First Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre was established in Africa
Context :
The first convention centre was established in Africa by India to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The Centre was jointly inaugurated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou. Mr.Jaishankar is on his state visit to the West African country, Niger. He is the first Indian Foreign Minister to visit the West African country.
Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) :
- The establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) proves the relationship between India and Niger, as also a symbol of India’s firm commitment towards Africa.
- The first centre was established in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th Birth Anniversary was observed in 2019.
- MGICC was designed as a modern and eco-friendly facility. It includes a 2,000 capacity Plenary Hall.
- The Centre will witness high-level and wide-ranging participation from African Union member states and other high-level conventions.
Highlights of EAM’s visit :
- During his visit, Mr. Jaishankar met Prime Minister Brigi Rafini during his visit.
- The two leaders discussed bilateral ties.
- He met his counterpart of Niger, Kalla Ankourao and held discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues.
- The bilateral relations between India and Niger have expanded significantly in recent years. India has provided Lines of Credit (LoC) to Niger for projects in transport, solar energy, electrification, and potable drinking water.
Corruption Perceptions Index
Context :
The global Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 (CPI-2019) has been released by Transparency International.
India ranked 80th in the global Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 (CPI-2019).
Report Findings :
- The report considered revealed that a majority of countries showed little to no improvement in tackling corruption against the previous report.
- It considered 13 surveys and expert assessments to measure public sector corruption in 180 countries
- It ranks the countries of a score from zero, highly corrupt, to 100, very clean.
- The report stated that corruption is more pervasive in most of the countries that it surveyed.
- It highlighted that, in countries like India and Australia, opaque political financing, lobbying by the corporate sector has caused control of corruption.
- Yemen (177), Syria (178), South Sudan (179) and Somali (180) performed worst in the ranked at the bottom of the list.
Transparency International :
Transparency International is a non-governmental organization. It was established in 1993. It is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
The organization aims to combat global corruption with civil societal anti-corruption measures and to prevent criminal activities arising from corruption.
World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends
Context :
International Labour Organization (ILO) released the World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2020 (WESO). The report highlighted that more than 470 million people worldwide are unemployed or underemployed.
Report Highlights :
- The report forecasted Global unemployment to increase by around 2.5 million in 2020.
- It reported that around 188 million people are unemployed in the world.
- Also, 165 million people, aged between 15 and 24, lack sufficient paid work
- It stated that 120 million people either lack access to the labour market or have given up actively searching for work.
- The report stated that unemployment is projected to rise after a long period of stability. It stated that many people are working for fewer paid hours than they would like or lack adequate access to paid work.
International Labour Organization (ILO) :
ILO was established in 1919. The ILO became the United Nation’s first specialized agency in 1946. ILO has 187 member States. It aims to bring together governments, employers, and workers to set labour standards, devise programmes and develop policies to promote decent work for all women and men. ILO aims to promote rights at work, enhance social protection, encourage decent employment opportunities, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.
World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2020 (WESO):
WESO report provides an overview of global and regional trends in employment, unemployment, labour force participation and productivity.
India Helps Maldives Tackle Measles
Context :
India has helped the Maldives in tackling measles outbreak by providing over 30,000 doses of Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine.
The Maldives presented a certificate of appreciation to the Government of India for the “gesture of goodwill and solidarity”.
Key Points :
- It is an important step towards strengthening India-Maldives relations.
- Both the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Health cooperation in June 2019.
- The MoU draws a roadmap for cooperation in capacity building and training of doctors and medical professionals, disease surveillance, training of mental health professionals, setting up of digital health capacities in the Maldives.
- India is also helping the Maldives in building a 100-bed Cancer Hospital in Hulhumale as part of its $800 million Line of Credit.
- Both India and the Maldives are the members of the WHO’s Regional Committee for South-East Asia.
Measles :
- It is a highly contagious viral disease and is a cause of death among young children globally.
- It can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia.
International Day of Education is observed on 24 January
Context :
International Day of Education is observed on 24 January every year.
The day aims to celebrate the role of education for peace and development. The day aims to remind that without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all.
The day reminds the countries that it will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty without education.
Theme :
The theme for 2020 International Day is ‘Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace’. The theme highlights the integrated nature of education and its centrality to the collective development ambitions. On this day, the partners and stakeholders flexibility to tailor the celebration for diverse audiences, a variety of contexts and for priority themes.
Education-Human Right :
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the Right to education. The declaration provides free and compulsory elementary education.
RTE in India :
Right to education (RTE) was inserted in Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution through the Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002. It makes education a Fundamental Right for the children between the ages of six and fourteen.
History :
On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated 24 January as the International Day of Education. The report by the UN stated that over 258 million children and youth still do not attend school. It stated that around 617 million children cannot read and do basic math and over 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school. It reported that around 4 million children and youth refugees are out of school.