The first months of Donald Trump’s presidency have been defined by a single word: tariffs. He has framed tariffs as a panacea to the woes of the American economy, promising they will restore the country’s manufacturing sector and reduce the national deficit.
In response to the mounting concerns, the federal government met with the heads of Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro, Costco and Walmart in 2023 to discuss stabilizing grocery prices in Canada. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would threaten and later implement amendments to the Competition Act through Bill C-56, although these reforms were focused less on immediately lowering grocery bills and more on giving new tools to Canada’s competition watchdog.
Investing in the future
Another area of concern is the initiatives supermarket chains such as Loblaw and Metro have been investing their profits in.
There is little reason to believe Canada’s grocery industry will reform itself. Many of the pro-consumer and pro-worker initiatives put forth by these chains have amounted to little more than public relations moves.
When Loblaw froze prices on No Name products in 2022, its competitor Metro quickly pointed out that seasonal price freezes are in fact a standard industry practice. (CBC News)
The question remains: what concrete measures can be implemented to safeguard Canadian grocery bills as our country navigates this next crisis?
Lowering grocery bills for Canadians
A report from the Broadbent Institute suggests the idea of a windfall profit tax, which would incentivize grocery companies to invest excess profits into price reductions or higher wages.
A more durable reform would involve creating a central bank-style regulatory entity to oversee the grocery industry, instead of relying on industry-born measures such as Canada’s recently introduced grocery code of conduct.
Federal or provincial legislation could be also passed that places guardrails on dynamic pricing in the grocery aisle, if not banning the controversial practice altogether. Government grants and tax incentive programs could be withheld from companies that invest heavily into automating workforces so the government isn’t inadvertently subsidizing job losses.
The Competition Bureau’s 2023 report highlights another key issue: there is a need for all levels of government to shift from subsidizing large chains and encourage the growth of independent grocers in the Canadian market, driving down prices for consumers through meaningful, local competition.
Trump’s trade war has filled Canadians with a newfound pride and motivation to buy local to support the economy. Perhaps it’s time our grocery chains showed the same commitment to the people they serve.
Mathew Iantorno does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (31 March 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has successfully issued a CNY8.3 billion (about $1.15 billion), 3-year bond issue, its largest Panda Bonds to date, raising significant capital to support its development projects for both sovereign and private sector borrowers. The bonds, issued on 17 March 2025, carry a 1.81% coupon.
This issuance marks a significant milestone for ADB, as it represents the largest Panda Bonds issued to date in 2025, and the largest local currency bond issued by ADB. The bonds were well received by both domestic and international investors, reflecting strong confidence in ADB’s commitment to sustainable development.
“We are delighted with the successful issuance of our latest Panda Bonds,” said ADB Treasurer Tobias Hoschka. “This achievement underscores the robust demand for high-quality, sustainable investment opportunities in the Chinese bond market. The proceeds from this issuance will be instrumental in advancing our mission to foster economic growth and reduce poverty in the region.”
The Panda Bonds are part of ADB’s ongoing efforts to diversify its funding sources and tap into the growing pool of local currency capital in Asia and the Pacific. The funds raised will be used to finance a range of projects aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable development in ADB’s member countries.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
The following is the text prepared by the Holy Father Francis for the Angelus of this fourth Sunday of Lent:
Text prepared by the Holy Father
Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Sunday!
In today’s Gospel (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32) Jesus notices that the Pharisees are scandalised and murmur behind His back, instead of being happy because sinners come to Him. So Jesus tells them about a father who has two sons: one leaves home, but then, having been reduced to poverty, he returns and is welcomed with joy. The other, the ‘obedient’ son, is indignant at his father and does not want to enter the feast. This is how Jesus reveals the heart of God: He is always merciful towards all; he heals our wounds so that we can love each other as brothers.
Dearest friends, let us live this Lent as a time of healing, all the more as it is the Jubilee. I too am experiencing it this way, in my soul and in my body. That is why I give heartfelt thanks to all those who, in the image of the Saviour, are instruments of healing for their neighbour with their word and their knowledge, with kindness and with prayer. Frailty and illness are experiences we all have in common; all the more, however, we are brothers in the salvation Christ has given us.
Trusting in the mercy of God the Father, we continue to pray for peace: in martyred Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar, which is also suffering so much because of the earthquake.
I am following the situation in South Sudan with concern. I renew my heartfelt appeal to all leaders to do their utmost to lower the tension in the country. We must put aside our differences and, with courage and responsibility, sit around a table and engage in constructive dialogue. Only in this way will it be possible to alleviate the suffering of the beloved South Sudanese people and to build a future of peace and stability.
And in Sudan, the war continues to claim innocent victims.I urge the parties concerned in the conflict to put the safeguarding of the lives of their civilian brothers and sisters first; and I hope that new negotiations will begin as soon as possible, capable of securing a lasting solution to the crisis. May the international community increase its efforts to address the appalling humanitarian catastrophe.
Thanks be to God, there are also positive events: for example, the ratification of the Agreement on the demarcation of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which is an excellent diplomatic achievement.I encourage both countries to continue on this path.
May Mary, Mother of Mercy, help the human family to be reconciled in peace.
Fabrice Mba’s passion for Chinese culture and martial arts budded in the southern Cameroon town of Sangmelima, where he grew up watching kung fu movies.
Mba (right, front) instructs a young man in martial arts movements in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon. [Photo provided to China Daily]
His elder brother was a projectionist and as a youngster, Mba often helped him sweep the theater.
For the first time, he saw Shaolin monks on the screen. “I discovered kung fu and Chinese culture. It spoke a lot to me.”
He and his friends would imitate characters from the movies, but there was no kung fu club to train them.
When he was 8, he left home with his elder sister to settle in the capital, Yaounde.
Life was difficult, his father was absent and his mother could not take care of all her children.
“I grew up on the street,” he says.
Mba’s life changed with the arrival of a group of Chinese engineers in the 1980s. They built the Yaounde Conference Center, a China-aid project that remains one of the landmarks in Cameroon to this day.
He and his sister lived not far from the center. One of the Chinese engineers at the construction site was skilled in martial arts and trained regularly, to the amazement of Mba and his friends.
“I often went with my friends, and we stood and watched (him training) from afar,” he says.
One day, the man called to them and asked them to take a posture, with knees slightly bent as if holding a tree in their arms. “We stood facing the wall. It hurt,” says Mba.
After that, he came every morning to learn kung fu. He trained hard, learning the fundamental elements.
Mba returned briefly to Sangmelima to help his brother, but life was difficult there, and he returned to the capital, where he did odd jobs to survive.
Fabrice Mba gives a lecture on traditional Chinese medicine to his students at the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, in February. [Photo provided to China Daily]
His life took another turn in 2011, when he encountered a codirector of the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II, during one of his training sessions.
Mba enrolled in the institute. “That marked a turning point in my kung fu journey.”
Thanks to a scholarship, he got the opportunity to train in martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province. Between 2015 and 2019, he visited the temple three times.
Today, Mba is a household name in Cameroon when it comes to kung fu and traditional Chinese medicine.
“I am president of the Cameroon Kung-Fu Federation. I am a specialist in Chinese traditional medicine. I have been the president of the Association for the Promotion of Chinese Martial Arts since 2010, and I am also a Shaolin cultural ambassador of the time,” says the 46-year-old disciple.
He runs a program that offers free short-term training in physiotherapy and other subjects to disadvantaged young people to help them find work. He also teaches kung fu in several schools.
“Be your own boss” is the slogan of his Lotus and Water Lily program.
“I train them to be morally upright and useful to society,” Mba says. “I went through difficulties as a child, and I do not want them to face the same hardships.”
Martin Mangwandjo was one of Mba’s students. About seven years ago, Mangwandjo started learning kung fu, which changed his life. Now 29, he also teaches martial arts and runs a kung fu club of his own.
“Kung fu has enabled me to fit into the social milieu more easily,” says Mangwandjo, who has a congenital disability in his left leg and walks on crutches. “It has given me a winning mentality, because I’ve understood that a man’s strength lies not in his physique, but in his mind.”
Now, he wants to emulate his mentor and help promote Chinese culture. “I’d like to encourage other people, who have full mobility but still hesitate to take the plunge, telling themselves that these things are not feasible or not attainable, to really encourage them to embrace Chinese culture as I have,” he says.
Mba’s knowledge and love of Chinese culture is also visible in the literary world. He has published several books of poetry and prose focused on kung fu, Chinese culture and nonviolence.
“Martial arts is about moral values, peace, respect and life,” he says. “Cameroonians and Africans who read the books always come back to me, and say they now have a better understanding of Chinese people and their culture.”
Mba says that as more people take up kung fu in Cameroon, he hopes to continue to offer valuable training.
“Promoting Chinese culture in Cameroon does not mean turning Cameroonians into Chinese,” he says. “It’s like putting Cameroonians in front of a mirror, enabling them to understand that through hard work, they can reshape their mentality, shed poverty, and achieve the results they want, just like the Chinese.”
In 2023, 8.1% of the population or some 708 000 people in Switzerland were affected by income poverty. 6.3% of the population had been in arrears with at least two types of payment in the last 12 months and 5.5% had to go without important goods, services and social activities for financial reasons. The overall standard of living in Switzerland, however, continues to be one of the highest in Europe. These are some of the findings from the 2023 Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai has stressed the urgency of addressing persistent global inequalities.
“G20 nations must place inequality at the heart of economic policymaking, as disparities in wealth and development are neither just nor sustainable. The consequences of these inequalities are most pronounced in the Global South, where poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to essential services continued to hinder progress,” Mohai said.
The Deputy Minister was delivering a keynote address during a two-day G20 Seminar focused on the theme: “Public Good, Development Finance, and Social Protection”.
The seminar was hosted by the DPME in collaboration with the South African Association for Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
The seminar was a key part of South Africa’s strategic G20 priorities – to explore innovative solutions for addressing economic disparities, advancing sustainable development, and ensuring social protection for vulnerable communities.
It provided a platform for fostering dialogue among government officials, academia, civil society, and the private sector, with a focus on tackling challenges such as economic disparities, mobilising development finance, and advancing inclusive social protection policies.
Deputy Minister Mohai emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue throughout the seminar.
“This gathering provided a unique platform for engagement among key stakeholders. We looked forward to brutally frank debates aimed at addressing the challenges of inequality, unemployment, and poverty.
“We were encouraged by this partnership between DPME, SAAPAM, TUT, and other academic institutions, civil society, and non-government organizations, and we looked forward to successfully hosting this prestigious G20 seminar,” he said.
Discussions at the seminar also explored ways to overcome structural barriers to sustainable development, including the mobilisation of innovative financing solutions for climate action and other pressing global issues.
The seminar focused on the following key areas:
Public Good: Ensuring equitable access to essential services and resources for all citizens.
Development Finance: Mobilising sustainable funding mechanisms to stimulate economic growth.
Social Protection: Strengthening policies aimed at reducing inequality and providing support for the most vulnerable.
Mohai also highlighted the pivotal role of academia and professional bodies in developing innovative solutions to global development challenges.
“South Africa’s engagement with the G20 has been guided by strategic foreign policy pillars, including national interests, the African agenda, South-South cooperation, and multilateralism. Our presidency came at a time when the world faced overlapping global crises such as climate change, inequality, and geopolitical instability, which disproportionately affected developing nations,” he noted.
The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to addressing the structural causes of economic disparities.
“Through collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment, we can create a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” he stated.
The two-day seminar featured several distinguished academic dignitaries, including UNISA Vice Chancellor Puleng Lenkabula and Tshwane University Dean, Professor Mashupye Maserumule, among others.
Professor Maserumule shared valuable insights on the crucial role of an ethical, capable, and professional public service in driving innovation in planning and development. He emphasised the importance of a well-equipped public sector in fostering sustainable growth and effective governance.
In her address, UNISA Vice Chancellor Lenkabula highlighted the vital role of academia in South Africa’s leadership during the DPME G20 Seminar. She focused on the contribution of academic institutions, research, and higher education can make toward both national and international G20 objectives.
“Academia plays a pivotal role by conducting research that addresses global challenges on the G20 agenda, such as climate change, global health, economic recovery post-pandemic, and sustainable development,” she said.
“South African universities and research institutions have the opportunity to collaborate with their international counterparts to generate data and policy recommendations that support both South Africa’s national interests and the broader goals of the G20,” Prof Lenkabula added.
The department said that the outcomes of the seminar will contribute to South Africa’s G20 agenda, focusing on building a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for all.
The event aimed to generate actionable recommendations and innovative policy solutions to guide the global community in confronting critical issues such as inequality, unemployment, and poverty.
