Philanthropies Announce Program to Develop Scientific Talent Worldwide
March 29, 2016
Summary
HHMI, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation announce the International Research Scholars Program which aims to support up to 50 outstanding early career scientists worldwide.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and partners, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, today announced an international program to select up to 50 outstanding early career scientists. The program’s aim is to help develop scientific talent worldwide.

The program represents a key piece in HHMI’s efforts to expand and enhance its support of international scientific research in the life sciences. “We are pleased to be joined in this initiative by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the Gulbenkian Foundation,” said HHMI President Robert Tjian. “Each organization shares a commitment to building international scientific capacity by identifying and supporting outstanding early career scientists who have the potential to be scientific leaders.”

HHMI and its partners have committed a total of $37.4 million for the International Research Scholars Program and will award each scientist who is selected a total of $650,000 over five years. The competition is open to scientists who have trained in the U.S. or United Kingdom for at least one year. Additionally, eligible scientists must have run their own labs for less than seven years, and work in one of the eligible countries.

Countries that are not eligible for this competition include the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and United States), as well as countries identified by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as being subject to comprehensive country or territory-wide sanctions or where current OFAC regulations prohibit U.S. persons or entities from engaging in the funding arrangements contemplated by this grant program. For this program, such sanctioned countries or territories currently include Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and the Crimea region of Ukraine…

“Scientific innovation is the engine that underpins the discovery and development of new vaccines, drugs, diagnostics and other interventions needed to address global health inequities,” said Chris Wilson, senior advisor and former director of Discovery & Translational Sciences at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “International research scientists bring unique perspectives and novel approaches that can accelerate this process. Through this collaborative endeavor, the Gates Foundation, HHMI, the Wellcome Trust, and the Gulbenkian Foundation aim to identify and support the research undertaken by such scientists and to bring them into a community that fosters the careers of these promising individuals.”

Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, said: “This program brings together funding partners who recognise that investing in research is critical to improving health. Our message is as relevant in lower and middle income countries as it is in high income countries, and this program is one way that we can support world-class scientists wanting to return to non-G7 countries to shape excellent, locally driven health research.”…

United Nations – Secretary General, Security Council, General Assembly [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/
Selected Press Releases/Meetings Coverage

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1 April 2016
SC/12315
Security Council, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2279 (2016), Requests Options for United Nations Police Deployment to Monitor Security Situation in Burundi
Amid continuing violence and a persistent political impasse in Burundi, the Security Council requested today that the Secretary-General present options for the deployment of a United Nations police contribution to monitor the security situation, promote respect for human rights, and advance the rule of law in the country.

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1 April 2016
GA/11770
Calling Attention to Chronic Hunger, General Assembly Decides 2016-2025 Will Be Decade of Action on Nutrition
The General Assembly today appointed a new advisory body member and adopted a package of texts recommended by its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) and decided to proclaim 2016-2025 the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition.

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31 March 2016
SG/SM/17643-AFR/3355-PKO/569
‘Shocked to the Core’ by Latest Abuse Allegations in Central African Republic, Secretary-General Pledges to Relentlessly Confront Scourge, Aid Victims

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30 March 2016
SC/12308
Despite ‘Glimmer of Hope’ for Aid Distribution in Syria, Sustained Access Still ‘a Long Way Off’, Humanitarian Chief Tells Security Council
After five years of senseless and brutal conflict, a much-needed glimmer of hope had presented itself in Syria, the United Nations humanitarian chief told the Security Council today, during a briefing in which he nevertheless stressed that the sustained, unconditional and unimpeded access required by humanitarian actors was still a long way off.

