Yesterday 13 August was my final day as a volunteer at the Centre for African Justice, Peace and Human Rights, Netherlands.
I volunteered since last year August, first as a Project Assistant and then the Project Manager of the Right to Quality Education Team.
We focus mainly on work related to UN SDGs 3, 4 and 6 (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being; Goal 4 – Quality Education; and Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation) in the context of African States.
One of our major projects was to produce content for the team’s quarterly digital magazine.
It is likely that we will have a General Election before the end of 2021. Without fail friends and family ask the popular question … “Who are you voting for?”
I wish to change ask a slightly different question.
What three (3) things would you like to see achieved for all of us? Yes 3 things to improve all our lives.
Please feel free to share yours as a comment below or send me an email at kean@smithkas.com
Below is my list of three (3) which are not listed in order of priority:
Provide an adequate living wage adequate to maintain a reasonable standard of life in The Bahamas;
Decrease inequality in The Bahamas; and
Pro Domestic Land Ownership Policy regardless of age.
I take inspiration from all of the labourers who work in The Bahamas and have dreams for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, without earning a living wage, it is unlikely that those dreams will ever be achieved.
Decrease inequality
The Bahamas Living Conditions Survey 2001[2] reported that The Gini coefficient for The Bahamas was estimated at 0.57, which was probably the highest in the Caribbean. If we continue along this path of inequality, I believe that our quality of life will continue to spiral down and out of control.
Pro Domestic Land Ownership Policy
On 24 March this year the Prime Minister tabled a resolution in Parliament which would give “young Bahamian professionals ” between the ages of 18 and 45 years old access to affordable land in an upscale community in western New Providence.[3] If professionals with their education and salaries need assistance to access affordable land then skilled, semi-skilled and labourers need a policy change from “yesterday”.
The General Assembly declared 27 June Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development and the global economy.
Did you know?
Formal and informal MSMEs make up over 90% of all firms and account, on average, for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP.
In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which create 7 out of 10 jobs.
Micro-, small and medium sized enterprises are vital in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They are an important element in the implementation of SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure.)
Look in your community and your city and support a SME today.
Are you exploiting or supporting the exploitation of children’s labour?
Are you not sure?
Please continue below.
“Background
The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.”
“The issue of child labour
Today, throughout the world, around 218 million children work, many full-time. They do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Many do not receive proper nutrition or care. They are denied the chance to be children. More than half of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.”
Children in classroom
“What is child labour?
Child labour is work carried out to the detriment and endangerment of a child, in violation of international law and national legislation. It either deprives children of schooling or requires them to assume the dual burden of schooling and work.”
“Labour standards
Child labour that is proscribed under international law falls into three categories:
The unconditional worst forms of child labour, which are internationally defined as slavery, trafficking, debt bondage and other forms of forced labour, forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict, prostitution and pornography, and illicit activities.
Labour performed by a child who is under the minimum age specified for that kind of work (as defined by national legislation, in accordance with accepted international standards), and that is thus likely to impede the child’s education and full development.
Labour that jeopardizes the physical, mental or moral well-being of a child, either because of its nature or because of the conditions in which it is carried out, known as “hazardous work”.”
So, as I reflect on how my life has changed, I also reflect on “the miracle of our human lives”.
Human intervention not needed
This miracle starts with two sex cells, male and female.
Without a GPS or asking for directions, one of these cells locates the other. There is no doubt that these cells are fully equipped with everything they require to complete their task. No instructions needed.
Elections or Academic qualifications not needed
Without consulting healthcare regulators, seeking directions, or human intervention. Without alarm clocks or without vacation leave, one cell fertilises the other and that now single cell begins to divide and continues to divide into exact replicas of itself. This division happens whether you live in the Amazon or Karura Forest, or the Tabernas or Gobi Desert.
These identical cells then decide somehow, without a general election, a general assembly or annual general meeting, which cells will form into tissue, organs, and bones.
Once again without asking any questions, these cells begin to “build” a human body. And this is done without hands or feet, without machines or surgical equipment and without pausing to celebrate or observe any international, national, or regional holidays. These cells develop themselves into an organism – “The Organism within”. And without a timepiece they complete their specialised work in about 9 months.
In the fullness of this time period, a human is born. When you compare this human to its beginning of two sex cells, you must be speechless because all of this work produced such varied outcomes like hair follicles, finger nails and organs like the skin, lungs, and brain. Even eyes and ears in specific locations. Incredible isn’t it?
