Call for a more equitable vaccine approach - CONCORD Newsletter February 2021

Director's blog LETTER TO PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN: CALL FOR A FAR MORE EQUITABLE VACCINE APPROACH Will the EU fulfil its pledge to leave no one behind in the current vaccination drive? CONCORD, as part of a global effort by influential civil society networks and platforms, is calling on the EU to ensure a far more equitable approach to the current vaccination drive. While Europe seems to be 'sorted' - at least in terms of supply - universal access is the only solution to end the pandemic and mitigate deepening socio-economic inequalities. Vaccines surely have to be considered public goods? If so, then the EU must commit to go further than just allowing partner countries to have Europe's left-overs. Most particularly, the EU should not block other countries from developing their own vaccines. Our open letter urges the EU and national leaders to work with partners and enable the roll-out of effective and all-inclusive national vaccine programmes.  It's clear as ever that we will not be safe until we are all safe. Tanya Cox, CONCORD Director Our letter CONCORD NEWS OF THE MONTH CONCORD's reaction to NDICI agreement In many aspects, CONCORD welcomes Member States' endorsement of the political agreement reached with the European Parliament on the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument. However, the outcome is in parts problematic. The Member States agreed on deep cuts to the budgetary envelope in July, which sends an alarming signal about European solidarity with the rest of the world. Our reaction Webinars on EU Green Deal and food systems In January, CONCORD launched a short series of online events for members. The first of the webinars took place on 20 January and focused on the European Green Deal. It was followed by a second webinar, on 17 February, on the role of food systems in EU external action and impact of COVID-19. The webinar series will continue during the spring and early summer. Our work on food security Talking Development podcast: Sustainable business models After the first episode of the Talking Development podcast with CONCORD's newly elected President Rilli Lappalainen, the Talking Development continues with an episode on social economy enterprises and sustainable business models. In this episode, we spoke with Fatima Ihihi, the founder of Toudarte, a cooperative in Morocco that empowers women and brings them financial independence by producing argan oil. Our newest episode OPINION Can the EU truly deliver on gender equality? International Women's Day is coming up and Céline Mias, Vice-President of CONCORD; EU Representative & Head of Office of CARE International, takes stock of the EU's commitment to gender equality. After a disappointing end to 2020, which had promised to be the most propitious year ever for EU commitments to gender equality, what's next for the EU? How can the EU remain a trailblazer and leader on gender equality, when a backlash in its own Member States is undermining its efforts? Full piece by Céline Mias UPDATES FROM OUR NETWORK European Support to local democracy Local democracy means to put local communities at the centre of the attention supporting human rights, democracy and sustainable development. ALDA's flagship initiative aims to provide the tools to support local democracy through an institutional and civil society point of view. ESLD comprises hundreds of projects, participants and stakeholders from Europe and beyond.  Read abstract Participation of CSO in the preparations of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plans Civil Society Europe launched this report in cooperation with the European Centre for Not-for-Profit Law. The study outlines the participation of CSO across the EU in the preparation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans and reveals poor involvement of civil society at this stage. Read full report Her Abilities Award 2020 Founded by Light For the World, the award aims to honour women with disabilities who achieved greatness in their life and field of work. This year's winners are: Bernice Oyeleke in the category of Health and Education, Robbie Francis Watene in the category of Rights and Gamze Elibol in the category of Arts, Culture and Sports. Get to know them UN Food Systems Summit launches The Independent Dialogues The UN Food Systems Summit (discussed at the webinar on food security by colleagues from CARE and Oxfam) is launching The Independent Dialogues, a Step-by-Step Guide and Promotion Toolkit to give everyone around the world a chance to contribute towards strategies for more sustainable food systems.  Learn more EVENTS Unless stated differently the following events are taking place online. THE BEST PRACTICES OF HOUSING AND URBAN RENEWAL IN AFRICA This online discussion will introduce cutting-edge practices of integrated green sustainable housing and urban renewal and deliver recommendations for funding and scaling up these innovations. When: 25 February 2021, 14:00 - 15:30 (CET) Registration: via this link  Hosted by: Habitat for Humanity RELEVANCE OF THE HOUSING AND URBAN RENEWAL SECTOR IN THE AFRICA-EU PARTNERSHIPS This policy discussion will focus on the state of the Africa-Europe relationship, with its challenges and opportunities for the housing and urban renewal sector. When: 4 March 2021, 12:30 (CET) Registration: via this link  Hosted by: Habitat for Humanity WOMEN WHO LEAD:  INSPIRING STORIES OF POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT To honour International Women's Day, the event will offer a platform for presenting and celebrating women leaders' journeys and achievements. When: 4 March 2021, 15:00 - 16:15 (CET) Registration: via this link  Hosted by: European Partnership for Democracy   THE EU GREEN DEAL IN EU DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS WEBINAR We are at a crossroad where we need to ensure that the right policies are in place as the EU steps up its engagement and implementation of the Green Deal. Implementing the Green Deal in the area of development cooperation should go hand in hand with efforts to recover from the COVID-19 crisis to ensure recovery efforts are in line with other long-term objectives.  When: 16 March 2021  14:00 - 15:30 (CET) Registrations: Zoom link will be provided for those interested Hosted by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sweden JOB OPPORTUNITIES Chief Executive Officer Organisation: ActionAid UK Deadline: 1 March 2021 ECHO expert(s) Organisation: World Vision Deadline: 9 March 2021 CALLS FOR PROPOSALS & OPPORTUNITIES The latest open calls for proposals from DEVCO From 1 January to 24 February 2021 Add your news Want to change how you receive these emails? 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