Latest news with #GCA
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow group's 60-year fight to tackle drink and drugs crisis
'I used to feel sorry for the men still sitting there at the end of night, drinking,' she recalls. 'They'd finish work at Babcock's in Renfrew on a Friday, pick up their pay cheque, and come straight to the pub to spend it all.' Anne, who is a senior counsellor with the charity, adds: 'I didn't know what the word empathy meant back then, but I knew I felt something for those people. I wanted to help. 'I saw an ad in the newspaper for GCA and applied, and I have been here ever since.' Anne McLean joined as a volunteer and is now senior counsellor (Image: GordonTerris/Newsquest) Glasgow Council on Alcohol is marking its 60th anniversary of helping people affected by alcohol and drug-related harms, with Memory Box, a lovely new initiative for clients, staff, families, funders and friends. Since 1965, GCA has supported around 200,000 people, and the charity is inviting anyone touched by its work to share their stories in celebration of the significant impact the charity has had. It is a huge challenge, acknowledges chief executive Lesley Ross. 'We are in an alcohol emergency,' she says, simply. 'Last year's figures for alcohol deaths in Scotland were the highest they have been for 15 years, and we expect this year's to be even higher. 'Each is a life cut tragically short, leaving behind family members and friends suffering their loss, and the impact on society is much wider.' GCA was set up by Sir Alistair Murray, a successful businessman and financier, in 1965, when he announced in a radio interview that he was an alcoholic. He sought help in London and returned with the idea to set up an organisation like the Council on Alcoholism founded by Marty Mann in New York - a breakaway group from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). With a group of legal and medical professionals, he established the Glasgow Council on Alcoholism, based in his Gordon Street flats near Central Station. Early efforts focused on the 'industrial programme,' addressing alcoholism's impact on industry. Senior director John Gray led this, offering rehabilitation to employees whose work suffered due to drinking - an approach ahead of its time in the UK. The charity now has 55 paid staff and 55 volunteers. Last year, it supported more than 12,400 people through a range of services, including counselling, employability programmes, wellbeing support and specialised help. 'Over the last 15 to 20 years, we have taken a more holistic view,' says Lesley, who joined GCA eight years ago and became chief executive in 2023. Lesley Ross, CEO of GCA (Image: GordonTerris/Newsquest) 'When people come to us struggling with alcoholism, that's a symptom, not a cause. 'So, we look at the whole picture to try and get to the root cause, and find the right support.' For senior counsellor Anne, who now lives on the Southside of the city, working for the charity is 'a privilege', she says. 'It can be hard at times, you hear a lot of stories from people in very difficult circumstances,' she says. 'But it's a privilege to be able to help people.' More than half the people who work and volunteer at GCA have lived experience of the impact of alcohol, says Lesley. 'What family in the west of Scotland doesn't know someone affected by it?' she says. 'There is still a huge stigma around it, and still so much to do.' The Memory Box project allows everyone with a connection to GCA to share their memories as the charity marks its milestone anniversary. Lesley adds: 'All memories matter, whether big or small. Those who wish to share stories of their involvement can so do – anonymously if desired – on our website. 'We are looking to collect as many stories as possible as we assess our legacy over the last six decades while planning for our future.' Neil Macaulay (Image: GordonTerris/Newsquest) Training manager Neil Macaulay, 70, who is now a qualified practice supervisor and psychotherapist, joined GCA as a volunteer almost 30 years ago. 'I was a teacher, looking for a change of career,' he explains. 'Like many families, some of my relatives and friends had been affected by alcohol problems. 'I love working here. Supporting people to change is a rewarding thing to do.' He adds: 'To see people who are struggling then manage to make something of their lives – it's great to be part of that.' The charity will be showcasing the stories, which can be added via the GCA website, at a special event in November at Glasgow City Chambers, and on social media throughout the year.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Int'l Business Times
The Silent Cyber Crisis Alarming Global Economies and Why It's Time for Collective Action
The world has found itself dependent on the Internet, which powers everything, from emergency rooms and election systems to global supply chains and banking infrastructure. Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern. It's a matter of national resilience and global economic stability. Yet, despite daily headlines about ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, and infrastructure outages, the world remains dangerously complacent. Individuals, businesses, and governing entities alike often operate under the illusion that the internet 'just works' until it doesn't. When disruptions occur, they aren't just inconvenient. They're deeply consequential. The cyberattacks of 2024 show exactly that. The UnitedHealth's Change Healthcare division cyberattack led to widespread medical delays and a ripple effect on the stock market. A software issue involving CrowdStrike grounded flights and stalled operations across multiple industries. These events exposed a hard truth: the global economy is built on digital infrastructure that is far more fragile than people care to admit. "We live in a world of digital dependence, but not digital preparedness," says Philip Reitinger, President and CEO of the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA). "Cybersecurity is not just a technology issue. It's an economic and well-being issue with global