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Global Integration Update -- August 2016
Common Ground for the Common Good
Confronting Global Issues
New Resources from Seven Sectors
Overview
In this Update we present recent resources from seven sectors that focus on serious global issues. Part One features some of the many materials from the Humanitarian Sector which were presented at the United Nations ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (New York, June). Part Two includes new materials from six other sectors: Development, Education-Learning, Environment, Health, Human Rights, and Peace-Security Sectors. For more ideas on GI areas to further support you and your work, see the December 2015 GI Update, Staying Current—Navigating the News.
We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations (excerpts from the Preamble, 2015)
Part One
Resources from the Humanitarian Sector
Image from IRIN (2016)
The following six resources are just a few of the many materials that were shared, mentioned, or featured during plenary presentations. side events, etc. at the recent United Nations ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (New York, 27-29 June 2016). I (Kelly) was privileged to attend this annual three-day event as a NGO representative on behalf of the World Federation for Mental Health. The event brings together member states, UN agencies, and humanitarian and development organizations. One of my main take-aways is that the humanitarian sector, although very stretched and perplexed at the world situation, is committed to do all it can to protect and assist vulnerable people. Propelling this commitment forward are the aspirational goals of leaving no one behind, not doing business as usual, investing in humanity, moving beyond aid to development, and getting at the root causes of conflict (as per the Un Secretary General’s 2016 report, One Humanity: Shared Responsibility).
Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (2016) Various authors. “[This Charter has been developed] by over 70 stakeholders from States, UN agencies, the international civil society community and global, regional and national organisations of persons with disabilities. By endorsing this Charter, you will commit to render humanitarian action inclusive of persons with disabilities, by lifting barriers persons with disabilities are facing in accessing relief, protection and recovery support and ensuring their participation in the development, planning and implementation humanitarian programmes. This Charter is open for endorsement by States and governments, UN agencies, organisations involved in humanitarian contexts and organisations of persons with disabilities” (quote from website). Note: Please consider endorsing this Charter. You can do so on the website (link above).
Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions into Humanitarian Action(2015) Inter-Agency Standing Committee, et al. “The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist humanitarian actors and communities affected by armed conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies to coordinate, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate essential actions for the prevention and mitigation of GBV across all sectors of humanitarian response. The overall goal of the Guidelines is to support humanitarian stakeholders in fulfilling their responsibility to protect all those affected by crises, by: 1) Reducing risk of GBV by implementing GBV prevention and mitigation strategies from pre-emergency to recovery stages of humanitarian action. 2) Promoting resilience by strengthening national and community-based systems that prevent and mitigate GBV, and by enabling survivors and those at risk of GBV to access specialized care and support. 3) Aiding recovery of communities and societies by supporting local and national capacity to create lasting solutions to the problem of GBV.” (quote from website) Note: The Guidelines are organized into 13 sections such as education, health, livelihoods, and nutrition.
No Protection, No Respect: Health Workers and Health Facilities Under Attack, 2015 and Early 2016 (2016) Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, et al. “International law dating back more than 150 years holds that in all armed conflicts, whether internal or international, parties must not attack or interfere with health workers, facilities, ambulances, and people who are wounded or sick. The Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law provide that parties have a duty to distinguish between military and civilian objects…. This report reviews attacks on and interference with hospitals, health workers, ambulances, medical supply transports, and patients in armed conflict and times of political violence that violated these obligations in 2015 and during the first three months of 2016.” (excerpt from Executive Summary, p. 8 ) Note:Organizations are encouraged to inquire about joining the coalition that spearheaded this report.
Global Humanitarian Assistance Report 2016 (2016) Development Initiatives. “This annual report is a leading resource for understanding financing for humanitarian crises globally. Following the new Sustainable Development Goals [September 2015] and World Humanitarian Summit [May 2016], our report this year begins to set a baseline for measuring progress on the implementation of global commitments to invest in humanity in the years to come. This report navigates through an increasingly diverse and complex picture on financing, looking in detail at where resources are coming from, where they are going to, and how they get there.” (quote from the website) Note: You can watch the short overview video about humanitarian financing HERE.
