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**To mark World Environment Day on 5 June, 2020 , [Ciné-ONU Brussels](https://unric.org/en/un-cinema-cine-onu/), Vienna and Geneva invite you to a screening of Rob Stewart’s award-winning film, Sharkwater Extinction, followed by a timely panel discussion.**

Updated 30 May 2020, 13:33

**Culture & COVID-19: Impact and Response Tracker**

**

Source:- https://en.unesco.org/news/culture-covid-19-impact-and-response-tracker**

Updated 29 May 2020, 20:45

**A Whole New World, Reimagined by Women**

Updated 29 May 2020, 13:42

Scholars in discussion with Mr Rashid Rana, Dean

Left to Right :- Left to Right: Mr Rashid Rana, Dean; Mr Abdul Musavir Mir; Ms Yeshi Choden; Ms Sunita Maharjan, Ms. Hema Shironi; Ms T.Krishnapriya; Ms Shahida Shaygan,Mr Baqer Ahmadi, Mr Hadi Rahnaward, Mr Dorji Nidup

Updated 27 May 2020, 01:24

Left to Right: Mr Abdul Musavir Mir, Ms Sunita Maharjan, Ms. Hema Shironi, Ms Shahida Shaygan,Mr Baqer Ahmadi, Mr Rashid Rana (Dean in Centre), Mr Hadi Rahnaward, Ms Yeshi Choden, Mr Dorji Nidup,Ms T.Krishnapriya

Updated 27 May 2020, 01:24

Message from Mr Rashid Rana, Dean UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA), Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan During his visit on Eid ( 25 May 2019)

The 10 SAF Scholars from South Asia, are in Isolation together and staying inside the University campus.

Updated 28 May 2020, 21:44

Published on 28 May 2020, 21:44

Message from Mr Rashid Rana, Dean , UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute, Bechonhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan

Updated 27 May 2020, 01:24

Scholars seeing off Mr Rashid Rana within BNU Campus, outside the hostel.

Left to Right Mr Baqer Ahmadi, Ms T.Krishnapriya, Ms. Hema Shironi, Mr Dorji Nidup,Ms Yeshi Choden Ms Shahida Shaygan, Mr Abdul Musavir Mir (at back ), Mr Hadi Rahnaward

Updated 27 May 2020, 01:24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwYray2Dsk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1lhwbIjikqH_T_oCezCDf71MiqfSKkBpiVKnIk-ZOsZoC4eoeBSizmLGI

As the #COVID19 pandemic unfolds, women continue to hold up more than half of the sky.

❗While it is advised to #StayHome #StaySafe, is HOME really #SafeForWomen?

**🏡During this crisis, the increase in workload and the surge in ✖️domestic violence has made women more vulnerable even inside their homes. Speaking on the current situation, Eric Falt, Director and Representative, UNESCO New Delhi, expressed, “There will be a before and after COVID-19, and this should apply to gender equality too. There must be a redefinition of masculinities, where men share responsibilities with women in dignity, respect and non-violence”.**

**📢In this context, UNESCO New Delhi Office, UNFPA India, UNICEF India, UN Women India and the South Asia Foundation (Madanjeet Singh Foundation) have joined hands to support director and actor Nandita Das in the production and launch of a short film entitled #ListenToHer.**

**👩Listen to Her focuses on two important issues that women are grappling with – an unprecedented increase in their workload and, in many cases, being locked down with their abusers. It is time to break the stigma around reporting abuse. With the aim to inspire women to speak up and for us to add our voice to end the silence around these issues. The film also create public awareness of helpline numbers so survivors can seek immediate assistance.

**

Updated 27 May 2020, 01:44

**Mr M K Raina, Theatre Actor & Director; Trustee, South Asia Foundation-India.**

Updated 23 May 2020, 17:33

Updated 23 May 2020, 17:02

Updated 23 May 2020, 17:02

**During Lockdown COVID-19
Hema Shironi Joseph, Sri-lanka
SAF- Scholar
MA ADS 2nd year, UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA), Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan
**
Days pass, each the same

I follow the movements,

Wake up, get ready for the day

There’s nowhere to go, still have to get up and dressed

My room-once a safe haven is now my prison

Time for “class”

Instead of being surrounded by my peers,

I have only myself

I sit in my room, staring at a screen

The only connection to what used to be

Time passes, class out

And yet I do not move

Can't wait to go back

There is so much time to pause

And reflect – and I don’t give in

To illness – I can invent a more

bright future even as my pace

Through the present in slow motion.

Hema Shironi Joseph, Sri-lanka

Updated 23 May 2020, 16:47

**During Lockdown COVID-19**

**
T. Krishnapriya ( Srilanka )
SAF- Scholar
MA SVAD 2nd year, UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA), Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan**

Here I am on the 65th day of lockdown, looking at the first page of my diary with smirking lips. My eyes were locked on the words “Be positive” followed by the 2020 year plan, which I nicely designed with 2 hours of hard work. My wandering heart and pondering brain keep telling me that God always has a better plan than ours.

