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    Showing 9 of 128 news items in Connectivity & Digitization
    Caribbean civil society calls for transformative development at SIDS4
    Connectivity & DigitizationMay 28, 2024

    Caribbean civil society calls for transformative development at SIDS4

    Photo: EAG. Retrieved from canari.org Over 40 civil society representatives from 14 Caribbean states and overseas territories called for transformative and inclusive pathways to sustainable development at a Civil Society Summit on May 23-24, 2024, ahead of the Fourth International Conference for Small Island Development States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda. The Summit was co-hosted by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) and the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) to mobilise and prepare Caribbean civil society to effectively engage in dialogue on the new 10-year sustainable development agenda and its implementation at SIDS4.

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    Young People Take Centre Stage: SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit
    Connectivity & DigitizationMay 27, 2024

    Young People Take Centre Stage: SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit

    Photo: UNICEF/ANelson. Retrieved from unicef.org The future of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is in capable hands. On Friday over 80 passionate young delegates from across the Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS) kicked off the groundbreaking SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit in Antigua and Barbuda. United under the theme “Small Islands: Big Dreams,” these young leaders are ready to shape a brighter future for their communities. This inaugural event, championed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Ashley Lashley Foundation and UNICEF, empowers young people to become effective changemakers. Over the next two days, participants will delve into critical themes like environmental sustainability, building safe and prosperous societies, and achieving resilient recovery. Interactive workshops, discussions, and project development will equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle pressing challenges.

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    Antigua and Barbuda: Mobilizing Communities for Environmental Protection
    Connectivity & DigitizationMay 25, 2024

    Antigua and Barbuda: Mobilizing Communities for Environmental Protection

    Excerpt and Photo from antiguanewsroom.com Fourteen-year-old Daniel Athill Jona from Antigua and Barbuda is beaming with joy – he was declared second-place winner in his age group in the 2023 global competition for sustainable car design. His entry was chosen among 780,000 entries from 90 countries, making him the first Caribbean winner in the history of the competition. His car, “The Supra Furidamu”, or “Supra Freedom” in English, caught the judges’ eyes for its futuristic features, including self-tinting glass, automatic tint and untint using advanced glass technology, electric motor cooling for high speeds and ultrasonic sensors. The car is fully electric and is equipped with solar panel glass that encases its sides and roof. Even more remarkable, Toyota, the company that hosted the global car competition, built a prototype of the Supra Freedom. “I became enthralled with the idea of making my dream car—one with not just the consumers’ wants and needs in mind, but the needs of generations to come, the need for a healthy life, and a cleaner environment; a way to show the world that every drop counts” says Daniel.

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    People from islands around the world sharing their knowledge at P.E.I. summit
    Connectivity & DigitizationMay 23, 2024

    People from islands around the world sharing their knowledge at P.E.I. summit

    Photo: Stacey Janzer/CBC. Retrieved from cbc.ca More than 200 people from islands around the world are on Prince Edward Island this week for the 2024 Global Sustainable Islands Summit. The goal is to share information among islands that might seem different, but have similar challenges when it comes to energy and sustainable development. Steven Myers, P.E.I.’s minister of environment, energy and climate action, say it’s an opportunity for the province to learn, as well as to provide inspiration to leaders from other small land masses. With a goal of net zero emissions by 2040, Myers believes P.E.I. can be a leading force in renewable energy and clean technology. “I think that we have a lot of work to do, but I think we’ve set really ambitious targets and really aggressive goals. And I think that the solutions that we’re going to find here and the experts that we’re going to grow here are going to help impact the rest of the world.”

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    A perilous journey to save lives
    Connectivity & DigitizationMay 10, 2024

    A perilous journey to save lives

    Photo courtesy:  UNICEF Pacific/2024/Herwig. Retrieved from reliefweb.int On a small island 180km from the capital city of Tonga lives 60-year-old Ilaisaane Fahamokioa, fondly known as sister Saane, and for her this is routine. Based at King Tupou Hospital on Ha’apai, Saane and her team are responsible for delivering lifesaving vaccines to the some of the most remote island communities of Tonga. Saane brings with her over 40 years of experience and determination to provide essential healthcare services to every person in the 13 island communities that fall under her care. The quest to reach every child requires unmatched strength and commitment, as Saane and her team embark on eight-day rotations that take them around the Ha’apai group of islands. On their usual rotation, their journey begins at the dock at the main island in Lifuka District. From Lifuka, the nurses begin the 80km sea journey to the furthest district of Nomuka. This is followed by a Ha’afeva, Uiha and Kao District.

