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A champion of Africa and the United Nations
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The United Nations Millennium Campaign Deputy Director for Africa and leading Pan-Africanist, Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, died in a road accident in the early hours on Monday this week. He was 48.

He was enroute to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi to board a flight for Rwanda where he was scheduled to launch a maternal health campaign and meet with President Paul Kagame.

Recognized for his outspoken nature and strong leadership, the Nigerian-born Taju as he was popularly known, was adamant in his beliefs that Africa and its people were perfectly capable of solving their own problems. As a prolific writer and public debater, the Nigerian political scientist joined the United Nations Millennium Campaign in March 2006 as the Deputy Director for Africa. His most prominent role was to direct the Africa team in motivating people across the continent to become more proactive in engaging their leaders to deliver on the Millennium Development Goals.

“His most untimely and tragic death on Africa Liberation Day comes as a terrible shock,” said Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. “He was a true son of Africa, a tireless campaigner and champion of Africa and Africans at home and around the world. May he rest in eternal peace. Our prayers are with him and his family.”

Africa Liberation Day on 25 May 1963, marks the occasion when the leaders of 32 independent African states met to form the Organization of African Unity. It is on this day that Africa and the rest of the world reflects upon the development and growth of the continent.

Prior to joining the United Nations Millennium Campaign, Dr. Tajudeen was the General Secretary of the Pan African Movement Secretariat in Kampala, Uganda and Co-Director of the London based human rights and peace organization, Justice AFRICA. He was also a freelance journalist and widely sought after commentator on African affairs in major global media and across Africa, including Radio France International, Al-Jazeera, the BBC and Voice of America. He is well known for his syndicated weekly column, “TAJUDEEN’S POSTCARD”, which was widely circulated online and published in a number of newspapers across Africa.

May 29, 2009 | 10:46 AM Comments  0 comments

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Urban youth groups receive boost from new UN scheme
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25 March 2009 –With nearly three quarters of the world’s one billion slum-dwellers under the age of 30, a new United Nations programme seeks to empower urban-based, youth-led community initiatives.
The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) “Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development” scheme will provide grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to groups, steered by people between the ages of 15 and 32, promoting sustainable urbanization.

“In this time of worldwide economic crisis, it is not only banks and automakers who deserve financial support, we also need to encourage youth who are often best placed to solve problems in their communities,” said Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT.

“We must harness the energies of the young if we are to overcome the problems of urban poverty,” she added.

The Norwegian Government-backed initiative aims to support efforts in employment, education, environment, health and safety, among other areas.



March 26, 2009 | 12:29 PM Comments  3 comments

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Urban youth to benefit from UN-HABITAT’s two-million dollar opportunities fund
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Nairobi, 25 March 2009: Urban based Youth-led organizations in developing countries who are working to improve the living conditions of their communities can now apply for financial assistance from UN-HABITAT.

The Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development will provide grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to organizations led by young people, aged 15-32 years.

“In this time of worldwide economic crisis, it is not only banks and automakers who deserve financial support, we also need to encourage youth who are often best placed to solve problems in their communities,” said Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. “The Opportunities Fund is designed to provide financial support of up to one million dollars per year, to youth-led initiatives aimed at sustainable urbanization. We must harness the energies of the young if we are to overcome the problems of urban poverty.”

Of the one billion slum dwellers in the world today, it is estimated that more than 70% are under the age of 30. Yet these young people have few resources available to improve their own living environment. This is a major oversight as there are many youth-led initiatives in slums and squatter settlements that are in urgent need of financial support.

The Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development has been established with support from the Norwegian Government specifically to provide funds to youth-led community initiatives. The initial grant is for two million dollars over two years with a possibility of renewal.



The fund is committed to support innovative youth-led projects in areas such as employment, education, environment, health and safety. Applications from organizations partnering with government agencies and the private sector are encouraged. Projects promoting gender equality are particularly welcome.

Applications details are now available at www.unhabitat.org/opfund.


March 26, 2009 | 12:25 PM Comments  0 comments

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UN-HABITAT opens office in Kuwait
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16/03/2009
Kuwait City



UN-HABITAT has opened a new office in Kuwait City aimed at supporting the agency’s activities in the region.

A ceremony on 11 March was presided over by the UN-HABITAT Director of Regional and Technical Cooperation Division Mr. Daniel Biau and Mr. Ahmed Al-Adsani, Executive Director of the Arab Towns Organisation, on the occasion of the opening of UN-HABITAT Kuwait Office.

Top on the agenda of the office’s activities will be to offer support to local authorities and stakeholders to promote sustainable urban development and active implementation of the Habitat Agenda at the city level. In doing that, the office will closely cooperate with the Arab Towns Organisation and its subsidiaries. It will also partner with the Kuwaiti Government to respond to current and future urban development challenge when requested by the government.

Mr. Biau introduced the new chief of Kuwait Office, Mr. Tarek El-Sheikh to Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi Director of International organizations department in Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Valerie Cliff. In his introduction, Mr. Biau explained that the office’s main focus would be to assist Arab cities and towns.

And fresh from its opening, UN-HABITAT Kuwait office later in the week joined the Arab Towns Organisation in celebrating the Arab Towns Day on 15 March 2009 in Kuwait. Mr. Sheikh planted a tree on behalf of UN-HABITAT in the friendship and peace garden as well as sending goodwill message to the Executive Director of Arab Towns Organisation Mr. Al-Adsani.

March 19, 2009 | 1:39 PM Comments  0 comments

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UN-HABITAT to establish national office in Angola
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12/03/2009
Luanda



UN-HABITAT and the government of Angola on Thursday signed an agreement that will allow the agency to establish a national office in that country.


Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director UN-Habitat, with Dr Antonio Paulo Kassoma,Prime Minister of Angola

The five year agreement was signed by UN-HABITAT Executive Director, Mrs Anna Tibaijuka and the Vice Minister for External Affairs George Rebelo Chicoty. Also present were the Prime Minister Antonio Paulo Kassoma and the Minister for Urban Development and Housing Diankumpuna Sita José.

The agreement was the outcome of fruitful discussions Mrs Tibaijuka had with the Angolan officials when she was in Luanda for the World Day celebrations last October. It was also made possible due to the strong support of the UN Resident Coordinator in Angola Mrs. Jocelline Basile-Finlay.

Responsibilities for the office will include encouraging international cooperation to implement the Habitat Agenda in Angola, cooperate with regional and international organizations, national government, local authorities, civil society institutions and private sector and promote the implementation of UN-HABITAT global programmes and global campaigns in Angola.

The office, to which the Angolan has pledged the first USD 680,000 will also raise funds, together with UN-HABITAT Headquarters, for the formulation and implementation of activities and programmes in Angola, promote and implement UN-HABITAToperational activities in Angola as well as organize international, regional and national conferences on human settlements issues.

During the talks with the Executive Director, the government of Angola expressed the need for immediate support of UN-HABITAT on two specific matters - housing (social housing and finance) and land reform.


March 19, 2009 | 1:33 PM Comments  0 comments

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