The sudden changes, constraints, and unexpected outbreak occur in the life period of a man, it will bring lots of extra willpower, determination, and mental strength to face and overcome such struggles. Such extra abilities will endure in everyone’s lifelong.

At the outset, I have to say, this crisis has made me acutely aware of how privileged I am. Even talking about our struggles during these various phases, of uncertainty, quarantining, and lockdown seems so frivolous when such a large majority of the population is under threat of being seriously affected, be it their mental and physical health, their wages, their business, their families and more.

The hostel in which I live, gradually emptied and only a few students are here. I longed for home and my family as I spend days in the hostel room amid lockdown restrictions. It was difficult to focus on anything amid this anxiety in the beginning but now my routines are changed. My anxiety reduced with running days. It is crystal clear now that we have to stay at home. It doesn’t matter if I am healthy and young: I have to do my part and not put others at risk, not compromise the weakened healthcare system. I adapted to the new environment and now, I saw a great change in me. My routines are changed totally and most importantly, the excuse “I do not have time" has expired.

From questioning reality to looking for conspiracy theories is a quick step when you spend the whole day sitting alone with your thoughts. I have decided to limit my news reading to a few selected sources and my recipe is one hour of trusted newspaper reading in the morning. I am self-isolating myself from opinions and avoiding chit chat over the virus: that’s necessary for mental stability. Some days can be harder than others and it is just fine to take care of ourselves in different ways. I am using this “stay in” time to “go within”. Being creative is my norm, I am constantly dabbling in the arts, but currently, I am cooking new recipes. Lockdown made me had a conversation with a friend of a friend of a friend. Finally, we aware of the connection to our family, the ones who care most, it gave time to talk to the people whom we did not talk for a long time. Apparently, this isolation changes the word alone. Yes, we are here isolated but we are not alone. No one is alone till the sky connects us.

T. Krishnapriya ( Srilanka )

Pics

1 - while working alone inside the BNU ground for major studio
2- Experimenting on time and surface as part of my work

Updated 23 May 2020, 16:42

Climate disasters has taken above 80 precious lives. Both countries were well before ready and evacuated millions of people from remote area while fighting against Covid-19. The rehabilitation and restoration works are going on by Government, supported by numbers of volunteers, and NGOs. Later or sooner things would be normal but the area where work is required is not to loss even a single life specially when the pre alerts and evacuation were started 3 days ago.

Climate disasters has taken above 80 precious lives. Both countries were well before ready and evacuated millions of people from remote area while fighting against Covid-19. The rehabilitation and restoration works are going on by Government, supported by numbers of volunteers, and NGOs. Later or sooner things would be normal but the area where work is required is not to loss even a single life specially when the pre alerts and evacuation were started 3 days ago.

**During Lockdown COVID-19)**

**
Sunita Maharjan, Nepal**

**MA ADS 2nd year, UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Arts (UMISAA), Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan **

Today is the tenth day.

The same question:

“What should we make for dinner?”

The fried potatoes from yesterday,

The boiled potatoes from day before yesterday,

The potato soup from the day before that,

The potato achar even before that.

Now the potatoes have finished.

I wrote this poem on the tenth day of the lockdown. We still ask each other the same question every day "what we should cook for dinner?" At the beginning of lockdown, we couldn’t go shopping nor are we used to an online grocery shopping app. After lockdown in a hostel first, we had to deal with food then the schedule of our daily routine and then online classes, which was so hard to accept the changes. One of Salima Maam's friends Mona Arman sends us fresh vegetables and berries. Every Friday she sent chicken biryani and vegetable Pulau for us and we all (nine SAARC students) eat together in the hostel. We haven't seen her nor have we met her. But we will meet her after this lockdown opens and will say "Thank You" form the bottom of our heart.

From the third week, we were able to adjust to a new daily schedule and classes. We have to accept this situation anyhow. There are no other choices to continue our work and we cannot stay without any activities. Online classes are good for theories, readings, and writings but for our major studio, it was hard to continue previous work because we cannot go out to collect the needed materials for our works. Even we didn’t have basic materials for our art practices. Everybody was struggling with those things in the hostel. So the new challenge for everyone is to work with available materials. It was difficult to start in the beginning but for me, this time is also a good opportunity to experiment with my work. Whole BNU ground is empty and open to working; I was able to do my time base natural works easily on BNU ground without hesitation because of the availability of space and the natural materials. I feel that this is like a residency program than the University where we can react to the space, situation, and the available materials through our art practice as a challenge.

We are so lucky that we have big grounds with fresh air, with many birds and are inside the University. Our day starts with running around the whole BNU and does some exercise. I put water and take images of my natural works every morning. Each day I am surprised by looking at the reaction of nature in those works which make me fresh every day. Then our days spend with online classes, talking and sharing with teachers, cooking, and eating together. And in the evening we roam around in BNU with tea. Somehow we are enjoying and trying to reduce some frustrations by involving in different activities in this pandemic situation. The experience and being together at this time will be very unique in our individual life.

