Latest news with #Rights
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
South African intellectuals propose new strategies for economic empowerment
Christo Van der Rheede hosted the FW De Klerk Foundation conference. Image: File A recent conference hosted by the FW de Klerk Foundation in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung brought together prominent South African intellectuals to discuss alternative ways to empower South Africans and stimulate economic growth. The Constitutional Rights conference, titled "Achieving an Inclusive Economy", featured panellists including Moeletsi Mbeki, Ashor Sarupen, Dr Celeste Campher, Ismail Joosub, and Professor William Gumede. One of the key topics discussed at the conference, hosted by its Executive Director Christo van der Rheede, was the need to rethink the current Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy. Mbeki, a prominent economist and businessman, argued that BEE has failed to achieve its intended goals and has instead created a culture of dependency among black professionals. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "We have to repeal Black Economic Empowerment legislation," Mbeki said. "One of the most important consequences of the BEE combined with public sector salaries is that it disincentivises, especially young black professionals, to become entrepreneurs. It incentivises them to become public sector employees, and this is why South Africa is not building new companies." Gumede, a leading expert on economic development, proposed alternative empowerment strategies that focus on pragmatism and inclusivity. Gumede argued that the current BEE policy has benefited only a small elite group of black individuals, while leaving the majority of South Africans behind. "We need to shift to alternative optics of empowerment," he said. "The way empowerment is structured now is based on giving politically connected ANC leaders and trade union leaders benefits in existing companies. We need to bring small companies into supply chains and manufacturing so that the supply chains are in manufacturing. Secondly, we need to reward skills training and reward employment so that empowerment becomes that if you employ young people.' Gumede said pragmatism was a philosophy that must be implemented in South Africa. 'From South Africa's point of view, we need to focus all our state, economic, and nation-building initiatives on pragmatism… We need to look at what works and what is in the interest of everyone. We need to remove anti-growth policies,' he said. The conference also discussed the need to reduce the public sector wage bill, which is seen as unsustainable and detrimental to economic growth. Campher, an economist and policy analyst, argued that the government should prioritise infrastructure development and job creation over social interventions. "The current public sector wage bill must be reduced drastically to afford the building of public infrastructure," Campher said. "Our roads, harbours, and railway system are in a dilapidated state and must be fixed." Sarupen, a businessman and entrepreneur, proposed a Basic Employment Grant scheme that would provide individuals with a grant in exchange for rendering basic services at the municipal level. Sarupen argued that this approach would not only provide a safety net for the poor but also promote entrepreneurship and skills development. "A Basic Employment Grant should also be integrated with a skills and entrepreneurial development programme," Sarupen said. "Continuing to hand out grants for free perpetuates and has entrenched a dependency culture." One of the attendees of the conference, which was held in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, said that it highlighted the need for alternative empowerment strategies that prioritise inclusivity, pragmatism, and entrepreneurship. "If we rethink the current BEE policy and promote small businesses and job creation, South Africa can stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty and inequality," he said.
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Deported Afghans at risk of torture and persecution, UN report finds
ISLAMABAD - A U.N. report released on Thursday highlights cases of serious human rights violations against Afghans who were forcibly returned to their home country, particularly from neighbouring countries. The reported abuse includes torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, and threats to personal security, allegedly carried out by the Taliban against returnees with specific backgrounds. Since 2023, huge numbers of Afghans have been forcibly returned, mainly by Pakistan and Iran. This month, Germany deported 81 Afghans with criminal convictions to Kabul, as the government pursues a harder line on migration policy. According to the report, those most at risk include women and girls, former government officials, security personnel, media workers, and civil society activists. "Nobody should be sent back to a country where they face the risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history," said U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. The report notes that former officials and members of the security forces have gone into hiding out of fear of reprisals, while women have been left without access to jobs or educational opportunities. The U.N. warned that returning people to such conditions violates the principle of non-refoulement and constitutes a serious breach of international law. The Taliban rejected allegations that it has carried out reprisals against former government personnel and reiterated their commitment to the general amnesty announced by their leader. The group also asserted its commitment to upholding women's rights under sharia, or Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran. Pakistan and Iran, for their part, said they are addressing the issue of undocumented foreign nationals and called for increased international cooperation. ------------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump administration floated unprecedented plan to seize control over Harvard, internal memo reveals