Leaving No One Behind: Humanitarian Effectiveness in the Age of Sustainable Development. (2016) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “…this study highlights 12 of the elements that are critical to effective humanitarian assistance and protection, and describes five overarching shifts in mind-set and approach that can contribute to improvements in supporting people in crisis, as well as moving people out of crisis…Those shifts are as follows: Reinforce, don’t replace existing capacities and coping strategies; Enter with an Exit: collaborate to reduce and end humanitarian need; Leverage comparative advantage: strengthen connectivity and strategic leadership; See the whole picture: 360-degrees of risks and needs; Measure shared results for collective accountability (Executive Summary, excerpts from pp. 5, 7, 8) Note: Read the Executive Summary.
Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2015. (2016) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “The total number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) protected or assisted by UNHCR stood at 52.6 million, compared to 46.7 million at the end of 2014. During the course of 2015 more than 12.4 million individuals were forced to leave their homes and seek protection elsewhere; of this number, some 8.6 million remained within their own countries and around 1.8 million sought international protection abroad. In addition, 2.0 million new claims for asylum were made within the year. The global population of forcibly displaced people today is larger than the entire population of the United Kingdom.5 If they were a country, the forcibly displaced would be the 21st largest in the world. Some nationalities were particularly affected by forced displacement. With 4.9 million refugees, 6.6 million IDPs, and nearly 250,000 asylum-seekers, an estimated 11.7 million Syrians were displaced by end-2015, seeking protection within Syria or abroad. Other large displaced populations – those with over 2 million people displaced, either internally or as refugees or asylum-seekers – at the end of 2015 were Afghans, Colombians, Congolese, Iraqis, Nigerians, Somalis, Sudanese, South Sudanese, and Yemenis.” (pp. 5-6) Note: This Report was published in June 2016. There is a helpful overview using infographics on pages 2-3.
Part Two
Resources from Six Sectors
Image UNDP (2016)
Development (Economic Focus)
World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends (2016) World Bank. “Digital technologies have spread rapidly in much of the world. Digital dividends—that is, the broader development benefits from using these technologies—have lagged behind. In many instances, digital technologies have boosted growth, expanded opportunities, and improved service delivery. Yet their aggregate impact has fallen short and is unevenly distributed. For digital technologies to benefit everyone everywhere requires closing the remaining digital divide, especially in internet access. But greater digital adoption will not be enough. To get the most out of the digital revolution, countries also need to work on the “analog complements”—by strengthening regulations that ensure competition among businesses, by adapting workers’ skills to the demands of the new economy, and by ensuring that institutions are accountable.” (Overview, p. 2) Note: Click HERE for the Overview.
Education-Learning
Gyeongju Action Plan: Education for Global Citizenship: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Together (2016) UN Department of Public Information/Non-Government Organizations. “…this Action Plan so that all may realize the aspirations of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. Education is a human right, essential to well-being and dignity, and is key to achieving Agenda 2030. Further, an ethos of global citizenship is required in order to fulfil this bold, people-centered, universal, and planet-sensitive development framework….In addition to literacy and numeracy, education must advance the cause of global citizenship which: promotes integrated development of the whole person emotionally, ethically, intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually; imbued with an understanding of our roles, rights and responsibilities for the common good in service to humanity and the advancement of a culture of peace, non-violence, freedom, justice, and equality….” (excerpts from the Agenda) Note: This was one of the featured items in the June 2016 GI Update,Global Education: Recent Events and Resources.