“This seminar marked a critical milestone in South Africa’s leadership of the G20, with a continued focus on fostering solidarity, equality, and sustainability in global development,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Students in ACT public school can access free period products.
The ACT Government is supporting free period products for Canberrans.
Students in ACT public schools can already access free period products.
Free period products are also available at some locations in Canberra including:
some ACT public health services
the Child and Family Centres located in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and Tuggeranong
the Child Development Service in Holder.
The ACT Government will make period products in more locations in a staged approach over the coming months and years.
The government will provide regular updates about the availability of free period products. It will also provide age-appropriate information in languages other than English.
This is an important initiative to reduce period poverty. It will help people who menstruate to manage their periods in a safe and healthy way.
The ACT follows Scotland as only the second jurisdiction in the world to enshrine free period products in law. This aims to end period poverty and give people who menstruate the dignity they deserve.
The ACT Government remains committed to free period products for Canberrans.
In the 2023/24 mid- year budget, the ACT Government has committed to support the roll out of free period products, ahead of the start of the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Act 2023.
Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses TV9 Summit 2025 Today, the world’s eyes are on India: PM
India’s youth is rapidly becoming skilled and driving innovation forward: PM
“India First” has become the mantra of India’s foreign policy: PM
Today, India is not just participating in the world order but also contributing to shaping and securing the future: PM
India has given Priority to humanity over monopoly: PM
Today, India is not just a Nation of Dreams but also a Nation That Delivers: PM
Posted On: 28 MAR 2025 6:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the TV9 Summit 2025 in the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, he extended his best wishes to the entire team of TV9 and its viewers. He said that TV9 had a wide regional audience and added that now there is a global audience also getting ready. He also welcomed and greeted the Indian diaspora who had connected over teleconference to the event.
“Today, the World’s eyes are on India”, remarked the Prime Minister, highlighting that people around the globe are curious about India. He noted that India, which was the 11th largest economy in the world after 70 years of independence, rose to become the 5th largest economy in a span of 7-8 years. Citing a report of the IMF, Shri Modi said that India was the only major economy in the world which had doubled its GDP in the last 10 years. Emphasizing that India had added USD two lakh crore to its economy in the last decade, adding that doubling of the GDP was not just about numbers but had major impacts like moving 25 crore people out of poverty forming a ‘Neo-Middle Class’. He further added that the Neo-middle class was beginning a new life with dreams and aspirations along with contributing to the economy and making it vibrant. “India has the world’s largest youth population”, exclaimed the Prime Minister, noting that the youth were rapidly becoming skilled, thereby accelerating innovation. “India First has become the mantra of India’s foreign policy”, highlighted the Prime Minister. He remarked that while India once followed a policy of maintaining equal distance from all nations, the current approach emphasizes being equally close to all—an “Equi-Closeness” policy. The Prime Minister underscored that the global community now values India’s opinions, innovations, and efforts like never before. He emphasized that the world is keenly observing India today and is eager to understand “What India Thinks Today.”
Prime Minister highlighted that India is not merely participating in the world order but is actively contributing to shaping and securing the future. He remarked about India’s vital role in global security, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Defying doubts, India developed its own vaccines, ensured rapid inoculation, and supplied medicines to over 150 countries, he added. He emphasized that in times of global crisis, India’s values of service and compassion resonated worldwide, showcasing the essence of its culture and traditions.
Reflecting on the global context post-World War II, noting how most international organizations were dominated by a few nations, Shri Modi remarked that India’s approach has always prioritized humanity over monopoly, striving for an inclusive and participatory global order. He added that in line with this vision, India has led the way in establishing global institutions for the 21st century, ensuring collective contribution and cooperation. Shri Modi remarked that addressing the challenge of natural disasters, which cause immense damage to infrastructure worldwide, India took the initiative to establish the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). CDRI represents a global commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience, he added. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s efforts to promote the construction of disaster-resilient infrastructure, including bridges, roads, buildings, and power grids, ensuring they can withstand natural calamities and safeguard communities across the world.
Emphasising the importance of global collaboration to tackle future challenges, particularly in energy resources, Shri Modi highlighted India’s initiative of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a solution to ensure sustainable energy access for even the smallest nations. He remarked that this effort not only positively impacts the climate but also secures the energy needs of Global South countries. He proudly noted that over 100 countries have joined this initiative. Talking about the global challenges of trade imbalances and logistics issues, Shri Modi highlighted India’s collaborative efforts with the world to launch new initiatives, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). He remarked that this project will connect Asia, Europe, and the Middle East through commerce and connectivity, boosting economic opportunities and providing alternative trade routes. He underscored that this initiative will strengthen the global supply chain.
Underlining India’s efforts to make global systems more participative and democratic, the Prime Minister remarked on the historic step taken during the G-20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam, where the African Union was made a permanent member of the G-20. He emphasized that this long-standing demand was fulfilled under India’s presidency. Shri Modi underscored India’s role as the voice of Global South countries in global decision-making institutions, highlighting India’s significant contributions in various fields, including International Yoga Day, the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, and the development of a global framework for Artificial Intelligence. He remarked that these efforts have established India’s strong presence in the new world order. “This is just the beginning, as India’s capabilities on global platforms continue to reach new heights”, he added.
Noting that 25 years of the 21st century have passed, out of which 11 years have been dedicated to serving the nation under his government, Shri Modi emphasized the importance of reflecting on past questions and answers to understand “What India Thinks Today.” He highlighted the transformation from dependency to self-reliance, aspirations to achievements, and desperation to development. He recalled that a decade ago, the issue of toilets in villages left women with limited options, but today, the Swachh Bharat Mission has provided a solution. He noted that in 2013, discussions about healthcare revolved around expensive treatments, but today, Ayushman Bharat offers a solution. Similarly, he highlighted that kitchens of the poor, once associated with smoke, now benefit from the Ujjwala Yojana. The Prime Minister pointed out that in 2013, women often remained silent when asked about bank accounts, but today, over 30 crore women have their own accounts due to the Jan Dhan Yojana. He also mentioned that the struggle for drinking water, which once required reliance on wells and ponds, has been addressed through the Har Ghar Nal Se Jal Yojana. He emphasized that it is not just the decade that has changed but also the lives of people. He remarked that the world is recognizing and accepting India’s development model. “India is no longer just a ‘Nation of Dreams’ but a ‘Nation That Delivers’”, he added.
Shri Modi said that when a nation values the convenience and time of its citizens, it transforms the nation’s trajectory. He highlighted that this is precisely what India is experiencing today. He provided an example of the significant changes in the passport application process. He noted that earlier, obtaining a passport was a cumbersome task, involving long waiting times, complex documentation, and limited passport centers, mostly located in state capitals. He emphasized that people from smaller towns often had to arrange for overnight stays to complete the process. The Prime Minister highlighted that these challenges have now been completely transformed. He shared that the number of passport service centers in the country has increased from just 77 to over 550. Additionally, he remarked that the waiting time for obtaining a passport, which used to be as long as 50 days, has now been reduced to just 5-6 days.
Remarking on the transformation witnessed in India’s banking infrastructure, Shri Modi highlighted that while banks were nationalized 50-60 years ago with the promise of accessible banking services, lakhs of villages still lacked such facilities. He emphasized that this situation has now been changed. The Prime Minister noted that online banking has reached every household, and today, there is a banking touchpoint within every 5-kilometer radius in the country. He stated that the government has not only expanded banking infrastructure but also strengthened the banking system. He highlighted that banks’ Non-Performing Assets (NPA) have significantly reduced, and their profits have reached a record high of ₹1.4 lakh crore. He added that those who looted public money are now being held accountable, sharing that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recovered over ₹22,000 crore, which is being legally returned to the victims from whom it was taken.
Stressing that efficiency leads to effective governance, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of achieving more in less time, utilizing fewer resources, and avoiding unnecessary expenditures. He remarked that prioritizing “red carpet over red tape” reflects respect for a nation’s resources. He noted that for the past 11 years, this has been a major priority of his government.
Mentioning the past practice of accommodating more individuals in ministries, which often led to inefficiencies, Shri Modi highlighted that his government, during its first term, merged several ministries to prioritize the nation’s resources and needs over political compulsions. He provided examples, noting that the Urban Development Ministry and the Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry were merged to form the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. Similarly, the Ministry of Overseas Affairs was integrated with the Ministry of External Affairs. He also mentioned the merger of the Water Resources and River Development Ministry with the Drinking Water Ministry to create the Jal Shakti Ministry. He emphasized that these decisions were driven by the country’s priorities and the efficient use of resources.
Underlining the government’s efforts to simplify and reduce rules and regulations, the Prime Minister mentioned that approximately 1,500 outdated laws, which had lost their relevance over time, were abolished by his government. Additionally, around 40,000 compliances were removed. He emphasized that these measures achieved two significant outcomes: relief from harassment for the public and conservation of energy within the government machinery. The Prime Minister provided another example of reform through the introduction of GST. He noted that over 30 taxes were consolidated into a single tax, resulting in substantial savings in terms of processes and documentation.
Underscoring the inefficiencies and corruption that plagued government procurement in the past, often reported by the media, the Prime Minister said that his government introduced the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform to address these issues. He explained that government departments now list their requirements on this platform, vendors place bids, and orders are finalized transparently. This initiative has significantly reduced corruption and saved the government over ₹1 lakh crore. The Prime Minister also emphasized the global recognition of India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. He noted that DBT has prevented over ₹3 lakh crore of taxpayers’ money from falling into the wrong hands. He further highlighted that more than 10 crore fake beneficiaries, including non-existent individuals, who were exploiting government schemes, have been removed from official records.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to the honest utilization of every taxpayer’s contribution and its respect for taxpayers, Shri Modi highlighted that the tax system has been made more taxpayer-friendly. He remarked that the process of filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) is now much simpler and faster compared to earlier times. He noted that previously, filing ITR without the help of a Chartered Accountant was challenging. Today, individuals can file their ITR online within a short time, and refunds are credited to their accounts within days of filing. The Prime Minister also highlighted the introduction of the Faceless Assessment Scheme, which has significantly reduced the hassles faced by taxpayers. He remarked that such efficiency-driven governance reforms have provided the world with a new governance model.
Highlighting the transformation India has undergone in the past 10-11 years across every sector and field, the Prime Minister emphasized the significant shift in mindset that has taken place. He remarked that for decades after independence, a mindset was promoted in India that considered foreign goods superior. He noted that shopkeepers would often begin by saying, “This is imported!” when selling products. He emphasized that this situation has now changed and today, people proactively ask, “Is this Made in India?”
Underscoring India’s remarkable progress in manufacturing excellence, emphasizing the recent achievement of developing the country’s first indigenous MRI machine, Shri Modi said that this milestone will significantly reduce the cost of medical diagnostics in India. He underscored the transformative impact of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, which have infused new energy into the manufacturing sector. He noted that while the world once viewed India as a global market, it now recognizes the nation as a major manufacturing hub. The Prime Minister pointed out the success of India’s mobile phone industry, stating that exports have surged from less than one billion dollars in 2014-15 to over twenty billion dollars within a decade. He highlighted India’s emergence as a power center in the global telecom and networking industry. Discussing the automotive sector, the Prime Minister remarked on India’s growing reputation in exporting components. He noted that while India previously imported motorcycle parts in large quantities, today, parts manufactured in India are reaching countries like the UAE and Germany. Shri Modi also highlighted the achievements in the solar energy sector, stating that imports of solar cells and modules have decreased while exports have increased by 23 times. He further emphasized the growth in defense exports, which have risen 21 times over the past decade. He stated that these accomplishments showcase the strength of India’s manufacturing economy and its ability to create new jobs across various sectors.
The Prime Minister remarked on the significance of the TV9 Summit, emphasizing the detailed discussions and deliberations on various topics that will take place. He highlighted that the ideas and visions shared during the summit will define the nation’s future. He recalled the pivotal moment of the past century when India embarked on a new journey towards independence with renewed energy. He noted India’s achievement in gaining independence in 1947 and stated that, in this decade, the nation is striving towards the goal of a developed India. He emphasized the importance of realizing the dream of a developed India by 2047 and reiterated his statement from the Red Fort that collective efforts are essential to achieve this vision. The Prime Minister commended TV9 for organizing this summit, acknowledging their positive initiative and extended his best wishes for the success of the summit. He lauded the TV9 network for involving over 50 thousand youth in various interactions in mission mode and training the selected youth. He concluded by expressing confidence that the youth will be the biggest beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat in 2047.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUNMING, March 29 — Some 300 diplomats, policymakers and development experts from 34 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, gathered in southwest China on Saturday to discuss how the poverty reduction expertise of the world’s largest developing country can provide insights for global poverty governance.
