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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SjFQqrlnIKtm01WA43eA0a7cRfjwbyRM8LyTVNoH4h4/edit

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Calls upon all UN member states to increase funding to the UNHCR in order to provide increase mental health care in refugee camps 

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Calls upon all UN member states to increase funding to the UNHCR in order to provide increase mental health care in refugee camps 

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1svn2xy4b1mFwyj88PveP30t_eXxDI2vl8ajsgLeJfjA/edit

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Committee: United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Topic: Tracking Mental heath Issues In Refugee CampS.
Main submitters: Ukraine
Co - subers: idk

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Committee: nited Nations High Commision for Refugees
Topic: Helping mental health issues in refugee camps
Main submitters: The USA
Co Submitter: None

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Commiter:  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Topic:  Tackling mental health issues in refugee camps

Main Submitter: Australia

Co Submitter:

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Committee: United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Topic: Tackling Refugees' Mental Health Issues in Refugee Camps
Main submitters: The Syrian Arab Republic
Cosponsers: N/A

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Committee: United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Topic:cTackling Mental Health Issues In Refugee Camps
Main Submitter: The Republic of Korea
Co-Submitter:...

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Committee: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Topic: The question of extreme droughts in African countries
Main Submitter: Italy
Co-Submitters: TBD

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https://reliefweb.int/report/czechia/mental-health-crisis-making

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A Mental Health Crisis in the Making - Czechia

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News and Press Release in English on Czechia and 1 other country about Health and Protection and Human Rights; published on 30 Jul 2022 by TOL

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How does being a refugee affect mental health?

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/18mtVQ1ZuLJxbXtD8b_w1aFmqEr79Uv9Gl9RiOwcE07w/edit

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For your homework today:

●Research the topic

●Put the Research together

Write a paragraph on the topic (the start of your position paper)

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https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

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CIA’s World Factbook is your authoritative source on the world’s countries, territories, oceans, and more. Explore world facts at your fingertips.

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- Jack Russel Terrier
- UK Breed
- A good boy
- Love eating

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- University of Cambridge
- United Nations GWOPA Communications Intern
- Global Issues Network Conference Advisor
- Founder of a Model UN Conference Chapter
- Writer at Jakarta Post Newspaper

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Topic: Improving female access to education worldwide

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Committee: World Health Organization WHO

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Committee: World Health Organization WHO

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Topic: Preparing for future pandemics and endemics

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Committee: United National Environmental Program (UNEP)

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Committee: United National Environmental Program (UNEP)

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Topic: Improving the welfare and well-being of animals in captivity

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Committee: United Nations Chindren’s Fund (UNICEF)

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Committee: United Nations Chindren’s Fund (UNICEF)

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Topic: Increasing the amount of Affordable Technology to Improve Education in the Developing World

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https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220130_03/

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/01/trust-lancet-covid-study/

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People shop at a Lunar New Year market in Hanoi on Jan. 28. (Hau Dinh/AP)
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Before 2020, Vietnam looked particularly vulnerable to a pandemic. The Southeast Asian country, a single-party state with nearly 100 million people, scoredlow on international assessments of universal health coverage and had relatively few hospital beds for its population, as well as a closed-off political system.
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Instead, Vietnam emerged as an early pandemic success story. Long after the coronavirus began to spread in neighboring China, Vietnam maintained low levels of infections and fatalities even as wealthy countries with more robust health systems, including the United States and much of Europe, struggled.

A new study of pandemic preparedness across 177 countries and territories appears to have found a key element in Vietnam's success: trust.

Thomas Bollyky, one of the study's authors, said Vietnam should have failed in the fight against the coronavirus, according to traditional tenets of preparedness.

"What Vietnam does have, that seems to potentially explain what has happened, is that they have very high trust in government - among the highest in the world," said Bollyky, who is a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank.

The peer-reviewed study was published Tuesday in the Lancet, a top medical journal, following 10 months of research by Bollyky, his colleague Erin Hulland, a scholar at the University of Washington, and a team of dozens.

The aim of the study was to answer a question that has been dubbed the "epidemiological mystery" of the pandemic: Why did the coronavirus hit some countries so much harder than others?

Coronavirus cases spiked globally in the first weeks of 2022, despite record-high vaccination rates. Here's how the omicron variant took off. (Video: Jackie Lay, John Farrell/The Washington Post)

Unraveling the mystery of Europe's uneven covid surges

With countries already looking toward the next major outbreak, and treaties designed to ramp up preparedness for pandemics through new agreements and funding already under discussion, the question is increasingly urgent. But in review data from across the world, the study's authors found that traditional models for pandemic preparedness didn't fit what they were seeing.

"We found no links between covid outcomes and democracy, populism, government effectiveness, universal health care, pandemic preparedness metrics, economic inequality or trust in science," Bollyky said.

These factors were key for pre-coronavirus rankings such as the Global Health Security Index, which in 2019 listed the United States and Britain as most prepared for a catastrophic biological event, like a pandemic - and Vietnam 74th out of 117 countries.

Instead, better outcomes appear to have gone hand in hand with high levels of trust in government and other citizens. Perception of government corruption was correlated with worse outcomes. Researchers measured trust with polling data from the World Values Survey and Gallup.

Rebecca Katz, director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center, and an expert who was not involved in the study, said the research was evidence for what many already argue.

"Trust in government and strength of community engagement is critical to public health response," Katz wrote in an email. "Experts from multiple disciplines have pointed to the importance of risk communication, community engagement and trust as critical to public health messages and policies being implemented. The findings in this paper emphasize just how important this is."

Joshua Sharfstein of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said the research showed that "the battle of human being against pathogen was mediated by governments."

"It's really a Chicken Little situation," Sharfstein added. "If people don't believe what the government is saying, then people will be less likely to take the precautions that they need to take."

The study's authors came to their conclusion by looking at standardized infection rates across countries. In reviewing factors outside of government control, such as the age of the population, researchers found clear signs that some governments had done better than others.

The United States, for example, had the second-worst standardized infection rate of any high-income country. A calculation that showed a standardized ratio of infections to fatalities found the United States in the middle of the pack, which could suggest that the country's health-care system is relatively robust even if people were more likely to become infected.

The U.S. government struggled to persuade its population to take measures to combat the spread of the virus, whether it was social distancing or seeking medical intervention like vaccination. Multiple polls have shown that the United States has relatively low levels of trust in government compared with other high-income countries and high levels of political polarization.

"Trust in your government or your trust in others is strongly associated with vaccination rates," Bollyky said. "It is associated with decreased mobility, which is an indicator of social distancing policies. "

The Lancet study estimated that if every country had the same level of trust in government as Denmark, one of the countries with more trust among high-income nations, 13 percent fewer people would have been infected with the coronavirus globally.

"If the same were true for one's trust in others, the reduction would be even larger: 40 percent, or 440 million fewer infections over the 21-month period assessed in the study," Bollyky said.

The study has its limitations. Comparative international data can only go so far, Bollyky said, and the study focuses only on factorsin place before the pandemic.

In addition, later waves of infection have challenged some previous assumptions about how some countries have fared, with some high-trust countries that had evaded outbreaks, including New Zealand, seeing high case numbers. Vietnam, once a relative success story, struggled more with public trust as cases surged in the second half of the year.

Michael Bang Petersen, a professor at Aarhus University, said the study's findings fit into his understanding of how a high-trust country such as Denmark responded to the crisis, but his own research on falling levels of trust in countries amid the crisis left him with a tragic conclusion.

The pandemic has "eroded trust in the government," Bang Petersen said. "It actually seems as if the pandemic has worsened the problem that this study identified."

Coronavirus: What you need to know

The latest: Scientists are concerned about ahighly mutated form of the coronavirus that threatens to be the most adept yet at slipping past the body's immune defenses. Here's why the new BA. 2.86 coronavirus variant has caught the attention of virologists and health officials.

Covid hospitalizations: The United States is experiencing abump in coronavirus transmission for the first time since the public health emergency ended in May. It is exposing the challenges of avoiding the virus when free testing is no longer widely accessible.

Covid boosters: Health officials are unveiling a new arsenal of vaccines ahead of an expected wave of covid, flu and RSV as the fall respiratory virus season begins. This includes an updated covid booster, which is likely coming in late September. Here's what to know about the new covid booster, RSV vaccines and flu shots this fall.

New coronavirus variant: EG. 5, a new covid subvariant unofficially nicknamed "Eris," is becoming a dominant strain in countries including the United States and Britain. Here's what to know about EG.5.

Covid deaths: Covid-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States last year, and covid deaths dropped 47 percent between 2021 and 2022.

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Researchers are asking why some countries were better prepared for covid. One surprising answer: Trust.

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A new study of pandemic preparedness across 177 countries and territories appears to show that trust in government plays a major role.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zvwtsbk/articles/zbcqjsg

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HDI is a measure. It looks at three things - , and . Looking at this range of measures can give a better overall idea of how a country is doing.

However, HDI does not consider other important factors, such as inequality or environmental issues. For example, HDI does not show whether there is a gender pay gap - a difference between the average earnings of men and women.

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HDI is a measure. It looks at three things - , and . Looking at this range of measures can give a better overall idea of how a country is doing. However, HDI does not consider other important factors, such as inequality or environmental issues.

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https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/what-happens-when-captive-us-elephants-live-alone

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On a raw December day, as Christmas music blares over loudspeakers, an African elephant named Asha walks in tight circles in an enclosure at Natural Bridge Zoo, a roadside attraction in Virginia. Her living quarters consist of a barn and three outdoor yards-a fenced patch of grass about 90 by 40 feet, a dirt patch with a few logs scattered about, and a yard where she gives rides to children for $15 and her massive feet have worn a ring into the grass. Her space is barren-no shrubs, trees, or watering holes.

Elephants, like humans, are social animals. In the wild, females typically live in herds of eight or more, yet Asha, who's nearly 40 years old, has been confined mostly alone for more than 30 years.

Three decades ago and thousands of miles away, an inmate entered solitary confinement in California's Pelican Bay State Prison, in Crescent City, California. He had no documented psychiatric problems when they locked him in the 80-square-foot room, barren except for a toilet, a sink, and a bed.

The prisoner spent more than 22 hours a day for several months in the white, concrete cell, lit by the glow of an overhead fluorescent light. Within weeks, a prison psychiatrist noted that he couldn't sleep. He was haunted by a desire to kill someone-or himself. During one hallucinatory episode, he repeatedly kicked the cell door. He said "entities" were visiting him. "I can see them through the walls, black evil," he said. "I fear I'm going to die."

In 1993, inmates at Pelican Bay filed a class action lawsuit against the prison over what they alleged were inhumane conditions. Federal judge Thelton Henderson agreed. He ruled that prison officials had violated the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, in part because of the suffering inflicted by solitary confinement. Inmates "can go weeks, months or potentially years with little or no opportunity for normal social contact with other people," Henderson wrote. During a tour of the prison, he noted that "some inmates spend time simply pacing around the edges of the pen; the image created is hauntingly similar to that of caged felines pacing in a zoo."

Decades of research indicates that anyone who spends more than 10 days in involuntary solitude suffers at least some emotional, cognitive, social, and physical health effects, ranging from trouble sleeping to panic attacks and hallucinations. Neuroscientist Bob Jacobs of Colorado College, who has studied both human and animal brains, says other social mammals may react similarly. "In general, all mammals follow the same basic blueprints in terms of brain structure and function," he says.

In the United States, at least nine elephants now live alone-in unaccredited roadside businesses such as Natural Bridge Zoo and in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In some facilities with lone elephants, their handlers believe they're better off alone, but in others, the elephants show signs of stress and depression.

"From everything we know about the brain, there's no reason to think that an elephant brain would react any differently to solitary confinement than a human brain," Jacobs says. For better or for worse, he says, brains of all types are designed for specific environments, and they're sensitive to changes in those environments.

Natural Bridge Zoo owner Karl Mogensen says Asha has a good life at the zoo. "She was a product of a culling operation in '85," he says. "She's what we call a family elephant-totally bonded to us and the people [here], has a tremendously good life ... We're very comfortable with the way we take care of her." She has constant attention and "beautiful facilities," he adds. "Yes, she is solitary, but she's a family pet."

On its Facebook page, the zoo has positioned itself in opposition to "radical" animal groups who would take Asha away. "In a perfect world, she would be in Africa, FREE," the zoo wrote in June 2018. "But because of the ivory trade, poaching, and deforestation, these incredible animals face certain destruction." (African elephants are endangered, mainly because of poaching.)

In a recent review of scientific literature, Jacobs hypothesizes how sparse, captive environments affect large-brained mammals such as elephants. Of course, elephants are difficult to study: "You don't want to have a laboratory animal that's capable of killing you," he says. Scientists can't create controlled experiments for such large animals in a laboratory, and they can't put them in an MRI scanner and take a look inside their massive skulls. As a result, Jacobs says his research is a matter of extrapolating based on the conditions that elephants live in and how other animals' brains respond to stress and different environments.

Few laws or regulations prevent elephants from isolation. The AZA requires that zoos with female elephants must "have a minimum of three females (or the space to have three females)"-meaning that a zoo can maintain its accredited status even if it has one elephant, as long as the facility has enough space for three elephants. Elephants ideally would be grouped together, AZA president Dan Ashe told National Geographic last year, but he added, "sometimes animals don't want to be in a group." The Animal Welfare Act, which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has multiple regulations addressing the social needs of animals, including primates, dogs, and marine mammals-but none for elephants.

Captive elephant numbers have been dwindling in the U.S., and as more elephants in zoos are dying than being born, the number of solitary elephants will increase. More than 30 North American zoos have phased out their elephant exhibits since the 1990s for various reasons, including the cost and difficulty of caring for elephants.

"You're going to have facilities that are down to one elephant," says Delcianna Winders, Animal Law Program director at Vermont Law School. Will they decide to send them to sanctuaries where they'll be with other elephants? "Or are they going to assert that they're too old to move and just keep them alone?"

The AZA, which oversees conservation breeding programs for African and Asian elephants, acknowledges that zoo populations can't be sustained without an influx of new animals from wild populations-a contentious position itself as it often involves the breakup of elephant families.

An elephant never forgets

In the wild, much of elephants' brain stimulation comes from other elephants, says Joyce Poole, an elephant behavior specialist and National Geographic Explorer. They're always moving-listening, sniffing, playing-whereas solitary captive elephants are "not very animated"-they have no other elephants to interact with and nowhere to explore, she says. (Read about Poole's African Elephant Ethogram, the most comprehensive audiovisual library ever made of African savanna elephant behavior.)

Male elephants spend 10 to 14 years with their mothers before going off to form their own bonded " bachelor groups." Females stay with their mothers all their lives, in multigenerational social groups as large as 50.

"Growing up in a social context, or in a family, is critical to their development," Poole says, and social interactions remain central to their well-being throughout their lives.

That may be related to certain features of elephants' brains. Their cells, or neurons, have particularly long, branching dendrites, which may suggest that elephants process information more deeply and contemplatively than other mammals. They have as many neurons in their cerebral cortex as humans, and they have relatively larger pyramidal neurons, a type of cortical neuron central to cognitive processes, according to Lucy Bates, an elephant cognition scientist. (To learn more about how elephants communicate, check out our elephant call guide.)

While it's not known for sure, these features may also help explain why elephants have strong memories, particularly in a social context. Some evidence suggests that after up to 27 years of separation, captive elephants can still recognize the smell of their mother's urine. In the wild, elephants can distinguish between the calls of family members and strangers; they can recognize the voices of at least a hundred other elephants; and they can record the locations of as many as 17 different family members. By contrast, humans are thought to be able to hold about seven items in their short-term memory at once.

The fact that elephant "brains are so adapted to this kind of social processing [of] information just demonstrates how important family and social interaction ... is to them," Bates says.

Changes in the brain

At Natural Bridge Zoo, Asha spends hours circling her yard, grazing quietly.

Veterinarian Philip Ensley, who worked with elephants at San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years, visited the zoo in September to observe her and assess her health for the nonprofit Free All Captive Elephants, one of many animal advocacy groups that has criticized Asha's conditions. In a private report shared with National Geographic, he noted that Asha swayed back and forth, shifted her weight off certain limbs (potentially indicating arthritis or joint disease, which are common in captive elephants), and appeared "unstimulated" and "detached."