implications." Philip Reitinger Much of the malicious activity that threatens the Internet doesn't make headlines. Attacks happen quietly: automated bots probe systems, stolen credentials circulate on the dark web, and malware using cloud infrastructure launches coordinated attacks. This ongoing digital pollution impacts not only the victims but also the very health and trustworthiness of the Internet itself. To highlight and confront this issue, GCA recently launched the Internet Pollution Index, an initiative to measure and map malicious activity flowing across global networks. The results are sobering. Some organizations, including well-known cloud service providers, unknowingly emit harmful traffic, acting as launchpads for attacks against others. "Cybercrime has become so automated, so widespread, that many networks are both victims and unwitting accomplices," Reitinger explains. "We need more visibility and accountability to break this cycle." The Common Good Cyber initiative (spearheaded by GCA) has long been at the forefront of strengthening cybersecurity worldwide. In March, the group announced a critical effort to establish a joint fund mechanism for nonprofit organizations at the Bridging the Gap event. Together with a growing network of nonprofits, corporate enterprises, and governing entities, GCA is working to safeguard the foundational components of the internet, including routing, domain names, IP address hygiene, and more. These efforts are often behind the scenes but vital. They help small businesses stay afloat, enable civil society groups to operate safely, and protect the digital backbone of democratic institutions. But they face an uphill battle. "There's only so much nonprofits and NGOs can do on their own," says Reitinger. "The hard truth is that cybersecurity for the common good requires much more investment from governing bodies, the private sector, and civil society." The consequences of underinvesting in cybersecurity aren't abstract. They're felt in economic losses, eroded trust, and the disruption of essential services. From hospitals unable to access patient records to small businesses locked out of their systems, the damage is both personal and systemic. In fact, the situation has gotten so severe that the cost of global cybercrime is expected to reach an annual cost of $10.5 trillion by 2025, with the average cost of individual breaches averaging around $4.9 million. However, this is far from simply a problem for organizations as its impact reaches everyday citizens. It was reported that a single data breach leaked the information of over 1.3 million US citizens in 2024, many of whom were none the wiser that their names, social security numbers, and home addresses were being sold to the highest bidder on the dark web. And it's not just about being a target. Some networks are already part of the problem without knowing it. According to GCA's sensor network, malicious traffic emerges from every region, targeting every IPv4 port 24/7. "Every network has a responsibility not just to protect itself but to ensure it's not unintentionally harming others," says Reitinger. "We need active collaboration, not passive protection." GCA's Internet Integrity Program builds on that spirit. By collaborating with key players in Internet infrastructure operations, the program aims to create a practical, scalable blueprint for better security across borders. Global Cyber Alliance Cybersecurity cannot be treated as an afterthought or a private burden. It is a cornerstone of economic growth, public trust, and national security. And as cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the only viable path forward is one built on collective responsibility and sustained collaboration. That includes empowering the nonprofits doing the essential, and often invisible, work of defending the Internet. Collaboration means governing bodies recognizing their role not just in protecting their own infrastructure, but in supporting the public interest across the broader ecosystem. And collaboration means acknowledging that when it comes to cyber risk, everyone is in this together. In the end, Reitinger concludes, "The internet we created belongs to all of us. And if we want to keep it safe, accessible, and reliable, then we all have a role to play in protecting it."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
President of Ghana Joins Board of Global Center on Adaptation
Rotterdam/Nairobi, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today announced that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, has joined its Board. He joins a distinguished group of global leaders - including Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania; William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya and Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands - committed to advancing climate adaptation as an urgent development and economic priority. President Mahama's appointment comes as GCA deepens its work across Africa through its flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, which has shaped over $15 billion in adaptation investments in 40 countries. With the opening of its new headquarters in Nairobi this year, GCA continues to scale up local action in agriculture, resilient infrastructure, youth entrepreneurship, and climate finance. As the world transitions from ambition to implementation, GCA Board members like President Mahama will be central in ensuring adaptation is treated not as a cost, but as an engine of growth, equity, and resilience. Accepting his appointment, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana stated: ' 'I am deeply honoured to accept my appointment to the Board of the Global Centre on Adaptation today. