Tostan [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

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February 3, 2016
Press Release by Senegal’s National Committee for the Abandonment of Female Genital Cutting: Announcing February 6th Event
DAKAR — Senegal, like many other countries around the world, will be celebrating the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on Saturday, February 6. In partnership with the department of the Minister of Women, Family and Children; the National Committee for the Abandonment of Female Genital Cutting (FGC); the joint UNFPA-UNICEF and Tostan program has organized a social mobilization event in Keur Simbara, in the region of Thiès. Participation at the event will include members of Bambara, Mandinka, Pulaar, Soninké, and Diola communities.
The community of Keur Simbara is a pioneer in the movement to abandon FGC in Senegal. Well known for the work of the community’s Imam, Demba Diarwa, who traveled to 347 villages to raise awareness about the issue…

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February 2, 2016
Rose Diop Recounts Her Journey from Unlikely Beginnings to Tostan Senegal’s FIRST Female National Coordinator
Rose Diop, the newly selected National Coordinator of Tostan Senegal, is a walking example of Tostan’s most fundamental principles—respect, collectivity, and creating a vision for a better future. She will go down in history as the first woman to serve as Regional Coordinator, and now the first female National Coordinator, as Rose continues to add to her robust legacy at Tostan…

The Elders [to 6 February 2016]
http://theelders.org/news-media

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Press release 4 February 2016
The Elders urge a renewed commitment to the peace process in Syria
While The Elders welcome the outcome of the Syria Donor Conference in London, a determined and sustained effort to attain peace is the only way to protect the Syrian people.

END Fund [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.end.org/news

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Feb 02, 2015
Gates Annual Letter’s Big 2030 Health Goals: How Do We Get Them Done?
Ellen Agler, CEO, the END Fund and Jeffrey C. Walker, Vice Chairman, United Nation’s Secretary General’s Envoy for Health Finance and Malaria recently wrote a piece posted on the Huffington Post, reflecting on the 2015 Gates Annual Letter.

Global Fund [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/

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News
Grant to Fight TB in Southern Africa’s Mining Sector
PRETORIA, February 5, 2016 – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and a Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM) representing a group of 10 Southern African countries today signed a landmark grant to pioneer innovative models to reduce high rates of TB in the mining sector.

The Grant will support potentially-transformative interventions in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The World Bank Group serves as the Secretariat for the RCM while the Wits Health Consortium acts as the Principal Recipient of the Grant.

“Gold miners in southern Africa have some of the highest rates of TB infection in the world, we are committed to investing vigorously to reduce rates as much as possible,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “To end TB as an epidemic, we have to be effective here.”…

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Global Fund Supports Health Investment in Botswana
03 February 2016
GABORONE, Botswana – Two new grants signed today between the Global Fund and Botswana mark a new phase of partnership, with a focus on preventing, treating and caring for people affected by HIV and tuberculosis.

The financial resources provided through the Global Fund come from many sources and partners, represented today at a signing event by the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union, Germany and France. The grants signed today total US$27 million.

“The overall goals of the grants are to achieve zero local malaria transmission or the elimination of malaria, to prevent new HIV infections, reduce morbidity and mortality as well as to enhance the psychosocial and economic impact associated with TB,” said Botswana’s Minister Of Health, Dorcas Makgato…

…Botswana faces high rates of HIV and TB. The HIV prevalence rate is 18.5 percent, one of the highest in the world. It also has one of the highest TB prevalence rates globally. The two diseases are highly interlinked – 60 percent of people with TB in Botswana also have HIV…

Hilton Prize Coalition [to 6 February 2016]
http://prizecoalition.charity.org/
An Alliance of Hilton Prize Recipients

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Posted February 5, 2016
Hilton Prize Coalition Storytelling Program – Nepal
On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. The earthquake killed over 8,000 people and injured more than 21,000. The member organizations of the Hilton Prize Coalition, an independent alliance of the 20 winners of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, were among those who mobilized staff and resources in response to this devastating disaster.