The ongoing 2025 International Forum on Poverty Governance and Global Development, co-hosted by the Yunnan provincial government, the China Public Relations Association and the China International Communications Group (CICG), centers on the theme: “Together Promote Rural Revitalization and Common Development.”
The 2025 forum comes approximately four years after China, with a population of over 1.4 billion people, declared that it had eliminated absolute poverty.
Speaking at the forum, Guo Weimin, head of the China Public Relations Association and former vice minister of the State Council Information Office, stressed that poverty governance is “a global challenge and a shared mission for humanity.”
He told the opening ceremony that since its inception in 2021, the annual forum has focused on issues such as poverty governance, ecological conservation and sustainable development, establishing itself as a vital platform for international cooperation on poverty reduction and the sharing of development experience.
Also on Saturday, CICG President Du Zhanyuan emphasized that modernization cannot be achieved without rural revitalization, and that the balanced development of urban and rural areas is a key component of Chinese modernization, which calls for unwavering commitment and sustained efforts.
Rural development should value the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature, as well as the empowerment of science and technology, he added.
The site of the two-day forum is located in a large river valley in Yunnan’s Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, which is itself living proof of China’s success in poverty alleviation.
The mountainous province of Yunnan was central to China’s uphill fight against poverty, with Nujiang being one of the toughest fronts. Sheer cliffs and raging rivers once isolated Nujiang, leading its poverty incidence rate to peak at 56 percent — among the highest rates in the nation. By 2020, China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy had lifted some 270,000 people out of extreme poverty in the prefecture, which is home to a variety of ethnic groups.
Hong Weizhi, secretary of the Nujiang prefectural committee of the Communist Party of China, told the forum that Nujiang has been prioritizing job creation and supporting entrepreneurship to ensure stable livelihoods for all of its 535,000 residents.
Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, said that with poverty being a major problem that human society has faced and continues to face in many parts of the world, China’s economic and social development experience has brought progress to many areas of a globalized and interconnected world.
Quoting Nelson Mandela when he said that overcoming poverty is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life, Bokova said that China’s story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty when endurance, perseverance and a striving spirit are present, underscoring the need to share knowledge to accelerate progress toward the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Chairman of the Belarus-China Friendship Society and former Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Kalinin said that the problem of multidimensional poverty, in which almost one-seventh of the world’s population lives, has become an integral part of the systemic civilizational crisis.
China’s great feat of eliminating extreme poverty is a pronounced example for all humanity, and a great contribution to humanity’s common mission of eradicating multidimensional poverty, he said.
Liu Yongfu, former director of China’s State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, stressed that China is proactively exploring long-term mechanisms to guard against the recurrence of poverty as it advances its comprehensive rural revitalization.
Martin Charles, ambassador of Dominica to China, expressed the belief that governments, which play an important role in the creation of clear, sustainable public policies, should promote alliances between the public and private sectors to achieve common welfare and encourage investment in strategic sectors that guarantee the effective implementation of rural revitalization measures.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, the founder of India’s Forum for a New South Asia, said that one of the compelling features of China’s poverty reduction and rural revitalization work is that it is guided by a holistic vision, integrated planning and effective implementation.
China’s poverty eradication has focused on the modernization of agriculture, making optimal use of advances in science and technology; on the non-farming economy, which includes rural tourism; and on the protection of the exceptional features of rural cultural traditions, he added.
With rural revitalization as a focal point, the ongoing forum has also showcased local case studies from Yunnan, bridging policy insights and grassroots implementation.
Thematic sessions are also being held during the forum to delve into key dimensions of sustainable rural development, including integrated agriculture-culture-tourism development, green transformation, digital empowerment and the global sharing of China’s poverty alleviation experience.
Countries should consider lookingbeyond Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, as the key measure of economic growth to achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN policymakers have suggested.
The initiative is in line with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s longstanding assertion that “moving beyond GDP is fundamental to building an economic system that gives value to what counts – human well-being – now and in the future, and for everyone”.
While GDP has become the gold standard by which economic development is judged, it was never intended to encompass the overall wellbeing and progress of any single nation.
Neither does it capture the value of human, social or nature capital, explained Özge Aydogan, Director of UN Geneva’s Beyond Lab, which takes a lead thinking about social innovation and sustainability.
UN Geneva/Emma Schneider
Özge Aydogan, Director of UN Geneva’s Beyond Lab.
“That’s something that GDP measures very poorly – or not at all, in fact,” Ms. Aydogan said, “so, the whole movement around ‘Beyond GDP’ is to look into ways of moving from an extractive economy – which we are on right now – into an economy where capital…is not only created for economic purposes that only benefit a few, but actually for people and planet.”
In a bid to integrate untapped human capital, natural resources and wellbeing into how a country’s wealth might be calculated in future, the Beyond Lab has been brainstorming with government officials, researchers and thought leaders in sustainability.
Regenerative economies
But what policymakers still haven’t worked out is what a post-GDP economy would look like – neither have they agreed on the best path to get there.
For Ms. Aydogan, an ideal scenario for 2050 would be a regenerative economy – one that isn’t only extracting resources to derive revenue, but rather, creating wealth through untapped virtual assets.
In practical terms, countries would factor in other wealth-creating assets, such as a country’s natural resources.
“You replenish nature, for instance,” she explained, adding that more holistic metrics would not necessarily replace GDP. “What we’re really actually looking into is to complement GDP.”
An mother and her baby are among those benefiting from services offered at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Malawi.
Measuring happiness
Alternative economic metrics have been around for some time. In 1972, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of the small, landlocked Asian state of Bhutan coined the Gross National Happiness index.
It captures four areas: sustainable development, conservation of the environment, preservation and promotion of culture – and good governance.
Likewise, the Human Development Index is often cited as another alternative to evaluate the overall development and well-being of a nation, taking into account life expectancy, standards of living, and education.
An increasing amount of research reveals that the GDP model is insufficient, says Nathalie Bernasconi of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) – and change-makers must find ways to translate the scientific evidence into national policies.
They should also create incentives for governments to move away from an outdated, GDP-heavy paradigm that was created in the 1930s, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, by the economist Simon Kuznets to measure economic output and help policymakers respond to the crisis.
“GDP alone cannot guide us towards this future,” said Ms. Bernasconi, who is Vice-President of Global Strategies and Managing Director for Europe at IISD.
Not sustainable
GDP is not necessarily a reliable indicator of sustainability and can even increase after costly accidents such as oil spills, owing to intensive clean-up operations, as was the case with the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in 2010.
Another environmental disaster in Alaska in 1989 – the Exxon Valdez spill – temporarily boosted GDP in the United States, thanks to job creation and a rise in demand for services.
But while the tragedy initially inflated GDP, it also caused pervasive harm to the ecosystem and local communities – long-term losses not captured by the indicator.
“Why do we value dead things? Why value a dead tree, rather than the living tree providing oxygen?” said Bingying Lou of the Beyond Lab, citing an indigenous environmental activist.
The SDGs focus on eliminating poverty and providing people with opportunities to prosper.
Multilateralism can fix debt crisis
Among those supporting calls to think creatively about reforming GDP and to “recommit to multilateralism” to find solutions for heavily indebted countries held back by classic financial models created after the Second World War, is Ambassador Matthew Wilson of the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the UN in Geneva.
“Recent months have shown that when you think you’re beyond – something, or someone, pulls you right back in,” he said.
Mr. Wilson added that while multilateralism has not worked perfectly, the world would be in a worse position without it.
We need to be forward-thinking but also active in solving issues like debt and development assistance, the ambassador stressed.
‘Status quo not viable anymore’
Whether politicians will venture away from campaigns focused on how much they have grown GDP and adopt other measurements, remains to be seen, said Ms. Aydogan.
“We have been taught a certain way to look at the economy,” she said. “But at the same time, the fact that we’re hitting all these planetary boundaries…shows us that the status quo is just simply not viable anymore.”
To take the discussion one step further, policymakers will convene at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain from June 30 to July 3, 2025, and at the World Social Summit in Doha, Qatar in November 2025.
Source: Republic of France in English The Republic of France has issued the following statement:
On March 27 and 28, 2025, at the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G), which was organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs under the auspices of Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, the international community made ambitious commitments to tackle the challenge of malnutrition in all its forms. Close to US$28 billion in nutrition funding to reach Sustainable Development Goals was announced, attesting to the exceptional degree of mobilization and renewed commitment to multilateralism.
In total, the international community’s financial commitments in support of nutrition represent US$27.55 billion dollars. The Summit Chair’s final declaration helped reaffirm our shared commitment to global nutrition.
One hundred twenty-seven delegations, including the governments of 106 countries, in addition to numerous international organizations, civil society organizations, development banks, philanthropic organizations, research institutions, and businesses, met together to help put an end to this scourge, which hinders countries’ economic and social development and traps communities in an intergenerational cycle of poverty. Over 400 commitments were registered on the Nutrition Accountability Framework platform.
France remains fully committed to nutrition and food aid
As the N4G Summit host country, France has committed to continuing its efforts in support of nutrition and, between now and 2030, plans to invest €750 million in projects supported by the French Development Agency in particular, as well as in the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ food aid programs. In addition, France has announced that it will be boosting food sustainability education, promoting the prevention and early identification of malnutrition, and improving the nutritional quality of the food supply at the national level.
Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, explains:
“This summit is a collective success for France and the international community, whose vigorous efforts have demonstrated their commitment to tackling the challenge of malnutrition. That is the strength of multilateralism: the ability to tackle challenges that know no boundaries. Malnutrition has a particularly harmful impact on young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. We cannot look away when one out of every two children under the age of five dies from malnutrition. Proper nutrition is a challenge shared by all of our societies. It is the key to unlocking a shared, more prosperous future. This summit is not limited to financial investments; it also provides for innovative, effective investments that will have a lasting impact on development.”
Ambitious political and financial commitments in support of nutrition
The European Union in particular mobilized its efforts, committing a total of €6.5 billion to fight malnutrition, of which €3.4 billion was allocated by the European Commission.
Other countries, including Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala and Bangladesh also made noteworthy political and financial commitments to tackling the burden of malnutrition in their countries.
The development banks also mobilized their efforts, particularly the World Bank and the African Development Bank, which pledged US$5 billion and US$9.5 billion respectively until 2030.
Lastly, philanthropic organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector account for a substantial share of financial commitments. Philanthropic organizations will raise more than US$2 billion in the coming years to combat malnutrition.
One of the Summit’s highlights was the adoption of a youth declaration calling for young people to play a greater role in decision-making in order to promote the voices of the communities most affected by malnutrition.
Nutrition, a challenge at the heart of public policy and sustainable development
Nutrition enables all individuals to achieve their full potential. But all countries are facing at least one type of malnutrition, whose cost to the global economy is estimated at US$41 trillion over the coming decade.
In an uncertain international climate, the Summit helped refocus public policy on nutrition through ambitious commitments to transform the lives of millions of people worldwide. By investing in nutrition, stakeholders have opted to support policies that have a positive impact on health, social protections, gender equality, the sustainability of food systems, climate and education. Nutrition is a particularly effective choice because on average, each euro invested in this area creates 23 euros in wealth.
Xizang has made significant progress in protecting economic and social rights of all ethnic people in the new era. The region lifted all of its 628,000 registered impoverished residents out of poverty by the end of 2019, according to a Friday press conference.
