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LATEST NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

17 December, 2011

MDG 6 -Community Conversations's Success Celebrated in Leribe

 

Thursday the 17th of December was a day of celebration for Ha Theko and neighbouring communities  in the Leribe district of Lesotho. On this windswept Spring day community members, representative of the Member of Parliament for the Malibamatso Constituency, District Council representative, Community Councillors from the Seshote Community Council, Government Departments, Police Officers, community facilitators, schools and Community Capacity Enhancement (CCE) Facilitators and trainers gathered at Ha Theko, a village overlooking the Katse Dam, to mark the last in the initial series of Community Conversations. This day was an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the successes and outcomes of the Community Conversations thus far.

12 December, 2011

MDG 8 - Debate on Political Tolerance Marks Human Rights Day

 

On December 9th, the eve of the internationally celebrated Human Rights Day, UNDP hosted a seminar to debate the issue of political tolerance in Lesotho. With the national elections period due to get underway in the New Year, the subject was particularly relevant and timely for discussion. UNDP Resident Representative Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie opened the debate by inviting participants to leave behind the textbook definitions of political tolerance and rather reflect on issues of concern within the Lesotho context.

 

6 December, 2011

MDG 6 - UNDP Supports the Ministry of Gender on Gender Sensitive Media Reporting

 

In collaboration with the Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisations (AGFUND) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Lesotho, UNDP Lesotho supported the Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation (MGYSR) to conduct a 3-day workshop on gender-sensitive reporting for the media houses in Lesotho from 29th November to 1st December, 2011.

5 December, 2011

MDG 6 - Commemoration of World AIDS Day in Maseru

 

This year the World Aids Day was commemoration in Masery on 01 December, 2011.  The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 was "Getting to three Zeros." After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the focus is on achieving 3 targets: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths. In Lesotho World AIDS Day (WAD) National commemoration was marked on the 1st December, 2011 at Ha Mabote in, Maseru District

28 November, 2011

MDG 8 - The status of Lesotho's Economy by Africa Renewal Magazine

 

The Africa Renewal Magazine wrote that the Lesotho's Economy catches flu as big brother's sneeze.  "For decades the tiny landlocked mountain kingdom of Lesotho has relied heavily on its giant neighbour, South Africa, to advance — until now. South Africa’s economic difficulties are placing Lesotho’s economy at a crossroads, as the government struggles to push big rocks up the mountain to balance the national budget, "  Masimba Tafirenyika wrote.

25 November, 2011

MDG 7 - SLM Model Developed in Lesotho

Lesotho's natural resources are presently heavily utilised and poorly managed. This has led to environmental degradation and reducing livelihoods standards. If current trends of natural resource degradation continue, it will become more and more difficult for communities to meet their basic needs.  Hence a new Sustainable and Land Management (SLM)model has been developed in Lesotho.

25 November, 2011

MDG 8 - The Strategic Planning Process for Parliament

 

A question which the Honourable Members and staff of the National Assembly and Senate of Lesotho are addressing is how will the Parliament of Lesotho be different in five years time, as they engage in a strategic planning process for Parliament. The ongoing planning process commenced in July 2011 and is being supported by UNDP’s Consolidation of Democracy and Good Governance Programme in partnership with Irish Aid and the Parliament of Lesotho.

3 October, 2011

MDG 8 - Workshop on National Human Rights Action Plan

 

On the 27th and 28th of September 2011, the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and the Correctional Service held a workshop on the National Human Rights Action Plan. The objective of the workshop was to discuss the process of developing a National Human Rights Action Plan and highlight the necessity of coordinating the work of line ministries and civil society organisations in the promotion and protection of human rights, avoiding duplication of efforts and building a stronger partnership among them.

20 September, 2011

MDG 8 - Mokoalong Community takes the lead in advancing its own development

 

Through the support of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government of Lesotho is advancing the process of decentralization in the country by empowering local councils and community members to advance their own development.  

24 August, 2011

MDG 8 - Heads of Churches convene to discuss mediation process ahead of elections

 

The Heads of Churches in Lesotho, the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, representatives of the United Nations and civil society convened to discuss the mediation process ahead of the local and national elections.  The meeting was also an opportunity to reflect on the mediation process, led by the Heads of Churches, which has sought to resolve outstanding issues emerging from the national election of 2007. Amongst the topics under discussion was the agreement among Lesotho’s political parties in March, which enabled important changes in the national electoral laws.

12 July, 2011

All MDGs - MDGs Training for Senators

 

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) became the focus of attention when Senators and Senate staff from the Parliament of Lesotho gathered on July 6th to receive training on how the Senate can engage with the MDG’s.  The training was provided by UNDP Regional Service Centre for Eastern & Southern Africa, with Lesotho being one of the first six countries in the region to receive training.

