Latest news with #socialinclusion
The Herald
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Joburg and Tshwane 'proud' to host international community
'These pressures require more than conversation, but rather co-ordination, commitment and action. By hosting these meetings, we are ensuring that Africa's voice is not only present but is actively shaping the G20 agenda at the highest level. 'As African city leaders we are told that there is a table but we do not have a seat at that table. The intent to host the African Mayors' assembly alongside the U20 Sherpa meeting is to create a table that we deserve, reflect on the challenges we are facing but also, exchange ideas in what we are doing to solve our issues,' Moya said. Morero detailed the four priorities of the U20 agenda. He described the priorities as deeply reflective of South Africa's developmental trajectory but also resonant with global urban realities. 'The first is economic opportunities and urban financing — focused on unlocking investment pipelines for cities and closing the growing infrastructure gap, as well as climate action and urban resilience — recognising that cities must be both front-line responders and proactive planners in an age of climate disruption. 'The third pillar is social inclusion and equity — asserting that urban transformation must dismantle historical inequalities and build a future that leaves no-one behind. Lastly, digital transformation and Innovation — embracing the digital shift not as a luxury but as a public good that enhances how cities function and serve.' Morero said these priorities were endorsed by participating cities across the G20 network and later became the foundation of the U20 communique. 'Throughout the past few months, we have deepened this agenda through a series of high-impact webinars. These platforms drew in a broad spectrum of voices — from the global north and global s outh, from academia, civil society, and the private sector — reflecting the power of shared urban dialogue in shaping solutions that are not only ambitious but grounded in real experience. 'In September, Johannesburg will host the culminating event: the U20 Mayoral Summit, from September 12 to 14. This will be a landmark occasion — not only for our city, but for our nation. 'Here, mayors, Sherpas, and city networks from across the G20 will convene to deliberate, to endorse the final U20 Communique, and to reaffirm the role of cities in solving the grand challenges of our time,' Morero said. TimesLIVE
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Health inequalities worsening despite improvements in economic measures, report finds
A new report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has revealed 'clear evidence' of a widening health gap between the most and least disadvantaged communities. The ESRI study, commissioned by Pobal, examines socioeconomic conditions across communities in Ireland. Advertisement Using Census data, the study examines how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed over time and if disadvantaged communities are particularly adversely affected. The report highlights both progress and challenges in Ireland's efforts to promote social inclusion, showing a mixed picture of improving economic conditions alongside worsening health inequalities. Findings from the new research report, published on Tuesday, were collated using the Pobal HP Deprivation Index and two waves of Census data from 2016 and 2022. It found that between 2016 and 2022, some of the potential barriers examined have decreased, while others became more prevalent in certain communities. Advertisement Rates of unemployment and low educational attainment have declined, with the most significant falls occurring in more deprived areas, narrowing the disadvantage gap between affluent and deprived areas. However, the study found a rise in poor health, with increases most pronounced in the most deprived areas, which has exacerbated pre-existing health inequalities. It said that such trends are likely influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and reflect worsening health outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities. The report stated that it raises 'important considerations' for healthcare resourcing and allocation across the country in the coming years. Advertisement It also found that some factors are more common in urban or rural areas, further reinforcing the value of examining these barriers spatially. Decline in unemployment was found to be most pronounced in 'independent urban towns', meaning towns which tend to be further from cities and more likely to lack economic opportunities. It also found that the prevalence of ethnic minority populations at the area-level increased across most area types, with largest increases in the more urban areas. According to Pobal, a social inclusion agency working on behalf of Government, barriers to social inclusion are multifaceted and can overlap. Advertisement The ESRI examined at an area-level a range of factors that can act as potential barriers to social inclusion, including unemployment, economic inactivity, low educational attainment, lone parenthood, being a carer, ethnic minority status, having a disability and poor health. It found that while the presence of these characteristics do not always limit individuals' participation in society, they can be associated with a greater risk of social exclusion or marginalisation, particularly when co-occurring. Author of the report, Dr Anne Devlin, said: 'The findings of this report highlight differences in how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed between 2016 and 2022 and how they manifest spatially across Ireland. 'Our findings around a reduced prevalence of economic barriers, such as unemployment, are welcome. Advertisement 'However, questions remain about the quality of the employment. Despite these economic improvements, their resilience in the face of current and future challenges is uncertain.' Ireland Migrants more likely to be in work than Irish-born... Read More Anna Shakespeare, chief executive of Pobal, who commissioned this research, said: 'Understanding the prevalence and patterns of potential barriers to social inclusion is crucial for enabling evidence-based policymaking. 'The publication of this research is particularly timely in the context of the update to Ireland's national public health strategy, 'Healthy Ireland', as well as the re-development of the cross-Government Roadmap to Social Inclusion. 'As an agency working to promote social inclusion and community development, we are committed to bringing forward robust and reliable research which can support Government policy development at this critical juncture.'