With social stability, economic prosperity, thriving cultures and religious harmony, today’s Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China demonstrates unprecedented progress in human rights. What has taken place in the region, especially since 2012, has highlighted China’s sound and effective governance in Xizang, and is also a solid rebuttal to the baseless Western narratives of “oppression.” Yet the human rights situation in the plateau region is often distortedly embedded in international human rights discourse and weaponized by anti-China forces to achieve their geopolitical agendas. A white paper titled “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era,” published on Friday, highlighted the great development and progress of human rights in Xizang since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2012. Over the years, Xizang has experienced unprecedented development and changes, delivering more tangible benefits to local people. Before its peaceful liberation in 1951, Xizang was one of the regions in the world with the worst human rights records. Serfs and slaves were afforded no human rights and treated as mere tools. Serf owners controlled their lives, deaths, marriages, and even traded them as private property. After the peaceful liberation, the central government provided Xizang with substantial fiscal, material and human resource support that helped propel the region’s development. The landmark democratic reform in 1959 abolished theocratic feudal serfdom — a system of human rights oppression. A new dawn broke in 1965 with the establishment of the Xizang Autonomous Region. The region began to exercise comprehensive regional ethnic autonomy, and many liberated serfs and slaves earned leading posts in agencies of state power at various levels of the region. The reform and opening-up policy has not only helped elevate social productivity, but also injected strong momentum into the advancement of human rights in Xizang. The region, henceforth, embarked on a path of synchronous development with the rest of the country, with its human rights cause entering a fast track. Since 2012, China has developed tailored governance guidelines for Xizang to accelerate modernization practices. A number of key construction projects have been implemented and special preferential policies enacted to benefit all ethnic groups in the region and support the all-round human rights development. Fast-forward to today, people in Xizang enjoy extensive and genuine democratic rights in accordance with law under the system of regional ethnic autonomy. Of the 25 deputies of the Xizang delegation to the 14th National People’s Congress, the national legislature, 17 (or 68 percent) are from the Tibetan or other ethnic minority groups. People’s economic and social rights here have been enhanced, with absolute poverty eradicated and living standards continuously improved. The average life expectancy in the region rose from 68.17 years in 2010 to 72.19 years in 2020. The medical and health service network has now achieved full coverage across the region. Education in the region has evolved from a privilege for the elite in the dark age of cruel serfdom to a common right. With a 97.86-percent compulsory education enrollment rate, children in Xizang, including those from remote pastoral areas, have inspiring spaces to learn and grow. Xizang attaches great importance to protecting, passing down and developing the fine traditional cultures of all ethnic groups. While the use of standard spoken and written Chinese language is generalized, the right to use the Tibetan language is guaranteed in schools as well as in publishing, media, and daily life. Notably, digital tools like Tibetan input systems are empowering the younger generation. Smears regarding religious freedom in Xizang collapse under the weight of hard facts, as various religions now coexist harmoniously and numerous religious activities are held annually. Tibetan Buddhism traditions are celebrated and faithfully observed. Environmental conservation is prioritized by laws, making Xizang one of the world’s best-preserved regions in terms of ecology. It is noteworthy that Xizang’s great achievements have been made under the CPC’s leadership and with the support of the entire nation. The central authorities have regularly held special meetings, set development plans, and implemented preferential policies to boost Xizang’s economic and social progress. The remarkable achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of the CPC’s governance guidelines on Xizang. Yet there remain some die-hard naysayers who continue to smear Xizang in disregard of the human rights progress in the region. They are either profoundly ignorant or harboring ulterior political motives. The historic human rights achievements in Xizang will not be obscured by any falsehoods. On its course to modernization along with the rest of the nation, Xizang will surely continue to secure new feats in its human rights cause.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LHASA, March 28 — All-round and historic progress has been made in the human rights cause in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, according to a white paper released on Friday.
The document, titled “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era,” was released by the State Council Information Office at a press conference held in Lhasa, capital city of the region.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have implemented effective measures to develop the economy, improve living standards and people’s well-being, promote ethnic unity and progress, and protect the basic rights of all the people in the region, it said.
The year 2025 marks the 60th founding anniversary of Xizang Autonomous Region. Reflecting on the development of human rights in the region over the past six decades, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Gama Cedain, chairman of the regional government, said on Friday that the Party’s leadership has provided a fundamental guarantee for lasting stability and high-quality development in the region.
He noted at the press conference that people of all ethnic groups in Xizang have made historic achievements in their rights to subsistence and development.
The white paper expounded in detail on remarkable human rights progress in Xizang in fields such as whole-process people’s democracy, the protection of economic and social rights, cultural rights and environmental rights, effective safeguards for the freedom of religious belief, equal protection of the rights of specific groups, and steady improvement in the legal protection of human rights.
The document showed that by the end of 2019, all 628,000 registered impoverished people in the region had been lifted out of poverty, and in 2024, the per capita net income of those lifted out of poverty in Xizang increased by over 12.5 percent.
The region’s road length had nearly doubled in 12 years and every town or township is covered by the 5G wireless network, with 2.14 million 5G mobile phone users, or 60.5 percent of the total in the region. The average life expectancy in Xizang rose from 68.17 years in 2010 to 72.19 years in 2020, according to the document.
Respecting and protecting human rights has been made an important part of the Party Central Committee’s guidelines for the governance of the region, it said.
The CPC has maintained a people-centered approach to human rights and a commitment to ensuring human rights through development, and has vigorously promoted whole-process people’s democracy, it said.
The Party has strengthened legal protection of human rights, and coordinated efforts to increase people’s civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, to achieve well-rounded development and common prosperity for all people from all ethnic groups, according to the white paper.
Today, Xizang enjoys political stability, ethnic unity, economic development, social harmony, and amity among different religions, the document said.
Its environment is sound, and local people are content with their work and daily lives. This progress represents a remarkable achievement in protecting human rights on the snowy plateau, it said.
The white paper pointed out that over the years, lies about the “worsening human rights situation” in Xizang were spread outside China with ulterior political motives and the goal to destabilize Xizang and separate it from China.
The human rights progress in Xizang will not be undermined or wiped out by lies, nor will the advancements being made in the new era by the people of all ethnic groups in the region be halted by deceit, it said.
House Republicans’ Refusal to Reauthorize State’s SNAP Reimbursement Authority Have Left Fraud Victims With No Recourse
At Least $40 Million in SNAP Benefits Have Been Stolen from New Yorkers in Recent Years, Accounting for 20% of Nationwide Claims
View Pictures and Video of Press ConferenceHere
New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today, alongside Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, Senator Andrew Goundares, Assemblymember Grace Lee, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, local elected officials, advocates, and impacted New Yorkers, hosted a press conference to demand a comprehensive change to state and federal law to address the urgent issue of stolen EBT benefits. Since House Republicans terminated states’ ability to use federal money to reimburse victims of SNAP fraud on December 20th, 2024, Red Hook Initiative, a local community-based organization, has filed 85 individual claims for reimbursement, totaling over $40,000 of benefits stolen.
During the press conference, Congressman Goldman announced his intent to introduce the ‘Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act’ in the coming months, which will require USDA to update its cybersecurity regulations and ensure EBT cards feature anti-fraud technology.
“Each year, tens of millions of dollars in essential food benefits are stolen from New Yorkers—benefits that families rely on to put food on the table,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Yet House Republicans have refused to renew the only way for New Yorkers to be reimbursed for SNAP theft, leaving seniors, working families, and children to go hungry. The Red Hook community, in particular, has been hit hard by the rise in SNAP theft. I will soon be introducing federal legislation to strengthen SNAP cybersecurity to prevent this problem from occurring in the future, but in the meantime, I call on New York Republicans to pass legislation to reimburse victims of theft.
Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said, “Recent news has made it clear, the Trump Administration plans to put the wants of a few billionaires over the needs of the rest of the country. It is time New York step up, and provide the critical relief our vulnerable populations desperately need. Every week I have seniors, mothers, and fathers coming into my office seeking help with food insecurity. We need to transition to chip-enabled cards for SNAP benefits and provide an avenue for reimbursement for those impacted by SNAP theft; this is how we provide for the working class. The bills we have re-introduced this year, A3578 and A0699, both aim to address that.”
State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “Neighbors in Red Hook and across the city have been the victim of EBT theft, a particularly cruel crime that’s literally taking food out of the mouths of seniors and children. And thanks to misguided changes in federal policy, Washington is no longer reimbursing victims of EBT theft for stolen benefits, leaving our most vulnerable neighbors hanging without money to pay for groceries. That’s unacceptable. Ensuring our neighbors don’t go hungry is the bare minimum. We need to work at all levels of government to give victims the support they need and ensure EBT cards are secure.”
Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, “For all of their supposed concerns about public safety, New York House Republicans have said nothing about Elon Musks’ removal of funding to address public benefits theft in the last House spending bill. They would rather advance tax breaks for billionaires than address food insecurity among New Yorkers. I am glad Congressman Goldman will attempt to address this in the House and here in the state we cannot wait for Congress to act. California, Oklahoma, and other states are moving forward and implementing chip-enabled EBT cards, which our state Department of Labor is using already. New York is run by Democrats and it is time we address this by passing and funding my bill to switch to more secure chip-enabled cards and Assembly Member Mitaynes’ bill to establish a compensation fund. New Yorkers need relief. We must act”
Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “Trump and Republicans don’t care if families go hungry as they threaten to cut SNAP benefits. In New York, we believe no family should go hungry. That’s why we’re asking for $50mm in this year’s budget to create a reimbursement fund for victims of SNAP theft. We also know that by investing $40mm in the budget for modernizing EBT technology we can drastically reduce theft and keep food on New Yorker’s tables.”
Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson said, “The time to act is now! Too many families have suffered due to SNAP skimming, and it’s time for New York to take action. Families relying on SNAP should not have to live in fear of losing benefits and should not have to worry about funds not being returned to them. No one should lose the ability to feed their families because of preventable fraud. That’s why we’re pushing for the passage of A3578/S403 to create a compensation fund for victims, A0699/S1465 to implement secure chip technology, and the federal Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act. As chair of the Task force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy– and as someone who has relied on SNAP- I know how vital these benefits are, and we must ensure families are protected. We must modernize EBT security now.”
Council Member Alexa Avilés said, “EBT theft is an urgent issue for our local community and it’s only grown more prevalent. Red Hook residents have had tens of thousands of dollars in benefits stolen from them without any reimbursement. This has left working-class New Yorkers without food security for themselves and their families. Our state must fill the gap where our federal government has failed. That’s why I’m joining Assembly Member Mitaynes and Red Hook Initiative to demand that New York State allocate $50 million for a SNAP and cash assistance fraud victims compensation fund and $4 million towards preventing this type of fraud in the future.”
Michael Partis, Executive Director of Red Hook Initiative,said, “Red Hook Initiative is proud to join our State leaders in demanding comprehensive action in response to EBT theft. EBT theft has left dozens of Red Hook residents without critical food resources for their families. As protections at the federal level have ended, those impacted by EBT theft are left with no safety net. Urgent action is needed to protect critical food resources for families in need.”
Wayne Ho, President & CEO of the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC), said, “The Chinese-American Planning Council sees first-hand how SNAP and public benefits sustain countless New York families, particularly those from immigrant and low-income backgrounds. According to the Mayor’s Center for Economic Opportunity, Asian American Pacific Islander New Yorkers have the highest rate of poverty in New York City. Benefits skimming devastates AAPI families and their ability to put food on the table. We call for the quick passage of this package of legislation along with the deep investment required to protect our communities and ensure they receive the food assistance they desperately need.”
Wai Yee Chan, President & CEO of Homecrest Community Services, said, “Preventing SNAP skimmingand protecting our community’s benefits is a top priority—no one should have their assistance stolen by criminals. We are grateful to Congressman Dan Goldman and Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes for leading the fight against these scams and working to ensure that vital food assistance reaches those who need it most. With Brooklyn experiencing the highest number of SNAP fraud claims—51,774 in total—this is a pressing issue for Homecrest. We strongly support creating a fraud victims’ compensation fund, transitioning New York State to chip-enabled benefit cards to prevent future theft, and advancing the federal Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act”.
The coalition called for the final New York State Budget to include allocations of:
$50 Million – A3578 to establish a SNAP and cash assistance fraud victims compensation fund
$4 Million – to fund A0699, which would transition New York State to the use of chip cards for public benefits to prevent this theft from occurring.
Congressman Goldman is committed to protecting victims of SNAP EBT theft and ensuring families have access to SNAP and other nutrition programs.
In August 2024, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘SNAP Theft Protection Act,’ which aims to update the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to allow states to use existing SNAP funding to refund stolen benefits to victims of SNAP-related scams.
In July 2024, Goldman held a Summer Nutrition Town Hall to discuss food insecurity, share information about New York State’s Summer EBT program and its rollout, and provide resources to residents who would like to apply.
arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks alongside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand regarding the Trump administration’s attack on the Social Security program and how New York’s seniors and families will be affected as a result of the President and Elon Musk’s efforts to close Social Security Administration offices and limit access to resources.
VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).
AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.
PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page has photos of the event here.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Thank you, Senator. We are so fortunate here in New York to have you representing us in Washington — being that loud voice on behalf of the people that you care so deeply about: our seniors, in particular, but also, as you mentioned, there’s children affected and families. And, if there’s one thing you could always count on as an American your entire life, it is that what you started paying in for Social Security with your first teenage job, over a lifetime would be there when you need it.
And now that promise has all been jeopardized because of Donald Trump’s administration and Elon Musk. Now, I’m going to just quote someone who once spent a lot of time in this city — he was our former Governor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. When he became President and saw the crisis that unfolded over this country known as the Great Depression — it started when he was actually governor — back in 1935, he saw that there was a path forward to help regain the stability, give people that security that they would never slip into poverty again.
He unfolded the Social Security program and what he said was we have a moral, legal and political right to ensure that these payments are always made. He set it up as a payroll tax, so he said, “No damn politician can ever scrap my Social Security program.” Now, maybe not a politician, but maybe he didn’t count on some billionaire from South Africa who’d be trying to scrap his program. Someone who actually called it a “Ponzi scheme.”
