MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / Archives for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Merck Foundation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with African First Ladies inaugurate their 10th Africa Asia Luminary 2023 in India

Location: News
Merck Foundation

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej and African First Ladies of Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, to inaugurate 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 (http://www.Merck-Foundation.com); More than 10,000 participants including healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, academia and media representatives from 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries attended the Luminary through hybrid model to benefit from five parallel  scientific and social sessions to  advance healthcare capacity and awareness in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties; Celebrating 6th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and marking 11-year journey of their development programs, during 2023 Luminary; Merck Foundation reported the impact of providing 1700 scholarships to doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as; Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Preventive, Endocrinology, Fertility, Embryology, Reproductive Care, Respiratory Care, Acute and Intensive Care, Neonatal Care, Pediatric Emergency, Advanced Surgery, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Palliative Care and Pain Management and more; Merck Foundation marked Cancer Awareness Month during their annual conference.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted their annual conference, the 10th Edition of “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre and Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health of India, State Protocol Office of Government of Maharashtra and Krishna  World University, Karad, on the 18th of October 2023 in Mumbai, India. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, along with African First Ladies of 11 countries;

  • H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana
  • H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi
  • H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
  • H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic
  • H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
  • H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
  • H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
  • H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi
  • H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe
  • H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of The Congo

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary emphasized, “I am very proud to welcome our Guests of Honors and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, for our annual conference that we have conducted first time in India. Together, we shared experiences and discussed the impact of our programs to transform patient care and raise awareness on a wide range of sensitive and critical social and health. Today we are also marking together Cancer Awareness Month, it is great to remember that Merck Foundation provided 138 scholarships of Oncology Training in many sub-specialties to doctors from 37 African countries, many of them have become the first oncologists in their countries. We are making history together in Africa, with our Ambassadors, First Ladies of Africa and our partners, Tata Hospital and Krishna University.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees expressed “At Merck Foundation, our goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in the Africa, Asia and beyond. I would like to thank our partners, African First Ladies and Health Experts, Policy Makers, Government Officials, Academia and Media from more than 70 countries to join hands with us in order to realize the vision of Merck Foundation that “Everyone can lead a Healthy and Happy life.”

“I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 1700 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, Pain Management, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and more. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Many of these scholarships were conducted in India where a state of art clinical training was provided at the prestigious training institutions of our partners such as Tata Memorial Center, Manipal University, Maharashtra University, Krishna University, Indra IVF Training and more. Therefore, we are very happy to be this year in India to celebrate our 10 years partnership with our respectable Indian partners”, added Senator Kelej.  

During the 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, the First Ladies of 11 African Countries, also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”, celebrated the 6th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and marked the 11-year journey of Merck Foundation development programs that started in 2012.

During the day 1 of the conference, the Plenary Session of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 was held, during which a high-level panel meeting of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit was conducted.

Day 2 of the conference will have important five parallel Medical and Scientific Sessions on Oncology, Diabetes & Hypertension, Fertility and Reproductive Care, and medical capacity building of other specialties such as; respiratory, acute care, emergency pediatric and neonatal care and more. Additionally, a community awareness session, the Merck Foundation Health Media Training session will also be conducted for the African journalists, to emphasize on the important role that they play to influence the community to create a cultural shift with the aim to Break Infertility Stigma, Support Girl Education, Stop GBV, End Child Marriage, End FGM, and Women Empowerment at all levels.

Countries participating in the 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary include:

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

The 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation (https://apo-opa.info/3Ykd3hH) and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (https://apo-opa.info/3SfA0AF).

Link to the Facebook live steam of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary & African First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.info/3RYXLPa

Summarizing Merck Foundation's initiatives and impact:

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with its partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

• 1700+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 50 Countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

• 3000+ Media Persons from more than 30 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues

• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs

• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa

• 8 Children's Storybooks in three languages - English, French, and Portuguese

• 7 Awareness Animation films in four languages - English, French, Portuguese and Spanish to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.

• Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community

• 1000+ Girls from 15 African countries supported through scholarships or school items, annually.