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is an urgent crisis that is already undermining Africa's development and jeopardising our collective future. As I join this esteemed institution, I will amplify the voices of African leaders and communities demanding greater investment in climate adaptation. The world must recognise that adaptation is not a choice but a necessity for our continent, which bears the brunt of climate impacts while contributing the least to its causes. To our development partners: Africa's adaptation ambitions require your steadfast support. We call for increased financing, technology transfer, and collaborative action to build resilience across our vulnerable nations. The time for pledges has passed; the time for delivery is now. Together, we can safeguard Africa's future and ensure that climate justice becomes a cornerstone of global solidarity." Commenting on the announcement, Macky Sall, Chair of the Global Center on Adaptation and Fourth President of Senegal said: 'President Mahama's return to leadership comes at a critical moment for Africa and the world. His deep experience, unwavering commitment to sustainable development, and proven ability to deliver impact on the ground will be a major asset to the GCA Board. Together, we will work to elevate adaptation as an economic and moral imperative, ensuring that Africa's leadership lights the path toward a more resilient future for all.' Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, President and CEO of GCA, added: 'President Mahama exemplifies how bold political leadership and integrated national strategies can accelerate climate adaptation. His holistic approach—combining finance innovation, agricultural resilience, youth engagement, and governance reform—will elevate our Board's ability to translate global ambition into local impact, especially in Africa.' With President Mahama's leadership and the backing of other sitting and former heads of state on its Board, GCA is climate-proofing development across Africa and beyond—anchored by its new presence in Nairobi and a growing global mandate for action. CONTACT: Alexandra Gee Global Center on Adaptation +447887804594 in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Journal
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Journal
'One of the worst things I've ever been through' - Domestic abuse survivors on Ireland's courts
SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC violence and abuse have described their experiences of navigating family law courts in Ireland, with many saying that the system re-traumatised them and did not protect them from abusers. In some cases, how the courts handled domestic abuse cases made the situation worse rather than better, survivors have said in new research published today. 'It is one of the worst things I've ever been through. Ever. I sometimes put it down as worse than some of the things that he did, because of what resulted from it,' said one survivor. A team of researchers from Trinity and University College Cork have published a detailed 405-page report in collaboration with Women's Aid and other charities looking at the experiences of domestic violence and abuse survivors in Ireland. It looks particularly at their experiences of navigating the Irish family law system in guardianship, custody and access (GCA) cases. The research gathered data from almost 440 survivors of domestic abuse, nearly 200 people involved in services working against domestic violence, and 61 health, social care and legal professionals. It found that two-thirds of adult victim-survivors reported that judges failed to take their experiences of domestic violence and abuse into account when making decisions about guardianship, custody, and access involving the perpetrator. Survivors reported being put into the impossible position of having to adhere to court-ordered custody and access arrangements that placed their children in harm's way or risk facing penalties if they did not comply. They described their experience of the courts as relentless, overwhelmingly negative and retraumatising. When asked what, if anything, had been good about their experience of GCA proceedings in the family law court, many used terms like 'nothing', 'N/A' or 'zero'. 'Absolutely nothing. It was really traumatic, and I was made to feel like I was the problem for wanting to protect my children,' one woman said. Advertisement Another said: 'Absolutely nothing, was a completely traumatic experience where endless lies were ignored, false affidavits ignored, domestic abuse was ignored, mine and children's voices ignored, all my ex had to claim was parental alienation and courts falling over themselves for him despite the fact he cancelled all access. Maintenance hearings were dismissed more than once, I was belittled by judge in court.' Concerns were raised about solicitors or other legal professionals not understanding the sensitivity of the cases or giving bad legal advice. One participant described the courthouse as being 'like a zoo' with solicitors 'bouncing from person to person' and said that hours of being left waiting around the court opened up opportunities for her former partner to intimidate her; he was 'just staring at [me] the whole time – the intimidation is huge – absolutely huge'. Another said that being in the courtroom was 'like fighting with your hands tied behind your back. There's plenty you can say, but you can't say, because they're just going to throw it back at your kids. Your kids are going to get the backlash'. One woman said: 'I think the court system and every judge that I have met have placed catastrophic experiences on people – court is only a place for liars and actors. The court doesn't have time [and] they're not educated enough.' Survivors were asked to quantify their overall feelings of safety while going through the courts on a scale from one to 10, one being 'not safe at all/at risk' to 10 being 'very-safe/no risk'. The average rating among female survivors was 3.3/10. More than a quarter (26%) rated their feeling of safety as only 1/10. Women's Aid CEO Sarah Benson said the new report 'provides a picture of the horrendous abuse and control that adult and child victim-survivors have experienced during the relationship, while trying to leave and post-separation'. Benson said that it 'tells us that, sadly, even where there are some examples of informed and understanding practices among some key individuals, this is completely inadequate when the system itself is not attuned and responsive to the tactics and impacts of domestic abuse post-separation'. 