Harvard memo reveals how Trump aimed to reshape US higher education system The Trump administration privately circulated a confidential memo in early April outlining an extensive plan to exert federal control over Harvard University, including the possibility of placing a lien on all university assets and eliminating specific academic and student support programs, according to documents recently disclosed in a court filing, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. Dated April 3, the four-page memo was marked 'Privileged and Confidential' and sent to Harvard's legal team the same day a public letter from the White House threatened to cut off $9 billion in federal funding unless Harvard implemented sweeping reforms. While the public letter included broad categories of institutional change, the internal memo provided a more detailed roadmap of proposed federal interventions. Memo included governance changes and asset controls The internal document proposed a series of governance reforms aimed at increasing federal influence over Harvard's leadership, according to The Harvard Crimson. These included setting a minimum requirement of 15 years of 'acceptable leadership experience' for future Harvard presidents, a policy that would have excluded former president Claudine Gay and interim president Alan M. Garber. The memo also suggested placing Harvard's academic departments under receivership and appointing a federally approved senior provost to oversee reforms. Programs identified for potential federal oversight included Jewish Studies, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and Ethnicity, Migration, Rights in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS); Religion and Public Life at the Harvard Divinity School; and the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ACE Nest Yamuna Expressway – Affordable Luxury Awaits Ace Noida Book Now Undo Plans to dismantle DEI efforts and regulate student groups As reported by The Harvard Crimson, the memo called for the elimination of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and a ban on protest masks. It also targeted the Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, which supports minority and first-generation students, recommending its elimination. The Trump administration also proposed using trademark law to penalize unrecognized student groups using Harvard's name, such as Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine. It recommended holding recognized organizations accountable if they shared members with unrecognized groups. The memo referred to these actions as an 'augmented Columbia accountability ask,' referencing similar interventions at Columbia University. Internal proposals preceded April 11 demands The April 11 letter — which Trump administration officials later stated was sent in error — shocked Harvard officials, but the memo indicates the university had already been informed of the scope of possible federal action days earlier, according to The Harvard Crimson. After receiving the memo, Harvard continued talks with the federal government for over a week, until the April 11 letter formalized many of the proposals. Some proposals in the memo were never made public in official correspondence, including placing a lien on Harvard assets, abolishing the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Faculty Council, and launching a 'Legacy of Antisemitism' initiative modeled after Harvard's slavery reparations program. Additional report proposed conservative academic center and suspensions As reported by The Harvard Crimson, a separate undated 10-page report, released with the court filing, proposed creating a Center for Antisemitism Research co-led by Harvard Chabad and Hillel. It called for Harvard to suspend student government operations for five years, sever ties with Palestinian institutions, and establish a conservative academic center modeled after the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. It remains unclear whether Harvard ever received the report. Neither the Trump administration nor Harvard has publicly confirmed its involvement in the document's creation, and the White House declined to comment, The Harvard Crimson reported. Since April, Harvard has renamed DEI offices across its schools and reduced commitments to underrepresented hiring. According to The Harvard Crimson, it is also in discussions with donors and Harvard Corporation members about building a conservative academic center. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Economic Key
5 days ago
- Business
- Economic Key
Contact Insurance Brokerage Partners with UN Global
Contact Financial Holding continues to solidify its role as a key development partner in the Egyptian market by championing initiatives that promote good governance, transparency, and equal opportunity, with a strong focus on the economic and social empowerment of women. As part of this commitment, Contact Insurance Brokerage, the Group's insurance brokerage arm, has officially joined the UN Global Compact Network Egypt (UNGCNE), while also supporting UNGCNE flagship women empowerment program, 'Bloom with Purpose.' This Pearson-certified program is designed to equip women in mid-management positions with the strategic leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and decision-making capabilities necessary to advance into senior executive roles—contributing to a more inclusive and resilient business environment in Egypt. By joining the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, Contact Insurance Brokerage takes a bold step toward deepening its commitment to responsible business practices. This partnership not only strengthens the company's leadership position within Egypt's insurance sector but also unlocks opportunities to scale its sustainability impact through access to global knowledge, tools, and capacity building platforms. including business accelerators in key areas such as Business & Human Rights, Climate Ambition, SDG Innovation, and Business Integrity. In addition to the Sustain360 program, UNGCNE's flagship capacity-building program focused on developing core ESG competencies across the private sector, along with full access to the UN Global Compact Academy, the UN's premier digital learning platform offering practical, on-demand training to help businesses integrate sustainability into strategy, operations, and leadership. 