Sunita Maharjan, Nepal

Updated 21 May 2020, 00:20

Updated 21 May 2020, 00:20

Updated 21 May 2020, 00:20

**Message from Prof Salima Hashmi, Chairperson, South Asia Foundation - Pakistan**

Updated 18 May 2020, 17:28

**Message from Dr Nishchal Nath Pandey, Chairman, South Asia Foundation-Nepal **

Updated 19 May 2020, 08:40

Dear Mrs Anamica Hoque, Its a long battle of warriors. Our contributing to Keep safe and surrounding even while Staying at Home Or by speeding awareness with a click away platforms like social media . Big salute to brave Mother of an Angel who is playing so many roles for family. Yes, it is hard time specially for infants, toddlers and with Sr Citizens. This is the time to provide our best support to them Stay Safe ! With all best wishes

Dear Mrs Anamica Hoque, Its a long battle of warriors. Our contributing to Keep safe and surrounding even while Staying at Home Or by speeding awareness with a click away platforms like social media . Big salute to brave Mother of an Angel who is playing so many roles for family. Yes, it is hard time specially for infants, toddlers and with Sr Citizens. This is the time to provide our best support to them Stay Safe ! With all best wishes

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

***In these unprecedented times
SAF-Alumni Message to The World'

***Source: S A F Scholars Alumni Association***
***

Updated 16 May 2020, 20:36

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

Updated 16 May 2020, 17:48

# **Singing away the lockdown blues
K-Pop idols compose a COVID-19 anthem
**
UNESCO estimates that 1.5 billion students are affected by the closure of schools and universities around the world due to the current pandemic.

To keep them motivated, the agency has collaborated with K-Pop artistes IN2IT, AleXa and Dreamcatcher for a music video titled ‘Be the Future’.

The single was released as part of UNESCO’s launch of Global Education Coalition. This is the first time the agency has roped in the South Korean band, which has 400 million fans in 230 countries.

The artistes are collectively part of the Millenasia Project, and the peppy number explains the importance of studying from home.

The chorus goes, “Wash your hands soapy clean, clean. Put your mask on, simple indeed,” as the artistes enact the basics of physical distancing and self isolation.

The lyrics, by IN2IT members, Jeong Yeontae and Yoo Jiahnin collaboration with the band Love X Stereo, are mostly in English. .“Don’t let the seclusion get you down, it’s important to stay connected to school, teachers and friends,” they sing.

The songwriter and singer Jeong Yeontae from IN2IT sums up the purpose of spreading the good word, “My third-grade teacher taught me that at the very least we should all try to make a difference with our lives. Now, I can make a difference by staying at home and caring for my parents.”

“I hope everyone will keep their spirits up and that our energy will give you strength,” says Dreamcatcher’s SuA. The song was filmed and recorded just outside of Seoul in late April. Exercising social distancing, the production was turned around in four weeks.

The video also features the 2020 Global Teacher Prize finalist Yun Jeong Hyun, highlighting how teachers across the world continue to inspire, even as the world shifts to a new order. It is aimed at reminding young people that whilst they may not have symptoms of the virus, they can still transmit it to family or extended family members.

An adorable Siberian tiger mascot and the bebop spunk expected from Korean pop music recalls a different time not so long ago. “It reminds us there is still optimism and small joys even in the worst of times,” sums up Sunny Varkey of the Varkey Foundation.

*‘Be The Future’ is available on Millenasia’s YouTube channel, Apple Music, Spotify, Melon, Anghami, Boomplay, and 25 music platforms around the world. For details, visit millenasiaproject.com.*

Updated 14 May 2020, 20:03

**Muslims help perform last rites of Hindu man in Tumakaru.

**Communal amity to the fore as 10 Muslim youths reach out to the poor family in Tumakuru

Ten Muslim youth helped a Hindu family to perform the last rites of a person in the sealed down area in Tumakuru on Tuesday.

At a time when people are not ready to touch anyone out of fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection, 10 Muslim youth who have been identified as ‘CORONA warriors’ in the Tilak Park police station limits provided the necessary help and financial assistance to the poor Hindu family of K.H.B. Colony, where a 60-year-old man died due to age-related illness on Tuesday.

Narayana Rao, 60, a physically challenged person, was working as a tailor. He died on Tuesday. Relatives could not come due to the lockdown. K.H.B. Colony has been completely sealed after a man died due to COVID-19 and a couple, his neighbours, tested positive.

Mohammed Khalid rushed to his friend, H.N. Puneeth Kumar Rao’s house after he came to know that Narayana Rao, his father, had died. He called his fellow Corona Warriors and supported the family in their moment of grief. All the ten Muslim youth, including Imran, Tipu, Sheru, Sharuq, Thoufiq, Mansoor and Mohammed Khalid went to the house of the deceased and told them that they would make all the arrangements to shift the body and conduct the last rites.

Mr. Mohammed Khalid told *The Hindu*, “Our friend Imran gave ₹5,000 to the family and we carried the body from the house to the ambulance.”

