UMOJA - ONE UN in Tanzania

UMOJA - ONE UN
in Tanzania
Why Tanzania post 2015 national consultations? W
ith only three years remaining to achieve the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a debate
on the post-2015 Development Agenda commenced at the
national, regional and global levels in 2012.
Why does a post 2015 agenda matter?
Since the adoption of MDGs in 2000, the issues have
become a cornerstone of development policies around the
globe and remain an overarching framework for core
development activities of principal stakeholders. This
momentum needs to be continued with greater vigour as
there will still be an unfinished business post 2015.
While reduction in global poverty is masked by progress in
China in particular, poverty remains a key challenge in
developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Some of the aspects lacking in the MDGs are inequality,
unemployment and emerging urgent issues such as
climate change which are becoming greater challenges for
sustainable development.
It is in this context that Tanzania took a keen interest in
the national consultations on the Post 2015 global
development agenda. The consultations provided an
opportunity to voice the concerns of people, in particular
the poor, the marginalized and vulnerable groups on a
global development agenda that could define the future
they wanted. This was in contrast to the MDGs, which
were designed without broader consultations with the
main stakeholders, especially at the national level, and
perceived as general and loosely integrated into the
Issue 48 Issue No. 41
May/June 2013 Mar - Apr 2012
national policy. The post 2015
Highlights
national consultations led by the
World Refugee Day
Government of Tanzania had
marked
two key objectives. First was to
President Kikwete
contribute to the global
Commends UN work
discussions on the future
framework. Second was to use
Africa HIV/AIDS
the information generated to
Champions
inform the next series of midWorld Press
term development plans and
Freedom day
strategies in-country for the
achievement of its long term development aspirations.
While inputs from national consultations were widely
captured in an initial global report called “The Global
Conversation Begins - Emerging Views for a New
Development Agenda” (available at http://issuu.com/
undevelopmentgroup/docs/global-conversation-beginsweb), its key messages will be used in the final global
report to be submitted to the UN General Assembly in
September 2013.
The broad message coming out of the consultations in
Tanzania is that the MDGs are still relevant but there is a
need to go beyond them to take into account, the new and
emerging issues and aspirations. Eradicating poverty,
hunger and inequality as well as generating decent
employment featured heavily in the discussions.
Reflecting Tanzania’s own experiences, quality of public
service delivery became a key concern. Similar concerns
were raised on combating disease and child and maternal
mortality, some of the key challenges pertaining to
Tanzania. Reflecting Rio+20 concerns, sustainable
development, featuring natural resources management,
population growth, sustainable energy use and adaptation
to climate change effects, was considered a key
challenge. Promoting peace and security, enhancing
development cooperation, improving governance and
eliminating gender inequality were the other areas that
Tanzanian people thought should be reflected in the Post
2015 agenda.
By Amarakoon Bandara, UN Senior Economist in Tanzania
A Word from the Government
“Last year, Tanzania registered impressive strides in finding durable solutions to the refugee
problem after the successful closure of Mtabila Camp in Kigoma Region. More than 35,000
Burundian refugees went back and were re-integrated in their country. I wish to express on behalf
of the Government of Tanzania, our sincere sense of appreciation for the commitment, dedication, support and cooperation in realising this goal. We remain committed and all set to collaborate with the international community in finding
lasting solution to the problem. Indeed our policy seeks to address refugee problems as a collective responsibility.” — The
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Pereira Silima, on World Refugees Day, 20 June, 2013
World Day for Safety and Health at Work celebrated H
onourable Prime Minister of
Tanzania Mizengo Pinda, graced
the 10th World Day for Safety and
Health at Work 2013, held in Arusha
along with participation of other
dignitaries including Labour and
Employment Minister Gaudensia
Kabaka, ILO Director Alexio Musindo,
and OSHA Chief Executive Akwilina
Kayumba. The theme of the event was
Prevention of Occupational Diseases.
The event aimed at raising awareness
on Occupational Safety and Health
(OSH) and to further raise awareness
on the magnitude of work-related
injuries and fatalities worldwide.
Highlighting the importance of the
event, Hon. Pinda stated that it is
everyone’s responsibility to promote
workers’ safety and health and ensure
decent working environment.
Pinda called upon employers to take
OSH issues seriously and cooperate
with their employees to prevent
possible disasters, the result of which
he said, will be increased production
and healthy industrial environment. He
World Refugee Day marked: One family torn apart by war is too many W
orld Refugee Day is
commemorated every 20th
June to honour the courage, strength
and determination of people forced to
flee and also to thank those who put
human dignity above all else and offer
them a helping hand. The theme of
this year’s World Refugee Day
focused on the impact of conflict on
families, and reminded us that ‘One
family torn apart by war is too many’.