"It is inappropriate in the field of care and management of captive elephants to keep a female alone," he concluded in the report. The lack of a companion "is causing Asha to suffer."

The stresses of captivity can change the brain, Jacobs says. In captive wild animals, one effect can be stereotypies-repetitive, seemingly pointless behaviors, such as a monkey pulling its hair out. They're most often displayed by bored, social animals in captivity and are rarely seen in the wild. For a solitary captive elephant, the loss of control over its environment and the lack of stimulation caused by long-term isolation can trigger pacing, head bobbing, rocking, or swaying, among other repetitive behaviors.

In a 2017 report on solitary captive elephants in 14 nationally accredited zoos in Japan, it was noted that nearly all displayed stereotypic behaviors.

"If there's a behavioral issue or a psychological issue, there's a neural issue underlying it," Jacobs says. Repetitive behaviors, according to studies in humans and other animals, have been associated with disruption in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that helps control voluntary movements.

In swaying or pacing elephants, their basal ganglia likely are so disrupted that they can't stop these repetitive actions, Jacobs says. (This is also true for humans who have conditions involving basal ganglia damage, such as Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease, he says, which can cause involuntary movements and debilitating tremors.)

For wild animals in captivity, that kind of brain damage is believed to be associated with a lack of stimulation. "The brain thrives on stimulation," Jacobs says. Without it, dendrites shrink from lack of use, and capillaries decrease in diameter, reducing blood flow to the brain. A 2018 study on the effects of prolonged isolation on the brains of mice found a 20-percent reduction in their neurons. "'Use it or lose it'-it applies to muscles, but it also applies to the brain," he says.

Stress, whether it's caused by isolation or something else, also activates the body's fight-or-flight stress response, which releases cortisol into the bloodstream, giving the body a boost of energy to respond to the perceived threat. When the fight-or-flight response is stimulated continuously, it eventually damages nerve cells in the hippocampus, which is central to learning and memory. In humans, a compromised hippocampus is often associated with depression, bipolar disorder, and other stress-related illnesses.

'Why is this even still allowed?'

An elephant alone in captivity has "nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to see, no one to communicate with," Poole says.

"Why is this even still allowed for these animals that we know so much about? Why aren't our laws doing something about it?" says Vermont Law School's Delcianna Winders.

When pushed to surrender solitary elephants to sanctuaries, zoos may argue that the animal is better off staying put. She's too old, too sick, or doesn't like the company of other elephants, they say. That's the argument Bronx Zoo makes for Happy, a 51-year-old Asian elephant who's at the center of a case brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) arguing that she's entitled to legal rights, including freedom from imprisonment.

Bronx Zoo has a second elephant, named Patty, who also is kept alone. Happy and Patty don't get along, according to zoo officials, though they can see each other through the fence separating their enclosures and occasionally touch each other. Director James Breheny says Happy "is more comfortable with her keepers and with safe barriers between her and other elephants" and that those who criticize her situation "know nothing of our individual animal, her personality, preferences, or tendencies."

The NhRP contends that Happy would enjoy the company of other elephants, having lived with a companion named Grumpy for 25 years until that elephant's death in 2002. New York's highest court has agreed to hear Happy's case, but a date hasn't been set.

When an elephant is too sick or old to be moved, or has a disease that can be passed to other animals, it may have to be held alone, says Joshua Plotnik, president and executive director of Think Elephants International, a conservation group that studies elephant behavior. In these cases, consideration should be given to the individuality of the animal to ensure a life that's as full as possible.

"Just like if you if you have pets, each dog or cat has a different personality-it is the same for elephants," Plotnik says. For elephants that show they need a challenge, keepers might invent more complex foraging activities; for eager-to-please animals, they might focus more on positive reinforcement.

Transferring elephants can be risky, and a number have died during or shortly after being moved, though the causes of their deaths have been hotly debated.

But when elephants settle in at sanctuaries, many formerly solitary, submissive, or shy animals open up-increasing their interactions with others and reducing their stereotypies. Within six months of her transfer to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, an elephant named Sissy-who had killed one of her handlers at Frank Buck Zoo, in Gainesville, Texas, and was characterized as "antisocial"-formed close friendships with other elephants; more than 20 years later, she's thriving peaceably.

After 10 years alone in Alaska Zoo, an African elephant named Maggie became one of the most social members of the herd at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary, in California, according to Catherine Doyle, the director of science, research, and advocacy. Zoo officials had predicted that because she was sometimes aggressive toward her former companion, who died in 1997, she might not get along with other elephants. (PAWS now has one elephant in isolation because her Asian elephant companions died. As a sanctuary, PAWS does not breed or buy elephants.)

What can be done?

In some cases, the Endangered Species Act has been used to push zoos into providing companions for solitary animals. The law prohibits harming endangered species, which includes "significantly impairing essential behavior patterns." For elephants, socializing with other elephants is part of their nature, Winders says, so housing an elephant alone may violate the law.

There's precedent with other social animals. In 2019, for example, a Maryland court ruled that Tri-State Zoological Park violated the Endangered Species Act by keeping lions and lemurs on their own. While a case involving a solitary elephant has yet to be tried, a lawsuit in 2015 came close: The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued San Antonio Zoo under the Endangered Species Act for keeping its Asian elephant, Lucky, alone for more than two years after her companion died. But after the lawsuit was filed, the zoo introduced two additional elephants as companions, and the fund moved to dismiss its lawsuit.

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly nearly put an end to Natural Bridge Zoo's elephant rides when it banned "direct contact with dangerous captive animals." The bill originally referred to elephants, as well as tigers, lions, bears, and others, but after campaigning by zoo owner Mogensen, supported by Delegates Daniel Helmer and Tony Wilt, elephants were removed from the bill before the Assembly passed it.

The future is uncertain for captive elephants in the U.S., especially as the debate intensifies over whether certain highly intelligent, social species should be in kept captivity at all. "The more evidence you look at ... the more you have to come to the conclusion that it is not ethically justifiable to keep these animals in captivity," says neuroscientist Bob Jacobs, reflecting on his latest research. Even large zoos are "way too small" for such large animals, he says, but solitary elephants held in small enclosures-"that's probably about as bad as it could get."

Wildlife Watch is an investigative reporting project between National Geographic Society and National Geographic Partners focusing on wildlife crime and exploitation. Read more Wildlife Watch stories here, and learn more about National Geographic Society's nonprofit mission at natgeo.com/impact. Send tips, feedback, and story ideas to NGP.WildlifeWatch@natgeo.com.

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'Nothing to do, nowhere to go': What happens when elephants live alone

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Research shows that solitary confinement is damaging to the human brain. The same is likely true for elephants.

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https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/digital-divide-education-impact-improve/

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Technology has become a crucial part of our lives today, paving the way for a large window of opportunities for all people. And in recent years, our eyes have opened to its impact on students and schools. Students can now learn, work, research, collaborate, and independently develop knowledge largely because of the advent of the internet and information technology.

However, although technology has offered many benefits, it does come with its problems. In the case of education, that includes the digital divide.

The digital divide refers to the inability of all to have equal access to technology in order to experience learning, where the wealthy have this access, and those from middle- and low-income backgrounds do not. This technology includes hardware such as mobile devices, televisions, and personal computers, as well as connectivity to the internet, such as access to data and Wi-Fi.

It also includes the inequality in being able to use technological equipment and resources in the first place.

Every student is entitled to have adequate access to educational resources and support services to improve their academic performance. Recently, however, the education sector has felt the immensity of the digital divide, with half of the 1.5 billion students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic lacking access to computers and the internet. This is despite a global need to adopt remote learning in order to adhere to social distancing protocols.

As of September 2021, according to UNESCO, about 117 million students were still out of school due to mandated lockdowns. The impact of the digital divide continues to be felt globally, as school-age children around the world do not have internet at home to access learning resources. This is especially evident in low-income communities, like those in sub-Saharan Africa - where 71% of teachers are unable to access tools, resources, and internet for remote learning and 89% of learners do not have a computer at home.

Students who lack access to digital tools and connectivity are more likely to miss out on up-to-date information from the web, essential education milestones, and access to resources, tools, and edutainment.

This lack of access has the potential to affect children for the rest of their lives, as according to Business Insider, without quality remote education, they will not have the same access to quality jobs.

The increasing gap in the digital divide has significantly undermined access and delivery of education. As we start a new year, here are six initiatives that can help improve - and even possibly eliminate - the technology gaps in education globally.

1. Governments Need to Improve Affordability of Digital Resources

According to the United Nations, governments can become powerful instruments in bridging the digital divide by ensuring affordable, easy-to-use technologies. The high cost of internet connectivity, the price of technological devices, electricity tariffs, and taxes are major contributors to the digital divide for both teachers and students.

With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting global economies, it is projected that aid to education may drop by an estimated US$2 billion by 2022, according to UNESCO.

In the coming years, based on recommendations from American University's School of Education, educational leaders and policy makers need to continually liaise with governments and big corporations on ways to improve financing to help schools, learners, and teachers afford access to digital technologies for learning. This will help boost the expansion of information technology infrastructures, and reduce the cost of internet access.

2. Digital Skills Acquisition and Empowerment for Schools, Teachers, and Students

With digital competence becoming increasinly intertwined with our lives, an alarmingly high number of people still lack basic level technical skills and competencies, putting them at a disadvantage, according to the Digital Divide Council.

Teachers and students need to be fully trained on how to effectively use what the internet and modern technologies have to offer. The less students can use these tools, the more the digital divide widens. This is why the United Nations is launching a new global initiative focused on improving the digital learning and skills of children and youth - some 3.5 billion by 2030 - in marginalized communities.

Going forward, educational leaders can also actively by surveying the needs of stakeholders, formulate action plans with policy makers, provide skills acquisition training, connect with potential digital resource partners like telecoms companies, and assign appropriate resources to continuously bridge the gap, according to American University.

3. Digital Literacy Awareness

The general public needs to be enlightened on the economic and social development benefits of integrating technology into the education space. The World Bank reports that there's value in many people seeing a need to become digitally active.

To fully reap fruitful results, governments should also create opportunities for feedback through which the masses can share their views, needs, and opinions about how they wish to see improvements.

Creating more awareness for digital literacy by building user confidence, explaining the benefits of utilization, and understanding security and privacy constraints have a proven positive impact on education outcomes.

4. Inclusion of Local Languages in Education Content Creation

Educational online content creators should aim to make information available in as many languages as possible. According to the World Bank, when users are confident that they can see content in their native or local languages, they are more inclined to use similar tools that provide personalized benefits.

Content creation tools and language translation resources can cushion the language digital divide, and at the same time create opportunities for better and more accountable support to all categories of learners needing it most.

5. Improving Opportunities for Learners With Disabilities

Specially designed assistive and adaptive technologies - such as screen readers, magnifying devices, augmentative, and alternative communication devices that aid persons with difficulties in verbal communication, telecommunication relay devices, interactive white boards, close captioned videos, and more - can boost independence, participation, technology equity, and access to quality education for learners with disabilities.

These technologies make education easily accessible to all categories of learners.

6. Addressing the Gender Digital Divide

According to the World Bank, there is a special need to reduce the gender digital divide in 2022 and beyond. For example, in South Asia, there are more male mobile phone users than women. Barriers and constraints in accessing the internet impede women's and girls' full involvement in the social and economic progress of their communities and countries. In 2021, we witnessed long-standing development gaps between men and women moving online, with about women not having access to the internet globally.

To achieve definitive success in bridging the gender digital gap, we need a comprehensive action plan to enlighten decision makers about the burdens it poses. And according to the World Bank, systems need to be put in place to analyze available data, implement the results, and measure progress made.

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6 Ways We Can Improve the Digital Divide's Impact on Education

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The digital divide in education refers to the inability of all to have equal access to the technologies that make learning possible. Here's what we can do to help.

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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/national-girl-child-day-better-sex-ratio-but-gender-gap-looms-large-in-education-news-47022

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https://www.brproud.com/news/local-news/senators-cassidy-and-baldwin-introduce-bill-to-prepare-for-future-pandemics/

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) - According to Senator Bill Cassidy, it's "plain and simple," the United States needs to be better prepared for the next pandemic.

Sen. Cassidy and Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced the bipartisan Tracking Pathogens Act. The act is to enhance the United States' ability to prepare for future pandemics and strengthen efforts to identify new viral threats through genetic surveillance and genomic sequencing.

According to National Humane Genome Research Center, a Genomic sequence is the "Sequence that tells scientists the kind of genetic information that is carried in a particular DNA segment." This sequence will tell how a pathogen or microorganism that can be a disease will turn out.

The Tracking Pathogens Act would enhance the United States' ability to prepare for future pandemics and strengthen our ability to conduct genomic sequencing for pathogens by issuing guidance, supporting and enhancing sequencing activities, establishing centers of excellence, and authorizing funding.

Authorized sustained funding would allot $175 million a year for 2023 to 2027. While this may seem like a large number, Cassidy, believes that it will result in less debt or cost than being unprepared.

According to Senator Baldwin, she said, "Unfortunately, it is not 'if' but 'when' our nation will face another pandemic and we must be better prepared than we were for COVID-19 to track new threats and mitigate the virus."

They urge the importance of staying prepared in case another COVID-19 or a new virus occurs so that communities can be protected.

Below is a file that explains more about the Tracking Pathogens Act.

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Senators Cassidy and Baldwin introduce bill to prepare for future pandemics

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) - According to Senator Bill Cassidy, it's "plain and simple," the United States needs to be better prepared for the next pandemic. Sen. Cassidy and Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced the bipartisan Tracking Pathogens Act. The act is to enhance the United States' ability to prepare for future pandemics and strengthen efforts [...]

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https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-cook-county-forest-captive-coyote-review-20220127-nq3fbtinxnfl3d4valhknmss7e-story.html

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Following controversy over a captive coyote, Cook County forest preserves officials will conduct a review of the district's practice of keeping animals in captivity.

The review comes after a petition to transfer the coyote from a forest preserve cage to an open animal sanctuary drew more than 4,000 signatures, but the district board declined the proposal.

While the Forest Preserve District is home to many wild animals such as coyote and deer, it also runs an "ambassador animal" program at six nature centers, keeping a variety of turtles, snakes and fish indoors, and injured hawks and other birds outdoors. That has included a coyote at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook and another coyote that died at age 17 in 2020 in its cage at the Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest. Typically, the outdoor animals have been injured and deemed unable to live in the wild.

In the case of the Northbrook coyote, it was found as a pup in Tennessee and mistakenly brought to an animal shelter where it was raised by humans. By the time they discovered it was a coyote, a rehabilitator and a vet concluded it was no longer able to live in the wild, and it was transferred to the forest preserve.

After coming upon the coyote pacing back and forth in a 266-square-foot cage, Northbrook resident Nicole Milan offered to pay to transfer the animal to the Wild Animal Sanctuary, a 789-acre site outside of Denver that allows coyotes and other animals to roam in large fenced enclosures, and provides food and veterinary care.

Several veterinarians and animal care consultants testified at a Forest Preserve District board meeting that the animal showed signs of stress in its cage, and would do better in a larger, more natural setting at the animal sanctuary. Coyotes are social animals, and if it was deemed safe, the coyote could live in a pack.

The district announced its review on Twitter Wednesday, stating that officials appreciated the concerns, but despite "misinformation" otherwise, the coyote is "well-cared for, well-housed ... healthy and happy."

Earlier this month, the forest preserves began a strategic planning process to review goals and operations. In consultation with Commissioner Scott Britton, in whose district the coyote is kept, the agency is now expanding that initiative to include a review of its ambassador animal program, including its procedures and practices, for all nature centers.

The process will consider an overview of the latest academic research, the state of the discussion around animals in captivity, input from other third-party experts, best practices locally and nationally, and bench marking against other, similar programs.

The forest preserves will provide an update on the process in March, but officials did not indicate they were considering moving the coyote.

"We look forward to taking a close look at how we can continue to provide the best care possible for our ambassador animals, while providing a dynamic and interactive learning environment at our nature centers," the district statement said.

Milan welcomed the review, but feared there might be only superficial efforts, saying, "I'm not holding my breath that this is going to make a change."

