Latest news with #RitaBissoonauth
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
African Union and UNESCO launch framework to strengthen information integrity
The African Union (AU) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) jointly announced a new framework to uphold information integrity across Africa on 11 August. The framework aims to combat misinformation and disinformation, ensuring reliable and trustworthy media environments. The African Union and UNESCO issued a press release to make the announcement. This partnership aligns with AU's 2063 Agenda's goal of sustainable development through informed citizenry. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and Representative to Ethiopia, described the framework as an important milestone for promoting informed civic engagement and combating disinformation across Africa. The framework includes measures to enhance digital literacy, improve media professionalism, and support fact-checking organisations continent-wide. The framework encourages AU member states to develop national strategies and multi-stakeholder platforms to monitor misinformation trends and promote media accountability. In adddition, UNESCO will provide technical assistance, training journalists and policymakers on best practices against disinformation. Earlier efforts, including the Continental AI Strategy, guide this initiative to ensure the responsible use of information and technology. The framework emphasises cooperation among governments, civil society, and the private sector, aiming for inclusive information governance. The framework aims to support independent media and fact-checking bodies through capacity building and strategic guidance, recognising their vital role in maintaining information integrity. AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Bankole Adeoye, pointed out that there must be coordinated action to counter harmful narratives. The UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa will coordinate the initiative and its implementation in collaboration with the AU. Stakeholders are currently consulting on the framework's first draft during a six-month process before approving it in November 2025. Furthermore, the AU and UNESCO urge stakeholders to actively participate in creating a transparent, informed Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
UNESCO officials call for inclusion of AI in Africa's school curricula
ADDIS ABABA, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have called for the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI)-related content in foundational and secondary school curricula to transform the education system in Africa. The opening ceremony of the Ethiopia Digital Week 2025 and Huawei Education Summit was held on Tuesday, bringing together African technology and education experts in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Speaking at the event, Rita Bissoonauth, director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), said the development of AI in Africa will help promote innovative and sustainable education ecosystems through promoting digital solutions. "UNESCO calls for African governments and private sectors to partner and work together in integrating AI into formal curricula and investing in green, tech-driven educational models to meet the needs of the new green economy," Bissoonauth said. Bissoonauth lauded Huawei's and other Chinese companies' commitment to expanding information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in Africa. She highlighted Huawei's growing investment in its global ICT academy initiative, including partnering with more than 2,200 educational institutions and offering training to over 200,000 students each year in ICT, networking, and cloud technologies. Abdoulaye Salifou, chief of education at the UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, emphasized the need to harness the opportunities presented by AI and equip the African workforce with digital technology to spur economic development across the continent. "The AI must be well handled in an appropriate manner guided by clear principles, inclusive governance and people-oriented ways," Salifou said. The central theme of this year's Huawei Education Summit aims to integrate AI education in Africa's schools curricula, from AI-generated lesson plans to AI-assisted teaching techniques and real-time adaptive learning platforms. During the summit, Huawei unveiled its latest education-focused technology solutions, including a cloud and AI-powered education platform, which enables educational institutions to design intelligent digital learning environments. It also unveiled Digital Smart Campus architecture, which offers an integrated model for managing academic, administrative, and research functions in real time, and Green Smart Campus technologies, such as modular data centers and solar-powered infrastructure that support environmentally responsible digital transformation in education.
Zawya
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Faith and Ethical Communities Unite to Champion Reparative Justice for Africans and People of African Descent
In alignment with the African Union's (AU) 2025 theme, 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,' a two-day workshop will be held on February 27-28, 2025, at the Kuriftu Resort African Village and the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This initiative aims to address the enduring impacts of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, slavery, and colonization, while promoting healing and reparations for affected communities. Organized by SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), the AU Catholic Chaplaincy, HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), COPAB (Pan African Conference on Ethics and Bioethics), IAPD-Africa (Interreligious Association for Peace and Development), URI (United Religions Initiative), and other key partners, in collaboration with the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) of the African Union Commission, the workshop will gather AU officials, diplomats, religious leaders, scholars, human rights advocates, and policymakers to advance the AU's reparations agenda. The Call for Reparative Justice For centuries, Africans and people of African descent have endured the consequences of historical injustices, including economic disenfranchisement, social marginalization, and psychological trauma. The legacies of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and genocide continue to impact communities today. Recognizing this, the AU is dedicated to addressing these issues through comprehensive policies, advocacy, and global engagement. Ghana, a leader in the reparations movement, has made significant contributions to this cause through initiatives like the 2019 'Year of Return.' This workshop aims to build on such efforts by amplifying the voices of faith-based and ethical organizations in the pursuit of justice. Workshop Agenda Highlights The two-day event will feature a diverse program, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, and faith-based perspectives on reparations. On Day 1 (February 27, 2025), the workshop will take place at the Kuriftu Resort African Village, beginning with a keynote address by Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Head of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union Commission (AUC) and Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). This will be followed by panel discussions featuring perspectives from African Traditional Religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, along with insights from diaspora and global faith leaders. A special session will focus on the ethical and moral imperatives of reparations, with contributions from HWPL, URI, All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), CIDO, and SECAM. An open forum will provide participants an opportunity for dialogue and policy recommendations, concluding with a dinner hosted by SECAM for all attendees. On Day 2 (February 28, 2025), the event will move to the African Union Commission. The agenda will include presentations on transgenerational trauma, genocide, and peace-building initiatives in Africa, as well as discussions on economic reparations, including microfinancing opportunities. International perspectives on advancing justice through reparations will also be explored. The event will conclude with the signing and presentation of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations, followed by closing remarks and commitments from participating organizations. Expected Outcomes The workshop seeks to enhance awareness of reparative justice within faith communities and the public. It aims to establish a coalition of faith-based and ethical organizations dedicated to this cause and to develop policy recommendations and an action roadmap in partnership with the African Union. Additionally, a formal commitment document supporting the AU's 2025 reparations theme will be produced as an outcome of the workshop. A Unified Call to Action This workshop underscores the essential role of faith and ethical communities in shaping public opinion, influencing policy, and fostering reconciliation. By collaborating with the AU and global stakeholders, these organizations can play a transformative role in advancing justice and restitution for Africans and people of African descent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