UNHCR Tanzania marked the World
Refugee Day by collaborating with
… to allow children to use art as a
medium of expression and
documentation, to bring refugee and
neighbouring local children together to
share their different experiences of life
……..
emphasized that this should be
encouraged in all sectors, particularly,
agriculture, construction and mining.
Workers and public participate in a
procession to mark the World Day for
Occupational Safety and Health in
Arusha, April 2013
The Government is working on the
ratification of key conventions including
Photo: UNDP
Convention No. 187 (2006) with a view
to strengthening the national OSH
scourge at workplaces. Statistics show
system, he said.
that most of the infected (80%) are
The Premier also urged stakeholders
within the 20 – 44 age bracket and the
to join hands in fighting HIV/AIDS
national infection rate stands at 5.2%.
UNESCO in an exciting initiative which
had several objectives – to allow
children to use art as a medium of
expression and documentation, to
bring refugee and neighbouring local
children together to share their
different experiences of life and to use
the expertise and mandates of two UN
agencies to impact on children’s lives,
if only in a small way.
Coordinator for Tanzania, Mr. Alberic
Kacou stated, “Finding durable
solutions for the displaced will require
more solidarity and burden-sharing by
the international community.”
In her remarks, the UNHCR
Representative in Tanzania, Joyce
Mends-Cole, spoke about the
excellent record of Tanzania, providing
asylum over decades to refugees –
with a high of almost 800,000 at one
The project - ‘Bridging the Lines’,
point. She noted that the number of
utilized a Tanzanian photographer to
organize a photography workshop for refugees in Tanzania has dropped
remarkably. She said she was also
30 children, from both Nyarugusu
hopeful that a group of former
refugee camp and a village of the
hosting community. The photos taken refugees originally from Burundi who
have been in Tanzania since 1972,
by the children were displayed and
may soon finalize their citizenship
sold. All funds generated from the sale
process.
of the artworks and derivative products
Speaking during the World Refugee
will be used to implement other
Day reception, the Deputy Minister for
cultural activities within the ‘Bridging
Home Affairs, Hon. Pereira Silima
the Lines’ initiative, to benefit both the
reiterated Tanzania’s commitment to
refugee population as well as the
continue to collaborate with the
refugee-hosting areas.
international community to find lasting
Addressing the event, UN Resident
solutions to refugee problems.
Press Freedom Day — Call for protection of journalists W
orld Press Freedom Day is
commemorated each year on
3 May to signify and reinforce Article
19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights which provides the right
of the citizens to be informed, to inform
and to freely express their opinions.
Under the theme, ‘Safer and better
working environment for journalists in
East Africa,’ the event held in Arusha
brought together for the first time,
community media practitioners and
about 200 participants from four east
UNESCO Country Director
Vibeke Jensen delivers
the Joint UN statement during
celebrations to mark the World Press
Freedom Day
Photo: UN
African countries— Tanzania, Kenya,
Uganda and Rwanda. These included
community media practitioners,
members of the diplomatic corps,
media veterans, journalists,
development partners, civil society
organisations, international
organisations, political parties,
academia and other invited guests.
The United Nations System in
Tanzania was represented by
UNESCO’s Director Vibeke Jensen. In
the Joint UN statement, she urged
governments, societies and individuals
to do their utmost in ensuring safety of
journalists both online and offline.
Community media in the region
participate in the East African
Community Media Network
(EACOMNET) under the auspices of
UNESCO. It serves as a lobbying body
strengthening media solidarity across
the region and spurring their
contribution to the region’s social,
economic and political integration and
development.
Dignitaries present for the event. East African Community Secretary General
Dr. Richard Sezibera (front row center) and by his side, H.E. Swedish
Ambassador, Lennarth Hjelmaker Photo: UN
Africa HIV/AIDS champions meet Development Partners A
n interaction between the
Development Partners and
HIV and AIDS champions—
President Festus Mogae (Botswana)
and Professor Were (Kenya)
including the UN representatives
and Diplomatic Corps was
organized in Dar es Salaam.
prevention and funding.
The champions asserted the need
for leadership and role models to
advocate on the issues of male
circumcision, gender equality and
the need for streamlined
procurement of quality drugs as well
as children’s access to treatment
and community health mobilisation.
During the meeting of the different
parties, emphasis was placed on the
The team acknowledged the need
need to consolidate gains and
for a new generation of leaders and
advocate from the highest level for
the need to find African solution to
governance, health systems, HIV
the continent’s challenges especially
to address the funding gap rather
than depending on external
resources.
The Champions further expressed
that emphasis should be put on
behavioural change, supporting
gender equality related to human
rights, ending stigma and
eliminating gender based violence.
Behavioral change was given
special emphasis during the
discussions as it holds the key to
arrest the spread of the virus.