Britton, the forest preserve commissioner, said he was impressed by what he learned about the animal sanctuary, adding, "I'm going to keep pressing the forest preserve for what's best for this animal."

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Cook County forest preserves to review captive animal program

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The review comes after a petition to transfer the coyote from a forest preserve cage to an open animal sanctuary drew more than 4,000 signatures.

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https://www.firstpost.com/business/union-budget-2022-budget-2022-government-should-announce-technology-infrastructure-advancement-fund-allocation-for-higher-education-10336681.html

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The higher education space has undergone a transformation over the last two years and several changes have defined the way education will be imparted in the coming years. These changes will require monetary and policy support on the part of the government, which will help educational institutes and students, and also help shape the future of higher education in the coming years. The government's efforts through the Union Budget 2022 can play a significant role in this regard. I see three major areas where the Government can support the higher education sector.

First, we hope that the budgetary allocation to the overall education sector will see an increase this year. Predictions say that we might see a 10 percent rise in budget allocation to the education sector than last year. Last year's Budget allocation stood at Rs. 93,223 crores, a decline of 6 percent over the previous year's budget. With the pandemic situation improving, the hope is that the government increases its spending on the education sector. The last two years have severely impacted both institutions and students when teaching and learning went online and many of them lacked access to technology infrastructure, connectivity, and computers.

The blended form of education has become an integral part of pedagogy at higher education institutes and will continue to coexist with the traditional classroom in the future. The government can provide a kind of 'Technology Infrastructure Advancement' fund allocation to higher education institutions that will enable institutes to invest in the latest technology tools, software, and high-speed connectivity that will enable them to deliver a seamless high-quality learning experience to their students. In addition, they can support students with laptops at affordable costs.

Secondly, the government can design a scheme for affordable and accessible student loans which will allow parents and students to fulfill their higher education aspirations. The most important aspect of this scheme would be the ease of accessibility, disbursement, and repayment terms which will support students from the lesser privileged strata and the remotest parts of the country to benefit from this scheme. This step will encourage parents who have been hit hard by the economic slowdown to support the educational choices of their children. The institutions will benefit by getting a talented and diverse student body into their classrooms.

Thirdly, the government can create a fund and mechanism to award research grants to higher education institutions to advance their research agenda. The NEP 2020 has a clear mandate for creating a culture of research at higher educational institutes in the country. Under the aegis of the National Research Foundation, the Government can work out a mechanism for the allocation of research grants to higher education institutions based on a rigorous, action-oriented, competitive process and requirements. This has the potential to become a game-changer and an accelerator of sorts for knowledge creation in India.

More investment in India's education sector is critical to remain competitive globally. What we do today is going to have a far-reaching impact in determining India's future, given that the pandemic has created a pivotal moment for the higher education sector in India. This year's budget will hold the key to India's future.
The author is Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University. Views are personal.
Published on:

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Budget 2022: Government should announce 'Technology Infrastructure Advancement' fund allocation for higher education

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Union Budget 2022-23: The government should design an affordable scheme and accessible student loans so poor that students can fulfil their dreams

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https://www.mei.edu/publications/womens-labor-force-participation-and-covid-19-jordan

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Jordan has the lowest rate of women's economic participation of any country not at war. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the kingdom's female labor force participation rate is below 15%, while that of men is about 60%. This is lower than rates of female labor force participation in neighboring Lebanon (23%), Saudi Arabia (22%), and the West Bank and Gaza (18%). As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, the government of Jordan should take the opportunity to expand the accessibility of remote work and corresponding opportunities for Jordanian women who aim to play a role in their nation's economy.

The low level of labor force participation among Jordanian women has long confounded policymakers, analysts, and researchers, and it has persisted despite women's impressive educational outcomes. Jordan has the highest rate of female literacy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), at nearly 98%, outperforming Israel, the UAE, and Kuwait, among others. Furthermore, more women than men now graduate from Jordanian universities. Despite having one of the most educated female populations in the region, Jordan's female unemployment rate is nearly double that of men (about 25% for women versus 12.5% for men).
Barriers to participation
Social norms play a role in Jordan's low rate of female labor force participation. In 2018, a survey by the World Bank found that 96% of women and men in the country agree that it is acceptable for women to work. When asked, however, about the specific conditions under which women working would be permissible, both women and men pointed to several constraints: Nearly half of those surveyed considered it unacceptable for women to work if her job required her to leave her children with relatives; over 60% considered it unacceptable for women to work alongside men in a mixed workplace; and over 70% considered it unacceptable for women to take a job that required them to return in the evening after 5:00 PM. As Doàa Mohamed Refaat, a business consultant with EY who specializes in supporting and training small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the MENA region, explained, "Almost no family in Jordan would accept that a woman is going home at a late hour or that she is prioritizing work over family. These are the constraints that women are facing."

In addition to these social expectations, practical factors and safety concerns such as the inaccessibility of secure transportation limit women's ability to participate in the workforce. In one survey, 47% of women reported turning down job opportunities due to a lack of efficient and affordable public transportation. Limited childcare options also prevent women from working outside the home. Jordan has attempted to address this issue by requiring companies with employees who have a combined total of 15 or more children under the age of five to have an onsite daycare. However, the lack of clarity and enforcement around this rule have limited its efficacy. Jordanian women also lack robust protection from sexual harassment that occurs at work. As the managing partner of Aman Ventures, Jordan's first gender-lens SME investment fund, Tamara Abdel-Jaber, explained:

"While these changes are likely to impact women's economic participation in Jordan in the long run, enforcement mechanisms are required to facilitate their implementation by relevant government agencies. This is particularly the case for the removal of work restrictions, the institution of a Code of Conduct in addressing sexual harassment in the workplace and in public spaces, and employer provision of childcare."

The pandemic and the rise of remote work
The increase in remote work opportunities stemming from the pandemic may mitigate many of these social and practical constraints for women in Jordan, eliminating concerns about transportation, physical harassment, and evening returns. As Mohamed Refaat explained,

"I see a great opportunity for women who are working from home. These kinds of businesses that start from home are allowing women to work and at the same time take care of their families. I've seen them create high caliber outputs that can be exported to other countries. They just need additional platforms to showcase their products or sponsorship."

Home-based businesses are difficult to quantify and study, as they often exist without formal contracts or registration. However, in a 2018 study by Arab Renaissance for Democracy & Development (ARDD), focus group discussion participants estimated that 60-70% of the working women they knew were working informally without a contract. Further, USAID estimates that approximately half of home-based businesses in Jordan are run by women, making it one of the few fields in which women seem to be represented proportionally.

At the beginning of the pandemic, opportunities for women floundered. In many sectors, they were more likely to lose their jobs than men in the resulting economic decline. Home-based businesses also struggled to cope with the lockdown restrictions. In terms of unpaid care work in the home, COVID-19 likely increased the burden on women, particularly with regard to childcare and education. However, as the pandemic stretches on, companies are becoming more adept at navigating remote work and responding to worker demands, while schools are becoming more adept at operating under pandemic conditions.
Improving accessibility
To expand access to these opportunities, the Jordanian government should increase its internet, computer, and tablet accessibility. In a survey conducted by the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) with over 12,000 Jordanians at the outset of the pandemic, a significant minority (21.9%) reported lacking necessary internet connection for work, education, or e-commerce. Less than 14% of respondents reported having access to a laptop computer. In 2020, Jordan's Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE) signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to launch a tender for a public-private partnership that is expected to expand and operate a high-speed internet network to help boost connectivity, improve digital services, and create jobs. If successful, this initiative will likely reduce the cost of internet connectivity and expand accessibility. In addition to infrastructure, there is also a disparity in internet access between the highest income quintile and the lowest quintile. Accordingly, the Jordanian government may focus on equity by providing grants or subsidies to lower-income households in order to access the internet.

Even if the government increases remote work capacity, these new opportunities may only be open to a subset of women in Jordan. Prior to the pandemic, there was a stark disparity in labor force participation among Jordanian women based on whether they received a university education or not. Women with a high school diploma or less have especially low rates of labor force participation at 4.2% and 3.5% respectively. By contrast, women with a university degree have a participation rate of over 55% but face high levels of unemployment. In other words, women with low education levels fail to participate in the labor market at high rates, while women with high levels of education participate in the labor market but face challenges in finding work. In the context of remote work, it may also prove more difficult for women without a university education to benefit from flexible work opportunities.

In addition, the economy of Jordan also continues to grapple with the protracted humanitarian crises at its borders. Among Syrian refugees in the country, disrupted education, poverty, the challenges of life in refugee camps, and difficulties gaining work permits have all resulted in low levels of female labor force participation. Child marriages among the Syrian population have also risen in recent years, as parents struggle to provide for their families and consequently aim to marry off their young daughters. Given that child marriage and poverty have a profoundly negative impact on girls' and women's abilities to attain an education and participate in the economy, the Jordanian government must prioritize addressing this urgent humanitarian crisis in conjunction with expanding digital infrastructure.
Zoe H. Robbin is a researcher in Amman, Jordan, where she conducts monitoring and evaluation for a variety of EU and USAID initiatives focused on women's empowerment, governance, and education in the Arab Region for INTEGRATED. She is a Fulbright research finalist, senior fellow with Humanity in Action, and member of Foreign Policy for America's (FP4A) NextGen Middle East working group. The views expressed in this piece are her own.
Photo by Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh via Getty Images

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is an independent, non-partisan, non-for-profit, educational organization. It does not engage in advocacy and its scholars' opinions are their own. MEI welcomes financial donations, but retains sole editorial control over its work and its publications reflect only the authors' views. For a listing of MEI donors, please click .

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Women's labor force participation and COVID-19 in Jordan

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Jordan has the lowest rate of women's economic participation of any country not at war. According to the ILO, the kingdom's female labor force participation rate is below 15%, while that of men is about 60%. This is lower than rates of female labor force participation in neighboring Lebanon (23%), Saudi Arabia (22%), and the West Bank and Gaza (18%).

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https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/01/24/61eee05b22601d5f0d8b458b.html

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ES
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who predicted the COVID-19 outbreak in 2015, has warned over the emergence of more pandemics in the future.

Gates made clear seven years ago that governments were not prepared for a pandemic and his remarks proved to be right following the emergence of the coronavirus.

"If anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it's most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war," Gates said during a Ted Talk back in 2015.

"We've actually invested very little in a system to stop an epidemic. We're not ready for the next epidemic."

Gates asks governments to invest in prevent pandemics

Gates has urged governments to spend billions to prevent the spread of future diseases and pandemics which according to him could be far more deadly than COVID-19.

"As the world responds to the challenge of a rapidly evolving virus, the need to deliver new, lifesaving tools has never been more urgent," Gates said last week.

"Our work over the past 20 years has taught us that early investment in research and development can save lives and prevent worst-case scenarios. Five years ago, following the Ebola and Zika epidemics, our foundation helped launch CEPI.

"Today, we're increasing our commitment and pledging an additional 150 million dollars to help CEPI accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines against emerging variants of the coronavirus and to prepare for, and possibly even prevent, the next pandemic."

The next two threats to humanity

In an interview for Derek Muller's YouTube channel Veritasium last February, Gates was asked what's the next issues that humanity is facing.

"One is climate change," replied Gates. "Every year that would be a death toll even greater than the one we would have in this pandemic.

"Also, related to pandemics is something people don't like to talk about much, which is bioterrorism, that somebody who wants to cause damage could engineer a virus. So that means the chance of running into this is more than just the naturally caused epidemics like the current one."

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Bill Gates warns of future pandemics potentially more deadly than COVID-19

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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who predicted the COVID-19 outbreak in 2015, has warned over the emergence of more pandemics in the future. Gates made clear seven years ago that

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https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2566615/Diplomat%20Guide%20Best%20Delegate%202020.pdf?__hstc=265751056.101669f45861535633f30c53724d6c42.1645430798077.1645430798077.1645430798077.1&__hssc=265751056.1.1645430798077&__hsfp=3314183312&hsCtaTracking=13efe593-0c29-4400-b7ef-508694978d4a%7C4aef712c-77c6-4e20-8ad0-76503e5e7831

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https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/71701/show-some-love-to-animals-by-saying-no-to-these-tourist-attractions

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Ethical Traveller 8 Tourist Activities to Avoid in Order to Stop Animal Abuse

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From elephant rides to dolphin spotting, your holiday plans could be resulting in much suffering for animals. We’ve put together a checklist of things you should not be doing if you are an ethical traveller

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https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/education-budget-2022-from-better-digital-infrastructure-to-better-education-loans-here-s-what-experts-want-1906522-2022-01-30

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver her fourth budget speech on February 1, 11 am. The Union Budget will be released while India is battling the third wave of Covid-19. The first half of the Budget session will take place from February 2 to 11, while the second half will be from March 14 to April 8.

The Budget session will begin on January 31 with President Ram Nath's Kovind addressing both Houses of the Parliament, following which Sitharaman will table the economic survey. Budget 2022 will be paperless like past time.

The Education Budget 2022 is eagerly awaited as never before in modern history has worldwide education been as disrupted due to Covid-19.

As different waves of Covid-19 have been affecting the population, schools have barely been able to reopen for physical classes since they had closed in the first wave of Covid-19 back in March 2020.

Approximately 1.5 million schools and 1.4 million ECD/Anganwadi centres were closed during this period. According to Unicef's study, consequently nearly 247 million children could not go to school for more than a year.
Here is what experts want this year as their pre-Budget expectations in education.
Larger budget allocation for education

The education budget allocation last year was Rs. 93,223 crores, which was reduced by 6% as compared to the year before. The biggest ask from education experts this year is an increase in the overall allocation.
Dr Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson, KIIT International School:
Budgetary allocations need to be made for faster implementation of NEP 2020 which has the potential to change our education system for the better. 6 - 10% of the GDP should be allocated towards education.
Siddhartha Gupta, CEO, Mercer|Mettl:
A progressive country needs at least 6% of GDP to be spent on Education. India has been averaging between 2 and 3 % between the years 2014 to 2019. The biggest hit seems to be the National Education Mission (Samagra Shiksha) which has seen a whopping 48% reduction.
Naman Jain, Education Expert and Director, Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad:
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) emphasizes the need for at least 6% of the total budget to be allocated to education with financial support for critical components of education such as provision of adequate teachers, teacher training, etc.

Better digital infrastructure

Covid-19 exposed India to how bad the digital divide is in our country and we need to bridge it urgently. Millions were unable to go to schools and also lacked access to mobiles, laptops or steady internet connectivity to continue online education.

While thousands of remote and rural schools remained shut simply because of lack of means to teach and the Covid-19 safety protocols, many students traipsed through forests, climbed mountains and sat on the roadside to get internet access on smartphones.
Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief of Generation Unlimited (YuWaah) and Youth Development and Partnerships at UNICEF:
Nearly 4% of our population in rural areas has access to computers compared to 23% in urban areas (Source: 2020 NSO Report on Education).

As the pandemic has resulted in a higher pace of technological advances and rapid shift to online learning, addressing digital inequality and supporting young people to gain relevant skills of today's job market and youth entrepreneurship opportunities should be top priorities for the upcoming Union Budget 2022.

PC Chhabra- Executive Director, Sanskriti University:

Due to the pandemic, all the students are studying from home. Having a laptop is the minimum requirement for the students and teachers to either record or impart live instructions.

If the government can provide subsidized access to laptops for students and teachers it can boost the quality of online education.

To increase connectivity government should announce programmes to boost 5G devices at an affordable rate to boost e-learning infrastructure.
Jerold Chagas Pereira - Executive Director and CEO, mPowerO:
Incentives need to be announced for schools in Tier II, III and IV categories to upgrade to smart classrooms with digital learning management tools.
Nikhil Barshikar, Founder and MD of Imarticus Learning:
There is a huge surge in the number of students opting for e-learning courses, especially in tier II cities; the challenge arises in creating a stable digital infrastructure for such cities.

RCM Reddy, MD and CEO, Schoolnet India Ltd:

Measures are needed to strengthen the digital capability of each school, owing to the great digital divide that still exists, on a mission mode.