He said the deceased person’s younger brother and two sons (nephews), who stay in the colony, were not ready to come to arrange the last rites out of fear of contracting the infection

They convinced them that Narayana Rao had tested negative for COVID-19 four days ago and persuaded them to come to the house of the deceased.

He said they would have gone to the cremation ground, but did not go as they were in the sealed down area. He thanked the district administration for extending cooperation.

Mr. Puneeth Kumar told *The Hindu*, “My Muslim brothers helped us and looked after us so well. They assured us of making the necessary arrangements and stayed awake with us the whole night.”

Souce:- The Hindu

Updated 14 May 2020, 19:55

Updated 14 May 2020, 14:07

Updated 14 May 2020, 14:06

Thank you for sharing an excellent informative "Daily Well Being Checklist" composting the Power of 5 points to maintain Mental Health during anxieties of Covid 19.

Thank you for sharing an excellent informative "Daily Well Being Checklist" composting the Power of 5 points to maintain Mental Health during anxieties of Covid 19.

**Journalism, 'Fake News' and Disinformation: A Handbook for Journalism Education and Training**

https://en.unesco.org/fightfakenews

Updated 12 May 2020, 14:43

,,,
**Anita Pariyar, Alumna, UMISARC (2013-2015) shares her Pandemic experience from New York**

I planned to participate CSW64/ (UN Commission on the Status of Women) Beijing plus 25 years session that’s was scheduled to take place at the United Nation’s head quarters in New York, USA. As things were finalized for my travel, I left Colombo for Kathmandu where I spent one week with my family. Visited religious shrines Pashupatinath temple and Bouddhanath Stupa where I always get inner strength and peace of mind. I had a wonderful meeting with Dr Nishchal Pandey, SAF chair Nepal. Mainly we discussed about upcoming SAF Alumni meet in Kathmandu this year. Thank you Dr. Pandey for your time and encouragement as always you have been.

I arrived New York in the morning on 2 March. The Secretary General of the UN decided to cancel the event few hours after I reached the city given the severity of the world situation due to Corona Virus. I managed to rent a place 8in, Woodside, Queens, New York, for my temporary stay with a Nepali friend whom I had met during my previous visit. I had no option but to wait and see when I can return back. New York reported her first positive case of COVID-19. Gradually New York situation worsened, City rested in absolute panic. I decided to see if I can go to Sri Lanka. By then Sri Lanka decided to lockdown the airport. Then Nepal decided to lockdown the airport. I self isolated from March 14 with my two other friends: one from India and one from Nepal.

Unfortunately, New York turned to epicenter for COVID-19. Deaths were reported in hundreds, positive cases in thousands. I confined myself within our apparent still in extreme fear and trauma, will I be able to survive? Hospitals reported No rooms as patients were flooded. Public were requested in face book to donate face masks for health workers in the hospitals as they were going out of masks at work. The New York was locked down with an uncertain future. Elmhurst hospital is infamous for COVID -19 deaths, is few blocks away from my resident as the area is densely populated by South Asian American community. Medical professionals gave televised interviews saying even hospital walls are infected with the virus. I was more panicked when a Nepali person that I had selfie with had died in that hospital. The death of Nepalese traumatized me more. I fell sick for two days but recovered soon. I communicated Sr Lankan embassy in Washington DC as I heard they are going to arrange a rescue flight back home, but I was denied since I don’t carry a Sri Lankan Passport.

It’s been 52 days of my self quarantine where I spend time listening Prem Rawat and his message of Peace, Sri Rabi Shankar for his depth knowledge on self healing, reading Buddha’s teaching and Poulo Coello. I listen to most of Press briefing by New York Mayor and the Governor. I listen to music. I watch TV. I do meditation and some Yoga. I am grateful to my family, friends and loved ones in the different locations whom I could speak regularly at this trying time. Its been blessings to speak continuously with my Parents in Nepal and my two kids Joanna and Joel in Sri Lanka who have been my major source of strength.

I also attend meetings and try to connect Nepalese who are stranded in other countries like in Maldives with the help of SAF alumni.

As New Work is healing everyday, I hope the world will be healed soon and I will be able to fly across seas to hold my little kids back in Sri Lanka, a desperate dream of mine that might come true sooner. I extend my gratitude to everyone whom I came in touch in these days, congratulate to those survivors, thanks to my room mates for their care, thanks to social leaders in New York who have been working fearless to help the needy. I am grateful to South Asia Foundation for this opportunity to share my pandemic experience and hope and pray for everyones safety.

Stay Healthy, Happy and Peaceful. May you have courage to tolerate this pandemic.

With Love,

Anita - SAF UMISARC Alumna -2013-2015

Updated 12 May 2020, 18:13

**Secretary-General Mr António Guterres speaking at a meeting "Put women and girls at the centre of efforts to recover from COVID-19"**

The COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone, everywhere.

But it affects different groups of people differently, deepening existing inequalities.

Early data indicates that the mortality rates from COVID-19 may be higher for men. But the pandemic is having devastating social and economic consequences for women and girls.

Today we are launching a report that shows how COVID-19 could reverse the limited progress that has been made on gender equality and women’s rights – and recommends ways to put women’s leadership and contributions at the heart of resilience and recovery.

