Explore initiatives & stories from UNESCO networks.

The Africa Health Business Symposium (AHBS), curated by Africa Health Business (AHB), is a Pan-African conference that sits at the heart of the African healthcare scene. Over the last four years AHBS has emerged as Africa’s largest health business event. This year, AHBS will bring together some of the most influential public and business leaders and key stakeholders in the development sector for a series of webinars themed “Partnerships for COVID-19 in Africa”. As Africa adapts to a new normal, partnerships in over-stretched health systems will continue to play an important role. The AHBS webinar series will consist of five sessions in July and August 2020 discussing key areas that are at the centre of change.

Virtual seminar which was broadcasted live in the presence of a group of experts from several specialized institutions.

Saudi Arabia has taken the threat of the novel coronavirus seriously, responding rapidly and robustly to slow its spread in the Kingdom and the wider Middle East. Saudi Arabia’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 was on March 2, 2020, in a citizen from Qatif, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province, who had traveled from Iran via Bahrain. The Kingdom had already taken action before that point. Five days prior This report analyzes Saudi Arabia’s Response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic

First response from King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) the Covid-19 Pandemic was by issuing a weekly report on the regional and international impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) comes at a critical time. In response to the spreading pandemic, governments continue to enforce quarantines, curfews and ‘lockdowns’ that impact national economies and the lifestyles of millions of people. Hence, this weekly report aims to interview a diverse range of individuals including policy makers, academics, and thinkers to seek their opinions on the impact of this pandemic as it relates to their area of interest

Considerando la situación de vulnerabilidad en la que se encuentran alrededor de 5.500 artistas y gestores a nivel nacional y sus familias. El Ministerio de Cultura y Patrimonio, reconociendo a la cultura como un elemento de cohesión social y resiliencia, ha diseñado un Plan Integral de Contingencia para las Artes y la Cultura, compuesto de acciones encaminadas a atender el sector en 2 fases: 1. Etapa de Emergencia: - Se destinarán USD 1’050.000 a un Bono Humanitario que beneficiará a más de 5.500 trabajadores del arte y la cultura por un período de 3 meses. Este Bono será de USD 60 por mes. - Líneas de fomento a través de las 3 instituciones adscritas al MCYP (ICCA, IFAIC, INPC) para la emergencia, orientadas a la creación de contenidos artísticos y culturales, así como también para artesanos portadores de saberes ancestrales y en procesos de gestión cultural comunitaria. - Créditos para trabajadores de la cultura para proyectos artísticos y culturales a través de BanEcuador y su producto Impulso Cultura que brinda préstamos para artistas y gestores culturales en condiciones diseñadas específicamente para este sector. - Generación de Contenidos Online para la ciudadanía. 2. Etapa de Reactivación y Recuperación - Redefinición de los mecanismos de fomento que estén sintonizados con la realidad, es decir, que sean flexibles, permitan alcanzar el mayor impacto en cuanto a actores vinculados y generen esquemas de sostenibilidad a mediano plazo. - Replantamiento de los servicios artísticos y culturales reestableciendo las relaciones con los usuarios, las audiencias, la infraestructura, la exhibición, la distribución y la comercialización. - Generación de protocolos, reglamentos y normativas acordes con las realidades del sector cultural. - Acuerdos para la circulación de contenidos artísticos y culturales locales y nacionales para privilegiar el consumo de servicios y bienes artísticos y culturales nacionales y locales.

Hasta mayo 2020, 21 universidades han contribuido a ampliar la capacidad de procesamiento de pruebas qPCR para la identificación de COVID – 19, a través de los siguientes mecanismos: - Dotación a hospitales y centros de salud de personal, equipamiento e insumos, para desarrollar pruebas qPCR de SARS – CoV2. - Procesamiento de pruebas de diagnóstico qPCR de SARS-COV2. - Implementación de laboratorios para realizar pruebas qPCR para el diagnóstico del SARS – CoV2, en zonas prioritarias del país .

Public presentation of a global study on human reactions to Covid-19 pandemics and other catastrophes. The study, undertook in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus Dyclam + Master programme,on Cultural Landscapes, includes three parts: adaptations to Covid-19; adaptations and transformation following other catstrophes (warsm tsunami, earthquakes, plague); and human reflection across pace and time, since the middle ages. The study, coordinated by Luiz Oosterbeek, is part of teh research programme of the UNESCO-IPT chair in Humanities and Cultural Integrated Landscape Management, and is available online.

Public presentation of a global study on human reactions to Covid-19 pandemics and other catastrophes. The study, undertook in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus Dyclam + Master programme,on Cultural Landscapes, includes three parts: adaptations to Covid-19; adaptations and transformation following other catstrophes (warsm tsunami, earthquakes, plague); and human reflection across pace and time, since the middle ages. The study, coordinated by Luiz Oosterbeek, is part of teh research programme of the UNESCO-IPT chair in Humanities and Cultural Integrated Landscape Management, and is available online.