• 12 Social Media Channels with more than 5 Million Followers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Media contact:
Mehak Handa 
Community Awareness Program Manager 
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669  
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com 

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3Ykd3hH
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3Yo3y11
YouTube: https://apo-opa.info/3CNFGLa
Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/3lsqM7q
Flickr: https://apo-opa.info/3JT8BSC
Website: Merck-Foundation.com
Download the Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.info/3xeJMsI

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (https://apo-opa.info/3Ykd3hH), Twitter (https://apo-opa.info/3Yo3y11), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3lsqM7q), YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3CNFGLa), and Flickr (https://apo-opa.info/3JT8BSC).

Media files
Merck Foundation
Download logo
Read moreMerck Foundation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with African First Ladies inaugurate their 10th Africa Asia Luminary 2023 in India

Pandor calls for urgent action to protect oceans, livelihoods

Location: News

Pandor calls for urgent action to protect oceans, livelihoods

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has called on world leaders to urgently take action to protect the oceans and people who depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. 

Pandor was speaking on Wednesday at the 23rd Council of Ministers (COM) meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held in Sri Lanka.

The IORA’s priorities, according to Pandor, are in recognition of the fact that 40% of the world’s population lives near coastal areas. 

More than three billion people use the oceans for their livelihood, while 80% of world trade is achieved using the seas, the Minister said.

“The oceans, seas and coastal areas contribute to food security and poverty eradication. 

“And yet, the oceans are under severe threat by human activities, where economic profits are at the expense of environmental degradation.”

Pandor highlighted acidification, pollution, ocean warming, eutrophication and fishery collapse as some of the issues facing the marine ecosystem. 

“These threats are detrimental to the planet and are long-term repercussions that demand urgent action to protect the oceans and the people who depend on them.

“The Indian Ocean region, therefore, should remain our own peaceful zone from which we can enhance opportunities in trade and further develop our nations by advancing the protection that our oceans so dearly deserve.”

The Minister believes that the gatherings have succeeded in developing clear concepts around the IORA Development Initiative (IDI). 

“I am also pleased that the High-Level Strategic Dialogue meeting, which was co-chaired by South Africa and the Secretariat, was a resounding success.”

The meeting, she said, reflected on the status quo and a vision of how the IORA should proceed.

“Several discussions were held on, amongst others, the achievements and challenges of the IORA’s first 25 years and what that meant for the IORA’s future work and the implementation of the IORA’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”

Pandor is of the view that these issues are significant and will continue to help strengthen the association that is becoming increasingly important on the global stage. 

“IORA member States and dialogue partners made it clear that they desire collaboration, regional cooperation, freedom of navigation, consensus building actions, partnerships, shared prosperity, rules-based norms in the Indo-Pacific and not disunity, hostility, divergence and increased military presences.”

South Africa, according to Pandor, looks forward to the completion of the zero-base document which she believes should be adopted and followed by implementation at the earliest opportunity. 

“The document will provide a vision of future activities of the IORA and the role our various regions could play.”

In addition, Pandor announced that the IORA Business Forum’s South African Chapter has developed a concept note on the creation of an IORA Business Forum Digital Portal. 

“This portal will connect us, reduce transactional costs, while creating a trading platform and make it easy to trade in our region and beyond.

“Working jointly at creating a region of peace means we can achieve operational optimisation within the region and achieve energy efficient technology acquisition – this would be a conducive environment that could ensure the continued sustainable development of the IORA region,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 09:25

556 views
Read morePandor calls for urgent action to protect oceans, livelihoods

SA participates in Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting

Location: News

SA participates in Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, will take part in the 23rd Council of Ministers (COM) meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The meeting will be held in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, 11 October 2023. 

According to a Department of International Relations and Cooperation statement, the theme will focus on strengthening regional architecture and reinforcing the Indian Ocean identity. 

“It is expected that the COM meeting will take stock of the progress that the association has made since the last meeting in Bangladesh and discuss future initiatives,” said the department on Monday.

Sri Lanka will assume the role of IORA Chair from 2023 to 2025, taking over from Bangladesh, while India will become the Vice-Chair.

“IORA is an economic cooperative community of coastal and island states whose shores are washed by the Indian Ocean. It is a charter-based regional multilateral organisation that is collegial in nature.

“IORA seeks to build and expand understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation through a consensus-based, evolutionary and non-intrusive approach,” said the department.

The department believes that cooperation among IORA member states is based on sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful coexistence, and mutual benefit.