When Americans heard that, chills went down their spines. This man has enormous power for an unelected official, and he is using it to destroy the very fabric of our safety nets — programs like Social Security. So, he has caused so much chaos and uncertainty. Just walk into this federal building — you can feel it, it’s palpable; the anxiety that the workers here who dedicate their lives to public service, not just here, but all across this country, are under siege. Why? Because they’re out there helping the people.
That is the whole premise behind becoming a public servant, and those who work for Social Security know that there’s people who rely on them and not everybody knows how to go online and figure it out. I heard some seniors say, “My grandkids have to come over to help me do this.” That’s the reality we’re in right now.
When phone calls aren’t answered, when offices are closed — the offices that have been closed in New York State already — that requires seniors who may not have easy access to get around to go from their community and travel across five to seven different counties. How are they going to get there if they need services in person?
You gave out the numbers. Nearly 70,000 here in Albany County alone, but I’ll tell you, in New York, our priorities are different. We think it’s wrong to say seniors and people with disabilities have to travel a great distance to secure their benefits. We say it’s wrong to describe Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme,” and we say it’s wrong to jeopardize a safety net that has been there to make sure that our citizens never slip into poverty.
So, we have leaders fighting for them, our citizens — Senator Gillibrand, we appreciate all her work — but there’s also seven other people in the State who need to hear about this, and those are your Republican members of Congress. They’re in the majority, they have the power. If seven members of the delegation from New York State — starting with Elise Stefanik all the way on down — go into the Speaker’s office, demand that there would be changes or you’ll hold up President Trump’s agenda.
You have the power, and if you don’t use that power, then you are complicit in this attack on the American people. And so, citizens, residents, people who represent all of our elected officials here: Make sure our voices are heard, make sure our senior’s voices are heard and we have to stop the insanity of this attack on our people.
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the selection of 1300 South Salina Street (formerly the Sears Building) as the future home of New York State’s first ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub. The flagship Hub will anchor a broader revitalization of the site, which is being led by the City of Syracuse and CenterState CEO. The Central New York location will serve as a critical gateway for both job seekers and manufacturing and construction firms, supporting the region’s growing demand for skilled workers, anchored by Micron’s $100 billion commitment in Onondaga County. Empire State Development’s Board of Directors approved $8.5 million in funding for the flagship center, part of Governor Hochul’s broader $200 million ON-RAMP initiative, with additional workforce innovation hubs being established in the Capital Region, the Mohawk Valley and the Finger Lakes.
“Too many communities in Upstate New York have been left out and left behind for generations — and I’m fighting to bring them back,” Governor Hochul said. “This new ON-RAMP center in Syracuse will be a critical part of the new I-90 advanced manufacturing corridor, giving New Yorkers the skills and training necessary for a good-paying job. New Yorkers are already seeing the benefits of our economic development strategy: good-paying jobs, revitalized communities and more money in their pockets.”
ON-RAMP, the groundbreaking initiative designed to expand workforce development opportunities in advanced manufacturing for more New Yorkers, was first proposed in Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State and included in the FY25 Enacted Budget. Training provided through ON-RAMP will be based on the highly successful model developed by the Northland Workforce Development Training Center in Buffalo. Northland’s model works to reduce the major barriers that prohibit students from enrolling and completing post-secondary education like transportation, child care, academic readiness and affordability. Collectively, the four centers will combine industry, academia, social services, organized labor and community organizations to provide high quality, in-demand training and the wraparound support necessary to empower more New Yorkers with the skills needed for careers in high growth industries.
Staff for the Central New York ON-RAMP Center will be temporarily housed at CenterState CEO located at 115 West Fayette Street while the South Salina Street site is being redeveloped. Initial training programs will focus on career exploration, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), financial empowerment and trade-specific skills for construction and manufacturing. Construction training will include pathways to apprenticeship and trade-specific skills, and manufacturing training will focus on entry-level assembly and middle-skill technician training, including Onondaga Community College Electrical Mechanical Technician training. In the first year, training programs are expected to serve between 150 and 200 New Yorkers.
Upon completion of the new facility, the Syracuse location will offer flexible programs customized to employer skill and volume needs, create engaging ways for community members to learn about the career that is right for them, and combine training with comprehensive support to reduce barriers to employment. The Central New York ON-RAMP hub will work with local partners to provide a wide array of services in a single, central location.
Additionally, CenterState CEO plans to work with the City of Syracuse to explore how best to connect the new South Salina Street ON-RAMP location to the nearby City-owned lot, ensuring that these strategic properties are redeveloped with the community’s input. CenterState CEO will hold monthly virtual town hall meetings to report on progress and hear from partners directly.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is building the workforce of tomorrow through comprehensive training programs that engage and prepare more New Yorkers for high-demand, good paying jobs. Today’s announcement represents the latest step in the development and deployment of the ON-RAMP program, further supporting our investments to build a dynamic 21st century economy.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “We must equip our workforce with the skills necessary to support New York State’s rapidly expanding advanced manufacturing sector. By offering comprehensive training and wraparound services, this new ON-RAMP center will offer workers in Syracuse a pathway to well-paying careers for years to come. I applaud Governor Hochul for her continued investments in our workforce as we continue building the economy of tomorrow.”
CenterState CEO President and CEO Rob Simpson said, “This is an important project for the city and the south side as it holds high potential for workforce innovation at a time of growth in our region. At the Syracuse ON-RAMP Center, community members will be able to learn essential skills for careers in construction and advanced manufacturing, to prepare our region for the Micron project. In partnership with New York State, the City of Syracuse and all of our many community partners, CenterState CEO will work to ensure that these strategic properties are redeveloped with the community’s input.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “It’s exciting to see the continued investment in Central New York’s technology sector. The announcement of the ON-Ramp project solidifies our status as one of the leading technology hubs in the nation. This initiative is expected to attract more tech businesses, leading to high-paying jobs and economic growth, benefiting our community in many ways. Additionally, it will support Micron’s $100 billion investment in our region. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her efforts on this important investment, which will help drive Syracuse’s progress.”
State Senator Christopher J. Ryan said, “The establishment of New York State’s first ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub right here in Central New York is a game-changer for our workforce and our economy. The ON-RAMP Initiative is about breaking down barriers and opening doors to good-paying, union careers in construction and advanced manufacturing — industries that are the backbone of our middle class. As a lifelong labor leader and worker advocate, I know firsthand the power of union jobs to transform lives, providing stability, benefits and a pathway to prosperity. With Micron’s historic investment and the growing demand for skilled workers, the ON-RAMP Hub will ensure that more Central New Yorkers, regardless of background, have access to high-quality training, apprenticeships and the support needed to secure these life-changing opportunities. This is an investment in our workers, our families and the future of our region. I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to Upstate cities and Central New York.”
Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “Governor Hochul’s announcement today represents another exciting step towards our region’s burgeoning landscape of advanced manufacturing. The future location of Central New York’s ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub on South Salina Street promises an essential redevelopment of the local neighborhood, along with the reduction of obstacles for underserved populations to access the necessary skills needed for this growing industry. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to the actualization of a diverse and highly-trained workforce to carry the future of Central New York’s economy forward.”
Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “The Governor’s investment in workforce development helps create a community that is equipped with skills necessary to drive economic growth especially in highly demanded industries. The ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub’s structure of providing wraparound support services empowers members of the local community to break from issues that often confine them to poverty and unemployment.”
Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “As Central New York continues to experience unprecedented economic growth, it is critical that we invest in workforce development to ensure our residents have access to the opportunities created by projects like Micron. The ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub at 1300 South Salina Street will be a game-changer—providing high-quality training, critical support services, and clear pathways to family-sustaining careers in manufacturing and construction. I applaud Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, CenterState CEO, and the City of Syracuse for their leadership in making this investment a reality for our community.”
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “This announcement is great news for Syracuse and the Southside community. In alignment with Syracuse Surge, our strategy for inclusive growth in the new economy, the creation of a larger workforce training hub will accelerate our efforts to uplift residents through long-term, sustainable employment and economic growth. I look forward to continued neighborhood engagement as this project moves forward. I am grateful to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, and CenterState CEO for their continued partnership to expand workforce opportunities for Syracuse residents.”
Today’s announcement complements New York State’s continued investments in workforce development. In 2022, Governor Hochul reimagined the State’s approach to workforce development and established the Office of Strategic Workforce Development at ESD, which supports industry-driven workforce development programs and practices to ensure New Yorkers are prepared to meet the needs and priorities of employers. To date, more than $63 million has been awarded, leveraging more than $69 million in public and private funding, to support nearly 15,000 trainees for over 2,000 business partners.
The announcement also supplements the State’s investments to build a modern economy in New York by growing a dynamic and innovative semiconductor industry. In 2022, the Governor signed New York’s historic Green CHIPS legislation to make New York a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, creating 21st century jobs and kick-starting economic growth while maintaining important environmental protections. As part of the FY24 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a $45 million investment to create the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI), which leads statewide efforts to develop the chipmaking sector. In December 2023, Governor Hochul announced a $10 billion public-private partnership — including $9 billion in private investment from IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other semiconductor leaders — to bring the future of advanced semiconductor research to New York’s Capital region by creating the nation’s first and only industry accessible, High NA EUV Lithography Center at the Albany NanoTech Complex which has been recently awarded $825 million in federal funding and was designated the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator under the CHIPS and Science Act.
Premier Pillai urges federal action on bail reform jlutz March 25, 2025 – 1:03 pm
On March 18, 2025, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai joined Canada’s Premiers in sending a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging the federal government to take immediate action on bail reform and to strengthen public safety measures. The letter, which builds on past efforts by the Yukon and other provinces and territories, calls for comprehensive legislative changes to address critical issues in Canada’s bail system.
While the Government of Yukon believes that legal experts are best placed to advise on issues of criminal law, there is widespread agreement across provinces and territories that evidence-based reform is needed for Canada’s bail system. Careful consideration of the broader impact on public safety and individual rights must be considered, but so must the experiences of victims of crime, their families and Yukon communities.
The letter commended the federal government’s amendments introduced through Bill C-48, but notes that while these changes represent progress, they do not fully address the ongoing risk posed by violent and repeat offenders released on bail.
Key points of the letter include the need for:
swifter action: The Government of Yukon was pleased to see that in response to previous calls from the Premiers for bail reform, the federal government committed to amending the Criminal Code to address the bail system in the December 2024 Fall Economic Statement. The Government of Yukon urges the Government of Canada to move forward with these efforts as soon as possible.
enhanced data monitoring: The letter stresses the need for the Department of Justice Canada to allocate resources to support provinces and territories in collecting, analyzing and reporting reliable data on bail and probation, including to monitor the effectiveness of the legislative changes brought into force through C-48. Improved data collection and sharing is a part of the Government of Yukon’s improvements to repeat offender management within the territory.
shared responsibility: The Premiers’ letter acknowledges that while provincial and territorial governments are actively addressing interconnected issues such as poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma and mental health, the federal government must lead in enacting meaningful legislative reform in criminal law, over which it has exclusive jurisdiction.
Additionally, the Government of Yukon is continuing to focus on public safety by:
increasing funding for the RCMP by $5.2 million in Budget 2025–26, bringing the total investment in the RCMP for the upcoming fiscal year to $47 million. This increased funding will result in the creation of eight new RCMP positions, including new officers for specialized teams, permanent funding for two officer positions with Car 867 and two additional officers for the Whitehorse detachment. The funding in this year’s budget also supports modernized equipment for safer policing and public accountability. This funding is subject to legislative approval.
leading work with the City of Whitehorse, the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative and the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities to develop a multi-year Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan for Whitehorse, including issues in the downtown core. This roadmap will identify local safety concerns, set priorities and outline actionable steps to reduce risk and vulnerability, while encouraging active community engagement throughout the process.
implementing action items outlined in the Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan to create a safe, vibrant and inclusive downtown for all.
partnering with organizations like Safe at Home Society to renovate properties and launch supportive housing programs that offer safe, stable housing along with wrap-around services to support vulnerable populations.
working with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and industry partners to launch SafeBiz, the Whitehorse Community Safety Pilot Program, to address concerns about crime, theft and the escalation of workplace violence impacting the Whitehorse business community. With funding from the Government of Yukon, the SafeBiz program offers businesses free security assessments and recommendations, safety and de-escalation training and resources to help businesses improve their security measures.
encouraging Yukoners to report criminal activity to the RCMP or to Crimestoppers. Yukoners can also submit complaints about certain illegal activities occurring at properties to SCAN, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit, a complaint-driven process to disrupt illegal activities and improve community safety.