Now, nine months later, six Coalition member organizations have come together through the Hilton Prize Coalition Storytelling Program to share their experiences both during and immediately following the earthquake. Over the course of this month, BRAC, Handicap International, Heifer International, HelpAge, Operation Smile and SOS Children’s Villages – through their staff and personnel, the individuals (and animals!) they serve, and most importantly, their communities as a whole – will be sharing their stories…

InterAction [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.interaction.org/media-center/press-releases

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Feb 01, 2016
Civilians Under Fire: Restore Respect for International Humanitarian Law
WASHINGTON — A policy brief released today by InterAction – the largest U.S. alliance of international NGOs – calls for a new White House-led initiative to restore global respect for civilians in armed conflict. With a special focus on violence in Syria and Yemen, the brief (“Civilians Under Fire: Restore Respect for International Humanitarian Law”) builds on previous reports and studies documenting attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers. The brief was released in advance of the London donor conference on Syria (Feb 3-4) and upcoming UN-sponsored World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey in May…

Specifically, the policy brief outlines several policy initiatives for the Obama Administration to help restore respect for the basic rules which protect people during armed conflict, including:
1:: Issue a presidential statement affirming respect for the protections to which civilians and civilian objects are entitled, including humanitarian and medical facilities and personnel;

2:: Adopt and implement, including through training, a standing operational policy on civilian protection and harm mitigation applicable to all branches of the armed services;

3:: Condition U.S. support for and cooperation with foreign forces (both state and non-state) on compliance with international humanitarian law; and

4:: Set clear benchmarks for enhanced measures by all parties to mitigate civilian harm in Syria and Yemen.
Read the full report: http://bit.ly/Civilians-Under-Fire-Rpt

Muslim Charities Forum [to 6 February 2016]
https://www.muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk/media/news
An umbrella organisation for Muslim-led international NGOs based in the UK. It was set up in 2007 and works to support its members through advocacy, training and research, by bringing charities together. Our members have a collective income of £150,000,000 and work in 71 countries.

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Former Cabinet Ministers demand protection for refugees
Press Release: Sunday 31st January 2016
Clare Short and Andrew Mitchell, Former British Labour and Conservative International Development Cabinet Ministers return from Syria – Turkey border to demand protection for refugees, an end to grotesque abuses of human rights and international law, sanctuary in safe havens, an end to the bombing of civilians and unfettered access for humanitarian relief.

The two former Cabinet Ministers say:
During our visit, organised by the Muslim Charities Forum, we were inspired by the work being undertaken by British Muslim Charities often in very dangerous circumstances . We witnessed an entirely British funded convoy of 90 trucks organised by the Human Appeal International moving across the border into Syria with flour for 200 bakeries throughout Idlib Province.

But an already hideous catastrophe grows daily worse as 3 million refugees inside Syria in 14 besieged areas face starvation and air bombardment. Half the remaining civilian population has no clean water access and 5,000 schools have been destroyed.

The major powers must ensure progress now takes place in the Geneva Talks. The London pledging conference this week under British, Kuwaiti and Norwegian Leadership must ensure that the refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan are fully funded and Turkey urgently receives promised EU financial support. The World Food Programme whose funding reductions mean rations in some locations run at 50 per cent of need must receive a full replenishment for the duration of this crisis.

Immediate and unfettered humanitarian access throughout all Syrian Provinces must be guaranteed. All attacks on civilians must cease with a complete end to air attack on civilian targets…

The Sphere Project [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.sphereproject.org/news/
03 February 2016 | Sphere Project
New training module on the Core Humanitarian Standard and the Sphere Handbook
A new training module on the Core Humanitarian Standard and its usage in conjunction with the Sphere Handbook is now available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
The Sphere Project office has developed a new training module to introduce the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) on Quality and Accountability and its guidance notes and indicators. The module can be used in a two-hour interactive training session…

Center for Global Development [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Selected Press Releases, Blog Posts, Publications

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2/3/16
Alternatives to HIPC for African Debt-Distressed Countries: Lessons from Myanmar, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe
Tendai Biti, Ben Leo, Scott Morris, and Todd Moss
Despite the success of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in reducing the debt burdens of low-income countries, at least eleven Sub-Saharan African countries are currently in, or face a high risk of, debt distress. A few of those currently at risk include countries that have been excluded from traditional debt relief frameworks. For countries outside the HIPC process, this paper lays out the (formidable) steps for retroactive HIPC inclusion, concluding with lessons for countries seeking exceptional debt relief treatment.

ODI [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.odi.org/media

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Research Reports
Women and power: what can the numbers tell us about women’s voice, leadership and decision-making?
Research reports and studies | February 2016 | Joseph Wales
This briefing provides an overview of existing global indicators for measuring women’s voice and leadership.