Absolutely incredible. Working around the clock, without breaks or vacation, without supervision, or measuring tools and for me most impressive in THE DARK.
Wow.
So, when I consider our human lives and this pandemic, I am truly humbled and happy to be here in this body that was “built” without hands in THE DARK!
Despite what we may think about each other, all our human bodies started from two sex cells and are products of an absolute miracle.
I continue to feel happy and grateful to be part of our human family.
“In 1993, the General Assembly decided in a resolution (A/RES/47/237) that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families.
This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.”[1]
“V. … [United Nations] Member States are encouraged to consider the following recommendations:
(a) Continue their efforts towards the implementation of the objectives of the International Year of the Family and its follow-up processes as conducive to the realization of the 2030 Agenda;
(b) Invest in family-oriented policies targeting poverty to prevent the intergenerational transfer of poverty;
(c) Invest in social protection policies and programmes, promote gendersensitive social protection measures and recognize the role of families as social protection providers;
(d) Invest in a variety of work-family balance policies focused, inter alia, on expanding childcare services and parental leaves, including paternity leaves;
(e) Ensure that family-oriented strategies promote gender equality and the equal sharing of household responsibilities between men and women and recognize the burden of unpaid work;
(f) Enhance efforts to ensure equal pay for equal work;
(g) Safeguard legal identity and birth registration for all newborns to ensure their full participation in society and access to benefits, including social protection;
(h) Promote investments in accessible and affordable infrastructure, including housing and transportation, to benefit families and prevent family homelessness;
(i) Address the causes of family homelessness, including poverty, domestic violence and the lack of affordable housing, and expand efforts to provide adequate and affordable housing with support services for families.”[2]
[1] United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Families 15 May. Retrieved May 16, 2021, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families
[2] United Nations. (2019, November). Implementation of the objectives of the International Year of the Family and its follow-up processes (A/75/61-E/2020/4). United Nations Economic and Social Council. https://undocs.org/A/75/61%E2%80%93E/2020/4
No matter where you live on this planet, if you have an account at a financial institution then you are aware of Customer Due Diligence information. No doubt your financial institution would have required you to produce at least proof of identification and proof of address when you opened your personal account.
As a result of ongoing concerns about Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, international and national financial services industry and their clients must implement systems to mitigate these concerns.
Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organisations (“Non-Profits”) are not exempted. In fact, you are probably aware that businesses must be prepared to provide source of funds information for large deposits. Such information may entail showing invoices, contracts or any additional supporting documents required by the financial institution.
It is in the best interest of Non-Profits to maintain sufficient details of their financial transactions including monetary and non-monetary donations. As someone responsible for the administration of a Non-Profit registered in The Bahamas, you should be aware that your organisation face being fined if it fails to produce financial records if and when required to do.
Section 15 (1) of the Non-Profit Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2019 states that:
“(1) The Registrar may impose an administrative fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, if after an investigation it is proven that a non-profit organisation has failed, without reasonable cause to produce financial records reflecting all monies received and expended.”
Please note that financial records have a specific definition under the NPO Act as Amended requiring Non-Profits to explain transactions in sufficient detail to show that funds have been used in a way that is consistent with the organisation’s objectives. Additionally, Non-Profits must maintain sources of its income and the same must be reflected in its financial position.
In order to mitigate the risk of fines, Non-Profits should maintain their financial records in a way that is easily accessible and detailed. Furthermore, whatever you do, develop a practice of being responsive to the regulator, the Registrar. This will help develop and maintain the credibility of your Non-Profit with the Registrar General’s Office.
Feel free to direct any questions to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com or comment below.
You probably remember in March, 2020 that the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
We all experienced various degrees of restrictions in our daily lives from social distance to curfews. These restrictions also effected our travel within our countries and between countries. The transportation sector and travel industry bears many “scars” of this reality.
Since about mid December, 2020 I have not travelled more than 3 miles away from home. All shopping and exercise took place and continues to take place online or within a 3 mile radius. Wow, such a “small” world!
So I wonder whether you have been experiencing similar travel limitation?
Earlier this month as spring approached, we decided to travel to another city for an essential service.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – Lao Tzu
The first task was to take the Tram to the Central Station. It was a sunny day and I later realised that sunny weather in this city means something else in the city of our destination.