The Government of Yukon reaffirms its commitment to public safety and continues to call on the federal government to act swiftly to help the provinces and territories better protect communities.
Delays in criminal justice system and bail reform compromise the safety of our communities. Alongside the other provinces and territories, our government has repeatedly raised concerns about shortcomings in the criminal justice system to federal counterparts. This letter is another step in our efforts to stop criminal activity, protect Yukoners and Yukon businesses and make our communities safer for everyone.
Premier Ranj Pillai
Public safety is a top priority for our government. We are leading innovative approaches to enhance safety in our communities. The Yukon stands ready to work with all levels of government to implement data-driven, evidence-based and effective reforms to our criminal justice system.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tracy-Anne McPhee
Media contact
Laura Seeley Cabinet Communications 867-332-7627 laura.seeley@yukon.ca
News release #:
25-133
Related information:
Funding and investment for Yukon RCMP in Budget 2025–26 Get updates on the Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan SafeBiz: Whitehorse Community Safety Pilot Program Report a suspicious property or activity in your neighbourhood
Community Planning Aberdeen is to strengthen partnership working to build on success in meeting the needs of children and young people.
Members today considered report Our Board – Community Planning Aberdeen that highlighted ways to achieve this, including greater data-sharing across organisations and improving access to services in the city’s most deprived communities.
Community Planning Aberdeen is a local partnership of public, private, third sector organisations and communities working together to improve people’s lives across the city through the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP).
Councillor Christian Allard, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said: “There are many children and young people facing enormous challenges across Aberdeen and this report highlights the challenges and limited successes we have had in helping to address these.
“We are determined to look at new ways of partnership working to engage with our children and their families.
“Through equality of opportunity in and outside school, we are committed to helping people build their confidence, take more control over their lives and increase their aspirations for the future to create a stronger, more resilient city.”
Shantini Paranjothy, Grampian Deputy Director of Public Health, said: Giving every child the best start in life and supporting young people to achieve their potential are key areas where we can work together to take action and in doing so we can begin to ensure equitable health for all.
Areas identified for exploration include:
Accessibility: Understand how people in the city’s more deprived communities want and need to access services.
Shared data: Utilise shared systems.
Autonomy and agency: Helping vulnerable people feel more in control of their destiny.
Public Protection: Putting public protection arrangements at the heart of the Family Support model.
Mental wellbeing and resilience: A clear strategy to address these changing trends.
Shifting resource: testing changes and directing resource to where it can best be used.
Opportunities for partner organisations to play a different role to how they currently operate include:
Continue development of ABZCampus
Drive to share evaluation and data through the Family Support Model in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS)
Future Libraries Model
Whole system financial advice
Whole system approach to healthy weight.
Areas that are working well and can be built on to achieve even greater improvement include:
Education: A rise in the proportion of children meeting developmental milestones from 87.4% in 2021/22 to 89.8% in 2022/23; more effective data sharing has helped realise a 12% increase in uptake of ELC for eligible 2-year-olds.
Nutrition: An increase in the number of children registered for free school meals across primary 6 and primary 7; the percentage of primary 7 children with poor dental health has decreased.
The number of presentations at National 5 increased to 11,236 in 2024 from 10,660 in 2023, the highest number on record for the local authority.
Communities: 92% of the city’s communities are performing well compared to their comparator communities when looking at child poverty in isolation. There is clear evidence that far more people are now claiming the benefits they are entitled to.
Bairns Hoose: Plans are progressing well with agreement from NHS Grampian and the Courts now required on how they will utilise the space to help realise the full benefits of co-location.
Re-organising resources: The Edge of Care pilots are better supporting those who are on the edge of care and helping to prevent risk from escalating.
Prioritising those who are care-experienced: The Promise report outlined good progress made in delivering The Promise.
The report said these opportunities will need shared governance and different commissioning arrangements, including similar approaches to the Granite Consortium.
What is going on in the UK when it comes to the massive rise in benefit claims related to mental health? It’s complicated, that much is certain.
Understanding the causes of mental health-related economic inactivity and what to do about it is at the top of the UK government’s policy agenda. It recently set out plans in a green paper to improve access to effective employment support for people with mental health problems. At the same time, controversial reforms to health and disability benefits were central to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s spring statement.
As a social researcher, listening closely to people’s lived experiences has taught me that while their distress is genuine, significant and at times severe, it is rarely the whole story of what is constraining their ability to find and stay in work.
Mental distress is almost invariably bound up in other challenging circumstances that also pose barriers to work – issues such as homelessness, violence and abuse, caring commitments, lone parenthood, poverty, involvement with the criminal justice system, and the obstacles caused by inflexible employers and insecure work.
This has made me wonder if the system’s very narrow focus on health as a barrier to work is part of the problem.
It’s not that the mental health conversation has gone too far – but it may have become too narrow. While it is essential to respond to people’s distress, we can’t understand their capacity for work, or support their steps back into employment, unless we pay attention to all the other factors that limit their opportunities for work.
The work capability assessment (WCA) was introduced 17 years ago to determine how far and in what ways someone’s disability, illness or health condition limits them from working. Since then, welfare support has been narrowed down to questions of obligation and conditionality – with health as the central focus.
But this narrow approach, and the exclusive link between ill health and work-related obligations, has crowded out the full range of challenges, constraints and contingencies that affect people’s capacity for work. When health is the only thing the system is interested in, it’s the only thing claimants can discuss.
So now, with the UK government’s plan to scrap the WCA and introduce a new kind of “support conversation”, there is an opportunity to bring this broader range of factors back into the picture.
In a positive shift, the government has recognised that discussions about work need to include a better understanding of people’s goals and aspirations, and that these conversations should also facilitate access to support for debt, housing, careers, training and social connection.
How this might be done is a question that needs careful thought and experimentation. The government is seeking responses on how this “support conversation” should be designed and delivered.
In a recent workshop, we explored the opportunities and challenges that might arise from a more holistic approach to assessing capacity for work. Participants in our workshop felt there was potential for more positive experiences and effective support.
But they also envisaged risks both for claimants and welfare services, including the potential for claimants to be retraumatised, as well as extra admin and the possibility of raising unrealistic expectations.
Better support for people who want to work
As the government’s Pathways to Work green paper recognises, there are many people for whom formal paid employment may never be possible. But there are some people in the health-related benefits group who would like to work.
In my most recent research project, I met people living with mental health difficulties and neurodivergence who were keen to work but felt frustrated at the lack of personalised support. Here are a few examples of what they told me:
In my experience, they don’t help you, they just tell you to do this, that and the other. But they’re not supporting you through the process of finding a job. They’re just throwing these jobs at you. (female, 26)
I do want to work. It’s just, I want to be able to work and then keep the job. And right now, I just I don’t feel like I’ve got the right things in place to help me with that … I don’t want to use it as just an excuse … What I want is: ‘Oh, I’ve got ADHD, can you please take that into account?’ (male, 33)
I really don’t know what [job] to go for … A lot of my issues have been connected to frustration and feeling stuck, and not being able to find a pathway into sustainable employment – and things related to education. It’s all kind of linked in a bundle (male, 38)
Shifting the balance towards personalised and holistic support is a step in the right direction. But the spectre of welfare conditionality, and the threat of sanctions if someone is unable to fulfil work-related activities, will always be a block on engaging those who might be able to work, given the appropriate time and support.
While the green paper describes sanctions as a “last resort”, it does not go far enough on removing compliance from people’s encounters with the system.
Mental ill health is often part of a bigger picture of challenging circumstances including lone parenthood or poverty. Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock
The goal should be to make a safe space for people to go beyond the health conversation. The new “support conversation” must allow people to talk about their health and non-health constraints, and the full range of support they need to move into appropriate work.
We do need to talk about mental health – the reality of people’s distress must never be undermined. But we need to talk about more than just mental health, and approach people’s work-related challenges with an appreciation that mental health problems rarely arise out of nowhere. We cannot understand capacity for work without understanding people’s wider social context.
Lastly, we really need to ditch the “any job” approach. It is the fit of a particular workplace and particular job with a person’s unique life circumstances that makes the difference as to whether work is feasible, fulfilling and sustainable.
Annie Louise Irvine has received research funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. She is affiliated with the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, the University of York School for Business and Society, and serves as a non-executive Director for the organisation Better Connect.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk spoke at the plenary session of the International Economic Forum of the CIS Member States “New Impetus for the Development of the Greater Eurasian Partnership” held in Moscow.
From the transcript:
A. Overchuk: Good afternoon, dear colleagues!
Alexey Overchuk’s speech in the format of a video address at the plenary session of the International Economic Forum of the CIS Member States “New Impetus for the Development of the Greater Eurasian Partnership”
15 hours ago
Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the development of the Greater Eurasian Partnership. The initiative to create the GEP was put forward by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in his Address to the Federal Assembly back in 2015. Everything that has happened in the world over the past 10 years convinces us that there is no alternative to this path.
We are witnessing a change in the world order around us. This transformation is based on a set of factors that have caused new problems and contradictions to emerge and have exacerbated old conflicts. As a rule, the underlying cause of any conflicts that humanity has faced in its history is always access to resources, including food, energy, raw materials, labor, and markets.
Every time history brought productive forces to a new level of development, humanity had a need for new resources. As a rule, this led to conflicts related to redistribution.
The modern transformation affects issues of food and energy security, as well as new technologies, the implementation of which requires intensive use of critical raw materials and rare earth elements. Their supply is quite limited, and therefore control over them is critically important for the implementation of a new technological turn and maintaining or acquiring leadership positions in the world.
The solution to the objective problems of our time requires approaches based on the mutual desire to build mutually beneficial relations and cooperation between sovereign states in the interests of the common good, well-being and security of peoples.
In this context, the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to form the Greater Eurasian Partnership is particularly relevant. It is designed to prevent the segmentation of international contacts, their disintegration into disparate blocks and structures, which reduces the overall efficiency of economic activity. The BEP will create a reliable material basis for ensuring sustainable economic growth – a seamless transport and logistics system, a self-sufficient payment architecture, a multilateral platform for innovative cooperation, a wide network of economic corridors.
The Russian leadership calls for the formation of a contour of equal and indivisible security, mutually beneficial, equitable cooperation and prosperity on the Eurasian continent in the foreseeable future. A special role in the new Eurasian system of security and development is given to issues of the economy, social well-being, integration and mutually beneficial cooperation, solving such problems as overcoming poverty, inequality, climate, ecology, developing mechanisms to respond to the threats of a pandemic and crises in the global economy.
The Eurasian centers of the multipolar world are based on integration projects, which, as a rule, are formed around large sovereign economies or geographic regions. In the post-Soviet space, integration is of a multi-level nature, which reflects a respectful attitude towards the readiness of individual countries to deepen bilateral and multilateral ties, as well as to participate in the creation of supranational regulatory instruments and the assumption of corresponding obligations. Here we are talking about the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Other integration projects taking shape around major economies and geographic regions of Eurasia include China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of Turkic States.
In turn, the sovereign states of Eurasia participate in such system-forming structures as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as in BRICS and APEC, which go beyond the geography of Eurasia. It is obvious that these associations have the potential to develop into international platforms where joint decisions will be developed that affect the interests of integration entities formed around the large economies and geographic centers of Eurasia, and interaction with the countries of the global South and the Pacific Ocean basin will be carried out.
The result of the consolidation of efforts of all participating states and integration entities will be the Greater Eurasian Partnership, which in its essence will be an integration of integrations, giving impetus to sustainable development, socio-economic progress, the development and application of new technologies, the improvement of transport and logistics connectivity, as well as the strengthening of cultural and other ties between the peoples of Eurasia.
The implementation of this vision will require the convergence of integration projects based on the harmonization of regulatory requirements for financial markets, the conduct of fair multilateral trade and investment, the development of industrial cooperation and the formation of sustainable international value chains, the strengthening of the common contractual framework in matters of food and energy security, environmental protection, as well as the coordination of technological, information and communication, infrastructure and cultural development in Eurasia.
The construction of the BEP must be carried out in compliance with the principles of international law, respect for interests, consideration of regional and cultural characteristics and levels of development of individual participants, as well as decision-making based on consensus. This is the spirit that we are able to maintain within the Union State, the EAEU and the CIS, so these associations can become an example for developing the mechanisms of the BEP.
The CIS experience and its active involvement in the “integration of integrations” project are necessary for the successful development of Greater Eurasia. After all, within the Commonwealth, a solid regulatory framework and effective tools for the development of historically established trade, economic and humanitarian ties have been created. These developments can be applied throughout the Eurasian continent.