Costing the impacts of gender-based violence (GBV) to business: a practical tool
Toolkits | February 2016 | David Walker, Neta Duvvury
This toolkit outlines a step-by-step guide for ascertaining the cost of gender-based violence (GBV) to business and also has a broader purpose of providing a discrete measure of GBV impacts.

Enhancing aid architecture in the regional response to the Syria crisis
Research reports and studies | February 2016 | Victoria Metcalfe, Marcus Manuel and Alastair McKechnie
This Policy Note outlines a strategic approach to addressing the Syrian refugee crisis by enhancing the aid architecture in the Middle East.

How to design a monitoring and evaluation framework for a policy research project
Working and discussion papers | February 2016 | Tiina Pasanen and Louise Shaxson
This guidance note aims to support the first steps in designing and structuring the monitoring and evaluation framework for a policy research project.

How do healthy rivers benefit society?
Working and discussion papers | February 2016 | Helen Parker and Naomi Oates
Rivers are essential to human well-being, yet many rivers around the world are at risk. This paper provides a synthesis of the evidence regarding the relationship between river health and benefits for society.

World Economic Forum [to 6 February 2016]
https://agenda.weforum.org/news/

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News 5 Feb 2016
Cheryl Martin to Join World Economic Forum as Head of Centre for Global Industries
Geneva, Switzerland – Dr Cheryl Martin, a globally recognized expert in energy technology and innovation, will join the World Economic Forum as Head of the Centre for Global Industries, the foremost global multistakeholder platform shaping global and regional industry agendas. The Centre for Global Industries comprises over 20 industry sectors and employs around 200 strategic specialists in offices in Geneva, New York, Beijing and Tokyo…

Aga Khan Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.akdn.org/pr.asp

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04 February 2016
The Aga Khan deplores devastation in Syria, Calls for Islands of Stability
His Highness the Aga Khan today called for the establishment of ‘islands of stability’ in war-ravaged Syria that could provide areas of relative safety in the midst of conflict.

Clinton Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/press-releases-and-statements

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Press Release
2016 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced
February 2, 2016
The Presidential Leadership Scholars program, a unique leadership development initiative that draws upon the resources of the presidential centers of Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush,William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush, today announced the 61 scholars invited to participate in the program’s second class.

These diverse leaders were chosen because of their desire and capacity to take their leadership strengths to a higher level in order to help their communities and our country. The 6-month executive-style program begins this week at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home…

Ford Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.fordfoundation.org/?filter=News

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News
February 3, 2016
Ford Foundation and Cannes’ Marché du Film sign agreement
Doc Corner, a Marché du Film program, and the Ford Foundation have entered into a two-year partnership that will amplify the social justice storytelling program, JustFilms, in Cannes.

The announcement comes as Ford enters into the second phase of this multi-faceted program to reduce inequality in all its forms through supporting visual story tellers, new media projects, and organizations that work toward these ends.

The Ford Foundation places a special focus on documentary work in the field. Through a series of initiatives of the renowned programs of the Marché du Film, such as the Doc Corner, the Producers Network, NEXT and a Documentary Mixer, it is expected that this new agreement will give wider exposure to documentary cinema in Cannes and provide a vital platform to make the resulting body of work more clearly visible to key players in the global film industry…

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news

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Our News
“Start Out Right”: A celebration of National Catholic Schools Week
By Sister Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, Ph.D., February 2, 2016
In observance of National Catholic Schools Week, Sister Rosemarie Nassif, Director of the Foundation’s Catholic Sisters Initiative, discusses the three “w’s” that are essential in delivering the promise of Catholic education and the current defining moment of Catholic Schools…

HHMI – Howard Hughes Medical Institute [to 6 February 2016]
https://www.hhmi.org/news

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Institute [ February 3, 2016 ]
Erin O’Shea Named New HHMI President
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has named Erin O’Shea its sixth president, effective September 1, 2016. O’Shea currently serves as HHMI’s chief scientific officer, a position she has held since 2013.

O’Shea will succeed Robert Tjian, HHMI’s president since 2009. Tjian announced last year that he would step down and return to the University of California, Berkeley.

Kurt Schmoke, chairman of the HHMI Trustees and head of the committee that conducted the search, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Dr. O’Shea into her new leadership role as the next president of HHMI. She is not only a distinguished scientist but also a leader committed to advancing HHMI’s unique role in the research community. Going forward, Dr. O’Shea will build on her accomplishments at HHMI, as well as the success of outgoing HHMI President Bob Tjian. We look forward to this exciting new chapter.”