“South Africa views IORA as an important platform for the articulation of our foreign policy, which upholds the importance of multilateralism and global collaboration in resolving the intricate challenges facing the world,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Tue, 10/10/2023 - 09:52

174 views
Read moreSA participates in Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting

Sri Lanka High Commission in South Africa Participates in Nelson Mandela International Day Activities

Location: News

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka
Download logo

Sri Lanka High Commission in South Africa actively participated in the community service activities led by Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa Dr. Naledi Pandor at Bophelong Community Center (BCC) in Mamelodi on 18 July 2023. BCC manages six charitable entities including a hospice, an old age home, a mentally challenged home and a children's home (orphanage).

The High Commissioner Prof. Gamini Gunawardane joined several other diplomats and spent time providing voluntary services assisting the staff of the above care units. In addition to the above, he also donated an electric heater and a stock of Ceylon Tea for use of the residents.

Nelson Mandela International Day was established by the UN General Assembly (UN Resolution A/RES/64/13) in 2009 in recognition of the former South African President's dedication to the service of humanity in conflict resolution, race relations, promotion and protection of human rights, gender equality, rights of children and other vulnerable groups, fight against poverty and promotion of social justice. It is celebrated annually on 18 July, Mandela's birthday.

As in previous years, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO, the equivalent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka) led the 2023 Nelson Mandela International Day events encouraging people to use at least 67 minutes of their time to support a chosen charity or serve in their local community. The 67 minutes symbolically represents the number of years the former President fought for human rights and the abolition of apartheid.

The theme of the 2023 Nelson Mandela International Day was: “The Legacy Lives on Through You: Climate, Food and Solidarity”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka.

Read moreSri Lanka High Commission in South Africa Participates in Nelson Mandela International Day Activities

Ceylon Tea and Culinary Tourism Promotion in South Africa

Location: News

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka
Download logo

Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, promoted Sri Lanka tourism and Ceylon Tea at a weeklong World Food Festival held from 26- 30 June 2023 at the Korean Cultural Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. The event showcased food, culture and tourist attractions of eight countries such as Brazil, Iran, Nepal, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. This was the second year that the High Commission participated in this annual event.

The Food Festival was based on the research based theme that the culinary tourism is a cornerstone of the modern travel industry. Since food often reflects an entire nation's eating habits, culinary tourism can draw new and returning visitors.

More than 400 visitors attended the event including diplomats, government officials, business leaders and South African and international residents in the northern region of South Africa.

A short film prepared by the Sri Lanka Tea Board on Sri Lankan food, tea and tourism was screened .

The Sri Lanka booth displayed Ceylon Tea in attractive export quality packaging together with information on varieties of Ceylon tea, world class quality of Sri Lanka tea, tea preparation, and health benefits of drinking tea. Visitors were served with traditional delicacies like Kokis, Cutlets and hot Ceylon tea. During the cooking demonstration which attracted many visitors, High Commission staff demonstrated how to prepare Kiribath & Sinisambal with simple ingredients.  Sri Lanka also exhibited photos of other Sri Lankan foods in an exhibition of international foods.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka.

Read moreCeylon Tea and Culinary Tourism Promotion in South Africa

International Day of Vesak

Location: News

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka
Download logo

Sri Lankans in Johannesburg and Pretoria of South Africa joined residents of Thai and Nepal origin to celebrate the International Day of Vesak at the Johannesburg Thai Temple (Johannesburg Meditation Center – JMC - in Midrand, South Africa), on June 3, 2023. Over 100 residents from the three countries attended the event.

The Chief Monk of JMC, Rev. Kitsakol, conducted the religious ceremonies and delivered blessings of Vesak to those gathered. He highlighted the universal applicability of Buddha's preaching based on the four noble truths and extended Vesak blessings to people of all religions in the world.

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Prof. Gamini Gunawardane, at the invitation of the Chief Monk, led the gathering in reciting the traditional Pali verses for Offering of Picked-up Robes. He also mentioned how Buddhist relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka goes back to the introduction of the Sihala Sangha to Thailand in 1425 and the introduction of Siam Nikaya to Sri Lanka in 1753 under Upali Maha Thera from Thailand and Sarankara Thera from Sri Lanka.

Ambassador of Nepal in South Africa, Dan Bahadur Tamang highlighted that Buddhism has remained one of the strongest links between the peoples of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is one of the most desired destinations in Nepal which is visited by thousands of Thai and Sri Lankan nationals every year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka.

Read moreInternational Day of Vesak