It is important that the association is in excellent shape, as evidenced by economic indicators. According to the CIS Statistical Committee, the growth of industrial production for January-October 2024 was 4.2%, the volume of freight traffic – 7.4%, retail turnover – 7.7%. The Commonwealth’s GDP for three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 increased by 4.4%. Such successes were largely achieved thanks to the development of industrial cooperation, movement along the path of strengthening technological sovereignty based on science and innovation.
Our trade and economic relations within the Eurasian Economic Union are built in the logic of the values and ideas underlying the Greater Eurasia project. The EAEU’s commitment to unlocking its potential as one of the economic centers of the BEP is enshrined in the Declaration on the Further Development of Economic Processes within the EAEU until 2030 and for the Period up to 2045, “The Eurasian Economic Path”, adopted following the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg on December 25, 2023. In this strategic document, the heads of state of the EAEU declared their desire to achieve by 2045 the transformation of the EAEU into a self-sufficient, harmoniously developed and attractive macro-region for all countries of the world, possessing economic, technological and intellectual leadership and maintaining a high level of well-being of the population of the member states.
Work in this area has a positive effect on economic indicators. Thus, in 2024, the EAEU GDP increased by 4.2%. For the EU, for example, the similar indicator, according to preliminary estimates, was only 0.8%.
The experience of the EAEU can also be a good support for building a space of well-being and prosperity in Eurasia. In particular, the elimination of non-tariff barriers in the EAEU by switching to uniform mandatory requirements for EAEU goods (uniform SPS requirements, uniform technical regulations), as well as the elimination of customs control annually for the period 2015-2023, provided a sustainable increase in the growth rate of the EAEU GDP in the amount of 14.5 billion US dollars. Mutual trade of the EAEU due to these measures was on average 24% higher.
The EAEU has already achieved significant success in the international arena. The dialogue is being strengthened based on memorandums of cooperation. Important steps in terms of forming the BEP have already been made based on such agreements with the secretariats of the SCO and ASEAN.
Free trade agreements have been concluded with Vietnam, Serbia and Iran. The latter has recently also become an observer state in the EAEU. The coordination of FTA agreements with a number of other countries is in the final stage. According to our estimates, entering into new FTA agreements could expand the preferential sales market for the union from the current 480 million people to almost 880 million people.
Dialogue with China is actively developing, with which the EAEU has created a solid basis for interaction in the form of two existing non-preferential trade agreements that underlie the integration of economic processes within the union with the One Belt, One Road initiative.
The joint search for new solutions and synchronization of the development of integration projects, as well as infrastructure initiatives, work for the benefit of regional interconnectedness, increase the weight of our economies, and form the basis on which a new architecture of global economic relations in Eurasia and beyond can be built.
Thank you!
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
La Rioja (Agenzia Fides) – “Social pastoral care is a fundamental dimension of the Church’s mission, which seeks to make the Kingdom of God present amidst the difficulties and challenges of daily life,” said Dante Braida, President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral Care and Bishop of the Diocese of La Rioja, who pointed out that “this action promotes a Church close to its citizens, concerned with the problems of its community and committed to justice and solidarity.” The Prelate considers social pastoral care a fundamental area in the Church’s interaction with society, especially in the context of an outgoing Church.Bishop Braida’s goal is “a social pastoral ministry that strengthens and promotes four main axes: the social dimension of faith, so that every Christian can exercise their identity in the social commitments they assume; participation as a citizen, that is, as part of social life; the protection of the environment and the way in which we deal with addictions, the meaning and care of life and everything that damages it, such as drug trafficking.””There are many reasons to have hope,” the bishop continued. “When a family is founded, opens itself to life, grows, and raises its children, that is a very strong sign of hope. When people launch new entrepreneurial initiatives to serve society; when children, adolescents, and young people want to study and develop professionally in sports, the arts, and science. Other signs of hope are when society cares for its elderly; a society that cultivates its faith, that gives space to God and wants to be guided by Him, that is a sign of hope.””Local parishes, in particular, and the entire diocese, which has a diverse population and significant social challenges, are committed to addressing the social reality of their community. The support of priests, sisters, and lay people, as well as that of Bishop Braida, is fundamental,” Sister Silvia Somaré, missionary of the “Hermanas Esclavas del Corazón de Jesús” (ecj) in La Rioja and member of the diocesan press office, told Fides. “The presence of indigenous communities is notable, as is the existence of rural areas with high rates of poverty and difficulties in accessing basic services. Another precarious situation is social inequality, manifested in the gap between the most privileged and the most vulnerable. This situation is exacerbated in some suburbs of the capital and in the inland cities, where a lack of opportunities and unstable job security lead to exclusion and marginalization.”In light of this reality, several social pastoral measures have been launched to support the most vulnerable communities and promote their integral development. These measures are based on the principles of the Church’s social doctrine, which promotes human dignity, social justice, and the common good. Among the most important initiatives are the distribution of food and the establishment of community kitchens for families in vulnerable situations; initiatives aimed at strengthening the social fabric and creating development opportunities for communities through training workshops, micro-enterprises, and productive projects; support for the homeless, drug addicts, or victims of violence through comprehensive assistance programs, personalized care, and support through soup kitchens; the promotion of local culture and identity; and networking with other institutions.”The entire Church in La Rioja remains committed to building a more just and fraternal society, where everyone has the opportunity to develop their potential and live with dignity,” Sister Silvia concluded. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 28/3/2025)
Diocesis de La Rioja
There will be over 10,000 opportunities for fun this coming Easter thanks to the work of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Hubb Foundation.
Families have access to free activities over the school break as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
This year’s Easter HAF will run from Monday 14th April to Friday 25 April and offer free activities and trips, alongside a healthy meal. There are lots of activities on offer that cater to a wide range of interests, from sports to arts and crafts.
This year, there is a new booking system launching as well, which is designed to be easier for parents to use when booking or cancelling sessions for their children. This will be available to parents from 4pm on Friday 28th March.
Councillor Sarah-Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty, said: “With lots of fun activities available for free and a new booking system that will make life easier for parents, I encourage all parents in the city to check out the booking website to see what’s on offer. I guarantee there will be something your child will enjoy!”
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It is important that all children have access to opportunities they need to help them thrive and enjoy their time off school this Easter.
“The HAF programme offers a chance for children to do something really fun, whilst eating a healthy meal during the holidays, which can bring added pressure on parents. Check out the new booking system to see what is going on.”
The international community has been called upon to scale up cervical cancer interventions and progress against the only noncommunicable disease that can be eliminated.
This call was made by the Government of South Africa, Unitaid and the World Health Organization (WHO) at the Group of Twenty (G20) Health Working Group meeting, which took place on Thursday in Zimbali, outside Durban.
According to the Department of Health, cervical cancer is preventable and potentially curable, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. It is the second most common form of cancer among women in South Africa.
Statistics by the WHO show that the disease claimed the lives of almost 350 000 women globally in 2022.
“New vaccines, tests, and treatment technologies have transformed cervical cancer prevention in recent years, yet the disease continues to disproportionately impact women mostly in low- and middle-income countries where access to primary health care and preventive services are limited. Cervical cancer elimination would address a major gap in Women’s health,” the department said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 health meeting, Unitaid’s Deputy Executive Director Tenu Avafia said Unitaid has invested US $81 million or R1.4 billion to bring down prices, increase volumes and address operational questions involved in cervical cancer screening and treatment to enable countries to scale up proven interventions with minimal risk.
“However, funding shortfalls still pose enormous challenges to building national cervical cancer elimination programs in low- and middle-income countries,” Avafia said.
Unitaid makes health products accessible, available and affordable for people who need them most.
Department of Health’s Director-General Dr Sandile Buthelezi said improving women’s health was not just a health issue but “an economic imperative”.
“It drives social stability, boosts productivity, and breaks the cycle of poverty. Global efforts to combat cervical cancer serve as a concrete illustration of how cooperation can advance women’s health and realize a shared goal to bring about the first-ever elimination of a cancer,” he said.
In 2020, the WHO launched the global strategy for cervical cancer elimination, the first-ever roadmap for the elimination of a cancer. Since then, countries have made enormous strides in rolling out new tools and services.
Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) provides protection against infection that causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
And a package of screening and treatment tools – including HPV tests with the option for self-sampling and devices for quickly and easily removing pre-cancerous cells – make it possible to make lifesaving services available to women at lower levels of the health care system.
The health working group session called for a coordinated approach drawing on domestic resource mobilization, blended financing, and partnerships with multilateral development banks to scale these solutions, ensure long-term sustainability and reduce dependency on external aid.
Government asserted South Africa’s commitment to scaling up cervical cancer prevention programs nationwide with support from Unitaid, the WHO and other partners.
“The South African G20 health agenda promotes solidarity, equality and sustainability. It complements the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the development agenda of Africa as the world’s fastest-growing continent, and the Lusaka Agenda. It also focuses on rebuilding momentum to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the department said.
On Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi reiterated the importance of nations reallocating resources towards health, strengthening global health partnerships, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to address funding gaps.
The Minister used the platform to highlight South Africa’s commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) through the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which aims to provide financial protection and efficient resource utilisation.
The three-day meeting which began on Wednesday, will conclude on Friday, 28 March 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
The Boao Forum for Asia International Conference Center in Boao, Hainan province, March 26, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]
Over the past two decades, Global South countries have contributed nearly 80% of world economic growth, solidifying their role as a key driver of global development. Their growing influence has made them a focal point at the 2025 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, held from March 25 to 28 in Boao, south China’s Hainan province.
At a panel discussion during the forum on March 26, experts explored the diverse paths to modernization for the Global South, emphasizing collaboration, self-reliance and inclusive development.
Xiaojun Grace Wang, trust fund director at the U.N. Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), highlighted the varied modernization trajectories of these nations. “Each country has distinct concerns and priorities. Least developed nations and small island states, for instance, have unique considerations,” Wang noted. “We must listen to their collective voices, recognize their varying stages of development, and acknowledge that real strength comes from unity amid diversity.”
She emphasized that cooperation should extend beyond the traditional North-South divide. “We must leverage the expertise and technology of developed nations,” she said, stressing that collaboration in diversity is key.
Kirill Babaev, director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, underscored the shared aspirations of Global South nations despite their regional differences. “From the Eurasian Economic Union and Shanghai Cooperation Organization to ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council, these nations share common values in globalization, forming the foundation for a broader global economic mainstream,” he said.
Zheng Yongnian, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, identified two major challenges facing the Global South. The first is internal: “These countries often express concerns but struggle to translate them into concrete actions,” he observed. The second challenge is external, particularly disruptions to the global trade system initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. “If globalization is hindered, poverty will deepen, leading to instability,” he warned.
Zheng also criticized Western-style modernization for its exclusiveness and lack of inclusiveness. He argued that while Western nations have achieved prosperity, they have not actively helped poorer countries develop. “Economic disparity is detrimental to human rights,” he stated.
Citing a Chinese proverb — “in adversity, perfect oneself; in success, perfect all under heaven” — Zheng said that this philosophy is reflected in China’s modernization approach. China worked hard to develop when it was poor and now seeks to assist other nations through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the New Development Bank, he explained.
Danny Quah, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, stressed the importance of self-reliance. “Global South countries must demonstrate leadership in their own development,” he said.
Quah underlined that economic growth and capacity building are essential for ensuring these nations control their own destinies. True development, he added, involves creating value — building infrastructure, improving public health, and unlocking the creativity and potential of people.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Initiative for boosting sustainable development via digital sci-tech released at Zhongguancun Forum
BEIJING, March 28 — Participants at a parallel forum of the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing unveiled an initiative on Thursday, calling for global collaboration to leverage digital science and technology to accelerate sustainable development and address global challenges.
Nearly 200 representatives from international organizations, as well as domestic and foreign scholars, attended the International Forum on Sciences for Sustainable Development, which is one of the activities of UNESCO’s “International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033).”
The Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development released at the forum outlines key objectives, including promoting innovative applications of digital sci-tech in sustainable development, and expanding the use of big data, artificial intelligence, space technology and the Internet of Things to address challenges — such as biodiversity conservation, climate change, disaster risk reduction and poverty alleviation.
The initiative emphasizes the development of digital tools to optimize energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and enhance natural resource management capabilities.
The initiative also proposes building global platforms for sharing digital resources and technologies, strengthening the role of digital tools in policy formulation, and promoting public engagement and education concerning sustainability through digital means.
A highlight of the initiative is the proposal to launch international big-science programs on digital sustainable development — aiming to unite global research institutions, governments and private sectors to establish collaborative platforms for cross-border technology R&D, data sharing and standard-setting. These programs will prioritize technology transfer and capacity-building, particularly for developing nations, to ensure equitable and inclusive global cooperation.
Guo Huadong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director-general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, said that digital technologies and open data are pivotal to solving sustainability challenges.
