Day: December 21, 2021

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Building bridges for meaningful employment for youth

With approximately 80,000 young people entering the job market in Laos every year during the next decade, new partnerships have been forged.

Youth unemployment is a key concern for Laos, as many young people lost their jobs due to business closures and slower economic growth caused by COVID-19.

Therefore, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Solver and Stella, is launching the Job Assist Office (JAO) to build bridges for meaningful employment for youth.

The JAO is implemented by the Solver and Stella and administered by UNDP. This is an experiment that aims to test the viability of solutions to youth unemployment by offering customized one-on-one career counselling and group training on digital skills, job search skills, CV writing, job interview and soft skills, as well as connecting potential employers to employees.

JAO adopts agile practice by consistently listening to the needs and skill levels of youth participants in designing and adjusting course materials – identifying what works and what does not.

Co-chaired by Mr. Alounxay Sounnalath, Secretary General, Lao Youth Union, Mr. Vladimir A. Kalinin, Ambassador of Russian Embassy, and Ms. Ricarda Rieger, Resident Representative, UNDP, this event launches JAO with an aim to test whether the currently unemployed youth and graduates would have higher chances of obtaining and maintaining a job if they are properly equipped with employable skills and are connected to potential employers.

“Skill development is crucial for economic empowerment, and this work must begin with youth as they make up a significant part of the labour force. Central to that will be reaching out to young people seeking employment, training, and career pathway opportunities. This project will help to fill existing skill gaps in the country,” said Mr. Alounxay Sounnalath, Secretary General, Lao Youth Union.

“The Job Office Assist is another vivid example of successful and fruitful cooperation between the Lao PDR, the Russian Federation, and the UNDP. We believe that this project will provide a solid assistance in supporting young generation in acquiring a job and realizing their professional skills and potential,” said Mr. Vladimir A. Kalinin, Russian Ambassador to the Lao PDR.

“The project will support the government’s effort in building forward better by equipping youth with necessary skills to enter the job market once the economy bounces back. JAO is a perfect platform to test the viability of this idea and to see what we can do differently to help youth access meaningful employment. We know that strong partnerships are significant in getting youth ready for careers. We are excited to work with the Solver and Stella to ensure youth have opportunities to explore career pathways that match their expertise and aspiration,” said Ms. Ricarda Rieger, Resident Representative at UNDP.

UNDP has been working on empowering youth through multiple activities, including through the Enhancing Social and Economic Opportunities for Youth in the Lao PDR project and several initiatives being led by UNDP Accelerator Lab. UNDP welcomes opportunities to explore collaboration with new partners to strengthen youth empowerment and employment in the Lao PDR.

Source: Lao News Agency

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Innovation In The Numbers as Lao PDR Launches 3rd Lao Census of Agriculture Supported by FAO

Insights into agriculture were shared as the Lao PDR celebrated the launch of the nation’s 3rd Agriculture Census on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

The census was launched by the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB), Ministry of Planning and Investment in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The third Lao PDR Agriculture Census (LACIII) was conducted in 2019/20 and is the third Agriculture Census undertaken in the country following the second Agriculture Census undertaken nearly ten years ago in 2010/11 and the first in 1998/99.

LACIII is the first Agriculture Census in the Lao PDR to implement a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) mode for data collection. The adoption of CAPI represents an effort by LSB and MAF to transition towards a digitized approach to data collection.

LSB led implementation for the LACIII in collaboration with MAF under the guidance of the Agriculture Steering Committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister with Technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The preliminary results of LACIII will be a key instrument for the Government of the Lao PDR to implement effective socio-economic and rural development plans to improve living standards in rural areas. Furthermore, this data is critical to the achievement of the Government of the Lao PDR’s 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda.

The transition to a tablet-based data collection also brings opportunities to take advantage of new data types such as geo-location, allowing the data to be analyzed and presented geographically. LACIII collected data from agricultural households engaged across major agricultural sub-sectors in the Lao PDR, including crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries and aquaculture. LACIII includes fundamental data on the organizational structure of agricultural holdings such as farm size, land tenure, land use, the structure of livestock populations, gender-disaggregated data, forestry activities, fishing activities, and household food security.

Data collection for LACIII was successfully conducted in November and December 2020 amidst the challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. More than 700 field staff from LSB, MAF, and local government offices assessed agricultural household holdings across the country despite the logistical challenges of conducting field data collection amid government-mandated measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

FAO provided technical support to this census in line with the methodological recommendations specified in World Census on Agriculture (WCA) 2020 guidelines.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry extends its appreciation for the close collaboration with the Lao Statistics Bureau and FAO in the planning and implementation of the 3rd Lao PDR Agriculture Census,” Mr. Sousath Sayakoummane, Director General of Department of Planning and Finance of MAF said in comments delivered to the launch. “The collaboration brought together a variety of experts across statistics and agriculture to guarantee the relevance of data produced.”