Nearly 60 per cent of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at greater risk of falling into poverty.

As markets fall and businesses close, millions of women’s jobs have disappeared.

At the same time as they are losing paid employment, women’s unpaid care work has increased exponentially as a result of school closures and the increased needs of older people.

These currents are combining as never before to defeat women’s rights and deny women’s opportunities.
Gender equality and women’s rights are essential to getting through this pandemic together.

Progress lost takes years to regain. Teenage girls out of school may never return.

I urge governments to put women and girls at the centre of their efforts to recover from COVID-19.

That starts with women as leaders, with equal representation and decision-making power.

Measures to protect and stimulate the economy, from cash transfers to credits and loans, must be targeted at women.

Social safety nets must be expanded.

Unpaid care work must be recognized and valued as a vital contribution to the economy.

The pandemic has also led to a horrifying increase in violence against women.

Nearly one in five women worldwide has experienced violence in the past year. Many of these women are now trapped at home with their abusers, struggling to access services that are suffering from cuts and restrictions.

This was the basis for my appeal to governments earlier this week to take urgent steps to protect women and expand support services.

COVID-19 is not only challenging global health systems, but testing our common humanity.

Gender equality and women’s rights are essential to getting through this pandemic together, to recovering faster, and to building a better future for everyone.

Source:- https://www.un.org/en/un-coronavirus-communications-team/put-women-and-girls-centre-efforts-recover-covid-19

Updated 11 May 2020, 13:23

Dear Mr Bachchu Shekh Rabin, Glad to know that all of our SAF Scholars are keeping well and safe during lockdown. Daily Essentials are smoothly arranged and stipends are been transferred promptly into thr accounts.

Dear Mr Bachchu Shekh Rabin, Glad to know that all of our SAF Scholars are keeping well and safe during lockdown. Daily Essentials are smoothly arranged and stipends are been transferred promptly into thr accounts.

[https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/touchfree-handwash-system-in-chennais-public-places/article31518392.ece](https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/touchfree-handwash-system-in-chennais-public-places/article31518392.ece)

Updated 8 May 2020, 01:49

Updated 8 May 2020, 01:40

**Message from Mr Koike Toshio, Executive Director of ICHARM**

Think over "The last-mile challenge" again

Bringing about the catastrophic impact on every aspect of society, COVID-19 has put us in an inescapable situation to take a second look at our behav-iors under a crisis from a different perspective.We sometimes make inaccurate judg-ments and illogical interpretations of the situation we face due to various cognitive biases. Daniel Kahneman, who established behavioral economics, clarified a mechanism of the thought process that goes into every decision we make. According to Kahneman, there are two systems in this process: System 1 and System 2. System 1 is fast, instinctive and emotional, while System 2 is slower, more deliberative and more logical. System 1 is easily affected by cognitive biases and much more dominant in daily life than System 2. There is also a gap between "I know it" and "I do it". A theory identifies several psy-chological steps between knowledge and behavior: for example, "I am interested in it (interest)," "I want to commit to it (motive)," and "If I have a chance, I will do it at any time (intention)." Still more psychological determinants are reported to be involved for us to move from a step to the next: a sense of crisis, responsibility, effectiveness, feasibility, costs and benefits, and moral standard. These determinants can be fos-tered by feedback from experiences.Meanwhile, our memories are likely to fade away as time goes along. "Vijnaptimatra" in the Sanskrit language, or consciousness-only theory in English, is a Buddhist doc-trine established in the fourth century. Under our consciousness stimulated by our five senses through eyes, ears, nose, tongue and body, there are two deep psycho-logical levels: "Manas-vijnana" and "Aalaya-vijnana." "Manas" means human, and "Aalaya" means storehouse. Vijnaptimatra explains that our consciousness grows out of the interaction between Manas-vijnana and Aalaya-vijnana, which accumulates through daily actions and influence our mind just like incense permeates into and remains in priests’ robes.Learning lessons from the experiences with black plague, cholera, Spanish flu, SARS, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, and other infectious disease pandemics, we should try harder to fill a gap between knowledge and behavior by checking our actions one by one and accumulating achievements. "The last-mile challenge," a common target among all disasters, is the key to reducing the possibility that cognitive biases cloud our decisions and actions under this crisis.

Souce: www.icharm.pwri.go.jp/

Updated 8 May 2020, 01:07

**Pandemics Course**

An interactive, self-directed online course on Pandemics, developed by UNESCO MGIEP. This four-module immersive and experiential course on MGIEP’s GDPR compliant learning platform, FramerSpace, provides a unique learning experience on pandemics for anyone above 13 years of age. Using videos, games, podcasts, discussions and stories, this course provides essential knowledge on pandemics while busting common myths and providing activities that build social and emotional skills, towards developing peaceful and sustainable societies, in line with the SDG 4.7....