Such a digital initiative should be holistic including access to the internet, affordable and appropriate devices, projectors, teacher training in digital pedagogy, curriculum centric multimedia content, adaptive assessments, and analytics to track progress.
Population Foundation of India:
More budget needs to be allocated towards Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan or the National Education Mission to help bridge the digital divide in education for adolescent girls and create equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.
Prateek Shukla, co- founder and CEO, Masai School:
Online learning is not possible if you don't have access to high-speed internet connection without which it is not possible to do online classes.
RCM Reddy, MD and CEO, Schoolnet India Ltd:
Measures are needed to strengthen the digital capability of each school, owing to the great digital divide that still exists, on a mission mode.

Such a digital initiative should be holistic including access to the internet, affordable and appropriate devices, projectors, teacher training in digital pedagogy, curriculum centric multimedia content, adaptive assessments, and analytics to track progress.
Aakash Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL):
With Covid completely changing the dynamics of classroom education, we expect there to be a great amount of focus on online education and its infrastructure, especially in the Tier 2,3 cities, in the Budget.

The Government also needs to support telecom companies so that they develop better infrastructure, internet connectivity, access to modern devices, ensuring last-mile delivery, quality guidance to the underserved who have been left behind owing to the digital divide.
Niru Agarwal, Trustee, Greenwood High International School, Bangalore:
We need to digitally connect all schools in the country and also ensure a smooth glitch-free working of the digital infra post its implementation.

Additionally, the government should announce programmes to foster better Internet connectivity infrastructure across the country that ensure last-mile connectivity.

Also, the creation of tech hubs, from where quality vernacular content can be disseminated is the need of the hour.

The government must also allocate funds for technological upgradation of educational institutions in rural areas so that the education of students studying in these institutions does not get affected due to any other pandemic in the future.

Dr Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson, KIIT International School:

According to UNESCO's state Education Report 2021, the availability of computing equipment in schools in India has been found to be only 22% and only 19% out of them have an internet facility.

The development of digital infrastructure did not receive due consideration in last year's budget and hence, it is imperative to allocate sufficient funds for the development of a robust and improved digital infrastructure.
Naman Jain, Education Expert and Director, Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad:
The future needs hybrid, online, blended, flipped, discovery, experiential and various other learning methods. The upcoming budget should also support and encourage development of new education technologies and innovations.
Ruchir Arora, Co-Founder and CEO, CollegeDekho:
Virtual classes in colleges have become a necessity due to Covid-19 and the infrastructure required for it has increased the cost incurred by the students even further.

Many students in India don't have access to a laptop or a stable internet connection. There needs to be a focus on ensuring that the required infrastructure is developed adequately and is available to everyone.
Nitin Vijay, Founder and MD, Motion Education, Kota, Rajasthan:
Today, deeper internet penetration has helped institutions to take classrooms to the remotest part of the country that is helping the underprivileged.

There is an urgent need to develop infrastructures for better connectivity and access to mobile devices or computers to bridge the digital divide.
Sharad Bansal, Co- Founder, Tinkerly:
Due to Covid-19, we saw the demand-supply gap and it is crucial to bridge the gap by providing internet connectivity, better infrastructure in tier 3 and tier 4 cities, and running schemes like One student One laptop, scholarships should be provided for outstanding performances.
Rajeev Tiwari, Co-founder, STEMROBO Technologies:
The emphasis should be on programmes to improve internet connectivity infrastructure across the country, ensuring last-mile connectivity, inexpensive 5G devices, and, most crucially, assisting e-learning players with a solid e-learning infrastructure.

Dr. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University:

A fund allocation for the advancement in technology infrastructure to help enable institutes to invest in the latest technology tools, software, and high-speed connectivity will surely deliver a seamless high-quality learning experience to their students.
Avinash Kumar, Founder, Credenc:
With a considerable shift to virtual or online education models, ensuring access to better technology and improved e-Learning infrastructure should be prioritized to reduce the digital divide in smaller towns and cities.

Overall, we are hopeful that the government relaxes the education infrastructure loans and expands the income tax provision under Section 80C for deduction of education expenses.
Vaibhav Singh, Co-Founder, Leap Scholar:
The 2022 budget is expected to have a higher focus on the edtech sector as a whole, with significant investments to enhance greater access to robust and improved digital infrastructure.
Dr Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group:
Education should reach each corner and the remotest of areas of India. The pandemic showed a mirror that we need to have a robust and improved digital infrastructure to reduce the digital divide of rural and urban.
AK Srikanth, CEO, KLAY:
To overcome the digital divide further on, a large allocation towards IT and Bandwidth infrastructure needs to be subsidized for students and educational institutions for a higher degree of usage.

Reduced GST for edtech

The pandemic has changed the way India studies and while edtech companies were slowly picking up pace even before Covid-19 struck, now, they have become an essential part of education and skill development. A need has therefore arisen to cut down the GST on edtech platforms.
Karun Tadepalli, CEO and Co-founder, byteXL:
Currently, subscriptions to EdTech platforms attract 18% GST. The Government in this Union Budget must unburden a load of excessive taxes by abolishing GST on eLearning.
Madhu Agrawal, Co-founder of Clever Harvey:
One of the key areas of concern for all edtech companies is the disparity in the GST treatment of print educational solutions vs digital educational solutions. For example, a textbook is charged 5% GST whereas the same book in an online format is charged 18% GST.
Sharad Bansal, Co- Founder, Tinkerly
With the country witnessing the 3rd wave of Covid, online classes have become mainstream now but they currently come under 18% GST slab. Relaxation on GST for online classes and STEM toys will encourage more enrollments of interested students.
Ajoy Thomas, VP and Business Head, TeamLease Services:
The Union Budget should cover certain benefits for startups, such as reduced taxes for companies with a turnover less than INR 10 Crores, and complete exemption from taxes for a duration of 3 years and on profits earned during the first 5 years, the budget should be benefitting the overall startup ecosystem.
Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Founder Chairman, JAIN Group:
In the recent past, supplementary education b private institutes had been categorized under Educational Services and taxed at 18% under the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

This year we expect that the government will reduce this to 5%, and help to ease pressure on particularly those students who come from lower and middle-class families.
Achin Bhattacharyya, CEO and Founder, Notebook:
Long term tax exemption and funding support to ed-tech firms will go a long way towards ensuring that the sector is able to attract and retain quality talent who are educators by choice and not by chance.
Rajeev Tiwari, Co-founder, STEMROBO Technologies:
A reduction in the tax rate for ed-tech businesses might give even more momentum and encourage further investment, as the current GST rate of 18% is posing a barrier to these new businesses reaching their full potential. Lowering it to around 5% will do the good.
Prateek Bhargava, Founder and CEO, Mindler
From an ed-tech sector perspective I expect the government to also reduce the GST rate on ed-tech solutions which will make these solutions more accessible to students and parents in these difficult times.
Himanshu Tyagi, CEO and Founder of Digikull:
The government should revisit the 18% GST on skilling, which is very demotivating for the students who want to gain skill-related education.
Vaibhav Singh, Co-Founder, Leap Scholar:
The GST for educational services is expected to be brought down to 5% from the existing 18%, to increase accessibility and feasibility for students from lower and middle-class families.
Dr Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group:
Currently, the GST rate which is applied on education is categorized under Education Services and hence 18% GST is levied, we expect the Government to revise the GST rate and reduce it to 5%.
Budget Thoughts 2022 - AK Srikanth, CEO, KLAY:
In times when many education players had to close down their businesses, it is important that the investments into the Education sector increase and a lower GST of 5% or less from the current 18% is made, which will additionally attract potential investors.

Teacher training

The pandemic has forced Indian teachers to adapt to digital teaching methods in record time. But now, we need to implement better teacher training programmes so they can be made adept with the various technologies available in the education field.
Prateek Shukla, co- founder and CEO Masai School:
Our teaching methods have not evolved to suit the digital medium. I don't think that writing on a black board on a small mobile screen is the best way for our young minds to learn.

We need to enable them with the internet and develop resources for teachers to take classes on the phone efficiently.
Siddhartha Gupta, CEO, Mercer|Mettl:
Teacher training, a fresh initiative has crawled to 120 Cr, against an allocation of 250 Cr.
Surabhi Goel, CEO, Aditya Birla Education Academy, Aditya Birla World Academy:
We need a robust program to train teachers on how they can work with students to bring them at par with the expected learning levels of their grade.

The Government must allow partnerships between private players to be a part of educational governing bodies to ensure a greater reach for upskilling programmes in the government sector for teachers.

Along with this, reduction in the GST slab for teacher training will help make these trainings accessible to all teachers.
Niru Agarwal, Trustee, Greenwood High International School, Bangalore:
Teachers need to be trained to use new-age teaching aids and tools. As quality education holds the key to inclusive growth in India, the upcoming budget must promote the perfect amalgamation of digital and traditional education.
Naman Jain, Education Expert and Director, Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad:
Public private partnership towards strengthening school education through teacher training and capacity building for education delivery can transform the system bringing it more in line for future requirements.
Sharad Bansal, Co- Founder, Tinkerly:
Technical and soft skills training should be made mandatory for teachers. They should be trained to teach and maintain the engagement of the students in online classes.
Achin Bhattacharyya, CEO and Founder, Notebook:
As a country with the highest number of school-goers in the world, we need to invest heavily in teachers training and workshops.

Skill development and job creation

Employment took a bad hit due to the pandemic and skill development is now more of a buzzword than ever before.

Not only do we need to bridge the digital divide, we also need to make sure students and young professionals in remote locations and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities have subsidised access to online learning platforms so they can build the skills they need for future jobs.
Siddhartha Gupta, CEO, Mercer|Mettl:
The aim should be to impart employable, digital, and flexible skills with the focus on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling if we want our youth to participate in a data-driven digital economy.

A budget of 3000 Cr is just too less to have any perceptible impact on Skill development for every industry. This year India is spending 2300r, nearly 200 Cr less than the allocated budget. Pure skill development initiatives are expected to spend 1700 Cr 200 Cr less than last year.

New job roles created in ML/ AI, Data Sciences, Full Stack, Dev ops, etc. across the Software development cycle. AI and automation, earlier touted as a death blow to the people-centric India IT model came unfounded, newer technologies have been additive to job creation.

An era of job scarcity to people scarcity is underway. People who can up-skill to be relevant in the changing parading will be scarce and be at a premium. Every company and individual has to think about re-learning.
Narayan Mahadevan, Founder, BridgeLabz:
The government needs to recognize and encourage startups to not only focus on skill development but also to ensure the job is 100% guaranteed.

We would also like the Government to firstly recognize Skill-to-Job as a separate category and encourage Start-up with some schemes or tax rebates to employ such fresh graduates such as being done by the Singapore government.
Nitin Vijay, Founder and MD, Motion Education, Kota, Rajasthan:
We expect that the government will make announcements that will encourage online learning especially on models that will focus on learning of new-age skills and employability.

We are living in a digital era and learning models that focus on concepts like AI, VR, Machine learning should also remain in focus.
Sharad Bansal, Co- Founder, Tinkerly:
Currently only schools can get grants for Atal Tinkering Labs, this should be extended to private learning centres and independent educators so that community driven Tinkering Labs can be established.
Prateek Shukla, co- founder and CEO Masai School:
We need to also look at schemes for skilling our youth that are outside of the education system and make them eligible for employment opportunities currently there.

Private universities are now working with the government in the US to move to an ISA (Income Share Agreement) model as an alternative to education loans. This is something we need to focus on too when it comes to promoting skilling in India.

Communication and interpersonal skills, cognitive abilities, logical thinking need to come to the forefront in K-12 education. Wherever we are seeing this implemented, like in some states in India, we are seeing those students perform better.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor, World University of Design:
Any serious effort about creating employment opportunities would require a shift in the focus on encouraging creativity along with the stress on sciences. This is because unprecedented changes are taking place and newer opportunities are emerging.

In South Korea they have formed a Ministry for Future, Sciences and Creativity. This underlines the important role that design plays there in transforming science into culture.

The government mission should be to make design, creativity and innovation as important to the school curriculum as math and English, strengthen higher education institutions in the field of design so that in the coming two decades we produce a whole new generation of home-grown companies and unicorns.
Lohit Bhatia, President of Workforce Management, Quess Corp:
Online upskilling needs to be the primary focus going forward, as most skill centres have remained non-functional due to Covid-19 in the last 22 months.

The Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) Plan Scheme which had been designed to incentivise employers for generation of new employment should be immediately brought back allowing EPFO grants for the first 3 years for all first time UAN generators.

Extension of benefits offered in Section 80JJAA of the Income Tax Act which supports job creation.
Rachit Agrawal, Co-founder and Director of AdmitKard:
There should be greater emphasis on skills and language training in order to make Indian youth ready for the global economy, and encouraging more Indians to migrate for work or studies,"
Ravi Panchanadan, MD andCEO, Manipal Global Education Services (MaGE):
We need to upskill individuals creating a first-day job-ready workforce to boost the future employment quotient of our country.

Improving the Gross Enrollment Ratio

The pandemic has led to a huge learning gap and a large number of dropouts. The Education Budget needs to tackle this issue such that India can be well on the path of achieving the target 50% GER as stated in the NEP.
AK Srikanth, CEO, KLAY:
The pandemic has hit the Gross Enrolment Ratio unfavorably which was hovering around the 27% mark in 2018-19.

In order to realize 50% by 2030, it is important that we accelerate and compensate for the lost years due to the pandemic.
Ruchir Arora, Co-Founder and CEO, CollegeDekho:
Quality education is a key driver for a nation's economy and we want the upcoming budget to focus on improving the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER).
Rajeev Tiwari, Co-founder, STEMROBO Technologies:
Our expectation is that the Union Budget should further drive policies around Innovation, Creativity and Experiential Learning.

NITI Aayog's flagship Project Atal Tinkering Labs which was setup in 2016 has been making a great impact in this regard, the need is to further strengthen this project and link it learning outcomes in STEM, Experiential Learning, AI and Coding.
At the K-12 level, we must incorporate Technology-Oriented Curriculum Delivery, which is based on technique and pedagogy aligned with the demands of 21st Century Skills.

Education loans at lower rates

Experts are calling for various subsidies and scholarships due to the massive financial hit to the common man caused by the pandemic that trickles down to how much parents can afford to give to their kids in the field of education.
Sourabh Gupta, Founder and Design Dean, The Design Village Noida
The finance ministry along with state governments should look at initiatives that will further help students whose families have been affected with scholarships and flexible and low interest education loans.

PC Chhabra- Executive Director, Sanskriti University:

We look forward to seeing a massive focus towards lessening the financial burden on parents and students to reduce the interest on education loans.

This will help students to aspire for higher education without getting under economic stress.
Dr. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University
The Government could also develop an education loan scheme for the ease in accessibility, disbursement and repayment terms which will support students from the lesser privileged strata and the deeper pockets of the country to benefit from.
Himanshu Tyagi, CEO and Founder of Digikull:
The loans related to education must be provided for lower interest rates.
Dr Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson, KIIT International School
Reduction of interest rates on education loans is also required so that students aspiring for higher education are not financially burdened.
Sumeet Jain, Co-founder, Yocket, an Edtech startup:
With very low NPAs in education loans, the government needs to ensure that loans above 20Ls also come under priority. The Government could also provide some interest waiver (or subsidy) schemes which can provide more access to students for funds.

There should be a good number of scholarships (or interest-free loans) for foreign education as well. A well-planned scheme can go a long way in getting a huge population to compete on a global level.
Prof (Dr.) YSR Murthy, Founding Vice-Chancellor, RV University, Bengaluru
We would want the government to set up a scholarship to be named 'The Indian Corporate Higher Education Scholarship' with a corpus of Rs.1,000 crores contributed by the top 1000 corporations of the country. This should be run by an eminent independent board.

Better research and development facilities

Research facilities in India are not up to the mark as compared to top universities abroad. More budget allocation is needed in this area so Indian innovation can be the harbinger of change and development in the nation.
Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor, BML Munjal University (BMU):
The proposed National Research Foundation needs to be created with adequate funds to promote research and development in the country and faculty are eagerly waiting for this initiative.

The mandate of 9 science and technology mega clusters, announced in Budget 2021, may be expanded to include teaching and learning in addition to research and development.

This will lead to the optimal use of faculty and laboratory resources, and also quality in pedagogy, given that the Academic Bank of Credits is in place.
Achin Bhattacharyya, CEO and Founder, Notebook:
The need of the hour is to invest heavily in research infrastructure in the country to stop brain drain which has existed and thrived for nearly half a century now.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor, World University of Design:
Design also opens the door to Research and Development (RandD), particularly for MSMEs who with their limited resources can't include RandD in their business model.

