On March 22, 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York City, the first global UN conference on water in 46 years will be held. The conference aims to build new commitments, pledges and actions by Governments and all stakeholders towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, and water-related targets across all SDGs, in order to move us collectively towards the Water Action Agenda.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Canadian Minister of International Development & Pacific Economic Development, recently visited MEDA’s Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) project in Mindanao, Philippines.
Last week, MEDA participated in International Development Week by highlighting the critical issues that matter to Canadians and those who work in international development.
A recent episode of the “Let’s Talk Agriculture” podcast focused on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and included an engaging conversation with MEDA’s Technical Director, GESI, Jennifer Denomy. Jennifer Denomy and podcast host Sharon Idahosa explore why GESI in agriculture matters, the challenges that exist, and how gender equality benefits businesses, farms, and the world in general.
MEDA’s Nicaragua Country Director, Dr. Cony Peralta, was awarded on February 1st by the Canadian High Commission with a Leadership award in recognition of her commitment to achieving gender equality through the Technolinks+ project. Cony helped build broad networks and relationships with local communities, public institutions, and international and local organizations.
It would be simple for most development organizations, including the UN, to say that biodiversity matters to everyone. This is why most high-income countries, particularly those involved in COP15, provide investment support to tackle biodiversity problems. For lower to middle-income countries such as the Philippines, the question is, does biodiversity matter to political leaders?
With equal access to resources, women could contribute much more to the economy. The FAO estimates that if women farmers (43 percent of the agricultural labor force in low and middle-income countries) had the same access as men, agricultural output in 34 low and middle-income countries would rise by an estimated average of up to four percent. This could reduce the number of undernourished people in those countries by as much as 17 percent, translating to 150 million fewer hungry people.
Agriculture pays the bills in Kenya, supporting 80% of the country’s population. However, small businesses and farmers in Kenya often lack access to the business supports they need to prosper. Without access to technology, agricultural inputs, business services, and finance businesses and farmers in Kenya struggle to get by. Women-led businesses often face even stricter challenges.
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve joined the podcast universe! Four MEDA staff members have contributed to the “Let’s Talk Agriculture” podcast that focuses on gender equality and social inclusion, agricultural financing, climate finance, and how to build inclusive agrifood market systems [Insert link].
When you subscribe, you’ll be able to hear the following:
Zakaria Isshaku, episode 6 – Building an inclusive agrifood market system [Insert podcast link and photo]
Agri-food market system expert Zak Issahaku breaks down what agri-food market systems are and their value to communities worldwide.
Dennis Tessier, episode 7 – Climate finance for sustainable agriculture [Insert podcast link and photo]
In this episode, Dennis explores how climate finance can play an essential role in mitigating the effects of climate change on the environment and communities in the Global South. This episode also covers MEDA’s services to its clients to adopt environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
Regina Nyakinyua, episode 8 – On innovations for inclusive agricultural financing [Insert podcast link and photo]
Regina talks about the major challenges of agricultural finances and the current opportunities. The episode also covers MEDA’s unique approach to agri-finance.
Jennifer Denomy, episode 9 – Gender Equality and Social Inclusion [Insert podcast link and photo]
In this episode, Jennifer talks in detail about the value of gender equality and social inclusion in agriculture and how this will benefit communities, and the challenges and ways that local business owners can use to overcome gender equality challenges.
Stay in the loop! Remember to sign up for “Let’s talk Agriculture” for the latest podcast episodes.
The Storehouse [Insert link] has more content for you to explore. Read more to find out how MEDA provides those living in poverty with technical assistance and decent work opportunities to create prosperity for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Globally, the face of sustainably produced or sourced cocoa tends to be more of an
environmental concern. Historically, cacao production is linked to deforestation,
biodiversity loss, and soil degradation in major cacao-producing countries. However,
taking the fundamental elements of market systems approach, sustainability transcends
environmental considerations. In MEDA’s integrated market systems approach, sustainability does
not only entail environmental aspects, but economic, social, and governance factors as well.
MEDA – Mennonite Economic Development Associates – is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.
MEDA International is a Canadian non-share capital not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates is a 501(c)(3) status non-profit organization in the United States: EIN 23-7398678. Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada is a registered charity in Canada: No. 107 691 057 RR0001.
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