For more info click on link
https://mgiep.unesco.org/pandemics

Updated 7 May 2020, 13:18

Another COVID-19 Front line: Parents of children with disabilities

Updated 7 May 2020, 13:16

**There should be a common regional strategy in the fight against COVID-19: Maldivian Foreign Minister**
## COVID-19 has brought out peculiar vulnerabilities in the Maldives’

*When the world’s wealthiest and most powerful countries are struggling desperately in the face of the [coronavirus](https://www.thehindu.com/topic/coronavirus/) ([COVID-19](https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/all-about-the-china-coronavirus-covid-19/article30692734.ece)) pandemic, the fight cannot be easy for a small country like the Maldives, that is home to about 4 lakh people. Particularly when tourism, the mainstay of its economy, is devastated. The scenic Indian Ocean Archipelago has put all its might into strategically responding to the health emergency, braving a cash flow crisis and at times, taking ‘difficult decisions’. An economic relief package in the region and targeted assistance will be crucial to tiding the crisis, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid tells The Hindu in an email interview. Edited excerpts…
*

Source :- https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/there-should-be-a-common-regional-strategy-in-the-fight-against-covid-19-maldivian-foreign-minister/article31484493.ece

Updated 7 May 2020, 13:14

**Combating the disinfodemic: Working for truth in the time of COVID-19**

Updated 7 May 2020, 12:55

**Message from Mr Jagdishor Pandey , Alumnus, UMCSAJ (2017) on World Press Freedom Day**

I would like to remember days at the **UNESCO Madanjeet Centre for South Asian Journalism (UMCSAJ)** in 2017-018. I was practicing journalist in Nepal before joining there.

Although I was working for the largest newspaper in Nepal, I got a great chance to enhance my career there. Staying in one of the rebellious states of India--Tamil Nadu-- I learn politics, international relations, and all forms media.

I had spent ten months in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu where I met friends from most of the states of India and friends from South Asian Countries. Not only in the classroom, I also learned a lot from my friends.
Professors at the ACJ were like friends and they were also a pioneer of India media fraternity.

Overall, the ACJ for me is one step more enhancement in the jounalism career.
Today is May 3, the World Press Day of UNESCO. So, I want to remember my ACJ and the importance of the freedom of press and to defend the rights of the media.

Jagdishor Pandey
Sr. Sub-editor
Kantipur National Daily
Kathmandu, Nepal

Updated 7 May 2020, 12:53

Published on 7 May 2020, 12:53

Updated 7 May 2020, 12:20

Updated 8 May 2020, 13:50

Updated 5 May 2020, 14:28

***UNESCO handbook on “Journalism, Fake News & Disinformation” to be translated into 30 new languages***

Updated 5 May 2020, 13:24

**Winners of CodeTheCurve Global Hackathon find Innovative Solutions to COVID-19 Crisis**

Updated 5 May 2020, 13:21

**Free press in Southern Africa more critical than ever in the fight against COVID-19**

Updated 5 May 2020, 13:01

**Mr. Prabin Bikram Katwal, SAF Nepal scholar currently at UMISARC, Pondicherry University Sharing her experience during her self isolation for over a month..
**
We, the students from Nepal enrolled in Madanjeet Singh Department of Green Energy Technology and UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for Asian Regional Cooperation (UMISARC) at Pondicherry Central University, have been under self isolation for over a month starting from the 16th of March 2020. Following the Indian Government's announcement of nationwide lockdown, our University halted all academic and non-academic activities for indefinite period, that saw all the Indian students returning back to their homes but we SAF Scholars from both departments have remained here.

Although, this period of time has been difficult for each one of us due to various seen and unforeseen reasons, the university and our respective SAF chapter have made it easier for us. The university has facilitated us with hygienic hostel services and adequate groceries have been made available within the university premises. **Our SAF chapter led by Dr. Nishchal Nath Pandey has been in constant touch with us about our well-being.** We can all undoubtedly say, this place, in this situation, has been home away from home. We are in touch with our families by various apps such as viber, whatsapp and Facebook messenger. We are also studying on-line. We all hope that this pandemic will soon vanish.

Mr. Prabin Bikram Katwal,
SAF Nepal scholar currently at UMISARC, Pondicherry University, India

Updated 3 May 2020, 19:05

**Mr Mahesh Bhatta , SAF UMISARC Alumnus , sharing his experience of his recent visit to Europe while China was Suffering with Covid-19 **

I am Mahesh Bhatta, SAF alumni of UMISARC from Nepal. I am sharing the experience of my recent visit to Germany this year. While China and some Asian countries were suffering from COVID-19, Europe has not yet been affected as badly as it has now. Therefore, I was happy visiting Germany and also had plans to travel to some other Schengen countries. However, during my second week in Germany, some of the countries in the EU, particularly Italy, came into COVID-19 clutch, and in a short span of time other nations, like Germany, and France were hit severely.

