Morocco and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) held, Thursday in New York, the first session of the High-level Strategic Dialogue, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

This partnership is part of Morocco’s broader commitment to contribute to the United Nations multilateral counter-terrorism frameworks, in accordance with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Africa.

It thus strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a key player in promoting peace and regional security on the continent.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, co-chaired this dialogue, which constitutes a central initiative in the joint efforts of the Kingdom and the UN to combat terrorism in Africa.

It also marks a significant step in deepening the strategic partnership between the two sides, particularly to support African nations in their efforts against terrorism and violent extremism.

On this occasion, Mr. Bourita praised the constant efforts of UNOCT to support African Member States in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s strong commitment to promoting strategic and multilateral cooperation, in accordance with the principles and resolutions of the United Nations.

This dialogue constitutes a new step in deepening collaboration between Morocco and UNOCT, strengthening Africa’s capacities to face emerging security threats.

In this regard, Morocco and UNOCT are committed to exploring innovative partnerships with regional and international actors in order to respond to new security threats. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Next Engineers, a global college-and career-readiness programme working to increase the diversity of young people in engineering, celebrated the graduation of its first-ever Engineering Academy learners in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday, September 27. The graduation ceremony marked the programme’s contribution towards bridging the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills gap in the country through exposing learners to hands-on engineering experiences and career pathways.  

The 37 learners from 15 high schools across Johannesburg who completed the programme, many of whom plan to study towards an engineering-related qualification at university or technical higher learning institutions, were joined by their families at University of Witwatersrand, Sturrock Park Sports Hall, to celebrate their achievements. Launched in 2022, PROTEC, University of Witwatersrand, and Kutitiva Foundation are the educational partners for the local Next Engineers programme, and local GE Vernova engineers and employees actively engage with Academy participants through hands-on, skill-based volunteering.  

“We are proud to see our first cohort of learners graduating and wish them all a successful learning trajectory in the next stage of their education journey,” said Matsi Eseu, South Africa HR Director for GE Vernova. “At GE Vernova, we believe education is a significant driver of economic inclusion and it’s inspiring to see the positive impact the Next Engineers programme is having, not just in empowering tomorrow’s engineers who will solve society’s most pressing challenges but also in increasing the diversity of young people, particularly females, in the engineering sector. We extend our gratitude to all those involved in the Engineering Academy.” 

Learners who complete the Engineering Academy program and enroll in a qualified engineering or engineering-related degree programme receive financial aid to support them as they continue on their paths to becoming engineers.

Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC, said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every graduate in this programme.  Their commitment and hard work inspire us all, and I have every confidence they will continue to make a positive impact in the field of engineering and beyond. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to GE Vernova in Johannesburg for their unwavering support and partnership throughout this journey. Together, we have laid the groundwork for a brighter future in engineering, and I am excited to see the continued success of Next Engineers in empowering young minds.”

The Next Engineers: Engineering Academy is a transformative learning experience designed for learners aged 15 to 18. Through a rigorous curriculum, immersive design challenges, and career coaching, participants learn to think and act like engineers.

Key programme highlights:

Dedication: The Engineering Academy spans three years, with learners dedicating 220 hours outside of regular school hours to participate.
Design challenges: In small teams, learners tackle increasingly complex design challenges, mastering the engineering design process.
Foundational skills: Beyond technical knowledge, learners develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, persistence, time management, and presentation abilities.
Education and career exploration: Workshops and activities prepare learners for their next steps, including university campus tours and interactions with company volunteers.
Scholarships: Learners who complete the program and enroll in post-secondary engineering degree programs receive partial scholarships. Next Engineers anticipates granting at least $2 million in scholarships to the inaugural classes of Engineering Academy learners worldwide.

Johannesburg, South Africa, was among the first four locations to launch Next Engineers, with a $2.5 million (R44.6 million) investment from the GE Foundation in 2021. To date, Next Engineers, which also includes programming for learners in grades 8-12, has reached more than 3,500 learners across Johannesburg.

STEM training and education, such as Next Engineers, is helping to solve global challenges while also lifting up communities through economic opportunities. Next Engineers is not the only way GE Vernova in South Africa has committed to supporting the next generation of STEM talent. GE Vernova’s South Africa External Bursary Programme has offered comprehensive bursaries to the tune of $5.4 million (R95.6 million) to support over 648 beneficiaries pursuing a Bachelor of Science, Commerce or Arts qualification from 2020 to date. The bursaries are aimed at alleviating the financial strain of tertiary students and covers the tuition, accommodation, textbook costs, and a monthly stipend over the period of study.

For more information about Next Engineers and the Engineering Academy, visit http://apo-opa.co/3BmFfKp.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GE.