 

05 July, 2011

MDG 8 - Welcoming Korean Volunteers

 

On June 29, 2011 Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO helped Lesotho Workcamps Association (LWA) welcome eleven international volunteers from Chonangham University in Korea who will set up a work camp in Liphiring, Mohale’s Hoek where they will be looking at environmental issues such as tree planting, for which purpose The Ministry of Forestry has furnished LWA with about two hundred trees as well as construction of roads.

 

21 June, 2011

MDG 1 - Celebration of International day against Homophobia

 

On the 17th May 2011, to commemorate International Day against Homophobia, the MATRIX, in partnership with UNDP and Sesotho Media and Development, facilitated a special screening of the feature film ‘Simon and I’. This is a challenging, provocative, and unconventional film exploring LGBTI issues in Southern Africa in the presence of HIV & AIDS.

06 May, 2011

All MDGs - Opportunity Knocks

 

On May 09, 2011, in Istanbul, world leaders will have a chance to fulfil long-term commitments to reduce poverty, hunger and disease in the world’s 48 Least Developed Countries’ Conference.   This diverse group of nations – 33 in Africa, 14 in Asia and Oceania, and one (Haiti) in the Western hemisphere – has one common desire: increased engagement in the global economy.

20 April, 2011

MDG 7 - Solar Energy Exhibition

 

The exhibition was held on the 15th April 2011 at the National Convention Centre, Maseru. It attracted about 30 exhibitors from Lesotho, southern and east Africa as well as a few representatives from across the globe.  Exhibitors included; relevant technical institutions, Government departments, renewable energy project, financial institutions and was dominated by solar energy companies. The exhibition was in two facets; first display of the technology including stall tours and official opening then presentations and certificate award session.

24 March, 2011

MDG 7 - 2011 Solar Exhibition

 

The Lesotho Renewable Energy-Based Rural Electrification Project will hold its first ever Solar Energy Exhibition in Maseru.  The event will take place at the Lesotho National Convention Centre (‘Manthabiseng) for one day only, Friday, 15th April 2011 from 09h00.  The main objective of the exhibition is to create a platform for networking and partnering between companies in the renewable energy industry, locally, regionally and international.

15 March, 2011

MDG 1 - Lesotho Participate in the "Women Make it Happen Competition"

 

The United Nations through the Millennium Campaign Web team organised a competition titled "Women make it happen". This competition was launched to find women around the world who have made the MDGs real in their lives and by doing so, have inspired positive change in their towns, cities and local communities.  Mants'o Matsoso is the only mosotho woman who entered this competition.  All submissions from all over the world have been posted on the website and individuals are expected to read the stories vote for the best story.  The link is http://www.endpoverty2015.org/

10 March, 2011

MDG 3 - Bridging the Gender Gap

 

"Lesotho is ranked eighth in the world by the World Economic Forum (WEF) when it comes to bridging the gap between the sexes.  The reasons are cultural, political and economic, but one explanation keeps being repeated when you probe the gender issue, and it relates to Lesotho's recent past.  In politics, one in five government ministers in Lesotho is a female", reports BBC.

08 March, 2011

MDG3-International Women's Day: Fast Facts - UNDP and Gender in Africa

 

The United Nations has selected Gender Equality as a theme for International Women's Day in 2011.  It has been noted that Africa has made steady progress in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment over the last ten years. Gender parity in primary education is likely to be achieved by most countries and the proportion of women in parliaments has been increasing, from 15% in 2009 to 18.5% in 2010.

25 January, 2011

MDG 7 -Donation of Renewable Energy Equipment

 

The United Nations Development Programme, through the project of Lesotho Renewable Energy Based Rural Electrification (LREBRE), donated Solar Energy equipment to seven (7) Technical Institutions in Lesotho.  A handing over ceremony was held on 20 January, 2011 and occasion was graced by the presence of the Director of Technical and Vocational Education unit in the Ministry of Education and Training

14 January, 2011

MDG 6 -LGBTI Support Group Registered

 

Men who have sex with Men (MSM), Women who have sex with Women( WSW) and other people who identify as LGBTI are an important and undeservedly vulnerable population in Lesotho. Lesotho Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, transgender and Inter-gender (LGBTI) communities, November 2010 saw the registration of MATRIX support group as a Non-Profit Organisation by the Lesotho Law Office.

2010 News and Press Releases

22 December, 2010

MDG 1 - Young Entrepreneurs Trained in 2010

 

The ‘Youth Employment towards Poverty Reduction’ joint project between the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation, UNDP and ILO has been running since late 2006.  As part of the project, young people all around the country are provided training in entrepreneurship for free. In 2010 the ILO certified trainers trained almost 1,000 young people, which is more than during any previous year.

21 December, 2010

MDG 1 - Lesotho is including Youth into its Social Dialogue Structures

 

As part of the ‘Youth Employment towards Poverty Reduction’ project, the Government of Lesotho through Ministry of Employent and Labour and Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation and supported by UNDP and ILO, is working to include young people into the social dialogue in Lesotho.