As the Coronavirus started spreading rapidly in Europe, along with other countries, Germany also took many measures to limit the spread of the virus. I also got worried about the pandemic and canceled all my plans for visiting other neighboring countries and returned to Nepal. From the very next day I arrived in Nepal, the government decided to keep all the international travelers in a 14 days mandatory quarantine. My health was completely fine and had no symptoms, nonetheless, since I had recently returned from Europe via Turkey, I decided to isolate myself from others and went for a 14 days self-quarantine at home. After a week of my return, the government decided a nation-wide lockdown and now I am working from home and keeping myself safe and healthy. While in Germany, for a week, I stayed with my Afghani friend, who now lives in Germany. He is also a SAF alumnus and was my classmate during my post-graduation. As SAF fellow we studied together in UMISARC in Pondicherry, India. Along with him, few other SAF Fellows are also in Germany and in some other European Countries. I am in contact with them and they are keeping themselves safe and sound in this crisis time of COVID-19.

Warm Regards,

Mahesh Raj Bhatta

Updated 3 May 2020, 19:00

Published on 3 May 2020, 19:00

**Message from Madam France Marquet, Trustee Madanjeet Singh Foundation & Representative of South Asia Foundation to UNESCO
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2020**

Today, May 3rd 2020, UNESCO Is commemorating in confinement, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the World Press Freedom Day.



I will quote and extract from “Idea of justice” (2006) by Prof Amartya Sen, (Nobel Prize laureate, 1998) .

“One of the central issues to consider for the advancement of public reasoning in the world is support for a free and independent press, which is often conspicuous by its absence.

**…First.. **the direct contribution of free speech in general and press freedom in particular to the quality of our lives…

**…Second**, the press has a major informational role in disseminating knowledge and allowing critical scrutiny.

**…Third**, media freedom has an important protective function in giving voice to the neglected and the disadvantaged , which can greatly contribute to human security.

**…Fourth**, informed and unregimented formation of values requires openness of communication and argument.”

Fourteen years later those stamens are more valuable than never.

We want to pay tribute to all the press people all over the world who died or can’t exercise they job

Updated 3 May 2020, 16:18

**Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2020**

At a time when we are mired in worry and uncertainty because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, free information is essential to helping us face, understand, think about and overcome this crisis.
First, we must consider the vital importance of information in this situation: informing the public means giving everyone the means of combatting the illness by adopting appropriate practices.
This is why the Organization has teamed up with the rest of the United Nations family to fight the “infodemic” of rumours and disinformation which is exacerbating the pandemic and putting lives at risk. To help put an end to the problem, we have joined forces to promote two major social-media campaigns, Together for Facts, Science and Solidarity and Don’t Go Viral.
To bolster the effectiveness of these initiatives, UNESCO has also created a COVID-19 resource centre for the media. This online platform aims to help journalists track false information regarding the pandemic and report on the crisis reliably and effectively, as encouraged by the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020, “journalism without fear or favour”.
This theme is a timely celebration of the work of those who stand up for freedom of information and for an independent press which examines and states the facts.


Too often, we see interference with freedom of the press. Whether this interference involves political, ideological or economic control, defamatory attacks intended to discredit their target, or harassment, too often, it aims to silence journalists - particularly, women journalists. Unfortunately, the extraordinary nature of our present circumstances is aggravating this pressure on journalists.
The ongoing crisis is also increasing economic uncertainty for journalists. For example, at the very moment that the transition to digital technology is picking up speed, advertising revenue, on which many publications depend, is decreasing or even plummeting. Eventually, newspapers could thus be forced to reduce or cease operation, depriving communities of a different perspective on the world, of a focus necessary to the diversity of opinion.
In a world as profoundly interdependent as this crisis has shown ours to be, every threat to or attack on the diversity of the press, the freedom of the press and the safety of journalists concerns us all.
This is why the United Nations system of organizations, together with new coalitions formed by media, governments, and actors from the spheres of law, academia and civil society worldwide, is supporting journalists and their fight for independence and the truth.
Today, I wish to call for a redoubling of these efforts. At this crucial moment and for our future, we need a free press, and journalists need to be able to count on all of us.

Source:- UNESCO

(Scanned message in PDF enclosed)

Updated 3 May 2020, 15:53

**Message from Mr Sashi Kumar, Chairman, Media Development Foundation & Asian College of Journalism, Chennai on World Press Freedom Day, 3rd May, 2020 **

As we are hunkered down, this World Press Freedom Day, in the face of the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, hoping we will liberate ourselves from it sooner than later, we must also be alive to how the situation is fraught with risk and danger, not only for our health and life and livelihood, but equally for our right to be informed citizens – our right to a free press which is the *sine qua non*of any meaningful democracy.

We need to do so because our right to know is as crucial as our right to life and personal liberty guaranteed in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Indeed successive Supreme Court judgments have read the right to know into Article 21. Three decades back, in Reliance Petrochemicals *versus* Proprietors of Indian Express Newspapers Ltd the two judge bench comprising Justice S. Ranganathan and Justice Sabyasachi Mukherji described the right to know as a basic right that jells into “the broader horizon of the right to live in this age in our land under Article 21 of the Constitution”. Again, in 2004, Justices Ruma Pal and B.N. Srikrishna maintain, in Essar Oil *versus*Halar Utkarsh Samiti & Others in the apex court that there is “a strong link between Article 21 and the right to know, particularly where secret government decisions may affect health, life and livelihood…”

The other side of this Right to Information, which became law in 2005, is the right of the people, the citizenry, to be informed by the free press. It becomes the bounden duty of the press to keep the people informed, so that they may exercise their democratic rights and choices in their own best interests, which by definition translates into the larger public good.

