SEATTLE, Washington — Access to electricity has the power to change lives and transform economies. In developing regions of the world, vast swaths of the population lack adequate access to electricity and energy services. To reach these disconnected regions of the countries, often rural, the government will either commission costly and environmentally unfriendly extensions to centralized power grids or send unreliable diesel-powered electrical generators to these desolate areas. Through technological innovation, however, companies and countries have developed sophisticated solutions to such energy distribution problems: sustainable microgrids in Latin America. Microgrids in Latin America Microgrids often connect to larger centralized grids…
Author: Jennifer Philipp
SEATTLE, Washington — While the long-term impacts of COVID-19 are unknown, the virus is shaping society in the Middle East and North Africa. The pandemic has hit the already changing region, which spans as far east as Morocco to as far west as Iraq. As per UNICEF’s June 2020 COVID-19 region report, there were more than 600,000 cases of the virus in the region. Struggling Economies and Key Industries Like most of the world, the MENA region’s economies are struggling. A report from the International Monetary Fund has determined that the region’s GDP will fall by 4.7% in 2020. The…
SEATTLE, Washington — Active conflict is a reality in the Arab world, but it is also a reality that women are fighting to end. On May 2020, more than 90 women’s organizations across the Arab world, from Iraq to Yemen, joined the U.N. in a statement calling for an immediate global ceasefire. The organizations called for parties in conflict to form a united front against the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring access to humanitarian and medical assistance to communities affected, the joint statement said. The region has experienced conflicts and wars that have drained resources and exhausted many communities. Moreover, women’s…
SEATTLE, Washington — With the unprecedented rise of COVID-19, some global crises have been neglected in favor of combatting the recent pandemic. One of these issues is ending global poverty, a crisis that has been a top priority for many years now. While the current global situation may be overwhelming, it is crucial, now more than ever, to maintain a strong front when fighting global poverty. The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Poverty In April 2020, the World Bank estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic would send 40 to 60 million people into extreme poverty, living on less than $2 a…
SEATTLE, Washington — Jeannie Mai is an American Vietnamese make-up artist, fashion expert, producer, television personality and co-host of “The Real,” an Emmy-nominated daytime television show. While she is well-known in many regards, there is one thing many of her fans may not know about her. She is an advocate for victims of sex trafficking in Vietnam and all around the world. In Jeannie Mai’s fight against sex trafficking, she takes initiatives to combat this issue and encourages her fans to help as well. What Led to Jeannie Mai’s Involvement A few years ago, Jeannie Mai visited a close family…
SEATTLE, Washington — The Digital Global Access Policy Act, commonly referred to as the Digital GAP Act of 2019, outlines what Congress would like to see implemented regarding the advancement of global internet access and infrastructure. This legislation places importance on U.S. assistance in bringing about internet access in developing countries. In this vein, the act attempts to foster gender-equitable internet access and encourage other institutions to support increased internet accessibility. The Digital GAP Act of 2019 The Digital GAP Act promotes internet accessibility for 60% of the world’s population who do not have it. People without internet access will…
SEATTLE, Washington — With COVID-19 affecting the entire world, professional sports have had to make significant changes. The soccer community’s response to COVID-19 has been one of adaptation and support to help combat the global pandemic. Some of Europe’s biggest leagues have set in place five safety measures to bring the soccer back in the safest way possible. Furthermore, players are donating money to help fight the virus. 5 Safety Measures for Players For a short amount of time, all professional sports had stopped. But, as it became evident that COVID-19 would be around longer than anticipated, many professional sports…
DOHA, Qatar — The World Health Organization (WHO) has rated Qatar as 44th in the world for overall efficiency in providing healthcare to its citizens. With an expansive network of doctors and hospitals, immediate ambulance services and health management programs, medical assistance is of a high standard. However, migrant workers in Qatar, who make up about 60% of the population and 95% of the workforce, face a different reality. Coming from some of the world’s poorest countries, the majority of these workers are single male workers depending on economic opportunities in Qatar to earn income for their families back home.…
SEATTLE, Washington — The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a global effort to gather medical supplies and secure resources to protect people from infection and care for patients. The pandemic brings to light the severe healthcare disparities between nations as developing countries and underserved communities have very limited access to healthcare. Many people don’t have access to basic needs and medical supplies such as face masks, gloves and ventilators during the pandemic. Small businesses have joined the battle against COVID-19 in developing countries in various ways. The world’s poor are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to battling…
SEATTLE, Washington — The effects of COVID-19 are known and felt worldwide. Businesses are closing either temporarily or for good, people are losing their jobs, schools are shutting down and thousands of people have died. There are some effects, however, that not every person or country will take the time to notice. One of those effects is a rise in child marriage. Estimates show that 12 million girls under the age of 18 are married annually. Some countries, such as Zambia and India, have committed to eradicating such practices by 2030, mitigating the effects of coronavirus on child marriage rates.…