O’Shea, 50, is a leader in the fields of gene regulation, signal transduction, and systems biology. An HHMI investigator since 2000, she has served on the faculty of Harvard University and the University of California, San Francisco. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. O’Shea received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Smith College and her PhD degree in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology…

MacArthur Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.macfound.org/

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Publication
Study Finds Hope for Amphibians Battling Deadly Fungus
Published February 2, 2016
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society finds that climate change may make environmental conditions for the deadly chytrid fungus, which is killing amphibians worldwide, unsuitable in some regions and could stave off spread of the disease in African amphibian populations. The MacArthur-supported research found that the majority of infected frogs did not show the presence of the disease, indicating they may be regionally resistant. The study took place in Africa’s wildlife-rich Albertine Rift, extending along parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania.

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
https://www.moore.org/newsroom/press-releases

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Press Releases
Peninsula Open Space Trust announces groundbreaking initiative to triple preserved farmland in San Mateo County
Peninsula Open Space Trust – February 4, 2016
The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) today announced a groundbreaking new initiative to triple the amount of preserved farmland acreage and the number of preserved farms on the San Mateo coast over the next 10 years.
One of the most ambitious farming conservation programs in the history of the Bay …

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$3.6M awarded from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to advance a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning system
February 2, 2016
At the White House Summit on Earthquake Resilience today, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced $3.6 million in grants to advance a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning system. The funding to California Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, University of Washington and the U.S. Geological Survey supports the …
Press Releases

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Final agreement will permanently safeguard 85 percent of Great Bear Rainforest
Rainforest Solutions Project
February 1, 2016
Vancouver, British Columbia — Today First Nations governments and the BC government, with the support of ForestEthics Solutions, Greenpeace, Sierra Club BC and five forestry companies, announced the fulfilment of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements. Eighty-five percent (3.1 million hectares) of the remote wilderness region’s coastal temperate rainforests are now permanently …
Press Releases

David and Lucile Packard Foundation [to 6 February 2016]
http://www.packard.org/news/

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January 12, 2016
Indonesia Peat Prize Announcement
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Indonesia, is pleased to announce a new prize competition…

…The “Indonesian Peat Prize” seeks to engage the world’s best scientists and engineers to apply existing and novel technologies to the task of developing more accurate and efficient approaches to mapping peat soils. There is every reason to believe that the application of recent advances in remote sensing technologies and the experience of scientists in related fields such as oil exploration could significantly advance the science of peat mapping. The competition protocol requires that entrants register by May 2016 and develop their approaches by June 2017 using test sites in Indonesia where the extent and depth of peat soils have already been mapped. The approaches will then be demonstrated in August 2017 on a second set of test sites where the entrants don’t have access to the ground-truthed data. Prizes totaling $1 million will be awarded to the wining approaches.

Indonesia’s Geospatial Information Agency and the Packard Foundation are co-hosting the Peat Prize. The competition is being administered by World Resources Institute – Indonesia and Context Partners under the guidance of a Science Advisory Board chaired by Dr. Supiandi Sabiham (Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Indonesia, and Dr. David Schimel (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, United States). More information about the prize is available here…

American Journal of Public Health
Volume 106, Issue 2 (February 2016)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

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AJPH PERSPECTIVES
Protecting Personally Identifiable Information When Using Online Geographic Tools for Public Health Research
American Journal of Public Health: February 2016, Vol. 106, No. 2: 206–208.
Michael D. M. Bader, Stephen J. Mooney, Andrew G. Rundle
[No abstract]

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Integrating Systems Science and Community-Based Participatory Research to Achieve Health Equity
American Journal of Public Health: February 2016, Vol. 106, No. 2: 215–222.
Leah Frerichs, Kristen Hassmiller Lich, Gaurav Dave, Giselle Corbie-Smith
ABSTRACT
Unanswered questions about racial and socioeconomic health disparities may be addressed using community-based participatory research and systems science. Community-based participatory research is an orientation to research that prioritizes developing capacity, improving trust, and translating knowledge to action. Systems science provides research methods to study dynamic and interrelated forces that shape health disparities. Community-based participatory research and systems science are complementary, but their integration requires more research. We discuss paradigmatic, socioecological, capacity-building, colearning, and translational synergies that help advance progress toward health equity.