The Government would do well to invest in research that promotes deeper appreciation of the 'steppingstones to RandD' like design.

Private Public partnerships

The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance of private players especially in the current digitalized education and learning sectors. It is high time we leverage PPP to accelerate student learning and teacher training processes.

RCM Reddy, MD and CEO, Schoolnet India Ltd:

Given the considerable expertise of private sector in Edutech, PPP models could be explored to execute such a mission.

This will set the foundation on which the effectiveness of teaching and learning will improve and pave the path to democratise access to education.
Achin Bhattacharyya, CEO and Founder, Notebook:
We need more PPP (public-private partnership) projects are needed to ensure that quality education content reaches each student and every teacher in the country.
Avinash Kumar, Founder, Credenc:
Innovative Public Private bank partnership models where education subsidy is complemented/accompanies with subsidy on finance can help make this dream a reality.
--- While the above are the main factors that education experts in India want to see form the Education Budget 2022, here are a few others:

Mental health counselling to be made essential for students, especially to battle the ill-effects of Covid-19

Scientific career guidance in schools and institutions so that both students and parents can understand the innumerable new career options that have opened up

GST reduction for book publishers and for digital devices that would be used by students and teachers

A strict overseeing of the blooming edtech sector as many companies are offering certifications with little to no value in the market; prevention of courses being turned into trends.

Read: How Education Budget 2022 can drive NEP: Need for special focus, huge investments, and better control on expenses Read: Union Budget 2022: Doubling down this year's education budget to be golden key, here's what experts have to say Read: Union Budget 2022-23: 'New normal' to continue, know pre-budget expectations for education sector

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Education Budget 2022: From better digital infrastructure to better education loans, here's what experts want

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Here's what education experts from various fields in India want from the Education Budget 2022. From better digital infrastructure to better education loans, experts are calling out for means to better quality education considering the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/female-students-join-male-peers-as-afghan-universities-reopen-2744285

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Afghanistan's public universities on Wednesday opened for the first time since the Taliban took over the country last year, with female students joining their male counterparts heading back to campus.

The Taliban administration had not officially announced its plan for female university students, but education officials told Reuters women were permitted to attend classes on the proviso they were physically separated from male students.

A Reuters witness in the eastern city of Jalalabad saw female students entering via a separate door at Nangarhar University, one of the large government universities opening this week.

Under its previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the hardline Islamist Taliban had barred women and girls from education. The group says it has changed since resuming power on Aug. 15 as foreign forces withdrew, but has been vague on its plans and high school-aged girls in many provinces have still not been allowed to return to school. Some private universities have reopened, but in many cases female students have not been able to return to class.

The international community has made education of girls and women a key part of its demands as the Taliban seek more foreign aid and the unfreezing of overseas assets.

The United Nations late on Tuesday praised the inclusion of female students at the country's public universities, appearing to indicate official confirmation.

"(The) U.N. welcomes the announcement that public universities will begin re-opening 2 February to all female and male students. So crucial that every young person has equal access to education," the U.N.'s mission to Afghanistan said in a Tweet late on Tuesday.

An education official who asked not be named because he was not authorised to speak to media said universities had been given different options to keep female students isolated, including separated classes and staggered operating hours to divide the genders.

Khalil Ahmad Bihsudwal, the head of Nangarhar University, told Reuters male and female students at the institution would attend separate classes, a practice already in place in many provinces.

Only universities in warmer provinces opened on Wednesday. Tertiary institutions in colder areas, including Kabul, are due to resume on Feb. 26.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Afghan Universities Reopen, Women May Attend Only If Separated From Men

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Afghanistan's public universities on Wednesday opened for the first time since the Taliban took over the country last year, with female students joining their male counterparts heading back to campus.

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https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/press-releases/story/Health_and_Wellness_Week_experts_We_must_work_to_prevent_and_prepare_for_other_pandemics_while_fighting_against_Covid19-ZAWYA20220201155851/

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DUBAI:- Global experts have stressed the urgent need for the international community to collaborate in preparedness and prevention against new pandemics, particularly in regard to protecting vulnerable populations.

Speakers at the hybrid 'The Next Wave | Preventing and Preparing to Beat Future Pandemics' event - held in association with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences as part of Expo 2020 Dubai's Health and Wellness Week - underscored that the fight against COVID-19 must continue as long as people remain without access to vaccinations - a figure that currently amounts to roughly three billion people, mostly in low-income countries.

Dr Seth Berkley, CEO at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is a co-lead on COVAX, a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, delivering more than 1 billion doses in less than a year, said: "COVAX has proven that it can deliver, but we faced obstacles including a lack of early at-risk funding, vaccine awarding, export restrictions and scaling up of manufacturing, which led to delays in equitable access that we cannot afford."

Dr Berkley urged leaders from public and private sectors to renew their support and help raise the minimum needed USD 5.2 billion in additional funds over the next three months as part of an initiative titled the Gavi COVAX AMC 2022 Investment Opportunity. "This [investment] will help COVAX create a pandemic vaccine pool, a buffer to protect its supply in case of future bottlenecks, and meet the emerging needs of countries, which is ultimately what it will take to stifle this virus," he said.

Dr Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean, School of Public Health, Makerere University, spoke about the effects of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, and specifically Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Senegal. Such measures often restricted access to food, water and education in vulnerable communities, and hampered access to healthcare services for other diseases, which led to Ebola and polio outbreaks.

Dr Donald Kaberuka, Chair, The Global Fund Board, said: "We cannot separate old and new pandemics, but instead need a package that handles all of them together... We have to invest in dealing with COVID because it is a danger to [progress on] other pandemics, which have been killing many more people than COVID itself, like AIDS and malaria. These are largely a problem in the Global South rather than wealthy countries, and therefore the attention and bandwidth is narrower - and this is a huge risk for the achievements of the last 25 years."

Discussing zoonotic diseases that are at the root of many pandemics, Dr Neil Vora, pandemic prevention fellow, Conservation International, argued that pandemic prevention - such as combatting deforestation to reduce human wildlife interaction and regulating wildlife trade and markets - is far more economical and effective. "If implemented properly, pandemic prevention activities would cost USD 10-20 billion annually, compared to the millions of lives and trillions of dollars lost from a pandemic such as COVID," said Dr Vora.

Moreover, Professor Andrew Cunningham, Deputy Director of Science, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, highlighted that the drivers of zoonotic disease emergence are also the force behind biodiversity loss and climate change, meaning that investing in pandemic prevention could address several global challenges at once.

Health and Wellness Week is one of 10 Theme Weeks held under Expo 2020's Programme for People and Planet, offering an exchange of inspiring new perspectives to address the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2022

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Health and Wellness Week experts: We must work to prevent and prepare for other pandemics while fighting against Covid-19

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Health and Wellness Week is one of 10 Theme Weeks held under Expo 2020's Programme for People and Planet, offering an exchange of inspiring new perspectives to address the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time

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https://theconversation.com/zoos-and-aquariums-shift-to-a-new-standard-of-animal-welfare-that-depends-on-deeper-understanding-of-animals-lives-164839

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Zoos and aquariums shift to a new standard of ‘animal welfare’ that depends on deeper understanding of animals’ lives

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A fundamental change in how North American zoos and aquariums are accredited supports their animal conservation and species survival work.

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https://www.thehansindia.com/hans/young-hans/digitalisation-of-education-enthuses-experts-727423

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The budgetary allocation this year emphasises on the needs of skilling, reskilling and upskilling citizens. Considering the situation of the last couple of years which greatly impacted the job pool and led to declining job opportunities leaving the employable workforce jobless, this years' union budget focused on creating 60 lakhs jobs. Hence, by prioritising skilling and reorienting skilling programmes the government will give an immense boost to the youth of the country to get back to work. I wish the government had definitive plans to accomplish the same and even encourage such platforms that work towards skilling from the perspective of employability and create business models on successful employment."
- Narayan Mahadevan, Founder, BridgeLabz
Path-breaking initiatives such as digital Desh e-portal, digital university and e-content portal for teachers serve to provide comfort on the acceptance of EdTech by the government and the regulatory bodies. We are pleased with the way Budget 2022 has focused on leveraging technology to drive deeper penetration into the market and breaking barriers to provide access to top-quality education to the masses. We expect EdTech businesses catering to customers in the Tier-II and lower cities to gain significant momentum in the coming years. Education is one of the key pillars of growth and youth upskilling is a major contributing factor. With technology playing a key role in the growth of various sectors, the availability of a skilled workforce will be critical.
- Nikhil Barshikar, Founder and MD of Imarticus Learning
As per the budget announcement by the FM, there will be the creation of 60 lac new jobs. Using a capital investment approach to do so and not making any alterations would work considering how well the corporate sector is doing. Taking into account the last two years of the pandemic which has been difficult for all, there wasn't much for the salaried class/middle class. However, if I must say so, the goal is to improve things through infrastructure investment and by not putting money directly in the hands of the consumers. Introducing Desh Stack e-portal should be a help in creating and stimulating the environment for skill development. In the last year's budget NAPS was the fourth pillar and now, announcing Desh Stack is a step in the right direction."
- Sidharth Agarwal, Director, Spectrum Talent Management
Two important points on education are worth highlighting in the Union Budget. First is the digital infrastructure: due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, the whole education system had to shift online. Teaching every child was the biggest challenge any school could face. Through one class, one channel, it will become much easier to reach every child. Second is the up-gradation of Anganwadis: they are usually taken as daycare centres, but it is a base for any education system. Equal importance should be given to early childhood education as well. That said, the implementation of these measures should be effective and time-bound.
- Dr Maithili Tambe, CEO, The Academy School, Maharashtra
Right from the Finance Minister's use of a tablet to propose the budget explained that India is on the path of a digital revolution in the near future. As expected the government has well thought to reduce the digital learning gap between the urban and rural by introducing '1-Class-1-TV channel" covering multiple regional languages, which will not only counter the learning losses but will bridge the learning gap. The PM's e-Vidya will be further expanded from 12 to 200 channels to facilitate supplementary learning. For the implementation of NEP 2020 great stress is implied on shifting the focus on Upskilling, therefore the launch of Digital DESH e-portal for skilling, upskilling and reskilling will be the key to newer dynamics.
- Dr Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group
Increased focus on delivering education in regional languages will help improve learning outcomes by overcoming the language barrier. The pandemic has brought out the need of using technology to curate content to individually fit students' learning needs and the government's focus on delivering personalised learning at the doorstep is a step towards that. Increased focus on technical skills in ITIs will help promote the employability of students and further put India on the world map as the hub of engineering excellence. In addition to this, the opening of a digital university will not only improve access towards higher education learning in India, it will also improve access of international students to Indian education.
-Dr Sridhar G, Founder, Deeksha
The second paperless budget at a time of India's recovery from the pandemic is neither too populist nor a big bang. The budget focuses on infrastructure spending, thrust on investments, and Capex outlay. This is great because it could further fuel demand. The additional infusion of funds to CGTMSE and extension of ECLGS to March 2023 will be helpful for the MSME segment. It is encouraging to see the announcement on central bank digital currency using blockchain as it will further reduce dependency on cash and could potentially give significant impetus to the digital payments ecosystem. The announcements concerning the focus on digital banking are also encouraging.
- Srividya Kannan, Founder, Director, Avaali Solutions Pvt Ltd.
The Union Budget 2022 has accorded the much-needed importance on digital education and also on enhancing skilling programmes. It is heartening to learn that the finance minister emphasised the National Skill Qualification Framework. The skilling initiative announced in the budget will explore the untapped potential amongst the Indian youth, boosting their employability with dynamic industry needs. Training teachers to use better in teaching outcomes and equip them with necessary skills is the Need of the Hour. The Digital Ecosystem for Skilling & Livelihood e-portal provides ease for students to enable the discovery of relevant jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities among citizens.
- P C Chhabra- Executive Director, Sanskriti University
I believe announcements around National Digital Health Ecosystem in the Union Budget 2022 are a positive step towards digitization of health records and making data exchange & analysis easier both for providers as well as patients. If implemented well can certainly lead to efficiencies in diagnosis & treatment. Digital health ecosystem can further improve access to quality yet affordable healthcare for citizens. Further, National Tele Mental Healthcare Program is rare mention in the budget and thus, recognizes importance of mental health in India. Mental wellbeing has been a taboo subject in our country, this digital platform can greatly help mainstreaming mental health alongside physical wellness and will make medical help available to patients at the right time.
- Anurag Khosla, CEO, Health by Aetna
The Union Budget 2022 gives confidence to the business community as it focuses on building strategic strengths rather than taking short term and fiscally deviant populist measures. The FM has avoided giving in to the pressure of the upcoming assembly elections.

Digital inclusiveness for citizens of all classes, increased capital expenditure on infrastructure, push for logistics betterment with continued development of railways and highways, boost to the EV industry with standardized norms for battery swapping, charging and leasing, and easing the compliance burdens are the measures that are essential for business growth in India.
- Ravi Saxena, Co-Founder & MD, Wonderchef
The main thing that makes us happy as a design university in the new budget is that it focuses on animation, gaming, visual effects and comics and talks about promoting This sector. We recognized this need 4 years ago and implemented these courses in our university. It is a matter of delight that provision has been made in the new budget to promote these sectors by understanding their potential. Another point is that the budget announcement has recognized the need for urban planning and urged AICTE to focus on it. It is a matter of happiness because the way urbanization is increasing in the country, it is paramount to recognize the need of urban planning. Being a design university, we understand this need, so we have also prepared graduates in this sector through courses in architecture and city planning.
- Sanjay Gupta (Vice Chancellor, World University of Design)
The Union Budget 2022 announced, was a hit and miss for the education sector. While it has finally addressed and recognised the learning loss the pandemic has created, the need to develop the digital infrastructure of the country was not adequately focused on the budget. The economically disadvantaged students especially in rural areas have lost essential years of education and the introduction of supplementary teachers was highly necessary. Supplementary education can help bridge the gap to a large extent. The increase of 'One Class One TV Channel' from 12 to 200 TV Channels to provide supplementary education in regional languages for classes 1-12 is a welcome move but it will not be enough.
- Dr Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson, KiiT International School
The Union Budget 2022 for education is a continuum for potential GDP growth over the next 25 years and it's a sign of relief that reflects good governance. Digital DESH, Digital University initiative, One-Class-One channel through PM eVidya for supplementary education in regional languages for rural development and finally with fibre optic connectivity for last-mile digital reach in villages are indeed progressive initiatives. PPP (Public Private Partnerships) with Hub-N-Spoke models for EdTech companies will certainly harmonize better learning outcomes, especially on world-class student skill development. Setting up of 5 COE (Center of Excellence) is a catalyst to excellence in education on the world stage.
- Osborne Dsouza, Director & CEO, Edufiq, EdTech
We are glad to see the government taking progressive steps in the direction of universal education. The Union Government has taken the learning losses caused by Covid-19 into cognisance. This is reflected in the 16% increase in overall outlay for School Education and 25% increase in the allocation for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The focus on multi-lingual dissemination of digital education in the budget is heartening. We look forward to hearing more on the competitive framework for development of high-quality e-content.Local access to good schooling and quality teachers supported by excellent digital content will significantly increase the impact of education on students' futures.
- Puneet K, President, The Narayana Group
The education sector was one of the most impacted sectors because of the pandemic and we were expecting support from the Government. We were expecting flexible and low-interest education loans which is the same as before but we are happy with the PM eVidya Scheme and the launch of Digital University. E Green University, One Class One TV Channel, Digital University is a good step towards digital India and training teachers to use better in teaching outcomes was a necessary step. 5 Centres of Excellence to be set with an endowment fund of Rs. 250 crore each for Urban Planning courses that would assist in Urban Sector Development, encouragement of academic Institutes and Research and Development will be supported for the ambit of Defence Budget.
- Dr Latika Chaudhary, Associate Dean - Outreach & Operations, The Design Village (TDV)
FM Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget 2022 speech laid impetus on the importance of digital education and announced a host of measures for the Covid-19 pandemic-hit education sector. ITIs will realign the vocational courses as per the industry requirements. Focus on developing skills in modern-day technology like Artificial Intelligence etc will help in coping up with industry demand. 23 National Tele mental health centres is a good initiative towards the awareness of mental health, will help people to recover from stress and anxiety due to the Pandemic and lockdowns.
- Dr Mukesh Kwatra, Founder Smiling Tree
Very intrigued to know about the setting up of the digital university and the AVGC task force that the government has announced in the budget. The budget certainly looks to be forward-looking and promising as the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) industry in India happens to be worth about 40 billion dollars today and would be growing to about 60-70 billion dollars by 2027/28. This is a very welcoming step keeping in mind the growth in the AVGC industry, augmenting global demands for quality content and the current resource crunch of trained and skilled individuals. We sincerely look forward to seeing an ecosystem being developed for the same. ''
- Dr Manoj Singh, CEO, RUBIKA India
The union budget has ushered in positive measures in the field of education which will give a boost to the sector especially in the context of the pandemic. A robust education system is a necessity for any growing nation and this is all the more important when the country is aiming to normalize education. The focus on digitization, bridging the rural-urban gap, making online education available to all children are all measures that are welcome. Two years of education regression for school going children meant that we needed to double-up efforts to bridge education gaps. The budget 2022 for the education sector rightly focuses on upskilling and digital learning. The announcement of one class one channel and expansion to 200 channels under e-vidya will enable the reach of online education to a vast body of students where online education is still not widespread.
- Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, Bangalore
Education is a unique sector where investment has multiple effects. The State of education is often a healthy predictor of the country's overall development and well-being. While quality education holds the key to inclusive growth, education in India needs to be recognised as an equaliser especially in the context of the pandemic. It is also a crucial instrument that can bridge the socio-economic divide in our country. Establishing a Digital university and over 200 channels covering multiple regional languages under the One class, one TV channel' program are two very innovative and path-breaking initiatives that will enable students across the country to access quality education far and wide through the hub and spoke model.
- Niru Agarwal, Trustee, Greenwood High International School
Union Budget 2022 has given the education system to nourish all the children while sitting at home in this Covid-19 era, launching of eVidya for school children will bridge the education gap. This will make the education sector back to work again through digital learning and the establishment of a digital university, giving students an opportunity towards skill development as well. The launch of the digital university under the PM scheme will make the young generation access world-class quality education and this will make students make their careers stronger and better. The skill development programme will help our youth to enhance their skills and make their name in their field.
- Dr Neelima Kamrah, Principal of KIIT World School, Gurugram
The State of education is often a healthy predictor of the country's overall development and well-being. Quality education holds the key to inclusive growth and education in India needs to be recognised as an equalizer especially in the context of the pandemic. This year's budget will bring a revolutionary change to the education sector as it can support the capacity building of teachers and school leaders across the country. Investing in teacher education through the training of teacher educators and implementation of robust institutions for teacher training and education will create a high-quality education system in the country. Education is also a crucial instrument that can bridge the socio-economic divide in our country.
- Dr Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder & Managing Director, Ekya Schools, and Provost, CMR University.
As the budget encourages skills development &and digitization. Reskilling and Upskilling will be key to getting students ready for digital jobs. Global trends suggest the evolution of the creator's economy. Soloprenurship and freelancing will be a big trend in the future. Digital and creators' skills can uplift many young job seekers and get them ready to be meaningfully employed without leaving their cities or villages. We need to focus on workplace experiences along with skilling, re-skilling and upskilling. This will drive the creators economy in India."
- Manav Subodh, Managing Director, 1M1B (One Million for one Billion)

