uk/news
https://www.covenanthouse.org/

.
Casa Alianza Nicaragua- Reducing gender violence through awareness campaigns & capacity building
21st Aug 2015
Casa Alianza UK is proud to support Casa Alianza Nicaragua’s project “Reducing gender violence through awareness campaigns and capacity building”. On 24th July 2015 – 10 girls, residents (within Casa Alianza Nicaragua and selected for support under the above project) received micro financing and equipment to start-up their micro projects. The girls had been selected after a multistep process of evaluation, planning and training to become entrepreneurs…

Should Prostitution Be Decriminalized?
Monday, August 10, 2015
Covenant House President says no. Read why in his latest Huffington Post column.

ECPAT [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.ecpat.net/news

.
World Humanitarian Day 2015
Posted on 08/19/2015, 17:27
Today, 19 August 2015, is World Humanitarian Day which draws attention to the 100 million people affected by natural disasters, conflict, hunger and disease who are struggling to survive in today’s emergencies and reminds the international community that ‘each one of us can make a difference’ and ‘create a more humane world.’ It is also a day to recognise those who face danger and adversity in order to help others, and to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.

International Youth Day
Posted on 08/11/2015, 16:14
12 August 2015 is International Youth Day and this year’s theme is ‘Youth Civic Engagement’. The engagement and participation of youth is essential to achieve sustainable development, yet often the opportunities for youth to engage politically, economically and socially are low or non-existent.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Posted on 08/03/2015, 10:15
30 July 2015 marked the United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

.
13 Aug 2015
Limiting the humanitarian response is not discouraging refugees from making the dangerous journey to Greek islands and only increasing tensions, warns aid group

05 Aug 2015
International Rescue Committee Open Sources First Of Its Kind Humanitarian Digital Tool

04 Aug 2015
Global Evaluation Report: Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Emergencies Remains Fatal Omission

ICRC [to 22 August 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

.
World Humanitarian Day 2015
Every year on 19 August, the international community marks World Humanitarian Day in recognition of aid workers who have lost their lives in the course of their duty.
19-08-2015 | Article

Mexico and Central America: Practical advice for migrants
The ICRC and Red Cross Societies in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are encouraging migrants to take measures to look after their health and well-being.
18-08-2015 | Article

Yemen: The dead must be collected and treated with respect
The ICRC is extremely concerned about the number of dead bodies accumulating in the areas where fighting has been most intense in Yemen.
18-08-2015 | Article

Syria: Support for dialysis saves lives
Every month, the dialysis centre in Homs receives nearly 100 patients with kidney problems. Amidst ongoing conflict in Syria, the daily health problems of thousands of Syrians have dropped off the radar.
18-08-2015 | Video

Islamic Relief [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

.
Islamic Climate Change Declaration
August 12, 2015
Islamic Relief is to co-host an international Symposium in Istanbul next week, in which an ‘Islamic Declaration on Climate Change’ will be launched ahead of a pivotal conference later this year.

The Symposium on 17-18 August is seen as a vital platform in ensuring that the Islamic perspective on climate change is heard ahead of the UN Climate Change conference, which has been marked as potentially the “last chance” to save humanity from global warming.

Islamic Relief Worldwide will be co-hosting the Islamic Climate Change Symposium in Istanbul with Islamic Foundation for Ecology & Environmental Sciences (IFEES) and GreenFaith. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation will also be joint collaborators in this major international Symposium. Senior international development policy makers, leaders of faith groups, academics, religious leaders, activists, civil society representatives and other renowned experts from around the world will come together to launch the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

.
Press release
Latest Tragedy at Sea Highlights Urgent Need for Increased Rescue Capacity in the Mediterranean
August 05, 2015
Barcelona, August 5, 2015—Today’s tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea, in which hundreds of people drowned after a boat carrying approximately 600 people capsized, underscores the severe lack of adequate search and rescue operations in the area, said the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Wednesday.