Creative Azerbaijan portal (www.creative.az) launches a charity event "Support the Arts" in partnership with the company “Azeri Express”. The spread of COVID-19 around the world has a major impact on all areas. A number of business representatives, individual entrepreneurs suffer a loss of income. These losses have also affected artists, artisans, and writers working in the creative industries, and created a difficult financial situation for many of them. The campaign provides information about such people and their works are sold through social networks. The purchased works are delivered with the support of “Azeri Express”. Purchasers of the works will also receive a special diploma of appreciation from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan once the virus restrictions are lifted.

The campaign, implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Creative Azerbaijan portal, aims to support the population to spend their time effectively and encourage their creativity during the quarantine and social isolation. The terms are very simple. One needs to follow Creative Azerbaijan Facebook page, share creative work on his/her page with the hashtag #evdəqalevdəyarat, and tag Creative Azerbaijan Facebook page. The authors of the most liked works (recipients of “likes”) will receive various gifts from the Creative Azerbaijan portal and the Ministry of Culture in May.

On the occasion of World Art Day, Club per l'Unesco Genova Città Metropolitana along with AIAP/IAA INDIA, official partner of UNESCO in India, under UNIVART Foundation had organised an e-seminar on the ResiliArt movement. In this time of crisis, when the world is suffering from economic and psychological trauma, art has become a primary source of solace. The health crisis brought on by the novel corona virus has plunged the global economy into a recession. Majority of UNESCO World Heritage properties have closed down, along with cultural institutions and museums. The artists are struggling to survive as their medium of income has been ‘locked down’. The e-seminar was held on 24th April 2020, representing countries such as Italy, Turkey, Germany and India. The event was inaugurated by Manaj Saha (President IAA INDIA, official partner of UNESCO) who began the discussion on ResiliArt with Massimo Ruggero (President of Club of UNESCO Genova). The chief speaker was Bedri Bakyam (President of IAA World, official partner of UNESCO) and his speech was followed by Eva Moll (Curator and Artist). The debate focused on the power of artistic expression and its value from a psychological point of view. Another ‘e-seminar’ was held on 26th April 2020 by AIAP/IAA INDIA, official partner of UNESCO in India, under UNIVART Foundation. The discussion took place between Mr. Manaj Saha, President of IAA INDIA, Official Partner of UNESCO and Mr. Amit Bhar, Vice President of IAA INDIA, Official Partner of UNESCO, along with Mr. Samir Sarkar, Eminent Artist and Art Activist and Dr.Neerja Chandna Peters, awardee of Wales Hartley.

ACWW has been gathering data on the impact of Covid-19 on rural women globally by conducting bi-weekly online surveys.

This policy text emphasises the social value of culture and arts, and outlines the steps taken by different countries in support of the creative sectors during the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown. The text also dedicates a section to the current state of public support mechanisms in the cultural field in Turkey and offers suggestions.

Le Conseil fédéral suisse a approuvé le 20 mars 2020 un paquet de mesures spécifiques pour la culture pour une durée de deux mois et a mis à disposition de cette première étape une enveloppe de 280 millions permettant de couvrir : - des aides d’urgence pour les entreprises culturelles sans but lucratif (100 millions sous forme de prêts) et les acteurs culturels (25 millions sous forme d’aides à fonds perdus), - une indemnisation pour les pertes financières pour les entreprises culturelles et les acteurs culturels (145 millions sous forme d’aides à fonds perdus) - la prise en charge des frais liés à l’annulation ou au report de manifestations des associations d’amateurs actives dans le domaine culturel (10 millions sous forme d’aides à fonds perdus). Ces mesures sont complémentaires aux autres mesures prises par la Confédération dont peuvent aussi bénéficier les milieux culturels. Le Conseil fédéral suisse a décidé le 13 mai 2020 de prolonger la validité de l’ordonnance de 4 mois, en maintenant l’enveloppe globale de 280 millions.

Le Conseil fédéral suisse a approuvé le 20 mars 2020 un paquet de mesures spécifiques pour la culture pour une durée de deux mois et a mis à disposition de cette première étape une enveloppe de 280 millions permettant de couvrir : - des aides d’urgence pour les entreprises culturelles sans but lucratif (100 millions sous forme de prêts) et les acteurs culturels (25 millions sous forme d’aides à fonds perdus), - une indemnisation pour les pertes financières pour les entreprises culturelles et les acteurs culturels (145 millions sous forme d’aides à fonds perdus) - la prise en charge des frais liés à l’annulation ou au report de manifestations des associations d’amateurs actives dans le domaine culturel (10 millions sous forme d’aides à fonds perdus). Ces mesures sont complémentaires aux autres mesures prises par la Confédération dont peuvent aussi bénéficier les milieux culturels. Le Conseil fédéral suisse a décidé le 13 mai dernier de prolonger la validité de l’ordonnance de 4 mois, en maintenant l’enveloppe globale de 280 millions.