Media contacts:
GE Vernova
Kashumba Macombe
Communications Specialist
GE Vernova
Kashumba.Macombe@ge.com

PROTEC
Annette Reed
Fundraising and Business Development
Programme for Technological Careers (PROTEC)
+27 82 334 2939
annette@protec.org.za

About Next Engineers:
Next Engineers, a program originally funded by the GE Foundation in 2021, now known as the GE Aerospace Foundation, is a college- and career-readiness program dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of engineers. Through innovative programs, mentorship, and community partnerships, we empower young minds to shape a better future through engineering.

About GE Vernova​:
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: www.GEVernova.com and LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/3zwmm7b).

About PROTEC:
PROTEC was established in 1982 by a group of engineers from the South African  Institute of Civil Engineers to respond to the challenges facing the education system and to address representation across all socio-economic and racial groups in STEM careers.  To date, PROTEC has seen more than 40,000 learners complete the Learner Excellence Programme. Based in Randburg, PROTEC has 17 branches and projects in 6 out of the 9 provinces.  Our aim is to extend the programme to all 9 provinces.  The programme targets learners from Grade 4 to Grade 12 in specifically Science, Mathematics, and English. Teachers who teach these subjects as well as coding and robotics, benefit from development and support that uses a centre-based and classroom support model. Find us on www.PROTEC.org.za, Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/47HJTyw), LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/3Y019Mg) and Instagram.

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, Friday 27 September 2024, arrived in Dublin, Ireland, on a working visit aimed at reinforcing the historic and warm bilateral relations between South Africa and Ireland. 

The working visit is expected to advance cooperation between South Africa and Ireland, especially with regard to improving trade and investment, and building on the significant progress made in the fields of science and innovation, as well as education and skills development.

The Deputy President’s upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Simon Harris underscores South Africa’s commitment to furthering political and diplomatic ties with Ireland.

As part of his engagements, the Deputy President will participate in the Ireland-South Africa Trade and Investment Round Table, hosted by the Mission in Ireland in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The engagement will focus on facilitating investment opportunities for Irish companies that are already invested in or intend to invest in South Africa.

In addition, the Deputy President is expected to deliver remarks at the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, which was established to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between South Africa and the Irish tech ecosystems. During the event, seven South African startups will present their innovations. These startups will receive funding and networking opportunities designed to connect them with Ireland’s dynamic tech ecosystem. 

The Deputy President is accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and competition Mr Andrew Whitfield.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

The conflict in Sudan has resulted in the largest internal displacement crisis in the world since the Syrian civil war in 2011. The conflict has had catastrophic impacts on women and girls, according to a Gender Alert published today by UN Women. 

The number of people in need of gender-based violence related services has increased by 100 percent since the beginning of the crisis, up to 6.7 million by December 2023, and this figure is estimated to be even higher today. While men and boys are also victims of gender-based violence, most of these cases involve women and girls. The ongoing violence, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, has exacerbated the risks faced by women and girls, with rising reports of conflict-related sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse. The nearly 5.8 million internally displaced women and girls are particularly vulnerable, with many cases of abuse going unreported due to a lack of adequate support and fears of stigma and retribution.

Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded in the country. With 64 per cent of female-headed households experiencing food insecurity compared to 48 per cent of male-headed households in ten states, women and girls are eating least and last. Access to health care services is another challenge: 1.63 million women of reproductive age are without adequate services. Among them, over 160,000 are pregnant, and an estimated 54,000 childbirths are expected in the next three months.

Women and girls also continue to be disproportionately impacted by the lack of safe, easily accessible, and affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene. At least 80 per cent of the internally displaced women are unable to secure clean water due to affordability, safety concerns, and distance. The education crisis in Sudan is another devastating result of the conflict. Over 2.5 million girls, representing 74 per cent of school-aged girls, are currently out of school, increasing their risk of being subjected to harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

“Women and girls in Sudan are facing unimaginable challenges, yet their strength and resilience continue to inspire us. We cannot let Sudan become a forgotten crisis. Now, more than ever, the international community must rally together to support women in Sudan, ensuring they have the resources and protection they need to survive and rebuild their lives,” said Hodan Addou, acting Regional Director for UN Women’s East and Southern Africa office.

Action must be taken urgently to ensure the physical protection of women and girls as well as secure access to food, safe water, and sexual and reproductive health services. UN Women is supporting community-based initiatives, in partnership with women-led organizations, building resilience and ensuring access to critical humanitarian services for women, men, girls, and boys affected by the crisis. UN Women urges the international community, donors, and humanitarian partners to prioritize the protection and empowerment of Sudanese women and girls, including through the increase of funding for local women-led organizations, which received only 1.63 per cent of the Sudan Humanitarian Fund’s financial resources in 2023.

UN Women stands with the people of Sudan during this deteriorating humanitarian crisis and calls for an immediate halt to the war and a return to the negotiating table for peace dialogues.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women.