'At Contact Insurance Brokerage, we believe that women's empowerment and good governance are not merely social responsibilities; they are fundamental pillars for building strong and sustainable institutions. Our partnership with the UN Global Compact Network Egypt (UNGCNE) is a natural extension of our vision to cultivate a workplace rooted in diversity, equality, and innovation, where equal opportunity is a core value guiding everything we do,' stated Mrs. Nehal Break, Chairman and Managing Director of Contact Insurance Brokerage. 'We consider women's empowerment a strategic priority, essential to achieving sustainable economic growth and strengthening our competitiveness as a leading company in the Egyptian market. This partnership offers a framework of global standards and best practices that will help translate our vision into action while generating measurable impact across our business and the broader community. We hope this step marks the beginning of a broader journey of impactful initiatives in the near future,' Mrs. Break added. 'We value our collaboration with Contact Group, though our partnership with Contact Insurance Brokerage reflects a strong alignment with our mission. Their support for Bloom with Purpose initiative stands as a clear testament to their commitment to empowering women in decision-making roles,' commented Mrs. Walaa El-Husseiny, CEO of the UN Global Compact Network Egypt. Mrs. El-Husseiny added 'This partnership lays the foundation for impactful, long-term cooperation that we believe will resonate across Egypt's financial sector and labor market. The active engagement of private sector leaders like Contact Insurance Brokerage is essential to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening women's leadership across the country.' It is noteworthy that this partnership clearly reflects Contact Insurance Brokerage's long-standing commitment to creating a positive and sustainable societal impact. It aligns with the group's strategic direction of supporting key societal priorities, including gender equality, quality education, decent employment, and good governance, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. تم نسخ الرابط
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
India's football ecosystem is scared with uncertainty: Chhetri on ISL pause
Former captain and top striker Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday said the current state of "uncertainty" in Indian football is very concerning and the sport's ecosystem is "worried, hurt, and scared" by the top-tier ISL being put on hold indefinitely. Chhetri, who turns up for Bengaluru FC in the league, said he has been inundated with phone calls and messages expressing apprehensions about the future of the sport in the country. "It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I've realised that my selfish problem isn't as important," the 40-year-old Chhetri posted on X. "The current situation that Indian football finds itself in, is very concerning. I've received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs - not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. When my phone went off a few weeks ago informing us of a delay in pre-season by a fortnight, I must admit it made me smile. And that's because I was on vacation, hadn't moved as much as I would have liked to, and hadn't been eating as clean as I usually do. I had more time than I… — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 16, 2025 "Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," he added. The ISL (Indian Super League) put the 2025-26 season "on hold" due to uncertainty surrounding the renewal of Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the event organisers and the All India Football Federation. The league normally runs from September to April, and the current MRA between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which organises the event, and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2025, by which time the ISL would be into its third month. This was after a Supreme Court directive to AIFF in which the body was asked not to negotiate new terms of the MRA with FSDL, the apex governing body's commercial partner running the ISL, until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case. FSDL is also the commercial partner of AIFF, and they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF Rs 50 crore annually, and in turn gets the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, which also includes the national team. Chhetri said he was on vacation when he first learnt about the league being put on hold. "...I must admit it made me smile. And that's because I was on vacation, hadn't moved as much as I would have liked to, and hadn't been eating as clean as I usually do. I had more time than I had bargained to get in shape. "That 'fortnight' has now changed to 'indefinitely' and that smile's been wiped out. I know that the think tank and all those involved in running the sport are working to get the football season up and running, and I'm hopeful that there is a solid fix sooner rather than later," he said. The star player, who has come out of international retirement to bolster the Indian team that is enduring continuous poor results, urged for patience nonetheless. "I may not have all the answers, but my message to all those involved with Indian football and more importantly the ones whose livelihood depends on it, the players, staff, kitmen, masseurs, medical teams, production crews, operations staff please stay calm. "We'll ride this storm together. Stick together and look out for each other. Keep training and getting better. Football has to resume soon. It will," he signed off. The AIFF has said it is "conscious" of ISL's importance to the football ecosystem but had to respect the law of the land by following the Supreme Court directive. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