L'ICÉA met en ligne un dossier spécial sur l'éducation des adultes et la Covid-19. Dans ce dossier spécial, l'ICÉA publiera des analyses et diffusera de l'information sur les décisions prises en matière d'éducation des adultes en réponse au contexte de pandémie.

Les médias sont aujourd’hui confrontés à un paradoxe. D’une part, leur rôle en tant que sources d’informations fiables et vérifiées est renforcé. D’autre part, leurs revenus publicitaires se sont érodés et la vente de journaux papiers a chuté ce qui provoque des difficultés économiques profondes avec des conséquences directes pour les journalistes et en particulier pour les journalistes indépendants. Le Gouvernement des Belges francophone (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles) vient en aide à ce secteur crucial par quatre mesures de soutien : 1. Un soutien aux médias dont la viabilité est menacée en raison de la crise du COVID-19 ; 2. Un soutien direct aux journalistes indépendants ; 3. Un soutien à la transition des médias vers un modèle économique moins dépendant de la publicité ; 4. Une campagne de communication.

Le Gouvernement des Belges francophones (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles) a créé un Fonds d’urgence et de soutien pour les opérateurs et travailleurs du secteur culturel frappés de plein fouet par la crise sanitaire du coronavirus COVID-19. L'objectif de ce fonds est de rémunérer les créateurs, compagnies, auteurs, artistes et techniciens. Le Gouvernement entend ainsi être solidaire des acteurs les plus fragiles du monde culturel, secteur le plus affecté par la crise du COVID.

Subsistence support for natural persons in the field of culture and sport with the total amount of 5.2 million euros: 1. Support scheme for freelance creative people is additional 4.2 million euros allowing to support (with minimum salary during 6 month period) of up to 1200 persons in 2020. The detailed conditions of application and qualifying criteria are set in existing Creative Persons and Artistic Associations Act that is amended according to the crisis situation. This support scheme excludes students and pensioners, also those with employment contracts/regular income. 2. Support scheme for children and youth coaches at professional qualification level 3 and higher is in total 400,000. The support is intended to help to cover the staff costs of a coach supervising children and young people up to and including the age of 24 at the preparatory level, training level and mastery level on the basis of an employment contract for a sports federation, sports club and sports school. Applications are processed by the Sports Training and Information Foundation. 3. Support scheme for mentors of dance groups and choirs participating in the song and dance festival movement is 600,000. The labor costs of conductors, folk dance directors, assistant conductors, concertmasters, piano accompanists, leaders of folk music groups will be paid to the collective member with up to 70% of his/hers average salary, but not more than 1000 euros per gross month. The support may be paid for the period from 1.03.2020 to 31.05.2020.

Programme implemented by the Culture Secretariat of the Government of Mexico to face the challenges of the crisis derived from COVID-19 and with the aim to ensure people continue to exercise their right to culture from home, as well as a tool to promote the creativity and talent of the artistic community for the development of activities and projects from their home during the "National period of healthy distance". This platform involves various different measures, actions and calls in nine categories: Digital Culture, Virtual Tour, Audiovisuals, Books, Audios, Children, Apps, Calls and Recommendations, and facilitates free and remote access to a wide cultural offer and artistic quality content, including sound files, interviews, photo galleries, videos, electronic books, virtual tours of museums and archaeological sites, informative capsules, plays, games, tales and stories, interactive and downloadable contents, among other digital resources of various artistic disciplines, as well as cultural, historical and indigenous language materials, available on line.

A new series of online gatherings which aim to enhance the practical knowledge of artists and cultural practitioners who are moving from the Arab region to Germany. The first session speaks about Artists’ Livelihood in Times of Crisis, Initiative's location is Lebanon and Germany.

Koalisi Seni Indonesia (Indonesian Arts Coalition) acknowledges the significance of COVID-19's impact on Indonesia's arts sector and its workers. They launched an online survey to gather information about cancelled and postponed arts events across the nation due to the pandemic to encourage government and private policies to help artists survive.

As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread rapidly, this pandemic has caused untold human suffering around the world. Despite the fact that women comprise the majority of frontline health workers globally, meaning that female representation is vital tackling the crisis, however, there is very limited highlights regarding the critical role of women play against this pandemic, and underdeveloped system to support women in Central Asia. In the light of these, COVID-19: A gender lens initiative is going to be implemented in order to support women in Central Asia and ensure that the crisis does not burden women too much (especially mentally), it is suggested to encourage women to share their stories on their response to COVID-19, share their experience and tips on balancing work, household and family during quarantine period.

In cooperation with the Kazakh National Olympic Committee, UNESCO Almaty has joined the global efforts to encourage everyone to be active, stay well and demonstrate solidarity during this period of physical and social distancing on the occasion of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace. A one-month Online campaign, which emphasizes the importance of indoor physical activity and sports in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle to limit the impact of COVID-19 includes different activities, e.g. sports challenges and Instagram flashmob with the Olympic athletes, celebrities and bloggers under the slogan #BeActive #StayWell.