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30 March 2016
SG/SM/17635-REF/1227
Open Doors Wider, ‘We Must Do Much, Much More’, Secretary-General Tells High-Level Meeting on Global Responsibility for Syrian Refugees

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30 March 2016
SG/SM/17636
Amid Evolving Threats, World Faces Shared Challenge to Build Landscape of Peace, End Injustices, Secretary-General Says at Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture in Sweden
Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Dag Hammarskjöld lecture on “Evolving Threats, Timeless Values: The United Nations in a Changing Global Landscape”, in Stockholm,

UN OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true
Selected Press Releases

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Investigations under way into “sickening” allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peace-keepers in CAR
GENEVA (31 March 2016) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday described the latest allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN and French soldiers, as well as by local armed groups, in the Kemo prefecture of the Central African Republic as “sickening,” and said that major efforts were already underway to investigate allegations uncovered by a series of UN teams sent to the region over the past two weeks.

“The UN investigation into these sickening allegations, which suggest sexual abuse and exploitation of a large number of women and girls, must leave no stone unturned,” Zeid said. “We are taking these allegations – some of which are particularly odious — extremely seriously. It is vital that the victims are protected and receive all necessary care.”

Most of the allegations relate to Burundian and Gabonese contingents present in the Kemo region between 2013 and 2015, as well as to the separate French Sangaris force stationed in the same region in the same period. Allegations of abuse in other parts of the country are also continuing to be investigated.

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Moldova: A time of challenges and opportunities, says senior Human Rights Official
31 March 2016

SRSG/CAAC Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict [to 2 April 2016]
https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/virtual-library/press-release-archive/

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01 Apr 2016
Central African Republic: Statement attributable to Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
New York –I am outraged and profoundly saddened by the new allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by international peacekeeping troops in the Central African Republic.

My heart breaks further as the majority of victims appear to be children. Girls and boys were allegedly subjected to depraved acts of sexual violence committed by troops present in the country to protect them, as well as by armed groups operating in the area. The children of the Central African Republic have been deeply affected by the conflict. Now, the lives of many have been permanently damaged and they have to overcome the trauma of sexual violence.

The UN system on the ground is currently ensuring the protection and well-being of the children and we fully support their efforts. Providing assistance to the victims is at the top of our collective agenda and I call on Member States to support these efforts.

My office will continue to monitor on the ongoing investigations and to call for full accountability for perpetrators. There can be no immunity for such despicable acts. The UN has a responsibility to do its utmost to react to and prevent violations wherever possible, but Member States have ultimate control over the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators. Rape and sexual violence against children are crimes in every legal system. I add my voice to the Secretary-General’s in calling for swift and strong actions by the Governments concerned to hold those responsible to account and ensure the response is commensurate with the gravity of the crimes.

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27 Mar 2016
Sudan Signs Action Plan to Protect Children from Violations in Armed Conflict
Khartoum, Sudan– In an important milestone for the protection of children in Sudan, the Government signed an Action Plan with the United Nations to prevent the recruitment and use of children by Sudan Government Security Forces. The United Nations welcomes the Government’s commitment to protect children from violations in armed conflict.

“We will work to promote and protect children’s rights in areas of armed conflict and displacement. We are also committed to strengthen existing mechanisms that are included in the Child Act of 2010 and the Sudan Armed Forces law, ” said His Excellency Ibrahim Adam Ibrahim, State Minister of Social Welfare…

UN OCHA [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases

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01 Apr 2016
occupied Palestinian territory: UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid and Development Activities calls for respect for Palestinians’ Freedom of Movement
Jerusalem, 1 April 2016 Today, humanitarian and development actors, including UN agencies, are joining thousands of Palestinian and international runners in the annual Palestine Marathon, taking place in the city of Bethlehem in support of Palestinians’ right to liberty of movement.

