Latest news with #formation
Zawya
4 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Strengthening Communication for Better Food Safety in Senegal
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Association of Journalists in Health, Population and Development (AJSPD), organized a five‑day capacity‑building workshop in Thiès (June 16–20, 2025) to train Senegalese media professionals on food safety issues. The training aimed to deepen their understanding of the key challenges, legal frameworks, technical tools, and best practices related to food safety. In her opening remarks, Mrs Bintia Stephen‑Tchicaya, FAO's Acting Sub‑Regional Coordinator for West Africa, complimented AJSPD for its outstanding work in health and development journalism. 'You are essential actors in building a culture of prevention and responsibility around food safety. Through your investigations, reports, and columns, you can shift mindsets, influence behaviors, and hold decision makers to account. We count on your renewed commitment to consistently include food safety in your reporting,' she said. Food safety remains a major challenge across Africa. According to a 2015 WHO estimation, more than 91 million people in Africa fall ill annually from foodborne illnesses, resulting in around 137 000 deaths. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need to raise public awareness and influence policymakers, professionals, and consumers alike. Professor Amadou Diop, Chair of the National Codex Committee in Senegal, reminded participants that the Codex Alimentarius - fully endorsed by Senegal - sets rigorous, science‑based international food safety standards. 'These standards only have impact,' he said, 'if they are understood, communicated, and applied - especially by media professionals. Journalists are not only messengers but educators, preventers, and mobilizers who can translate complex scientific data into accessible, actionable messages.' The workshop featured theoretical lectures, panel discussions, case studies, and practical field work. Journalists visited Thiès's main transport hub to assess street food safety issues firsthand. Captain Armand Seck of the Thiès hygiene brigade reported numerous violations: cramped stalls, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, and makeshift food stands under tarpaulins. Recognizing the lack of formal training among journalists on food safety, the program covered legal frameworks, international standards like Codex, microbiological, physical, and chemical hazards, surveillance systems, and safe handling practices for food preparation and sale. Participants proposed several recommendations to improve communication, awareness, and advocacy: fostering stronger collaboration between media, health authorities, and partners; organizing regular specialized training; publicizing safe food-handling practices; educating policymakers including parliamentarians; and creating regional professional networks. This workshop marks an important milestone in promoting quality information on food safety to benefit consumers in Senegal and across West Africa. It is part of the project 'Strengthening capacity to respond to food safety emergencies and improving street food quality in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal,' funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with the goal of enhancing emergency response to food safety threats and improving street food hygiene standards in West Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Granddaughters make history with 'world first' wing-walk
Three cousins have "made aviation history" by performing a daring triple formation wing walk, believed to be a world Brewer, 21, Rose Powell, 20, and Jasmine Norman, 20, flew metres apart on the wings of three vintage bi-planes on Saturday over Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The trio are granddaughters of Vic Norman, 78, founder of AeroSuperBatics, the world's only formation wing walking said: "I can absolutely tell you that there won't be three granddaughters who have ever flown on the wing of an aeroplane in formation, at the same time. It'll be the first time it's ever happened in the world." About 85 friends and family members gathered to watch the feat. They described the six-minute flight, which travelled at speeds of up to 120mph (193kmph), as "insane, powerful and thrilling".Jasmine, who is training to become a professional wing walker, said: "It felt very powerful, having Rose and Flame next to me and all flying up at the same time."We've all done solo flights before, but doing the formation together felt very full circle."Mr Norman, who piloted one of the aircraft, has been flying since the age of 17 and founded AeroSuperBatics nearly 40 years ago. He has flown in more than 1,500 displays and taken celebrities – including Elon Musk – on flights. The cousins grew up watching family members wing-walk. Flame and Rose also hold the record as the youngest formation wing-walkers, aged nine. They completed coordinated moves while battling 100mph (160kmph) winds in Norman said: "It's like a circus in the sky. And to fly with my granddaughters like this — it's a dream come true."
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Launch of business competitveness support and citizens economic empowerment programme announced
Tunis - Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Riadh Chaoued announced on Wednesday in Tunis the launch of a programme to support business competitiveness and the economic empowerment of citizens through job creation. While presiding over the signing of an agreement with the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, the Minister explained that the programme is financed by a €90 million loan agreed between Tunisia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in September 2024. It aims to contribute to job creation and support economic and social integration by improving the employability of job seekers and developing their skills through complementary training and entrepreneurship support. It will also support the establishment of a self-employment system and develop and support institutional capacities to improve governance of employment, training and support programmes. He explained that the programme consists of several elements, most notably an agreement with the Tunisian Solidarity Bank providing approximately €50 million in funding to establish around 13,000 enterprises between 2025 and 2027. He added: 'The programme is ambitious and has important social and economic dimensions. It aims to support enterprises and empower citizens economically by creating decent jobs', emphasising that the Ministry is adopting a new results-based approach to its work. The Minister of Employment explained that funding is now conditional on achieving specific indicators relating to complementary training, self-employment and the establishment of enterprises. He warned that if these targets are not met, the funds will not be transferred. He pointed out that this new approach stems from past lessons, when Tunisia suffered from loans that were misused or simply consumed, and explained that the current vision is based on only resorting to loans if they are directed towards achieving concrete development goals. The Minister of Employment said the programme to support the competitiveness of enterprises and the economic empowerment of citizens is not only for new enterprises, but also for existing enterprises that are experiencing difficulties and require financing or equipment to continue their activities and preserve jobs. He added that the conditions for accessing financing are favourable, as project initiators are not required to provide self-financing and will not be charged interest on loans for up to 19 years. He said he believed that these and other incentives will encourage young people and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, whether new or existing, to start afresh or expand their activities. The minister announced that the programme will launch on June 16 and those wishing to apply for funding can submit their applications to the Tunisian Solidarity Bank and its regional branches. He added that the ministry is working to ensure the first batch of enterprises will receive funding in the same week. 'The types of projects will be open to all fields, and it is important that they be economically viable and capable of creating or preserving jobs,' Chouaed underscored, noting that new projects or business expansions may include agriculture, industry, services, cultural industries, and more. The minister emphasised that the new direction of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training reflects a shift in its role. It is no longer solely concerned with traditional training and employment; it has also become a direct supporter of the economic fabric by financing small and medium-sized enterprises and creating job opportunities. He explained that this change is due to the commitment to the July 25, 2022 constitution, which considers work to be a constitutional right. In conclusion, he said, 'We work within the framework of the comprehensive state policy outlined by the President of the Republic, and we strive to play an active role in building a true social state where employment, production, and support for free enterprise are at the heart of national priorities.' Director General of the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, Khelifa Sboui, explained that the programme aims to support vulnerable groups, particularly young people, graduates and women. Priority will be given to social and environmentally friendly projects. He revealed that the programme provides financing of up to 200,000 dinars and aims to create 13,000 projects. Financing is available for equipment and working capital, and the programme offers flexible conditions and special incentives for women and rural residents. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