We have to be alive to the growing threat to the fourth estate from illiberal regimes which see it as nothing but a hurdle in their pursuit of narrow, divisive, populist agendas. We need to be alert to, even as we are ashamed of, the fifth column in the fourth estate itself, which has become an unabashed propaganda arm of those in power, and worse, a willing cat’s paw to swipe at any opposition to their arbitrary rule.

We need to reinforce, today more than ever before in our independent history, the *dharma* of the free press to speak truth to power, to ‘comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable’; and not kowtow to, nor be cowed down by, those in power.

We have to be wary of the insinuation that the role of the press in times of a global health emergency like this is to blindly support the work, and bolster the image, of the governments of the day rather than critically, rationally, fairmindely, scrutinize the policies and measures being taken to tackle the crisis. We have to call out glib opportunistic attempts at reducing the role of the press in this crisis to handout journalism. It is precisely in tough situations like these that tough, competent and resilient investigative journalism needs to get going.

We must be wary and steer clear of the misinformation and disinformation rampant in the social media which muddy the waters and make it a whirlpool of prejudices, hate and distrust, and of journalism being caught dragged down into it. We must, at the same time, be able to call the bluff of ‘fake news’ being used as an alibi and an epithet of scorn against the independent-minded media by precisely those who peddle lies and hate.

Journalism in many parts of the world today including ours is, to borrow Rousseau’s enduring metaphor, notionally free but really in chains. It is not the fault of Indian journalism that it features abysmally low, 140th out of 180 countries, in the World Press Freedom Index. It is the fault of those at the helm of affairs who have made and kept the conditions so inimical and precarious for the free press to exercise its freedom, boldly and fearlessly, in the larger public interest.

We are faced with the worst virus in living memory, but know in our hearts that this too shall pass. With the same measure of confidence and determination, let us this day forecast, about the challenges facing our press freedoms, that we shall overcome.

-o-

Updated 3 May 2020, 15:42

Updated 3 May 2020, 15:38

Updated 2 May 2020, 14:35

Ms Maneesha Rendaniya, UMCDSRC Scholar from Sri Lanka at extreem right , during 96th Birthday Anniversary of UNESCO Goodwill
Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.

Updated 30 Apr 2020, 18:49

During Quarantine in Colombo.

Updated 30 Apr 2020, 18:49

**Ms Maneesha Rendaniya,South Asia Foundation Scholar of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of Development Studies and Regional Cooperation (UMCDSRC ) reached safely Colombo through a reserved flight by Govt of Sri Lanka .
**

I am a SAF Scholar of **UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of Development Studies and Regional Cooperation (UMCDSRC)**, National College, Kathmandu University. I am currently in quarantine in Colombo. I flew from Kathmandu last Tuesday on April 21. We had celebrated the birth anniversary of Late Ambassador Madanjeet Singh at our hostel in Kathmandu on April 16. The Sri Lankan Embassy told us that they are evacuating and taking us to Colombo by a special Sri Lankan Airline plane. Although, I am perfectly fine and have exams to prepare, the Embassy notification for all Sri Lankan nationals had to be followed. Together with me were about 71 students studying medicine in Nepal.

Attached are two relevant photos. First is the photos when we celebrated Amb. Singh's birth anniversary and the second one - right now under quarantine here in Colombo.

I think, we have to be careful to fight this global pandemic. Besides, I am planning to return to Kathmandu in a month after things settle down. Ujjwal Upadhaya sir and others at the National College have given us on-line course work. I am taking regular classes on-line. Two weeks of mandatory stay and then I will meet family. I feel, our governments have done a good job, despite their resource constraints, to keep us safe.

Sincerely,

Maneesha Rendaniya

Updated 30 Apr 2020, 18:49

Audio Message in English by UNESCO

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Project of a network of associations to exchange information, good practices, actions of solidarity and monitoring fundamental human rights

Many national and local members of international NGOs in partnership with UNESCO find themselves isolated and vulnerable as they face COVID-19. Although often located near one another and confronted with the same challenges, they do not always know each other and are vulnerable in the face of this pandemic. This project, limited in time, is an effort to respond specifically to this health and humanitarian emergency by establishing a network of solidarity.

Updated 29 Apr 2020, 18:34

Message from South Asia Foundation Alumni Association on Covid -19

Updated 29 Apr 2020, 16:51

Many national and local members of international NGOs in partnership with UNESCO find themselves isolated and vulnerable as they face COVID-19. Although often located near one another and confronted with the same challenges, they do not always know each other and are vulnerable in the face of this pandemic. This project, limited in time, is an effort to respond specifically to this health and humanitarian emergency by establishing a network of solidarity.

Updated 29 Apr 2020, 15:37

Updated 29 Apr 2020, 15:29