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    From Dominica to Vogue: Big dreams on a small island
    Connectivity & DigitizationApril 25, 2024

    From Dominica to Vogue: Big dreams on a small island

    Photo: Brianna Rowe. Retrieved from news.un.org Small island developing States (SIDS) often benefit from good weather, sandy beaches and lush countryside, attracting large numbers of tourists, particularly from the United States and Europe, seeking to escape the gloomy winter months. But, growing up in these countries can be hard: opportunities are few and far between, and youth unemployment is high, with more than half of young people out of work in some countries, according to recent studies. Robert Tonge, Digital Economy Coordinator for the Government of Dominica, said that life in the country has been tough in recent years. “After [COVID-19](https://www.un.org/coronavirus), many people lost their jobs, and they had no way to support their families,” he said. “The pandemic came off the back of Hurricane Maria just a few years before, during which a large proportion of the population lost their livelihoods, but the effects of [COVID-19](https://www.un.org/coronavirus) lasted longer, especially from a business standpoint. A lot of companies closed, and many Dominicans decided to leave the country.”

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    Learning to Balance Travel Through Sustainability & Engagement | the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast
    Connectivity & DigitizationApril 24, 2024

    Learning to Balance Travel Through Sustainability & Engagement | the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast

    James is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and writer. He is both Co-Founder and Director of Solar Head of State, and CEO at Island Innovation. Recognized on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work on sustainable energy, James is passionate about climate change advocacy and environmental policy. James will enlighten us on the race to develop sustainably and help island nations reach self-sufficiency at a lower cost. This all comes with the reality that sustainability is a journey. He talks about the importance of waste management, education, and how to implement plastic bag bans. He will also challenge us to think about who really pays for the damage of climate change. Don’t miss this incredibly informative and impactful conversation with one of the world’s brightest and youngest leaders on these topics.

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    Young Pacific peace-builders get together
    Connectivity & DigitizationApril 11, 2024

    Young Pacific peace-builders get together

    Excerpt and Photo from samoaobserver.ws To strengthen the capabilities of young peacebuilders worldwide, Jocelynette Leilua, a dedicated youth leader from Brown Girl Woke in Samoa, recently took part in the Generation Change Fellows Program initiated by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The programme designed to empower young leaders aged 18-35 years in conflict resolution and community leadership, gathered participants from diverse regions, including the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, for an intensive five-day fellowship held in Nadi, Fiji. During this transformative experience, Leilua engaged in discussions centered on self-awareness, collaboration, amplifying messages, and fostering personal and community change alongside other emerging leaders. Reflecting on her participation, Leilua emphasized the significance of connecting with peers from various backgrounds and how this interaction enriched her understanding of peacebuilding strategies. She expressed her intention to implement the knowledge gained from the program within her community in Samoa.

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    Small Island Digital States: How Digital Can Catalyse SIDS Development
    Connectivity & DigitizationApril 11, 2024

    Small Island Digital States: How Digital Can Catalyse SIDS Development

    Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are increasingly becoming Small Island Digital States. Digital is positively impacting lives and livelihoods across SIDS – improving the reach and effectiveness of government and public service delivery, providing exciting new opportunities for citizen engagement and empowerment; and shaping new products, sectors, and opportunities. This major publication serves as a roadmap for SIDS’ policymakers, decision-makers, and innovators. It advocates for an inclusive digital transformation that benefits all parts of society. From Tuvalu’s venture into the metaverse, to the recent launch of National Digital Strategies by Suriname, Niue, and the Cook Islands; and the open-source digital health leadership of Mauritius. SIDS are going digital. Small Island Digital States is grounded on extensive Digital Readiness Assessments conducted by UNDP in collaboration with over 15 SIDS governments around the world. It also draws on digital products and services, initiatives, and innovations being shaped and delivered by UNDP Country Offices across the global SIDS community. The report sets out recommendations tailored to SIDS across five critical pillars for inclusive and sustainable digital success: connectivity, government, regulation, the economy, and people. It also explores the role and potential of data in SIDS development, highlights how young people in SIDS are becoming digital leaders, and how digital can support key sectors in SIDS – from tourism, to agriculture, and how digital is enabling financial inclusion.

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