Environment
Global Nutrition Report 2016: From Promise to Impact: Ending Malnutrition by 2030(2016) International Food Policy Research Institute. “Few challenges facing the global community today match the scale of malnutrition, a condition that directly affects one in three people….The Global Nutrition Report is the only independent and comprehensive annual review of the state of the world’s nutrition. It is a multipartner initiative that holds a mirror up to our successes and failures at meeting intergovernmental nutrition targets. It documents progress on commitments made on the global stage, and it recommends actions to accelerate that progress. The Global Nutrition Report aims to be a beacon, providing examples of change and identifying opportunities for action. This year’s report focuses on the theme of making—and measuring— SMART commitments to nutrition and identifying what it will take to end malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.” (Excerpts from the Executive Summary, p. xviii) Note: Even if nutrition/malnutrition is not your usual focus, the four-page Executive Summary is worth reading and is relevant for work across the sectors and overall sustainable development.
Human Rights
World Report 2016: Our Annual Review of Human Rights Around the Globe (2016) Human Rights Watch. “World Report 2016 is Human Rights Watch’s 26th annual review of human rights practices around the globe. It summarizes key human rights issues in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide, drawing on events from the end of 2014 through November 2015. The book is divided into two main parts: an essay section, and country-specific chapters. In the introductory essay, “Twin Threats: How the Politics of Fear and the Crushing of Civil Society Imperil Global Rights…” (excerpt from the Foreword, p. viii) Note: The website is worth browsing—click HERE.
Health
Dignity in Mental Health—Psychological and Mental Health First Aid for All (2016). World Federation for Mental Health. This 64-page resource packet was just released in advance of the 25th World Mental Health Day (10 October—“Our aim is that every member of the general public can: Learn how to provide basic psychological and mental health first aid so that they can provide support to distressed individuals in the same way as they do in physical health crises; Address the stigma associated with mental ill-health so that dignity is promoted and respected; Empower people to take action to promote mental health; Spread understanding of the equal importance of mental and physical health and their integration in care and treatment;…[Work] with individuals and institutions to develop best practice in psychological and mental health first aid;…[Provide] culturally sensitive learning materials to increase the skills of the general public in administering psychological and mental health first aid.” (Introduction, p. 4). Note:Click HERE for a list of the 25 WMHD themes since 1992.
Peace-Security
Global Peace Index 2016 (2016) Institute for Economics and Peace. “The 2016 Global Peace Index (GPI) shows the world became less peaceful in the last year, reinforcing the underlying trend of declining peace over the last decade. Results also show a growing global inequality in peace, with the most peaceful countries continuing to improve while the least peaceful are falling into greater violence and conflict. The…report provides a comprehensive update on the state of peace. It shows that amidst the global deterioration the world continues to spend enormous resources on creating and containing violence but very little on peace. The key to reversing the decline in peace is through building Positive Peace - a holistic framework of the key attitudes, institutions and structures which build peace in the long term. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on peace, justice and strong institutions is critical to focusing the international community on the goal of attaining a more peaceful world. But measuring it and developing the data to know if countries are improving is a serious challenge that needs greater investment and levels of cooperation.” (quote from relefweb) Note: The report indicates that the Middle East-North Africa region is the most conflicted, with ongoing major international impact.
(includes a translation tool into several languages)
Member Care Associates Inc. (MCA) is a non-profit organisation working internationally from Geneva and the USA. MCA's involvement in Global Integration focuses on the wellbeing and effectiveness of personnel and their organizations in the mission, humanitarian, and development sectors as well as global mental health, all with a view towards supporting sustainable development for all people and the planet. Our services include consultation, training, research, developing resources, and publications. MCA is a member of the Movement for Global Mental Health and the NGO Forum for Health.
Actively integrating our lives with global realities
by connecting relationally and contributing relevantly
on behalf of human wellbeing and the issues facing humanity,
in light of our integrity and core values (e.g., ethical, humanitarian, faith-based).
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The GI Updates are designed to help shape and support the emerging diversity of global integrators who as learners-practitioners are committed to the "common ground for the common good." The image at the top of the Update (global pearl) is a cover detail form Global Member Care (volume 2): Crossing Sectors for Serving Humanity (2013). William Carey Library.
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