MSF Treats People Wounded by Macedonian Border Troops
August 21, 2015
A Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) mobile medical team operating in the Idomeni area on the border between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece today received ten people with wounds from stun grenades fired by Macedonian border troops. The area is currently in a state of chaos, with 3,000 migrants and refugees being violently prevented from crossing the border by Macedonian troops. Tear gas has been used to disperse crowds, and there is widespread fear, panic, and frustration among the refugees.

Field news
Greece: Inaction Amounts to Abuse of Refugees
August 12, 2015
In July, more than 7,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants fleeing war and privation in their home countries arrived to the Greek island of Kos, a two-fold increase compared to June. In the absence of proper reception facilities, most have had no choice but to put up tents in public parks and squares in town; or sleep outside, near the police station, without any access to latrines or showers. Food has not been provided to migrants and refugees since April. Though plenty of land is available, no facilities have been opened to shelter them.

Mercy Corps [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases

.
Mercy Corps: Engaging Syrian Youth is Crucial to Stability of Region
Syria, August 10, 2015
Global organization launches new initiative to reach vulnerable youth trapped in years-long war

Portland, Ore. — Syrian teenagers are depressed, hopeless and vulnerable to dangerous influences, according to a new report by the global organization Mercy Corps evaluating the ramifications of Syria’s ongoing civil war on the country’s adolescent population. Findings show that teens are deeply affected by the lack of safety, disruption to education and economic instability. Extreme isolation and lack of support by parents compound the issues.

“Syrian adolescents express extreme hopelessness and a fear that they have no future,” says Jane Macphail, Mercy Corps’ Youth Director who oversaw the pioneering research. “They are very aware of the fact that they’ve lost their childhoods and have been forced to be adults too early in life.”…

Operation Smile [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.operationsmile.org/press-room

.
:: Download Operation Smile Fiscal Year 14
:: Vision & Impact Report
:: Program Schedule
Here’s what we’re doing worldwide to make a difference in the lives of children who deserve every opportunity for safe surgical care.

Partners In Health [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.pih.org/blog

.
Aug 06, 2015
Safe Water, Access to Sanitation, Hygiene Key to Kicking Cholera
Zanmi Lasante, Partners In Health’s sister organization in Haiti, created its own water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program to promote behavioral change and support the construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure at ZL and government-supported clinics, hospitals, and schools. WASH is part of a nationwide effort to eliminate cholera, which has sickened 745,500 people and caused nearly 9,000 deaths since October 2010.

Plan International [to 22 August 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre

.
Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) sets an ambitious goal
12 August 2015: To mark International Youth Day, Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) is launching an ambitious 5-year strategy that will tackle major challenges of youth employment worldwide.
S4YE is a global coalition of civil society actors, government officials, foundations, private sector entities, international organisations, and young people that seeks to fill the gap in youth employment. The initiative was launched in October 2014.
The strategy – first of 3 to be developed during the 15-year initiative – has a bold target: to support 150 million youth across the world by 2030.
S4YE will enable innovative solutions at scale through practical research and active engagement with public and private stakeholders. The coalition combines a pragmatic approach to identifying solutions for youth employment with an evidence-based advocacy platform to increase access to productive work for young people….

Myanmar floods: Humanitarian aid getting through to hardest hit areas
10/08/2015
Life-saving supplies are getting through to communities in Rakhine State after heavy monsoon rains and Cyclone Kormen cause large-scale flooding in Myanmar.

Pakistan floods leave thousands of children vulnerable
05/08/2015
Plan International is responding after thousands of children have been left vulnerable by the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Save The Children [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

,
Humanitarian System Urgently Needs Reform to Save More Lives
August 19, 2015
.
South Sudanese Children ‘Want to Learn – Even During War,’ New Report Finds
August 4, 2015

Tostan [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

.
August 2015 – Newsletter
Breakthrough Generation: Abandoning Harmful Practices

Women for Women International [to 22 August 2015]
http://www.womenforwomen.org/press-releases

.
South Salem Resident Returns to Bosnia
July 31, 2015 | Lewisboro Ledger
Women for Women International longtime supporter Tracy Craighead shares her experience participating in the 75-mile Bosnia Peace March to mark the 20th anniversary of Srebrenica and meeting women’s associations started by WfWI graduates who are supporting their families and raising their voices in their communities.