“LACIII represents a foundational building block towards a sustainable agricultural data system in the Lao PDR. Mr. Nasar Hayat, FAO Representative in the Lao PDR said in comments relayed to the launch. “The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has worked closely with FAO to be forward-looking in planning for LACIII by choosing to invest in new cost-effective technologies and methodologies that will provide the ground-work for future data needs in agriculture,” he said.

The LACIII also owes part of its success to the close cooperation between FAO and government partners, LSB and MAF, according to Ms. Sangita Dubey, Senior Statistician and a project Lead Technical Officer from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. “Conducting data collection on the scale of an Agriculture Census is a significant undertaking that requires careful long-term planning and close cooperation across multiple partners and subject-matter expertise to ensure its success,” she said.

The quality of the partnership was acknowledged by Head of Lao Statistics Bureau Ms. Phonesaly Souksavath: “The Lao Statistics Bureau greatly appreciates strong collaboration from MAF and line ministries at central, provincial and district levels for their efforts and contribution to implement this census successfully. Specially, the technical support provided by FAO to provide personalized training and hands-on technical assistance for the implementation of the innovative technologies adopted for LACIII that resulted in the first Lao Agriculture Census completed using CAPI,” she said.

The 3rd Lao PDR Agriculture Census preliminary results are available now. Finalized results of LACIII will be available to interested organizations and individuals at the following link: www.lsb.gov.la

Source: Lao News Agency

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Number of the hungry in Asia-Pacific swells by more than 50 million since the arrival of COVID-19

The state of food security and nutrition in Asia and the Pacific has worsened, as more than 375 million people in the region faced hunger in 2020, an increase of 54 million over the previous year, according to a joint report just published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

While hunger has increased, so too has inadequate access to nutritious foods.

According to the 2021 Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, in this region alone, more than one billion people did not have access to adequate food in 2020 – an increase of almost 150 million people in just one year.

The high cost of a healthy diet, and persistently high levels of poverty and income inequality, continue to hold healthy diets out of reach for 1.8 billion people in the Asia-Pacific region.

A negative trend worsened by the arrival of COVID-19

In recent years, progress has stalled in reducing the number of undernourished, and the prevalence of certain nutritional indicators, such as stunting in children under five years of age, was already much too high, as reported last year.

Since then, the situation has worsened. While it is not yet possible to fully quantify the damage done to food security and nutrition by COVID-19, the pandemic has had a serious impact on the region. Even countries that initially reported a limited number of COVID-19 cases experienced the negative effects of the containment measures, combined with people’s health concerns, that led to a major contraction of economic activity in this region and worldwide. Disruption in food supply chains only added to the problems.

A way forward

The situation could have been worse without the response of governments and the impressive social protection measures they put in place during the crisis. In building back better food environments, future agri-food systems will have to provide better production, better nutrition, a better environment and better lives.

To do that, FAO and UNICEF state the focus must revolve around meeting the needs of small-scale, family farmers and indigenous people in the region. Food systems must also prioritize the dietary needs of vulnerable groups, including young children and women.

Commitments have been made to ensure recovery and there are opportunities to begin the hard work of advancing food security and nutrition through transforming agri-food systems such as the United Nations Food Systems Summit, the Nutrition for Growth Summit and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). Implementing these commitments will be needed to meet the second Sustainable Development Goal, SDG2, to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition.

Source: Lao News Agency

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White House Says Democrats ‘Need to Work Together’ on Biden Safety Net Legislation

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration says it is looking to push ahead with work on a social safety net spending bill after a key Democrat in the Senate said he could not support it.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a briefing Monday that the administration is ready to “work like hell” with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and other members of the Democratic caucus in order to achieve its goal.

“What’s most on the President’s mind is the risk of inaction,” Psaki said. “And if we do not act to get this legislation done and the components in it, not only will costs and prices go up for the American people, but also we will see a trajectory in economic growth that is not where we want it to be.”

Manchin has been a focal point in talks within the Democratic Party as leaders pushed to get the $2 trillion package passed by this week. The legislation includes plans to expand health care for older Americans, provide universal pre-kindergarten classes, authorize new funding to combat climate change and offer more financial support for low-income Americans.

Manchin has expressed opposition to the amount of spending, and in a radio interview Monday he reiterated that in his view the bill included too much spending without enough restrictions on incomes or work requirements for recipients.

Earlier Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate would vote “very early in the new year” on a revised version of the bill already approved by the House of Representatives.

Manchin’s vote is essential for Democrats in the politically divided Senate as they try to pass one of the key elements of Biden’s legislative agenda. None of the 50 Republicans in the 100-member chamber supports the plan.

Democrats had hoped to push through the legislation on a 51-50 vote before Christmas, with Vice President Kamala Harris providing the tie-breaking vote.