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
People in disadvantaged areas face worse health outcomes than before, ESRI report finds
People living in disadvantaged communities in Ireland face worse health outcomes than they previously did, new research on barriers to social inclusion has found. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report, commissioned by Pobal and published on Tuesday, looks at how barriers to social inclusion have changed over time and whether disadvantaged communities are particularly adversely affected. The study used data from the Pobal HP Deprivation Index and the 2016 and 2022 Censuses. Some potential barriers to social inclusion have decreased between the two census years, such as the falling rates of unemployment and low educational attainment in deprived areas. READ MORE The study found the gap between unemployment rates in the most disadvantaged areas and the most affluent areas attenuated between 2016 and 2022, with the difference falling from 24 percentage points to 14 percentage points. [ Children in poorer areas far more likely to develop severe mental health difficulties, says professor Opens in new window ] The report's conclusions note, however, that 'while lower unemployment rates are positive, they do not necessarily translate into better living standards, particularly given rising costs of living and potential job quality concerns'. In contrast to this, the study finds a rise in poor health in the most deprived areas and worsening health outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities. While the number of people reporting bad or very bad health has increased across all areas, the change is most pronounced in deprived regions. Looking at the results of the 2016 and 2022 censuses, there was an increase of 29 per cent in those in the most deprived areas reporting very bad health, compared to an increase of 22 per cent in the most affluent areas. 'This divergence may be due to long-term Covid-19 outcomes, as research has shown that the most deprived areas experienced greater health impacts, or it may be due to other health-related factors which were impacted by the pandemic. [ Education key to breaking link between poverty in childhood and later life, says ESRI report Opens in new window ] 'For example those in deprived areas with greater health needs pre-pandemic may have suffered disproportionately from the healthcare system pivoting from standard care to emergency pandemic protocols, which meant reduced clinics, operations, screenings etc,' the report stated. The study also found an increased prevalence of ethnic minorities, particularly in cities, while lone-parent households are also more common in urban areas and more deprived areas. Anna Shakespeare, chief executive of Pobal, said the findings 'reinforce the need for place-based policymaking in Ireland'. The study also 'reinforces the need to reflect on the health of the nation, and if this has changed post-pandemic. From the data, there is clear evidence of a widening health gap between the most and least disadvantaged communities. 'This raises important considerations for healthcare resourcing and allocation across the country in the coming years,' Ms Shakespeare said.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Holds Pre-Validation Consultation on Labour Migration Strategy Ahead of Accra Session
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, convened a high-level virtual consultation with Member States, regional social partners, and development stakeholders on 6 May 2025 to review and enrich the Draft ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035). The pre-validation meeting represents a crucial step towards finalising the Strategy, which is designed to strengthen the governance of labour migration across the ECOWAS region. Anchored in the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the Strategy is being developed through a participatory and inclusive approach involving Member States, the African Union Commission (AUC), International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), under the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), with support from the European Union and the, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The Commission reaffirmed that the Labour Migration Strategy constitutes a strategic response to current migration dynamics in West Africa, and reflects ECOWAS' commitment to advancing human mobility as a driver of regional integration, economic development, and social inclusion. It further emphasised the importance of aligning the Strategy with the AU-Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultation focused on five strategic pillars of the Strategy: promotion of regular migration and labour mobility; protection of migrant workers' rights; maximisation of migration's developmental impact; gender and social inclusion; and enhanced regional cooperation and institutional capacity. The document, which consolidates regional legal frameworks and emerging priorities, was presented in detail by the lead consultant, with statistical insights highlighting that West Africa hosts over 8.2 million international migrants, nearly half of whom are women. Representatives of Member States welcomed the Draft and provided constructive input, particularly on the harmonisation of labour migration data, ethical recruitment practices, diaspora engagement, and the facilitation of remittance flows. Several Member States called for greater investment in national capacity-building and alignment of national policies with the regional framework. Speaking during the session, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, highlighted ECOWAS' continued advocacy efforts and technical work with national immigration services. He noted the importance of being 'ambassadors of the ECOWAS vision,' calling for collective responsibility in raising awareness of regional rights and obligations. Social partners, including representatives from trade unions and employers' organisations, emphasised the need for gender-responsive budgeting, reintegration pathways for returnees, and protection for low-skilled and informal sector migrant workers. The Action Plan—comprising over 130 activities mapped to specific outcomes and implementation responsibilities—was praised as a robust and actionable roadmap. The results of the virtual consultation will inform the revised draft of the ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan to be tabled at the in-person validation workshop scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, from 13 to 15 May 2025. The ECOWAS Commission reiterated its gratitude to all partners and participants for their continued collaboration and reaffirmed its dedication to promoting safe, regular, and rights-based labour migration for the benefit of all ECOWAS citizens. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Service for South Asian male domestic abuse victims wins award
A project supporting South Asian male victims of domestic abuse has won a national award. BEAP's Men Reaching Out (MRO) project was named Social Inclusion Project of the Year at the British Muslim Awards. The service, which provides a free helpline, one-to-one and community support, and practical advice, was recognised for its work in tackling what a spokesperson described as the "taboo subject" of male domestic abuse within South Asian communities. Shahidur Rahman, executive director of BEAP, said: "Men Reaching Out was created to serve those who are often overlooked and silenced. "This recognition shines a light on the importance of creating inclusive, culturally sensitive support systems. "Our service users are at the heart of everything we do, and this award is a testament to their courage and resilience." Lukman Miah, centre and programmes manager at BEAP, added: "This project is about breaking the silence around domestic abuse affecting South Asian men. "For many of our clients, we are the first people they've ever spoken to. "To be recognised on a national level shows how urgent and necessary this work is." The service receives around 40 calls per month and supports almost 50 men annually. The award service took place in the Eastside Room in Birmingham on Friday, May 3.