SPECIAL REPORT Maintaining Peace – a call to all of us
(All Photos: UN)
World Food Programme Country
Representative and Acting Resident
Coordinator Richard Ragan
Lays a wreath of flowers in
remembrance of world peacekeepers
Photo: UN/WFP
E
ach year, on 29 May, the world
commemorates the
International Day of Peacekeepers.
The day was declared by the General
Assembly of 2002 to pay tribute to
men and women who have served
and continue to serve in missions
through their professions and for their
dedication to restore peace.
In Tanzania, the day received
significant support from the
government as well as UN agencies.
Representing the government of
Tanzania, the Minister of Home
Affairs, Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi
reiterated the need to maintain the
country’s peace at any cost.
The Minister made the remarks in
Dar es Salaam as he graced the
International Day of UN
Peacekeepers.
He urged every person to be a
guardian of peace. According to the
Minister, Tanzania has so far
contributed 1,300 peacekeepers in
Darfur, Lebanon, South Sudan, Ivory
Coast and the Democratic Republic
of Congo.
Statistics show that 111
peacekeeping personnel died last
year and more than 3,100 have lost
their lives in UN’s 65 years of
peacekeeping.
Continued on page 5
Women police officers and members of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces perform at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds
during celebrations to commemorate International Day of Peacekeepers Photo: UN
SPECIAL REPORT International Day of Peacekeepers — 2013
Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi (left) and World Food Programme Country Representative Richard
Ragan gracing the occasion as the army band performs the Tanzania National Anthem Photo: UN
Currently, there are 14 UN
Peacekeeping Missions deployed
around the world reduced from 17 in
2012. The United Nations depends
upon the member states to contribute
to such missions.
Speaking on behalf of the UN system
in Tanzania, World Food Programme
Representative and Acting Resident
Coordinator Richard Ragan said, the
UN is determined to deploy multidimensional operations to help
countries’ transition from conflict to
peace focusing on protecting civilians.
Ragan commended Tanzania for its
proactive role, for being part of the
Intervention Brigade that has recently
been deployed to the DRC.
He urged Tanzania to continue
maintaining peace within and in the
neighbouring countries.
Raising of the United
Republic of Tanzania
national flag and the
United Nations flag
during the
commemoration of the
International Day of
Peacekeepers at the
Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in
Dar es Salaam
Photo: UN
President Kikwete commends UN work in Tanzania at Dar Trade Fair
U
N Tanzania stall at the Dar es
Salaam International Trade
Fair was once again flanked by many
policy makers and journalists as
President Jakaya Kikwete honoured
it with a visit. Accompanied by the
Trade and Industry Minister, Dr.
Abdallah Kigoda, he commended
UN’s work in Tanzania and called for
more support to entrepreneurs and
youth in the country.
He said that development of
entrepreneurial skills is a must for
sustainable employment for the
youth. He also urged UN Tanzania to
elevate the pace of school feeding
countrywide, to increase school
attendance as well as students’
concentration in class.
The President reminded the UN to
support women, in various avenues
for quick results. Representing the
UN Country Team, Mr. Phillemon
Mutashubirwa from UN-Habitat
explained to the President the broad
support for such initiatives under the
current four-year Programme of
Cooperation (UNDAP) between the
UN and the Government of Tanzania.
ILO supports business skills for beneficiaries of HIV/AIDS projects in Mbeya Region T
he HIV Vulnerability Reduction
and Economic Empowerment
project in Tanzania funded by SIDA
comprises of 53 women groups.
These groups engage in various
income generating activities including
– poultry, agriculture, food vending
This is the third year; the UN in
Tanzania has participated in the
International Trade Fair.
Further, through UNIDO’s support,
entrepreneurs from Mwanza
successfully displayed their leather
products.
This year’s theme for the UN
Stand was: UN Working for All
– Children, Youth and Women
and brewing. Some of the project
activities are HIV prevention
interventions, referrals for treatment
and reproductive health services and
these services are extended to the
commercial sex workers as well.
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
receives briefings from Phillemon
Mutashubirwa when he toured the
United Nations stall during the 37th
Dar es Salaam International Trade
Fair. President Kikwete said that
development of entrepreneurial skills
is a must for sustainable employment
of the youth
Photo: UN
by microfinance institutions. These
institutions will provide small loans at
subsidized interest rates to support
the beneficiaries.