Source: Voice of America

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Ghana MPs Exchange Blows Over Proposed Electronic Payment Tax

Lawmakers in Ghana exchanged blows late Monday evening over a proposed electronic payment tax.The government says the new tax would boost revenue for development, but parliament has been split over the idea and fights broke out when supporters tried to force a vote.

Ghanaians in general, and the opposition in particular, have vehemently opposed the proposed 1.75% tax on electronic transactions, popularly known as e-levy, contained in the 2022 budget.

If passed, the law would include taxes on mobile money payments, which is used by 40% of Ghanaians 15 years and older, according to a 2021 data by the central bank.

Up against a deadline, the government wanted the bill passed under a certificate of urgency on the last day of sitting. But a brawl broke out on the floor when the first deputy speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, pushed for the vote.

The regular speaker was absent from the session. Opposition MP Mahama Ayariga says the deputy was circumventing normal procedure in an attempt to force the bill through parliament.

“The house is governed by rules. And so when you make it right for persons to undermine those rules what do you expect the MPs to do. They won’t just sit aside and watch the person undermine the rules,” he said.

The acting speaker, Osei-Owusu, says he operated within the standing orders of Ghana’s parliament and had the right to vote for the bill under consideration.

“As long as we can change over then that advantage is restored. In my view and I still hold that view strongly that as long as we can change the seat at any time there should not be that disadvantage,” he said. “Otherwise, no proceedings will go on. Why should I come and preside so that I can’t take any decision, what is the point?”

About 50 lawmakers took part in the brawl.Only one was injured, the minister of youth and sports who got a cut in the face.

The executive director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Rasheed Draman, told a local radio station that Ghana should brace for more gridlock in the current parliament.

“I have never seen anything like this. And for me I have said this since the beginning of the year that if we’re not careful this is how the eighth parliament is going to be. It will be characterized by a lot of confusion and a lot of gridlock,” he said.

Parliament has now been adjourned until January 18 to give lawmakers more room to consult on the controversial electronic levy.

Source: Voice of America

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Joint Statement – 7th Lao PDR – Australia Human Rights Dialogue

The Lao PDR and Australia held the 7th bilateral Human Rights Dialogue on Dec 9 by a videoconference.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Mr Douangmany Gnotsyoudom, Director General of the Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and Mrs. Natasha Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Policy Division of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The two sides had an open and constructive discussion on a broad range of human rights issues, including civil and political rights, the rights of people who experience vulnerability, engagement with international human rights mechanisms, as well as bilateral, regional and international cooperation.

The Lao and Australian delegations discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the promotion and protection of human rights and the challenges facing all countries as they respond to, and recover from, the pandemic.

The dialogue noted that COVID-19 had impacted peoples’ livelihoods, freedom of movement and socio-economic development.

They noted that civil society contributed to the national social economic development of the country, including through delivering community projects.

While acknowledging efforts by the Lao PDR to consult and support civil society engagement according to the laws and regulations concerned under the law, Australia identified further scope to facilitate and promote their works, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Both sides underlined the priority as accorded to protecting and promoting the human rights of people who experience vulnerability, including women and children and people with a disability.

Australia welcomed the Lao PDR’s adoption of a National Action Plan to coordinate implementation of the Lao PDR’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

During the dialogue they discussed their respective policies and approaches to LGBTI rights. Australia encouraged the Government of Laos to recognise and include people in this community and consider inviting them to stakeholder consultation processes as active participants.

The Lao PDR provided an update on statistics for death sentences and the Government’s wide consultation on the issue of the death penalty in the process of drafting the penal code. Australia encouraged the Lao PDR to abolish the death penalty and consider a formal moratorium.

Australia raised individual cases of concern and requested an update on the implementation of the Lao PDR’s international commitments with respect to human rights. Australia stressed the importance of freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly and freedom of religion or belief.

The Lao PDR maintains that these rights and freedom are guaranteed to Lao citizens by the constitution and laws in accordance with human right treaties to which it is party.

Both Delegations welcomed bilateral cooperation through the Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Technical Cooperation Programme, delivered by the Australian Human Rights Commission, including to support civil society engagement in the Lao PDR’s UN Universal Periodic Review. Australia committed to continuing to support the Lao PDR to advance human rights under this programme, including offering to work with the Lao PDR on mechanisms for meaningful consultations with, and equitable compensation for, communities impacted by land acquisitions.

the Lao PDR and Australia acknowledged the importance of the dialogue to their longstanding bilateral relationship, and the value in sharing experiences and lessons with each other to address human rights challenges in both countries.

The delegation of Australia was led by Ms. Natasha Smith, First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Policy Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Delegation of the Lao PDR was led by Mr. Douangmany Gnotsyoudom, Director General, Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was attended by representatives from line ministries and institutions concerned of the Lao PDR, DFAT, AHRC, and the Embassy of Australia in Vientiane.

The next meeting of the Lao PDR and Australia Human Right Dialogue will be held in 2023.

Source: Lao News Agency