31 Mar 2016
South Sudan: Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien Statement to the Security Council on South Sudan New York, 31 March 2016

31 Mar 2016
Libya: Humanitarian Partners in Libya are Ready to Scale Up Humanitarian Assistance [EN/AR]

31 Mar 2016
Somalia: Somalia: USD 105 million urgently needed to save lives in drought-affected areas
Nairobi, 31 March 2016 — Aid agencies in Somalia today launched a Call for Aid seeking USD 105 million to scale-up critical, life-saving assistance and build resilience for more than one million people in the drought-affected northern regions of the country. The severe drought, exacerbated by El Niño conditions, which is ravaging parts of Puntland and Somaliland, has compounded an already challenging humanitarian situation…

30 Mar 2016
Syrian Arab Republic: Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien – Statement to the Security Council on Syria

UNICEF [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_89711.html
Selected Press Releases

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Yemen’s children on the brink as country risks becoming a failed state
SANA’A/AMMAN, 29 March 2016 – A brutal conflict and a fast-deteriorating humanitarian situation are devastating the lives of millions of children in Yemen and have brought the country to the point of collapse. A UNICEF report “Children on the Brink” highlights the heavy toll that the violence in Yemen is having on children and the deterioration in an already precarious humanitarian situation.

UNICEF launches “Unfairy Tales” of refugee and migrant children
NEW YORK, 29 March 2016 — UNICEF today launched a series of animated films to help frame positive perceptions towards the tens of millions of children and young people on the move globally.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40

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Press Releases
30 March 2016
Geneva conference on Syrian refugees ends with new pledges of places, recognition of challenges ahead

23 March 2016
UNHCR reaches embattled Taizz from Aden with life-saving aid

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

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04/01/16
Mediterranean Migrant Arrivals in 2016: 169,846; Deaths: 620
Greece – At least 170,000 migrants and refugees have entered Europe along sea-borne routes through the first three months of 2016, according to calculations by IOM.

Japan Donates USD 4 Million to IOM Iraq to Help Displaced Iraqis, Syrians
04/01/16
Iraq – The Government of Japan is providing a total of USD 4 million to IOM Iraq to support internally displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees.

One Year into Yemen Conflict, IOM Aids Desperate Migrants, Civilians
03/29/16
Yemen – The escalation of the conflict in Yemen has led to a massive deterioration of the political, social, security and humanitarian situation in the country.

UN Women [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unwomen.org/news/stories

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Date: 29 March 2016
“Migrant rights must be respected, protected and fulfilled at every stage”—Lakshmi Puri
Remarks by UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri during the Thematic Workshop on Connectivity–Migration–Business at the Ninth Global Forum for Migration and Development in Bangkok, Thailand on 29 March, 2016.

UNAIDS [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/

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01 April 201
UNAIDS announces lower price tag on investments needed to Fast-Track ending the AIDS epidemic
Projected price drops for life-saving HIV treatment and streamlined delivery are driving down costs—investment needs for 2020 are US$ 26 billion

GENEVA, 1 April 2016—Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, UNAIDS announced new investment needs to Fast-Track the AIDS response. The projected need of US$ 26.2 billion in 2020 is down from a previous estimate of US$ 30 billion. New findings suggest that the world can reach ambitious Fast-Track targets for preventing new HIV infections, AIDS-related deaths and discrimination with fewer resources.

“Under the Fast-Track approach the world is driving down costs quickly to close the gap between people who have services and people being left behind,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Urgently and fully funding and front-loading investments will save lives and lead us to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”

The new UNAIDS reference document entitled Fast-Track—update on investments needed in the AIDS response explains improvements to the investment model with critical new inputs from the revised 2015 World Health Organization guidelines on HIV treatment. The guidelines recommend HIV treatment for all people living with HIV to reduce illness and deaths, which will increase the total cost of treatment. The guidelines also recommend streamlining care and support services that will contribute to lower costs per patient per year compared to earlier guidelines while retaining quality standards…

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unfpa.org/press/press-release

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30 March 2016
Press Release
A Year of Conflict in Yemen Puts the Lives of 3.4 Million Women of Reproductive Age at Risk
SANA’A, Yemen – A year of conflict in Yemen has led to 21.2 million people requiring some form of humanitarian assistance, with nearly half of them being women and girls.