Tram stop – Photo by Kean SmithInside the Tram – Photo by Kean Smith
After a relatively short tram ride, we arrived at the Den Haag Centraal. From this Station we planned to take a train. Like other jurisdictions, we needed to wear a mask to enter the train station and to take a train.
Den Haag Centraal (The Hague Central Station) – Photo by Kean Smith
After finishing our business in Amsterdam, we stopped to a very historic shop that is popular with Amsterdam residents and visitors alike.
Vleminckx – Photo by Kean SmithVleminckx – Photo by Kean SmithFrietjes (French Fries) with sauces – Spicy Ketchup (left) and Piccalilly with Spicy Ketchup (right) Photo by Kean SmithTwo Immovable Heads 2021 by Mark Manders near the junction of Rokin and Dam Photo by Kean Smith
With Frietjes in hand, we headed north along Rokin.
Details affixed to the pavement about the art work and artist Photo by Kean SmithSquare in front of Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam (Royal Palace Amsterdam) – Photo by Kean Smith
While this square is normally filled by people, and performers it was virtually empty. As I look at this photo now, I wonder whether the pigeons miss the humans? Not.
Parked Canal Cruise Boats – Amsterdam – Photo by Kean Smith
Canal Cruise Boats owners and staff are definitely negatively impacted by travel restrictions. This area is normally very busy with visitors boarding boats. As I walked pass these boats, I was reminded that whether you are in Amsterdam, Tokyo, Nairobi, Brasilia, Nassau or New York, the tourism industry has suffered because of restrictions implemented to mitigate against worsening public health conditions.
Amsterdam Centraal (Amsterdam Central Station) Photo by Kean Smith
After competing our business and enjoying a treat at Vleminckx, we headed for Amsterdam Centraal to take a train back home.
When we left home, the temperature was a reasonable 9C (48F) and I dressed for the occasion but I did not anticipate that the temperature would dip to 7C (44F), less wind chill!
Lesson learnt.
Like you, we are optimistic that the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines will continue as smoothly as possible for all of us.
The theme of World Health Day 2021 is “[b]uilding a fairer and healthier world”. This theme encompasses Goals 3 and 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages[i] and Goal 10 is to reduce inequality within and among countries (see infographics for these goals below).[ii] The UN SDGs that were adopted in September, 2015 by Heads of State and Government and High Representatives comprise of 17 Sustainable Goals and 169 targets which were designed to be comprehensive, far-reaching and people centred.[iii] In the remainder of this article, I will share some insights into the challenges people living in rural communities face with accessing health services and education.
Impact of very low income
All over the world, some people struggle to make ends meet with little daily income, have poorer housing conditions and education, fewer employment opportunities, experience greater gender inequality, and have little or no access to safe environments, clean water and air, food security and health services. This leads to unnecessary suffering, avoidable illness, and in some cases premature death. Ultimately these consequences of little daily income harm both our societies and economies.[iv]. For example, in 2019, “… 34% of rural schools had a basic hygiene service and 41% had no hygiene service.”[v]. The lack of such hygiene service results in increased risk of contracting and spreading viruses and bacteria that cause COVID-19, Ebola and Diarrhea.
Poverty in rural areas
While global progress in poverty reduction has been remarkable, poverty is still far from eradicated. The proportion of the global population living in extreme poverty (living below $1.90 a day in terms of the 2011 purchasing power parity) fell from 36 per cent in 1990 to 10 per cent in 2015, yet 736.7 million people still lived in extreme poverty in 2015.[vi]
Based on the international poverty line of $1.90 a day, the share of rural inhabitants in developing countries that live in extreme poverty is three times higher than the share of those living in urban areas. When considering moderate poverty, over 46 per cent of the global rural population is poor, compared with approximately 16 per cent of the global urban population.
In least developed countries, a significant majority of the poor live in rural areas. Based on national poverty lines, more than 80 per cent of the poor live in rural areas in Afghanistan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Myanmar, the Niger, Nepal and Zambia.[vii]
Challenges accessing health services
Poor people living in rural areas face greater challenges than their urban counterparts in obtaining access to health services, in particular in developing countries. Rural areas have fewer and less adequate primary care services, weaker referral systems, insufficient numbers of experienced and qualified health professionals, including doctors and nurses, poorer working conditions for public health workers, inadequate social security, deficient laboratory networks and underdeveloped intersectoral action in support of health, which together undermine the health of the rural poor.[viii]
The Ebola virus disease outbreak in western Africa highlighted how an epidemic can proliferate rapidly and pose huge problems in the absence of a strong health system capable of a rapid an integrated response. The outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 but soon spread into neighbouring Libera and Sierra Leone. By early August 2014, Ebola was declared an international public emergency.