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Digitalisation of Education enthuses experts

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The budgetary allocation this year emphasises on the needs of skilling, reskilling and upskilling citizens.

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/girls-worst-hit-in-access-to-education-during-pandemic-parliament-panel/articleshow/89143326.cms

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NEW DELHI: As the surging third wave puts the focus back on the pandemic's impact on children's education, the findings of a parliamentary committee highlights how the Covid crisis has disproportionately affected girls, especially their education.
The committee on women empowerment, in its report presented during the winter session of Parliament in December, called for urgent measures to prevent girls from poor families, impacted by closure of schools and lack of digital access, from dropping out of school.
On a specific question about the effect of the pandemic on enrolment and retention of girls in schools, especially from among the socially and economically backward groups in schools, the education ministry submitted before the panel that "school closure in India affected 320 million children enrolled from pre-primary to tertiary levels of education. It has been estimated that of these, about 158 million are female students".

Times View

The submissions and recommendations are part of the report on 'Empowerment of Women Through Education with Special Reference to Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Scheme'. The committee has observed that in the post-pandemic scenario, the probability of more adolescent girls dropping out of school permanently to help with household tasks and childcare due to the economic hardships of their families is very high.
The panel has recommended incentivising participation that can help more girls continue their schooling and learning with measures like targeted scholarships, conditional cash transfers, provision of bicycles, access to smartphones and hostel facilities.

The 31-panel, led by BJP MP Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, observed that as per the 'unified district information system for education (UDISE )' data for 2018-19, the gross enrolment ratio of girls decreased from 96.72 in elementary classes to 76.93 in secondary classes and to 50.84 in higher secondary classes. It also pointed out that the dropout ratio of girls during 2019-20 was 15.1.
"The committee understand that the enrolment and retention of girls in schools in rural areas is still a great challenge despite having a plethora of efforts under RTE, Samagra Siksha etc. Further, lack of digital access to learning, poor family background, closure of schools and hostels facilities for girls, the uncertainty of re-opening of schools pose serious challenges in girls' retention in schools," said the report.
It suggested urgent and concerted efforts to mobilise the return of girls students to schools and sustain their regular attendance.
The panel lauded the step by the Centre asking every state to map 'out of school' children through household surveys and preparing guidelines to reach out to the last girl child to resolve her problems.

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Girls worst hit in access to education during pandemic: Parliament panel | India News - Times of India

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India News: As the surging third wave puts the focus back on the pandemic's impact on children's education, the findings of a parliamentary committee highlights h

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https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/gates-foundation-wellcome-pledge-300-million-to-cepi-to-prepare-for-future-pandemics/article64927089.ece

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Gates Foundation & Wellcome pledge $ 300 million to CEPI to prepare for future pandemics

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CEPI is a global partnership involving the governments of Norway and India, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the WEF

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https://www.livekindly.co/gucci-wild-animals-are-not-props/

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Gucci has made significant strides in recent years for the planet and its inhabitants. It went fur-free in 2017, joining a growing list of luxury fashion brands in eschewing animal pelts. In 2018, it launched the Gucci Equilibrium, a platform for social change and climate action. Since then, the company's supply chain has been carbon neutral, reducing emissions by switching to renewable energy and by investing millions into projects to offset its negative carbon footprint, such as initiatives that fight deforestation. According to its 2020 impact report, the company decreased its greenhouse gas emissions by 47 percent and its overall environmental footprint by 44 percent.

In 2020, Gucci launched its first-ever sustainable collection, Off The Grid. In line with the brand's goal of circular production, the collection features recycled and organic materials, including a 100 percent regenerated nylon made from pre-and post-consumer waste. That same year, Gucci joined The Lion's Share Fund, an initiative that supports wildlife conservation. But, with its latest collection-Gucci Tiger-the fashion giant is bringing its support of wild animals and the natural world to a screeching halt.

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Gucci: Animal friend or foe?

When Italian fashion designer Alessandro Michele took over the helm of Gucci in 2015 as creative director, he completely reimagined the face of the luxury fashion powerhouse. Gone were the minimalistic designs of Michele's predecessors, Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. In their place, Michele ushered in a new era of collections brimming with an alluring, maximalist aesthetic, gender fluidity, vibrant color schemes, and Renaissance-esque elements- cue Jared Leto's 2019 Met Gala look.

In a nod to his father, who deeply loved nature, Michele's animal and nature imagery are widely apparent across the century-old brand's collections. Animal motifs arise in the form of dogs, owls, snakes, bees, leopards, birds, and the like. So, given that 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese Zodiac, it should come as no surprise that the majestic big cat is front-and-center in Gucci's latest collection, as it is with other designers like Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs

The Gucci Tiger collection's print is a reinterpretation of artist Vittorio Accornero's 1960s archival print. (Accornero created the fashion giant's signature Flora design.) The ready-to-wear, 80-piece collection prioritizes sustainability. It features Gucci's self-produced, vegan leather material, Demetra, which is composed of viscose and bio-based polyurethane. And the collection even sports the brand's first eco-conscious watch, which has a Demetra strap and comes in a recycled stainless steel case.

The illustrations of the powerful feline intertwined with floral print are striking, even if the high-fashion price tag makes it accessible to few. But it's hard to ignore Gucci Tiger's glaring fallacy. Gucci Tiger's campaign video plays like a fever dream: real-life tigers roam an opulent hotel as models, dressed to the nines in the new collection, are shown dining on pastries and sipping tea. For all of its sustainability efforts and purported investments in biodiversity, this blatant exploitation of one of nature's most magnificent, and endangered, creatures for marketing glitz makes Gucci appear to be truly ignorant about the causes it supposedly supports.

No matter how "tame" they are, 400-pound tigers are far from being cuddly feline companions. | Getty Images

No, wild animals are not pets... or props

It should go without saying, but tigers are supposed to be in the wild, their natural habitat, and not on a film set. Gucci's use of them totally eradicates its sentiment of care for the natural world.

"In these ads, tigers are just another luxury item, no different from a fancy chair. Just like expensive clothes and vacations, tigers are another 'thing' to acquire," explained Liz Cabrera Holtz, Wildlife Campaign Manager for animal welfare group World Animal Protection.

"There's no recognition that tigers are wild animals and living beings," she added. "The ads encourage people to view possessing captive tigers as the ultimate status symbol, fueling the cruel wildlife trade."

Gucci did not respond to our request for comment, but on Instagram, the company notes that animal welfare group American Humane ​​"verified that no animals were harmed" in the making of the Gucci Tiger campaign. It adds: "Tigers were filmed in a separate safe environment complying to Gucci's policies and then featured within the campaign." LIVEKINDLY reached out to American Humane for further comment but we are yet to receive a response.

But here's the thing, a "safe" environment for exotic animals on a film set just doesn't exist. Keeping and manipulating captive wild animals in these settings only puts people-as well as the animal itself-at risk of injury and even death. One of the more notorious examples occurred during the making of Roar, which saw the cast and crew suffer maulings, bites, and other injuries by captive wild animals on the set. The 1981 film, which stars Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith, is about a naturalist who lives on an African nature preserve with a myriad of big cats.

Or consider the mauling of the late Roy Horn, one-half of the magician duo Siegfried & Roy, by a tiger during a performance at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in 2003. Horn-who passed away last year at the age of 75 due to complications from the coronavirus-was well-versed in handling big cats but was simply no match for the 400-pound tiger.

In the words of comedian Chris Rock: "The tiger bit the man in the head, and everybody's mad at the tiger. Talking 'bout the tiger went crazy. That tiger ain't go crazy; that tiger went tiger." (For the record, Horn later stated that the tiger, who had latched onto his neck and dragged him off stage, was merely trying to help him after he suffered a stroke.)

​​"Really there's no humane way to do a photo shoot with a captive tiger, or a captive wild animal for that matter," says Lindsay Oliver, executive director for World Animal Protection U.S. "There's a lot of control and manipulation that goes on for those animals. It's very stressful, it's cruel, and it's usually a dangerous situation as well."

Sobering fact: there are more captive tigers living in the U.S. than there are remaining in the wild. | Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Here's the problem with wild animals in captivity

The life of a tiger film star may sound glorious, but Netflix's controversial 2020 docuseries Tiger King proved it's anything but. Although Tiger King did lose sight of the animal welfare issues prevalent throughout the show-a true-crime series focused on wild animal keeper Joe Exotic and his plot to kill animal rights activist Carol Baskin-it did shine a spotlight on the issue of wild animals in captivity, especially that of big cat-breeding.

According to World Animal Protection, with only an estimated 3,900 tigers remaining in the wild, there are now more tigers living in captivity in the U.S. These captive big cats are kept in roadside zoos, which aren't accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, such as the one featured on Tiger King, circuses, and other attractions that masquerade as tiger rescues and sanctuaries. A simple Google search for "rent tiger" returns a lengthy list of companies that rent out captive wild animals like elephants, lions, and giraffes. One reads: "Hire skilled animal trainers and rent exotic animals for a film or video production, a party, or any kind of event."

These "attractions"-mere profit generators at the expense of animals-may be cited for violations of the American Welfare Act due to concerns like inadequate veterinary care, improper cages, and a lack of access to food and clean water. But ultimately, due to lax state and federal laws, as well as the careless enforcement by oversight agencies, many are able to continue operating.

Unlike these for-profit establishments, whose treatment of animals is antithetical to conservation, reputable sanctuaries prioritize the safety and wellbeing of their animals and will not typically buy, sell, or trade them. The primary goal is to rehabilitate the animals or ​​offer a place of refuge if they are unable to return to the wild.

Oversight by a third-party organization or not, keeping wild animals captive for the sake of entertainment is inherently cruel. After all, they have natural instincts and behaviors that life in captivity simply cannot accommodate. Despite this, they are often forced to do tricks on cue until they become too old or sick to perform.

In captivity, big cats like tigers usually suffer from a lack of adequate physical activity, poor care, and unnatural diets. Frustration and unnatural stress can also result in zoochosis, symptoms of which include head-bobbing, excessive licking, or pacing.

The illegal wildlife trade is fueled by our continued framing of exotic animals as luxury pets. | Denise Truscello/Getty Images

An even bigger issue: The illegal wildlife trade

Gucci's use of captive tigers glorifies keeping exotic animals as pets, which subsequently fuels the demand for the illegal wildlife trade.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the illegal wildlife trade is a multibillion-dollar industry that sees wild animals traded for food or medicine, for their skins, or as pets.

"Countless species are exploited by the trade in wild animals for use as pets and are now under pressure in the wild. African grey parrots, otters, ball pythons are just a few. Some of these animals, like ball pythons, are even sold in major pet store chains like PetSmart," explains Cabrera. "Bred in captivity in cruel mills or captured from their natural habitats, wild animals from snakes to turtles to monkeys to tigers are suffering."

A 2019 study found that nearly 1,000 species are now classified as at risk of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to the illegal wildlife trade, including pangolins and rhinos.

Social media influencers and big-name celebrities are also contributing to the appeal of keeping wild animals as pets. They're also contributing to the animals' exploitation. Influencer David Dobrik (who was "canceled" last year amid misconduct allegations) had a segment on his YouTube channel in which he surprised his friend with animals, including a baby bear and a monkey-all for content ratings.

In 2013, singer Justin Bieber made headlines after his pet capuchin monkey was confiscated by German customs officials. Former professional boxer Mike Tyson owned several tigers, one of whom he sold after 16 years. "She got too old and I had to get rid of her when her eyes and her head got bad. Oh, and she ripped somebody's arm off," he said in an interview for GQ.

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Hey, Gucci: Ever heard of CGI?

Gucci may be a leader in fashion-disrupting gender categories and fostering sustainability-but with its latest collection, it's certainly proving it's falling short of keeping up with the changing times. Using tigers for a clothing advert is not only unethical, it's also wholly unnecessary.

Innovation is now advancing archaic norms-you know, like making handbags out of alligators and using real, live tigers in ad campaigns.

Case in point: 2016's The Jungle Book, a remake of Disney's 1967 animated film of the same name. From the black panther Bagheera to the giant snake Kaa down to the harrowing buffalo stampede, the film created all of its animals using computer-generated imagery (CGI). And if the film's expansive award wins (Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, BAFTA Awards for Best Special Visual Effects, etc.) are anything to go by ... the visuals were nothing short of stellar.

Movies like 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes and 2019's The Lion King all feature creatures generated via animation software realistic enough to make audiences swoon. Even director James Cameron, with his obsession with authenticity, employed CGI to create entirely different worlds in the 2009 sci-fi/action film Avatar. If millions of movie tickets around the world are any indication, I'd say it's convincing enough technology to employ in a one-off marketing campaign to sell designer luxury wear.