Highlighting data-sharing achievements, Guo noted that China launched SDGSAT-1, the world’s first satellite dedicated to serving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, on Nov. 5, 2021. Since its launch, the satellite has captured over 420,000 data scenes — which were freely shared worldwide.
According to Guo, China had met the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 52 percent of its environmental indicators by 2022 — well ahead of schedule. Beijing, China’s capital, ranks first nationwide in terms of environmental SDG indicators, with average PM2.5 concentration showing an annual average reduction rate of 7.56 percent from 2015 to 2023, according to satellite observations.
Scientists from 104 countries have utilized the data supplied by SDGSAT-1 to inform research efforts and in policy making. Applications span urban planning, environmental monitoring, agricultural monitoring and disaster response. Notable projects enabled by this satellite include the development of sustainability data products for BRICS nations, the conducting of SDG assessments for African countries, and analysis of light pollution on the Iberian Peninsula.
“In the future, a satellite constellation is expected to be built to serve as a sharper ‘eye in space’ for global sustainable development,” Guo added.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) joined fellow Democratic lawmakers, activists, and community leaders in a powerful show of unity at today’s national rally in opposition to President Donald Trump’s latest policies, which threaten democracy, economic justice, and fundamental human rights.
The rally, organized by progressive advocacy groups, including MoveOn and other grassroots organizations, saw thousands take to the streets demanding an end to policies that roll back civil rights protections, harm working families, and undermine America’s commitment to global humanitarian aid.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and today, we send a clear message to the Trump administration: we will not stand by as policies that hurt working-class families, communities of color, and vulnerable populations continue to be implemented,” said Congressman Davis. “From slashing critical public safety and health programs to dismantling international aid organizations like USAID, the administration’s actions have real and devastating consequences.”
Congressman Davis emphasized the urgent need to resist recent budget cuts that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities, including reductions in funding for minority-owned businesses, affordable housing, and public safety initiatives such as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. He also strongly condemned the administration’s attempts to dismantle USAID, highlighting the organization’s crucial role in disaster relief, poverty reduction, and global health initiatives.
“Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant and stand together to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms,” Davis continued. “The people have the power, and we are here today to amplify their voices, demand justice, and fight back against these draconian policies.”
As a longtime advocate for economic and racial justice, Congressman Davis reaffirmed his commitment to legislative action that counters harmful policies, strengthens social safety nets, and ensures all Americans have access to equal opportunities.
### About Congressman Danny K. Davis Congressman Danny K. Davis represents Illinois’ 7th Congressional District and has been a steadfast advocate for civil rights, criminal justice reform, healthcare, and economic equity. Throughout his tenure in Congress, he has worked to expand opportunities for marginalized communities and fight against policies that threaten social and economic justice.
For media inquiries, please contact: Tumia Romero Chief of Staff, Congressman Danny K. Davis Email: tumia.romero@mail.house.gov
Would you like to add any specific details or tailor the tone further?
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)
The bill would prevent and address intentional misuse of subgrant funds under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
WASHINGTON, DC— Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced H.R. 2108, theTANF State Expenditure Integrity Act, which would give the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the statutory authority it needs to prevent, monitor, and penalize the intentional misuse of federal funds by contractors and other subrecipient grantees of the $16.5 billion TANF block grant.
“Democrats are committed to increasing stability and reducing adversity for low-income children and families. When used correctly, cash assistance is a critical tool in lifting families out of poverty,” said Rep. Davis. “The TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act will prevent and address intentional misuse of federal cash assistance by contractors to ensure children and families – and not fraudsters – benefit from this critical federal investment.”
“Public TANF dollars are meant to support low-income families, not be funneled to wealthy individuals and their pet projects—exactly what NFL star Brett Favre did when he conspired with Mississippi officials to direct millions of TANF dollars to build a new volleyball stadium at his daughter’s college,” said Rep. Chu. “Rep. Davis and I are introducing the TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act to address what happened in Mississippi by finally giving the federal government the authority to oversee states’ use of non-cash assistance TANF funds, which is about 80% of all TANF spending. Our legislation would also require states to recover misused funds and reinvest them in low-income families. As our Republican colleagues regularly decry the fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, I would think that joining us on this legislation would be a no-brainer.”
“When designing TANF, Republicans neglected to include proper accountability measures to prevent states misuse of TANF funds. As a result, TANF is failing the vulnerable individuals it was supposedly meant to help. When federal dollars are intentionally diverted from beneficiaries into the hands of bad actors, it hurts the women, children, and families who are struggling with poverty. These new tools will help ensure that the federal government can take action against bad actor contractors or others who prey on TANF for their own benefit while increasing accountability for states,” said Rep. Moore.
“I thank Ranking Member Davis for his leadership on this issue,” said Rep. Evans. “This bill would bring much-needed accountability to help ensure that these lifeline benefits reach those in need. Most TANF recipients are children. About half of the families receiving TANF income support include a child under age 5, and a quarter of TANF households include infants.”
“Federal assistance should help working parents and kids who need it, not the ultra-wealthy who exploit the system for their own benefit,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). “Our TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act will ensure these funds are used as intended—not wasted on luxury projects for the rich and famous.”
“I have witnessed the ongoing mismanagement of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds in my home state of Mississippi, particularly by greedy ineligible individuals,” said Rep. Thompson. “H.R. 2108 is essential to correcting the misuse of federal resources meant to assist our families in need. It is time we put a stop to wealthy individuals benefiting from TANF funding meant to help needy families.”
HHS is prohibited by law from issuing regulations to monitor TANF contractors and subgrant recipients and ensure that they are penalized, even for egregious misuse likewhat occurred recently in Mississippi.
TheTANF State Expenditure Integrity Actgives the HHS Secretary the ability to establish a formal system to closely monitor the use of TANF funds, ensures consistent data reporting to identify misuse, and creates a TANF Program Integrity Unit to carry out grantee monitoring. The bill would also impose a new penalty for intentional misuse of funds where the state must spend at least an equivalent amount of the misused funds in the form of cash assistance directly to families who are very low income.
A summary of the bill is availableHERE; a section-by-section of the bill is availableHERE.
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, March 27 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today released a new report finding that the Trump administration has left more than 46 million students in 27 states and territories without dedicated investigators to protect their educational civil rights. Due to President Trump’s efforts to abolish the Department of Education and fire half of its workforce, millions of students who face antisemitism and Islamophobia, students with disabilities, students who are sexually harassed and LGBTQ+ students who are bullied have been left without recourse or protection. Staffers who were abruptly fired were actively investigating over 6,800 civil rights cases throughout the country – including cases of antisemitism and many other forms of hate and discrimination. The report comes on the heels of a Republican-led hearing on antisemitism on college campuses.
The department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) receives thousands of complaints alleging civil rights violations annually – including a record of nearly 22,700 complaints last year. Trump’s reckless layoffs have impacted at least 43 percent of OCR’s staff, including the entire staff at seven out of 12 of OCR’s regional offices. These firings subject thousands of students to potentially unsafe learning environments – or leave them out of school entirely. The department has not communicated any plan to schools, students or families to ensure continued civil rights enforcement.
“If we are serious about reducing the unacceptable rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism on college campuses, we should not be defunding and dismantling the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights,” said Sanders. “Unfortunately and unacceptably, that is precisely what President Trump, Elon Musk and his minions at DOGE are doing. 46 million students in 27 states and territories have been left without dedicated staff to investigate their discrimination complaints. The staffers who were abruptly fired were investigating over 6,800 civil rights cases throughout the country – including cases of antisemitism and many other forms of hate and discrimination. These cases are still pending. They have not been resolved. That is unacceptable.”
Here are some of the key findings from the report:
Over 46 million students in 27 states and territories have been left without dedicated civil rights investigators to protect their rights and investigate their complaints.
Staff investigating over 6,800 cases of discrimination have been fired – including staff investigating 74 percent of the nation’s open cases regarding national origin discrimination involving religion, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.
OCR investigators caseloads will explode by over 200 percent and may rise from 42 cases per investigator to 86 cases.
Even before Trump’s layoffs, caseloads for OCR staff were far too high. Now, fewer staff will lead to fewer investigations conducted and completed and to more students facing harassment, abuse, and discrimination. This undermines the department’s ability to protect students’ civil rights and compromises its ability to deliver a high-quality education to 26 million children living in high-poverty school districts, 7 million students receiving Pell Grants, and 9.5 million students with disabilities, no matter their race, ethnicity, income, zip code or disability status.
Sanders concluded:“We are the wealthiest country in the history of the world. We should have the best education system of any country in the world and ensure all of our kids can get a decent education no matter what their race, creed, color or gender may be.”
Emerging refugee and migrant communities in Australia are being left behind when it comes to resources to tackle the scourge of gender-based violence, a survey of community leaders has found.
A focus group of 30 community leaders in 21 key cohort migrant and refugee groups say their communities are not getting support to combat gender violence.
Half (50 per cent) of the community leaders surveyed said women in their communities did not have adequate access to access to information on gender violence, prevention campaigns, legal rights and early intervention strategies. Thirty per cent said women in their communities had access to just “a little” information.
Fifty-three per cent of leader said women in their communities did not have adequate access to gender violence survivor support services and 57 per cent said their communities had worse access to solutions to gender violence than the broader community.
When it came to finding refuge in the event of gender violence, 57 per cent of leader said women in the communities had no access and 10 per cent had “some” access, while 34 per cent said there was access or at least “some” access.
However, most (80 per cent) community leaders said informal support was available to gender violence survivors within their communities.
Talking about gender-based violence is also an issue for many dovers communities, the survey found with 47 per cent saying conversations were “difficult”. Thirty per cent said the conversations were “somewhat difficult,” 10 per cent said they were “somewhat easy” and 13 per cent said they were “easy”.
Most (53 per cent) community leaders said that gender-based violence was not becoming more prevalent but only 23 per cent said it was becoming less prevalent.
Asked to identify the drivers of gender-based violence, the community leaders identified fiver factors: Financial stress/poverty (63 per cent); Effects of displacement (47 per cent); Trauma/life experience (43 per cent); Male cultural dominance (37 per cent); Alcohol/substance abuse: (27 per cent).
The survey generated several recommendations, including a need for more in-language information for communities about how to access support and create agency in the prevention of gender violence as well as programs co-designed and led by multicultural communities themselves.
Also identified was the need for an holistic suite of interconnected interventions responsive to the cultural norms and practices of individual communities that listen to, and learning, from communities as to what works.
All of the participants said a ramp up community capacity building would result in communities being better placed to support their own members.
The survey comes after more almost $1 billion in extra funding for gender-based violence was announced in the 2024 federal budget.
Korean community leader and academic Hyein Ellen Cho said it was clear that mainstream programs to tackle gender-based violence were not reaching diverse communities.
“The survey results come as no surprise to me. I hear this all the time from the community but also in the research I do on migration and gender-based violence,” Ms Cho said.
“As a migrant woman myself, I work extensively with emerging communities. However, there is a serious disconnection between mainstream services and systems and migrant and refugee communities, particularly newly emerging ones.
“Although we are just starting to learn more about the issues within migrant and refugee communities, there is still a lack of understanding and commitment to the lived experiences of migrant and refugee communities. Often, we, as migrant and refugee communities, are lumped in together in policy and practice,” Ms Cho said.
Family violence survivor and Vietnamese community members Uyen Truong says more needs to be done to help communities combat gender-based violence.
“I was lucky. I received help from some wonderful people. But I know lots of people in my community and other communities struggle to find help when they become victims of family violence,” Uyen said.
“We need more resources and capacity in diverse communities to prevent family violence and also to support its victims and survivors,” she said.
General Manager of Education and Participation at migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Mirta Gonzalez said resources were not consistently or sufficiently getting to those actually doing the work with highly vulnerable CALD women and communities who fall between the cracks.
“Some things clearly are not working as intended, and this is not just the result of limited resources. It has more to do with the way in which we understand our society and consequently design and fund domestic and family violence response services and prevention initiatives,” Ms Gonzalez said.
“The reality that we live in an increasingly diverse society seems to still eludes us. And, despite a more evolved understanding of intersectionality, when it comes to planning services, we still hold on to the imaginary notion of a largely mono-cultural society with intractably complex diversity at its margins.
“At a practical level, this means that programs need to be co-designed and led by multicultural communities themselves.
“They should be dedicated and tailored programs – not just crumbs from mainstream programs; simply translating information sheets is not enough. We need a fundamentally different approach to supporting victims, because women from CALD communities fleeing violence often have nowhere to go or they face cultural barriers in wanting to leave situations of violence.
“This is a complex undertaking that requires a number of interconnected interventions; and requires listening to, and learning, from communities as to what works,” Ms Gonzalez said.