At the time the outbreak began, the capacity of the health systems in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone was limited. Several health-system functions that are generally considered essential were not performing well and this hampered the development of a suitable and timely response to the outbreak. There were inadequate numbers of qualified health workers. Infrastructure, logistics, health information, surveillance, governance and drug supply systems were weak. The organization and management of health services was sub-optimal.
Government health expenditure was low whereas private expenditure – mostly in the form of direct out-of-pocket payments for health services – was relatively high.[ix] In 2017, only around one third to half of the global population was covered by essential health services. The proportion of the population spending more than 10 per cent of its household budget on out-of-pocket payment for health services increased continuously, from 9.4 to 12.7 per cent (927 million persons), between 2000 and 2015. This resulted in nearly 90 million persons being pushed into extreme poverty owing to out-of-pocket medical expenses.[x]
Challenges accessing education
In the past 50 years schooling has expanded dramatically. Years of schooling completed by the average adult in developing countries more than tripled between 1950 and 2021 – from 2 to 7.2 years. Previously marginalised groups, especially girls, are now much more likely to start primary school; however, the likelihood of completing school remain low in some countries. Exclusion due to poverty, gender, ethnicity, disability and location persists. In sub-Saharan Africa, poor rural girls are seven times less likely than non-poor urban boys to complete school, and less than 1 in 20 of these girls is on track to complete secondary school. Other barriers include a lack of accessible facilities and inclusive education for students with disabilities.[xi]
Low educational attainment levels, coupled with scant opportunities to acquire job-specific skills and on-the-job training, continue to constrain job opportunities for many rural people seeking productive work.[xiii] Additionally, rural transport and roads have an important role in facilitating access to essential services, including education and health, as well as to markets and income-generating opportunities.[xiv]
In 2019, less than one half of primary and lower secondary schools in sub-Saharan Africa had access to electricity, the Internet, computers and basic handwashing facilities, key basic services and facilities necessary to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for all students.
Since last year, the closure of schools to slow the spread of COVID-19 is having an adverse impact on learning outcomes and the social and behaviourial development of children and young people. It has affected more than 90 per cent of the world’s student population, 1.5 billion children and young people. Although remote learning is provided to many students, children and young people in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, such as those living in remote areas, in extreme poverty, fragile states and refugee camps, do not have the same access thereto. The digital divide is expected to widen existing gaps in equality with regard to education.[xv]
Conclusion
About 8 in 10 people worldwide who lack access to basic drinking water services live in rural areas, as do 7 out of 10 people lacking basic sanitation services. [xvi]
Access to adequate health services and education are necessary for the development and improvement of live in rural communities. Low income and proximity from urban areas are two factors that may lead to inadequate and poor delivery of services.
More broadly, it is the inequality of the provision of services that negatively impacts residents of rural areas. Not only do many residents earn little money and are unable to afford health services and education, these services may be limited and far distances from their homes. If we build a fairer world, then people who live in rural areas will benefit from improved services like health and education.
[i] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Https://Sdgs.Un.Org/Goals/Goal3. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3
[ii] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Https://Sdgs.Un.Org/Goals/Goal10. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10
[iii] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.-a). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
[iv] World Health Organization. (n.d.). World Health Day 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021
[v] World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund. (2020). Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: Special Focus on COVID-19. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO). https://washdata.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/jmp-2020-wash-schools.pdf
[vi] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[vii] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[viii] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[ix] Kieny, M., Evans, D. B., Schmets, G., & Kadandale, S. (2014). Health-system resilience: reflections on the Ebola crisis in western Africa. Organisation Mondiale de La Sante. https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/12/14-149278.pdf
[x] United Nations Economic and Social Council. (2020, April). Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. https://undocs.org/en/E/2020/57
[xi] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[xii] United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3
[xiii] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[xiv] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[xv] United Nations Economic and Social Council. (2020, April). Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. https://undocs.org/en/E/2020/57
[xvi] United Nations General Assembly. (2020, July). Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://undocs.org/A/75/189
[xvii] United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10
“To truly leave no one behind in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, we must realize the rights of all persons with disabilities, including persons with autism, ensuring their full participation in social, cultural and economic life.” – António Guterres
“The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society.
Autism is mainly characterized by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information.” – (https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day/background)