Animal welfare issues aside, these advancements in technology are proving there's absolutely no need to use captive exotic animals for the sake of entertainment-or for any reason. Period. Exotic animals like tigers have no place in the media (or petting zoos, or circuses). They belong in the wild. To Gucci and Alessandro Michele: If you really care about the natural world and its inhabitants, help keep human evolution moving forward, not backward. Foster a House in which your revolutionary creative prowess and iconic fashions don't contribute to the misery of innocent animals. You certainly have the funds to employ the use of CGI. So put your money where your mouth is. And leave animals alone.

The views expressed in opinion pieces are those of the author(s) and do not represent the policy or position of LIVEKINDLY.

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Gucci's Use of Live Tigers to Sell Fashion Is Barbaric

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Gucci's new line emphasizes sustainability, but the brand's use of wild tigers as props is questionable for animal welfare reasons.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/02/01/why-im-hopeful-we-can-narrow-the-digital-divide-in-education/

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The "digital divide," the gap between those who have access to computers and the internet and those who do not, has been with us for decades and has seemed intractable. But as we begin a new year, I'm hopeful that new programs can help open doors of opportunity for those who have been left behind in the past.
Internet Inequity And Learning
Even before the pandemic, many essential functions for both students and adults, such as completing schoolwork, applying for jobs and finding government resources, necessitated access to broadband. But Covid has only increased the inequities for those who sit on the losing side of the digital divide. Currently, 13.6 million urban households and 4.6 million rural homes lack a strong internet connection. This lack of connectivity has direct and indirect costs that harm individuals, communities and society.

In my world, education, the adoption of technology and online learning has increased exponentially over the past several years. The vast majority of our billings at McGraw Hill now come from digital products. This expansion in the use of digital learning platforms is exciting for those of us in the edtech industry, but we need to ensure that access is equitable, so all students have the opportunity to benefit.

With the majority of students and teachers now relying on digital coursework and materials, millions of students in predominantly low-income communities are being left without adequate access to the tools necessary for success. Research released by McKinsey & Co. showed that student learning loss during the pandemic has been much more pronounced for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, in both math and reading. I fear that these gaps could persist, leading to lower graduation rates and lower ability to prepare for high-paying jobs, ultimately hurting the economy in the long run.
The Digital Equity Act
Here's why I'm hopeful: The Digital Equity Act, part of President Biden's infrastructure bill, is a historic $2.75 billion investment in digital equity and inclusion that will help address this important issue. The Act will help end digital redlining, which is when internet service providers avoid lower-income areas - typically neighborhoods with large populations of people of color. It will also help lower prices for internet serviceby boosting competition in areas where there isn't adequate service and requiring providers to offer a low-cost plan and to display a " Broadband Nutrition Label " that will help families shop for the best deal.

In addition to these important functions, the Act will also fund digital literacy programs and Wi-Fi hot spots in schools and provide computers and other devices to students. Because of its focus on needs outside of widespread broadband deployment (for which $42.5 billion is earmarked in the infrastructure bill), The Digital Equity Act has the power to truly change local communities.
Closing The Digital Divide
Access to broadband and creating digital equality is one of the few bipartisan issues today. Studies have shown that students who lack home internet access or who rely solely on a mobile plan for their internet access spend more time on their homework or fail to finish it, have lower grade point averages and have weaker digital skills. A deficit in digital skills compounds many other inequalities and contributes to students performing lower on standardized tests such as the SAT and being less interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

As we enter a new year that is still so full of uncertainty, it is encouraging to know that steps are being taken to address education gaps. Our education technology industry has the potential to change lives and unlock learners' potential through innovative tools and platforms, but we must focus on critical issues of equity if we want to achieve our vision. The Digital Equity Act is a great start.

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?

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Council Post: Why I'm Hopeful We Can Narrow The Digital Divide In Education

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Our education technology industry has the potential to change lives and unlock learners' potential through innovative tools and platforms, but we must focus on critical issues of equity if we want to achieve our vision.

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https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/prevent-pandemics-act-to-build-pandemic-7082400/

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The PREVENT Pandemics Act would change how the U.S. Government monitors disease outbreaks, stockpiles supplies, and responds to future pandemic threats. In introducing the discussion draft, Sens. Richard Burr (D-NC) and Patty Murray (D-WA) issued a press release stating: "As the response to COVID-19 continues to evolve, we must reflect on the lessons learned from the last two years and determine where we were successful, where we failed, and what we did not anticipate so we are better prepared for the next threat we face. This discussion draft starts that conversation."

While the 205-page discussion draft of the proposed legislation contains many significant provisions to improve U.S. public health infrastructure, four measures that may be among those of greatest interest to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are:

Section 505, " Facilitating the use of real world evidence," which would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue or revise guidance on the use of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) to support regulatory decision-making, including with respect to RWE from products authorized for emergency use. While FDA has already issued a suite of RWE-related guidance documents this past year, FDA has not explicitly addressed the use of real-world performance of medical products distributed under Emergency Use Authorization, to support full marketing approval.

Section 506, " Advanced platform technologies," which would create an advanced platform technology designation (by inserting "Sec. 506K. Advanced Platform Technology" into the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA)) to expedite the development and review of new treatments and countermeasures that use cutting-edge, adaptable platform technologies that can be incorporated or used in more than one drug or biological product. This measure would require FDA to issue guidance on the implementation of this new designation within a year of enactment of the PREVENT Pandemics Act. In addition, major changes to an advanced platform technology may be made by FDA approval of a supplemental application, which could potentially allow a more streamlined approach for developers to tackle new variants or strains sooner so that patients and their families have access to essential medicines earlier.

Section 511, " Ensuring registration of foreign drug and device establishments," which aims to clarify that all foreign drug and device establishments that manufacture or process drugs or devices intended to be marketed in the United States must register with FDA, including products manufactured at an establishment that are not directly imported into the U.S. This proposal aims to address concerns about the quality of drugs manufactured abroad, in particular, a loophole that regarding registration of foreign facilities that manufacture API for OTC monograph drugs (and avoid inspection).

Section 513, " Unannounced foreign facility inspections pilot program," which also addresses concerns over drugs and medical devices manufactured outside the U.S., and would require FDA to conduct a pilot program to increase the conduct of unannounced inspections of foreign drug facilities. Under this measure, FDA would have 180 days from the enactment of the PREVENT Pandemics Act to initiate the pilot program, and then 180 days from the pilot program's completion to issue a report evaluating: any differences between unannounced and announced inspections, barriers to conducting unannounced inspections, and challenges to achieving parity between domestic and foreign human drug establishment inspections.

Other measures included in the discussion draft of particular significance to pharmaceutical and biotech companies relate to modernizing clinical trials by promoting the use of digital health technologies, decentralized clinical trials, inclusion of more diverse populations in clinical studies, and other innovative trial designs (Sec. 502); increasing EUA decision transparency (Sec. 507); improving FDA guidance and communication (Sec. 508); strengthening medical device supply chains and preventing medical device shortages (Secs. 515 and 516); and utilizing remote records assessments for medical devices (Sec. 517).

A section-by-section overview of the draft was also made available here. Feedback on the discussion draft is due February 4, 2022, and the Senate HELP Committee plans to mark up a final bill in the coming weeks. We will continue to track this far-reaching legislation and keep you apprised of any changes.

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PREVENT Pandemics Act to build pandemic capabilities and implications for medical product developers

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Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate HELP Committee released a discussion draft of the "Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act" ("PREVENT Pandemics...

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https://phys.org/news/2022-01-petition-captive-coyote-forest-cage.html

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A coyote in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Credit: Christopher Bruno/Wikipeida

On a recent morning with wind chills below zero, at a Cook County, Illinois, forest preserve, a coyote paced back and forth inside a cage, turning tight figures eights, peering out through the wires. With sharp teeth and quick movements, the animal looked ready to hunt. But animal experts agree, he probably can't survive on his own in the wild.

Before he opened his eyes as a pup, forest preserve officials said, this coyote was found in Tennessee by people who took him for an abandoned dog and brought him to a domestic animal shelter. He was kept there for three weeks, socialized and trained to be adopted like a pet.

When the operators realized he was a coyote, he was placed with an animal rehabilitator for several weeks, who concluded he'd been imprinted by humans. That means he had no fear of people, and was dependent on them for survival and socialization.

Eventually, the coyote was placed with the Forest Preserve District, spokesman Carl Vogel said. Since August 2018, he's been kept in a metal enclosure at the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook, where Vogel said he gets expert care.

Some people are trying to change that. About 1,800 people signed a Change.org petition to move the coyote to a more natural habitat at an out-of-state animal sanctuary. The effort was led by animal lover Nicole Milan, who was disturbed to come across the caged coyote while on a hike late last year.

Other animals kept in captivity at the nature center, like a Swainson's hawk or a red-tailed hawk, have been physically injured, having lost an eye or a wing. The coyote, however, is physically healthy.

"I was flabbergasted," Milan said. "It's cruel and barbaric to keep a wild animal in solitude in such an unnatural, tiny cage. You wouldn't leave a dog alone like that in a cage."

Milan, who runs her own consulting company, calls the coyote Rocky, after the movie boxer. She asked forest preserve officials about its conditions, and was told the outdoor cage, roughly 10 by 22 feet, meets U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, and that the coyote gets regular veterinary care. She offered to pay for a larger enclosure but was turned down.

Going further, Milan contacted the Wild Animal Sanctuary outside Keenesburg, Colorado, 30 miles northeast of Denver, which operates almost 800 acres of refuge land for captive wild animals. It is state and federally licensed, and is home to more than 550 large carnivores separated by species, including lions, tigers, bears and coyotes.

Most of the sanctuary's animals come from illegal roadside zoos or other private owners. The facility saved many of the big cats featured on the viral cable television documentary "Tiger King," which were transferred there on authority of the U.S. Department of Justice, founder and Executive Director Pat Craig said.

The sanctuary offered to take care of Rocky in large, outdoor, fenced-off enclosures, where after being evaluated and acclimated, he might live with other coyotes for socialization, pursue natural behaviors such as running and playing, and be fed.

Normally, according to the Urban Coyote Research Project, in which the Forest Preserve District participates, wild coyotes spend more than a quarter of their lives hunting and traveling, often in open areas such as prairies. They often live in packs and have a highly organized social system.

After being hunted and trapped to the point where they were considered wiped out from the area, along with wolves, in the 1800s, coyotes have since made a comeback, with thousands living in the metropolitan area.

Solitary coyotes travel large distances, covering up to 60 square miles across different towns and even states. In captivity, they typically live 13 to 15 years.

Milan sent the forest preserve a letter in mid-December proposing to move Rocky. She was told officials would get back to her by Jan. 22.

A friend, animal law attorney Cherie Travis, supported Milan's efforts, calling the coyote's captivity "cringeworthy." While the forest preserve nature center is 60 years old, advocates note that zoos and animal sanctuaries have evolved in recent decades to provide larger, more natural settings for the animals' welfare, and to build public appreciation for natural habitat.

Vogel, the district spokesman, said the coyote is well cared for, and serves an educational purpose for visitors, with feeding demonstrations and talks educating visitors on the native animals. Some visitors, including schoolchildren from Chicago, may never see a coyote in the wild.

"These ambassador animals play an important role, to teach the public what kind of animals live here, and how the public can support and protect native animals, so they're really doing something important," he said.

Milan has been reaching out to forest preserve board members for help and plans to attend the forest preserve board virtual meeting set for Tuesday, though Vogel said such situations typically are handled by staff members. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's office did not immediately respond to questions about what to do with the animal.

Milan was unconvinced by the district's educational claims, saying the cage only shows how to treat animals cruelly.

"It's only teaching children it's OK to hold wild animals captive," she said.

The forest preserve board is expected to discuss the matter at its meeting Tuesday, after hearing comments from the public and a presentation from the forest preserve staff.

In Cook County, commissioners serve on both the county board and the forest preserve board. Preckwinkle's office issued a statement committing to protecting animals but supporting the status quo.

"All Forest Preserves ambassador animals serve an important role in helping connect Cook County residents to nature while having their needs for shelter, food and medical care met. This is the charge of the nature centers' staff and the wildlife experts responsible for these animals, and we are confident that every possible step is being taken to ensure the same for the coyote at River Trail Nature Center."

County board and forest preserve Commissioner Scott Britton, in whose district the nature center is located, said he will listen to all sides. He said the staff let him in the coyote's outer cage Thursday to see its attachment to humans. Naturalists indicated to him their thought that the animal would not be able to socialize with other coyotes, and that they'd prefer to keep it for educational purposes.

Britton said he might consider a compromise in which the district could seek funds to provide a better enclosure for the animal.

"I'm looking to do what's best for this coyote," he said. "We need to have a longer conversation and figure out what's best."

Commissioner Larry Suffredin called the situation a learning opportunity. He's nervous about transferring the animal out of state into a new setting but suggested having a third-party veterinarian look at the coyote and suggest options.

"Whatever we advocate for, it has to solve a problem," he said.

The forest preserve mission is to protect open space, "with all of its associated wildlife, in a natural state for the education, pleasure and recreation of the public ..." It says nothing about keeping animals captive.

Brookfield Zoo, partially funded by the forest preserve and located on forest preserve land, has habitats built for wild animals, but zoos don't typically house common local animals like coyotes.

2022 Chicago Tribune.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Petition seeks to move captive coyote from forest preserve cage to animal sanctuary

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On a recent morning with wind chills below zero, at a Cook County, Illinois, forest preserve, a coyote paced back and forth inside a cage, turning tight figures eights, peering out through the wires. With sharp teeth and quick movements, the animal looked ready to hunt.

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https://en.gaonconnection.com/education-budget-2022-nirmala-sitharaman-elearning-digital-divide-online-education-evidya-digital-university-one-class-one-tv-channel-rural-india-barabanki-uttar-pradesh-national-education-mission/

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Gaonconnection | Your Connection with Rural India

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There has been an increase in the education budget for the year 2022-23 to Rs 104, 278 crores (budget estimates) as compared to last year when the budget estimate was Rs 93, 274 crores (revised to Rs 88,002 crore). The union budget has laid a lot of emphasis on digital learning since students' have suffered due to numerous school closures ever since the onset of the pandemic.

The finance minister made a slew of announcements in the 2022 budget session that included setting up of a digital university with class quality universal education and personalised learning experience for students across the country. She announced that the university will be built on a network hub and spoke model with the collaboration of the best public universities.

"Due to the pandemic induced closure of schools, our children particularly those from rural areas and those from scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, and other weaker sections have lost almost two years of formal education. Mostly, these are children in government school. We recognise the need to impart supplementary teaching and build a resilient mechanism of education delivery," the minister said while presenting the budget today morning in parliament.

Sitharaman also underlined that in order to make up for the lost two years of formal education due to continuous disruptions, the government will expand PM e-VIDYA initiative wherein the 'One class One channel' will be expanded from 12 to 200 television channels. This is an attempt to enable all states to provide supplementary education in regional languages to children in classes 1 to 12, the finance minister added.

Sitharaman also underlined that in order to make up for the lost two years of formal education due to continuous disruptions, the government will expand PM e-VIDYA initiative wherein the 'One class One channel' will be expanded from 12 to 200 television channels. Photo: By arrangement

In the Budget 2022-23, the National Education Mission has received Rs 39,553 crore, which is more than the revised estimate (Rs 30,796 crore) for the mission last year.

In the light of the above announcements, Gaon Connection spoke to a number of experts in the education sector, including school principals and teachers, to understand the impact of these allocations.

"The government's intentions are good but students don't have access to smartphones to watch videos," said the principal of a primary school in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. "There are 300 students enrolled in my school. When I went to pay them a visit, I found out that only 20 students had access to televisions. In such a scenario, how will the One class One TV channel initiative benefit the kids in rural India?," he asked.

These digital learning schemes are a step in a good direction but only benefit those who already have access to resources, the principal told Gaon Connection on the condition of anonymity.

A survey-based study by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)'s Dalit Adhikari Andolan found one out of every second Dalit and tribal student, interviewed as part of a survey, couldn't avail online classes due to the unavailability of android phones/laptops. Photo: By arrangement

Difficult to bridge the digital divide

"These just seem to be general and notional schemes. The students for whom they are building these digital universities barely have access to them so for whom are they building these universities?" Paul Divekar, the chairperson of Asia Dalit Rights Forum, told Gaon Connection.