'Participants in the research spoke of having to adhere to court ordered access to avoid being charged with violating a court order, requiring them to regularly engage with their abuser. This frequently provided court sanctioned opportunities for further abuse to occur,' she said. 'The research holds a mirror up to the reality of many families lives marred by domestic abuse and challenges us to do better. 'What we are particularly appalled by is the finding that adult victim-survivors of domestic abuse navigating the system for matters of guardianship, custody, and access describe the experience as relentless, overwhelmingly negative and retraumatising, with some saying that it became 'even worse than the abuse'.' Are you affected by issues raised in this article? Help is available: Women's Aid 24-hour National Freephone helpline on 1800 341 900 National Male Advice Line on 1800 816 588 Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Inspired by Ricky Ponting, MSD-like farewell: India's 'almost there' player Priyank Panchal
New Delhi: Gujarat batter 's decision to retire at 35 caught the cricket fraternity by surprise, including the state team's captain Chintan Gaja and other teammates. "I got to know about Panchal's retirement after he revealed it on Instagram," said Gaja. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gujarat opener Aarya Desai similarly learnt about the decision on Instagram, admitting that the call left him surprised. "Nobody knew. We had no indication before he sent an email to the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) on the previous day in the evening. There was a sense of expectation that Panchal would play his 100th Ranji Trophy match in the upcoming season," said Gujarat Selection Committee chairman Kirat Damani during an exclusive interaction with Panchal took a leaf out of MS Dhoni's playbook, keeping his decision under wraps till the end with a quiet and unexpected announcement. The Gujarat batter bows out of the game with an impressive tally of 6,992 runs in 99 Ranji Trophy matches. Panchal finishes as the state's second-highest run-getter, scoring just 19 runs less than Parthiv Patel's tally of 7,011 runs. The 35-year-old accumulated 8,856 runs in 127 first-class matches, slamming 29 hundreds and 34 fifties, with an unbeaten 314 marking his highest score. However, even this mammoth tally of runs failed to earn Panchal a Team India debut, with the cricketer ending his career as an 'almost there' player. The batter smashed 1,310 runs during the 2016/17 Ranji Trophy season, helping Gujarat win the tournament. Panchal's performances resulted in his selection for India-A squads on multiple occasions, emerging as an impressive captain. The 35-year-old first got an opportunity with the Indian team after being picked for an away Test series against South Africa in 2021-22. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Panchal was also selected for a Test series against Sri Lanka in February 2022. However, the batter didn't get a chance to feature in the lineup. It was in such tough situations that Panchal, who idolises Rahul Dravid and draws inspiration from Ricky Ponting, showcased his character. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain "An anecdote I recall showcasing his mentality was when Panchal missed out on a chance to replace Cheteshwar Pujara in an away series against England, due to an injury. I thought he'd be extremely gutted. Panchal said, ''I've worked very hard. If I was destined to get that chance, I would've got it'. His maturity and grit astonished me," said Damani. "The one thing that stood out very early was his ability to learn from seniors and eagerness to improve. Panchal would show up season after season with thorough professionalism without letting the disappointment of non-selection for the Indian team affect his mentality," added Damani. Poll Should Priyank Panchal have been given a chance to represent Team India? Absolutely Maybe, but he had his chances No, he wasn't consistent enough Panchal faced questions regarding his capabilities during the 2024/25 edition of the Ranji Trophy, which marked his last tournament. The cricketer was under pressure before the team's semi-final against Kerala, considering his lack of big runs. "He was unable to convert starts. However, we were confident of his capabilities," said Gaja. Kerala scored 457 in their first innings, tiring out the Gujarat fielders by making them field for over two and a half days. Gujarat needed to cross Kerala's run tally in a game set to be decided based on the first-innings lead. Desai and Panchal stitched a 131-run partnership, putting the opposition under pressure. "We were very tired after fielding for two and a half days. Priyank told me to keep attacking. He even cautioned me when he felt I was being too casual, urging me to not lose focus," said Desai. Panchal maintained the intensity following his fellow opener's dismissal, scoring with intent. The batter let out a roar after scoring a century, leaving teammates and friends stunned, considering his quiet nature. The Gujarat cricketer continued to fight despite an injury on his left index finger. "The top hand plays a dominant role. Fingers on the left-hand are always vital for a right-handed batter," said Panchal. Ex-Gujarat cricketer Dhruv Raval said he's never seen his former teammate celebrate in such an aggressive manner. "It was very unexpected. It is extremely unfortunate that one of India's best domestic players failed to represent the nation," he added. "Priyank was very determined to help Gujarat reach the final. His celebration showed that there was a lot going on inside," stated Gaja. Panchal was eventually dismissed for 148, bowing out of the game on an astounding note. While the cricketer emerged as a solid run-scorer, he was also the ultimate teamman. "Panchal guided me a lot with technical issues, motivating me during my initial matches. His discipline is top-notch. I will certainly remember him for that," said Gujarat all-rounder Jaymeet Patel.