ILO Country Director, Mr. Alexio
Musindo met with the beneficiaries of
The project is designed to respond to the project in Mbeya region to learn
about the impact made by the project
HIV and AIDS where needs and
vulnerabilities are identified. It focuses so far in reducing HIV vulnerability.
on economically empowering the low One of the beneficiaries, Lucy
Mwanjiko, 42, from Kimbalu
income women and young men who
Cooperative in Kyela said, “Having
could be exposed to the risk of
attended ILO training on SIYB, I learnt
contracting HIV. ILO is implementing
that I can do business through
the Start and Improve Your Business
agriculture. I started engaging myself
(SIYB) programme to support the
in farming. In the last rain season, due
Social Economy Organisations
to the skills I acquired I harvested 100
(SEOs) and Cooperatives from the
sacks of rice. Using the marketing
selected hotspots, all situated along
skills already acquired, I sold them at
Tanzania – Zambia transport corridor.
a very good price after which I spent
ILO further intends to establish an
some of the money to buy bricks for
innovative financing scheme to be run building a decent house”.
Tandale Chakula Bora Integrated School‐Community WASH Project (photos: Ms. Cecilia Ungule) T
andale ward is among the unplanned settlements of
Dar es Salaam characterized by high population
density, lack of reliable water supply, sanitation services
and frequent outbreaks of water borne diseases.
UN-Habitat partnered with the Dar es Salaam Water and
Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) to implement a water
apex organisation, rehabilitation of an abandoned borehole,
hand washbasins and dilapidated school toilets and also
construction of rainwater harvesting schemes for a school.
The participation of the beneficiary communities was
insisted at each stage of the project cycle. This was done
through meetings, training, focus group discussions,
Rainwater harvesting scheme at Manzese Secry School
A student washes her hands at a rehabilitated facility
A Manzese community water distribution point
workshops and outreach programmes. Implementation took
supply and sanitation project with the objective of improving a total of 8 months and was from January to August 2012.
the livelihood of Manzese Secondary School and Tandale
The total number of beneficiaries included 1,600 students of
communities.
Manzese Secondary School and about 16,000 from the
This included community mobilisation and formation of an
neighbourhood.
Demonstration of rainwater harvesting in the schools of Zanzibar rainwater harvesting in schools. The
objective is to promote the use of
rainwater and reduce pressure on
groundwater.
The implementation took place
in two phases covering 15
schools. More than 17,000
students have started
benefiting from the schemes.
The school and the
surrounding communities have
recognised and appreciated
the benefit of rainwater. The
project covered constructing
the rain water harvesting
schemes in schools, raising
awareness of the beneficiaries
Z
anzibar has a good rainfall. This,
however, has not been utilized to
meet the demand of water for the
growing population. Zanzibar
households mainly depend on
groundwater for their daily chores.
However, the threat of over extraction
of ground water and sea-water
intrusion in the groundwater system
causing contamination is very high.
The UN-Habitat and Zanzibar Water
Authority initiated the demonstration of
on the use of rainwater and building
capacity among schools and
communities on operating and
maintaining the schemes.
A school community water distribution point
Photo: ZAWA
UNDP administrator encourages use of energy efficient stoves U
NDP
Administrator
Helen Clark recently
visited some UNDP
supported projects in
Tanzania including Nilo
Nature Reserve in
Korogwe district which is
geared towards
biodiversity
conservation.
The Administrator was
briefed about some
income-generation
activities related to the
project and about the
importance of the nature
reserve, particularly its
value as a water
catchment and its
richness in terms of
biodiversity.
UNDP Administrator Helen Clark observes energy efficient stove at one of the household’s
One of the major threats
kitchen in Korogwe District during her recent visit in the region
to the nature reserve
Photo: UNDP
was the question of
Both Nilo and Amani nature reserves
firewood for fuel.
are part of the East Usambara
Traditionally, the forest has been an
Biosphere reserve established in
important source of firewood for
Upcoming UN International Days 2007. They are located in Tanga
household fuel needs.
Region.
To reduce the dependence,
It covers a total of 6,025ha
communities were trained on making
11 July: World Population Day surrounded by a population of 28,960
energy efficient stoves.
people who mainly depend on forest
‘’I encourage the project to promote
18 July: Nelson Mandela Interna‐
resources for their livelihoods.
the use of fuel efficient stoves made
tional Day The Nature Reserve is the beneficiary from locally available materials to help
of GEF/UNDP and the German
protect biodiversity in this area,’’
9 Aug: International Day of the Climate Initiative (BMU) support
stated the Administrator.
World’s Indigenous Peo‐
under the Conservation and
Nilo is the second largest block of
ples Management of the Eastern Arc
forest under protection in the East
12 Aug: International Youth Day Mountain Forests Project
Usambara, after Amani Nature
implemented from 2004 to 2011.
Reserve.
A Stronger United Nations for a Better World !
UN reform at a glance
Tanzania is among eight countries to pilot
the Delivering as One reform initiative at
country level. Albania, Cape Verde,
Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, Uruguay
and Viet Nam are the others. For more
information on UN reform and coherence
please visit www.undg.org
UN Resident Coordinator’s Office
Communications Team
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: (+255) 22-260-2884
Visit http://tz.one.un.org for more information