A survey-based study by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)'s Dalit Adhikari Andolan found one out of every second Dalit and tribal student, interviewed as part of a survey, couldn't avail online classes due to the unavailability of android phones/laptops.

The NCDHR's report titled Confronting the Pandemic: Response and Recovering for Dalit and Adivasi students released in October 2021had highlighted that twenty-two percent of students from these marginalized communities didn't have access to internet facilities in their villages that affected their education in the COVID19 pandemic.

Highlighting the digital divide in urban and rural India, Divekar said, "If one goes to any part of Delhi, they have access to the internet but the facility of optical fibre lines is not available at the village level. They have been announcing to bridge the digital divide for a decade but nothing has been done."

The pandemic, lockdowns and the subsequent closure of schools had impacted 201 million students worldwide. Out of these, 170 million students had no access to education for the past one year, the UNICEF report stated. Photo: ASER

According to a report titled C OVID-19 and School Closures: One year of education disruption released by the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 2021, merely 8.5 per cent students in India have access to the internet.

The pandemic, lockdowns and the subsequent closure of schools had impacted 201 million students worldwide. Out of these, 170 million students had no access to education for the past one year, the UNICEF report stated.

Adding more to the discourse, the Barabanki principal stated that the school teachers try to raise awareness about the government run TV shows, radio programmes and share links of e-pathshala with the parents but many families still can't afford a smartphone which affects the students' education.

Sandeep Rajput, who runs mobile schools for migrant children and children who have been left out of schools in Gurgaon's Bhondsi district, told Gaon Connection that the government should come up with initiatives for children which will ensure their overall development and make provision for physical activities too.

"Children have been staying at home for the last two years which have severely impacted them. They need to be brought out of homes. Ensuring digital education is a good step for those who can afford it but a solution needs to be devised for those who have been left out of this system like children of migrant workers," Rajput said.

He also added that many families still depend on keypad mobile phones instead of smartphones and the high data plans can't be afforded by everyone.

According to a report titled COVID-19 and School Closures: One year of education disruption released by the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 2021, merely 8.5 per cent students in India have access to the internet. Photo: By arrangement

E-learning is the way forward

But, education sector experts also support e-learning. "E-learning is the way through which we can connect to students. We might not have the same facilities as the first world but we have to start somewhere," Santosh Kumar Biswal, an assistant professor at Symbiosis Institute Of Media And Communication, Pune told Gaon Connection.

The assistant professor said that the announcements in the budget 2022 were a step in the right direction. "The concept of e-learning is not new but has been accelerated because of the pandemic," he said.

Biswal also added that the central government needs to work in tandem with the state government to ensure proper implementation and suggested that the government should also tie-up with organisations such as UNICEF for more support.

"The 'One Class One TV channel' initiative is also a good step to reach the masses," Hepesh Shepherd told Gaon Connection

"These are progressive initiatives, timely and need to be welcomed. The 'One Class One TV channel' initiative is also a good step to reach the masses. It will also give a boost to access to quality education in many regional languages so that's an important aspect in the education sector," Hepesh Shepherd, Principal of Salvation Tree School in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, told Gaon Connection.

While he welcomed the increase in budget and stated that it's in line with Kothari's commission's recommendation of allocating 6 per cent of total GDP (gross domestic budget) for education, Shepherd also outlined that fund cutting in scholarship for girl children, especially those belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe section is a cause of concern.
With inputs from Virendra Singh, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.

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With an increased allocation to education, Budget 2022 focuses on e-learning, but will it bridge the digital divide? - Gaonconnection | Your Connection with Rural India

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will launch a digital university and increase the 'One Class One TV Channel' from 12 to 200 TV channels, among other things to bring rural children at par with their urban counterparts.

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https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/first-lessons-from-government-evaluations-of-covid-19-responses-a-synthesis-483507d6/

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https://www.cbc.ca/radio/docproject/they-fought-a-zoo-ontario-towns-grapple-with-exotic-animal-owner-1.6328277

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Roy Mitchell remembers the moment he learned his rural Ontario community had acquired a new resident.

A rumour was spreading through the tiny town of Maynooth in the fall of 2020. Someone had just bought out all the chicken at the local No Frills, one of the area's only major grocery stores.

Mitchell recalled hearing that the man said, "These are for my kitties."

But the "kitties" he was referring to were not house cats.

"He brought his tiger to the parking lot, or a lion or something," Mitchell said. "And people were telling me, 'Did you hear about the guy ... he's going to start a zoo.' "

Mitchell, an artist who had moved from Toronto a few years earlier, was gobsmacked. "It was like ... what? Can you start a zoo?"

The man was Mark Drysdale, an exotic animal owner who had recently purchased land in Maynooth, located in the municipality of Hastings Highlands about 265 kilometres northeast of Toronto.

He wanted to open a roadside zoo with his collection of animals, including 10 big cats: eight lions and two tigers. He also had lemurs.

Mitchell immediately feared the worst: "Lion escape. Tiger escape. Lemur, not so bad. I wouldn't care about a lemur, but maybe they're dangerous, I have no idea."

Drysdale's plan for Highland Big Cat Adventures would be his third such endeavour in less than a decade. It would also ignite the latest in a series of bitter battles with Ontario municipalities over exotic animal bylaws.

A dilemma for municipalities

Drysdale's efforts have exposed a serious dilemma for municipal officials: How to keep fearful residents safe while navigating an individual's right to keep wild animals.

Ontario has no laws governing who can own exotic animals. Instead, it's up to municipalities to enact bylaws to prohibit specific species.

Animal rights advocates say this has resulted in a patchwork of laws that can often fail to protect animals against mistreatment.

At first, none of the towns Drysdale moved to had a bylaw. But at the behest of concerned residents, one after another, the communities enacted bans on exotic animals.

"It's been hell," Drysdale said. "It starts with townships, and then there's a group that call themselves Zoocheck."

Drysdale reserves special animosity for Zoocheck, which he accuses of stirring up fear in each of the municipalities where he's lived.

Julie Woodyer, campaigns director for Zoocheck Canada, said the organization's purpose is to protect wild animals and has been following the controversies around Drysdale's facilities for years.

He first came to the group's attention in 2014 when he and his first wife, Joni Cook, were operating Ringtail Ranch and Rescue, a zoo in Wainfleet, Ont., in the Niagara region.

Between 2013 and 2018, Wainfleet officials documented 17 instances of biting and scratching at the zoo.

The Niagara Region Public Health reports, obtained by Zoocheck Canada via access to information requests, referenced a range of animals, including a donkey, a type of South American raccoon, a lynx and marmosets. In one instance, a local politician was ambushed by a lemur named Lawson. On another occasion, Drysdale was bitten on both forearms by his lion.

Wainfleet enacted an exotic animal bylaw in 2018. That was the same year that Ringtail was shut down after being declared a health hazard.

Soon after, Drysdale moved to Grand Bend, Ont., a tourist town on the southeastern shores of Lake Huron.

It would become the site of perhaps his mightiest battle.

From Beethoven to big cats

Growing up in Brampton, Ont., Drysdale was the kid who always brought home strays.

"It was probably the neighbour's cat, but I brought it home anyway, pretending it was a stray," he said, adding he's always been more comfortable around animals than people.

In the '90s, he and Joni started taking in unwanted St. Bernards when sales of the breed spiked following the release of Beethoven, a comedy starring the same kind of dog.

Drysdale said as soon as people heard they took in rescues, he began getting calls about unwanted exotic animals, and their collection grew.

"You've got people who buy monkeys. You got people who buy lemurs. You got people who smuggle something across the border. You've got X animal and they don't want it anymore."

It was in Wainfleet that Drysdale began acquiring big cats.

Online, there are pictures and videos galore of Drysdale and his animals - one video shows him playing fetch with a lion named Savannah behind his Wainfleet property.
WATCH | Mark Drysdale and Savannah the lion in Wainfleet:
"So, that is a cat that is absolutely loose," Drysdale told CBC, noting he would be "crucified" for admitting that's how he walked his lions on his property.

But he said the cats stay by his side because "the world beyond their cage and beyond me is a world they do not want to know about."

Drysdale insists his animals are bonded to him and that his lions were never a risk to the public.

"In this world, we have tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dog attacks every single year. How many lion attacks do you know of?"

Drysdale may not have been concerned about lion attacks, but it soon became clear his neighbours were.

New life for an old zoo

Through social media scuttlebutt in spring of 2019, Colin Butler learned that someone was looking to revitalize the old Pineridge Zoo in Grand Bend.

The CBC reporter in London, Ont., was immediately intrigued because the former zoo was known for animal escapes.

"People waking up in the morning and finding a warthog in their backyard or something like that, right? So, I thought, 'Oh my God, this thing's coming back.' So, I started looking into it," Butler recalled.

He discovered that it was Drysdale who wanted to open a zoo called Roaring Cat Retreat on the grounds of the old facility, and that his Wainfleet operation had been shut down by health authorities.

Butler said Drysdale told him Roaring Cat Retreat was "going to have these big, big fences, and everything was going to be safe."

When Butler approached the town's mayor for comment, he wasn't aware of Drysdale's plans. "And it didn't sound like he was comfortable with the idea, either."

Butler's coverage of the plan set off a series of public meetings in Lambton Shores, the municipality where Grand Bend is located.

Drysdale said they weren't made aware of those meetings.

Within days of publication of Butler's article, the municipality of Lambton Shores passed an exotic animal bylaw.

The move infuriated Drysdale, who said he didn't get a chance to give his input and was angry the town would "just pass a bylaw that is going to ... make the tens of thousands of dollars worth of work that we put into that property irrelevant."

But because he had animals on his land before the bylaw was passed, Drysdale insisted it didn't pertain to him and vowed to fight it in court.

Soon, his Grand Bend operation was accepting visitors, setting the stage for a lawsuit filed by the municipality. Ultimately, Drysdale would be forced to move again.

Court injunction ends roaring

One of the most common complaints levelled at Roaring Cat Retreat was, well, the roaring.

"Are we really at that point in society where a lion roaring would be considered a noise complaint over children screaming?" Drysdale lamented.

"People pay tens of thousands of dollars to go to Africa and actually see a pride of lions roar."

Another grievance arose after two lion cubs were spotted wandering in a residential area. Drysdale said a woman who complained overreacted.

"Unfortunately, some lady was getting mail, and it became a big thing. You know, it's not, 'Baby lions are out.' Oh, no, it's 'Lions are out.' Big difference between a baby lion and a lion." He claimed the lock on their enclosure had been cut.

Ultimately, an Ontario court judge decided in late 2019 that while the property used to be a zoo, Lambton Shores had rezoned it years earlier.

The municipality was granted a permanent injunction against Roaring Cat Retreat, which meant the animals had to be removed from the property.

By June 2020, the roaring in Grand Bend had stopped.

Another move, a lobby begins

Before Drysdale and his second wife, Tammy Nyyssonen, arrived in Maynooth in late 2020, they called to ask the mayor if an exotic animal bylaw existed in Hastings Highlands.

They were told it didn't. Drysdale recorded the call and posted it to social media.

"You know what our former mayor should have done?" asked Mitchell, the Toronto transplant to Maynooth. "He should have googled Drysdale."

Mitchell was astounded that there were no rules preventing owners of large, exotic animals moving "from municipality to municipality to municipality."

He quickly organized a group to lobby Hastings Highlands to pass an exotic animal bylaw, but it would take months to gain any traction.

Tragedy strikes

In July 2021, Ontario Provincial Police visited Drysdale's Maynooth property at the request of Hastings-Prince Edward Public Health Unit to check on the animals as a matter of public safety.

According to officers' notes, obtained by CBC through access to information requests, the lions on the property "killed the tiger and ate it" because the animals were "able to dig a hole under the fence to get between enclosures."

Officers noted there wasn't enough food or water for the big cats and that fruit loops had been left for the lemurs.

A provincial animal welfare officer inspected the next day, and Drysdale and Nyyssonen were subsequently charged with one count each of permitting distress and four counts each of failing to comply with the standards of care laid out in the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, known as PAWS.

A spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General said the four lions that killed the tiger were "relocated voluntarily by the owners" who were allowed to move them to an unknown location.

Within weeks of the charges, the town council voted unanimously to pass the exotic animal bylaw, and Mitchell's group, Citizens for a Safe and Humane Hastings Highlands, declared victory.

For his part, Drysdale acknowledged his tiger had been killed by lions but was adamant it hadn't been eaten.

He rejected police claims that lions had dug between the enclosures. Instead, he said, the tiger had been left in a common area and managed to get in with the lions.

He also said he was in jail when the tragedy happened.

Drysdale said he and Nyssonnen were driving when they had what he called "an argument," and that he then led police on a car chase.

He was later charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and assault, pleaded guilty and was convicted.

Though he said he took responsibility for what happened to his tiger, Drysdale also blamed police and described begging officers to take him home so he could move the tiger to a secure enclosure.

"It was like losing a child," Drysdale said of the tiger's death.

A federal bill gains support

Zoocheck's Woodyer is frustrated with the province, which she said has been "promising for years" to bring in captive wildlife regulations, and that nothing has been done to date.

"So essentially, Ontario is like the Wild West when it comes to captive wildlife."

Tom Deline, mayor of Centre Hastings, said his municipality recently updated an animal control bylaw that was introduced in 2001 when a man who owned a cougar moved to the area.

In small communities, Deline said, "people can get very afraid" when it comes to exotic animals and it can sometimes mean taking the fight to court - an expense small towns can ill afford.

"Rather than have every municipality run around and try to do some kind of a protectionist bylaw, I think it would be better if it was either federal or provincial," he said.

The mayor of South Huron told CBC he was grateful that a previous municipal council had enacted an exotic animal bylaw in 2014.

George Finch said he was surprised to learn that such rules were handled at a regional level and would like to see the provincial and federal governments "step up to the plate."

"It's certainly something that should be dealt with beyond the county level. It should be dealt with at a provincial level at a minimum."

A spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General, which is responsible for animal welfare in the province, told CBC the regulation of exotic animal ownership currently can be addressed in municipal or regional bylaws.

A PAWS committee was struck about a year ago to advise the minister on issues, "including any future regulations governing the prohibition or restriction of possession or breeding of exotic animals," said the spokesperson.

Rather than have every municipality run around and try to do some kind of a protectionist bylaw, I think it would be better if it was either federal or provincial. - Tom Deline, mayor of Centre Hastings, on exotic animal bylaws

Laws around keeping such animals vary, not only in Ontario, but across the country.

This makes it impossible to even estimate how many animals are kept in captivity in backyards or roadside zoos, according to Kathy Duncan, director of national programs with Humane Canada, a national organization representing SPCAs and humane societies.

"To call it a patchwork across the country would be generous."

Duncan says there's growing federal support to pass the Jane Goodall Act - Bill S-218 introduced in November 2020 - which would make it an offence to keep non-domesticated animals, such as great apes, elephants and tigers.

Hoping the cats come back

Drydale says there's no need for any ban on exotic animals and insists there are good reasons for people like himself to own them, pointing to animal wrangling for film and TV productions and educational purposes.

The PAWS Act is doing what it's meant to, he said, crediting the province for allowing him to relocate his animals rather than seizing them.

"It controlled me when things went south here. They did the right thing," he said. "They made sure that those animals were moved to a safe place."

Drysdale said he plans to bring the animals back to Maynooth as soon as he can.

"In their bylaw, they do have an exception for sanctuaries and people caring for animals," he said. "And I was happy to see that, to be honest with you. It's kind of throwing you a bone."

In fact, the new rules only provide exemptions for shelters run by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the municipality, but individuals can apply on a case by case basis.

That's a decision the municipality would have to make.
With files from Yvette Brend. The documentary "Of Tigers and Towns" was produced by Joan Webber.

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They fought a zoo - Ontario towns grapple with exotic animal owner | CBC Radio

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Mark Drysdale's repeated efforts to open a zoo featuring lions and tigers in various small Ontario towns have exposed a serious dilemma for municipalities: How to keep residents safe while navigating an individual's right to keep wild animals?

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http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/07/17/the_middle_east_friendship_chart.html

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With overlapping civil wars in Syria and Iraq, a new flare-up of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, and tense nuclear talks with Iran, Middl ...

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Committee: United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Topic: Tracking Mental heath Issues In Refugee CampS.
Main submitters: Ukraine
Co - subers: idk