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/?doctypeID=1

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01/04/2016
Latin America and Caribbean Nations Pledge Coordinated Action on Climate Change, Air Quality and Chemicals Safety
On the Road to UNEA-2
Cartagena de Indias, 31 March 2016 – Latin American and Caribbean Ministers of Environment committed on Thursday to accelerate collective action on a set of priorities ranging from climate change and air quality to safe management of chemicals, ahead of the second UN

The ministers and high-level representatives of 33 countries adopted the Declaration of Cartagena, in which they pledged to promote the “healthy functioning of ecosystems as a global, crosscutting and comprehensive condition, key for a better and fairer future for all, fundamental to achieve sustainable development and the eradication of poverty”.

They also agreed to provide global leadership on delivering the environmental dimension of the universally agreed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, by pushing for ambitious resolutions and decisions at the upcoming UNEA-2…

UNESCO [to 2 April 2016]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases/News

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1 April 2016
UNESCO Global Report ‘Re|Shaping Cultural Policies’ 2017: Call for proposals
UNESCO is inviting professional research institutes, companies, individuals or consortiums to submit a proposal for the collection, analysis and visualization of data to be included in the second edition of the UNESCO Global Report on the implementation of the 2005 Convention, to be published in December 2017.

UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 2 April 2016]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global announcement and initiatives]

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Posted March 31, 2016
Major opportunities for improving global urban health outcomes, despite persistent inequities
Kobe, Geneva – New data on the health of city-dwellers in almost 100 countries show that as the world’s urban population continues to grow, health inequities – especially between the richest and poorest urban populations…

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2016/en/

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1-04-2016
UN General Assembly proclaims Decade of Action on Nutrition
The United Nations General Assembly today proclaimed a UN Decade of Action on Nutrition that will run from 2016 to 2025. FAO welcomed the decision, calling it a major step towards mobilising action around reducing hunger and improving nutrition around the world.

To reduce inequality, focus on hunger and extreme poverty
Absolute levels of hunger and poverty are the most dramatic issues when it comes to addressing inequality, FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva said today. “The most pressing priority in terms of inequality is to help those people that are still living in extreme poverty and suffering from hunger,” he said at the Special Meeting on Inequality held by the UN’s ECOSOC.
31-03-2016

FAO’s leader addresses UN Security Council on food and farming’s role amid conflicts
Improving food security can help build sustainable peace and even ward off looming conflict, as well as mitigating its impacts, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva told members of the United Nations Security Council.
29-03-2016

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 2 April 2016]
http://public.wmo.int/en

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30 March 2016
Arctic sets yet another record low maximum extent
Arctic sea ice was at a record low maximum extent for the second straight year, according to scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and NASA.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index.htm

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1 April 2016
Shining a light on management consultancies with new standard in development
by Clare Naden
Management consultancies have the potential to help businesses fly… if they are used correctly. A new standard in development aims to help consultancies and their clients achieve the best from their consultancy projects.

USAID [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases
April 1, 2016
U.S. Announces Nearly $68 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Sudan
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it is providing nearly $68 million for emergency food assistance, to reach approximately 2.5 million Sudanese as well as refugees from South Sudan and other neighboring states. This assistance will be delivered through the World Food Program, which will help address the complex emergency arising from conflict, natural disasters and widespread displacement in Sudan, including those severely affected by the impacts of El Niño. This contribution brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for Sudan to nearly $351 million since FY 2015.

European Union [to 2 April 2016]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives]

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EU to provide milk to 350,000 Syrian children
Date: 30/03/2016
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 30 March 2016 Today the European Commission adopted a €30 million programme to provide 350,000 Syrian children with drinking milk, as part of the already substantial aid provided by the EU to those in need as a consequence of the crisis in the region.

Press remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos at the UNCHR high-level meeting on global responsibility sharing for Syrian refugees
Date: 30/03/2016
European Commission – Speech – [Check Against Delivery] Brussels, 30 March 2016