20 December, 2010

MDGs1,2,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 -Progress Towards the Establishment of the Human Rights Commission in Lesotho

 

The Government of Lesotho, with the support of UNDP and Irish Aid, is in the process of establishing a National Human Rights Commission. The 6th Amendment of the Constitution Bill which, inter alia, includes the establishment of the Human Rights Commission, was presented to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee for the first time in December 2010. The National Human Rights Commission would be the main institution which will deal with the protection, promotion and monitoring of human rights in Lesotho.

15 December, 2010

MDG 7 - National Volunteer Experience

 

UNDP through the office of the UNV, together with the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation implemented a National Volunteer Corps Project in 2010.  The objective  of this project was to introduce national youth graduates to the volunteering concept.  200 graduates were recruited and posted at both public and private sector.  Mohau Ts'ilo shares his experience as a National Volunteer.

 

14 December, 2010

MDG 7 -Herders Commemorate Internation Volunteers Day

 

The International Volunteers Day was commemorated on December 6, 2010, at Liotloaneng in the Berea District. The event, which was coordinated by the United Nations Volunteers Programme in Lesotho included two activites, a) to complete a two-classroom block at Bosco Primary School and planting of trees to enhance the school grounds.

 

Two herders associations, Sebetsang ka Thata Balisana and Utloang Balisana, that are Berea-based organizations supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), attended the event and lent a hand in the environment and social development of their home district by donating grape vine and olive tree seedlings and treated poles to the school.

14 December, 2010

MDG 1 & MDG 7 - Chicken Open Day

Biodiversity loss is a global environmental problem affecting the livelihood of people all over the world. For Lesotho, the loss of the unique gene pool of indigenous chickens poses several significant problems. Introduced chickens lack the local diseases resistance that indigenous chickens have, a breed that is endangered and faces extinction.  Thus the Rural Self-help Development Association (RSDA), a non- governmental organization in Lesotho, is implementing a Project “The preservation of the gene pool of Lesotho’s indigenous chickens.” This project aims to research and demonstrate the performance of these chickens under proper management and to initiate breeding of this vital asset to sustainable levels.   To this end a Village Chicken Open Day was organized on at the Project site in Tsita’s Nek – Mafeteng District.

13 December, 2010

MDG 8 - IVD Celebrations - 2010

 

On Monday 6 December, the United Nations Volunteer Programme together with its partners celebrated the International Volunteer Day (IVD) at the Bosco Primary School, in Liotloaneng – Berea District.

 

09 December, 2010

MDG 1 - DevInfo Progress since 2008

For the period 2008 – 2010, 164 people  from Government, Private sector and civil society organizations were trained. However, since the establishment of DevInfo in 2006 to date, two hundred and fifty (250) people have been trained in the use of DevInfo through efforts supported by the Government of Lesotho and the United Nations-Lesotho.

11 November, 2010

All MDGs - UN assist Lesotho on NDP

 

As the Government of Lesotho is embarking on developing the five-year National Development Plan (NDP) for 2012/13-2016/17, UNDP and the UN Family are supporting this important process as it will provide needed overall guidance and coordination for the Government and the development partners and contribute to accelerating achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and better human development in the country.

10 November, 2010

MDG 1 - Lesotho Local Development Project Implementation

 

The Lesotho Local Development Programme (LLDP) is a collaborative effort by central government, local governments and development partners to achieve poverty reduction through inclusive, responsive service delivery mechanisms. It is a four year programme which is intended to support different aspects of the decentralization process within the three central districts (Maseru, Berea, and Thaba Tseka).

03 November, 2010

All MDGs - UN Meets with the Private Sector

 

UN Resident Representative Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie and the Representatives of UN Agencies met with the private sector during the UN Week Celebrations on the 20th October 2010. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie said in her speech ‘Given the short time left before 2015, we need to put the goals on a fast-track and everyone has to do business unusual.’

28 October, 2010

All MDGs - UN Lesotho Celebrates UN Week - 2010

 

UN Lesotho Country Team and the Government in Lesotho have extended the UN Day into a whole week (18 to 24 October,2010) of celebration and outreach. The purpose was to raise awareness among Basotho of the work that the UN does in Lesotho and worldwide and discuss key development issues with relevant stakeholders. The theme for 2010 UN Week was MDGs and Youth, considering that 2010 is a year of MDGs review and also the International Year of Youth.

05 October, 2010

MDG 1 - World Habitat Day, 2010

The celebrations in Lesotho will be spearheaded by a partnership of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) (Lesotho), World Vision and UN-HABITAT and will feature a service event on October 9, 2010. HFH Lesotho plans to hand over more than 150 Habitat Homes to vulnerable families and has mobilized over 200 volunteers to help families renovate their homes in the Nazareth area.

01 October, 2010

UN Lesotho Internship Programme

The United Nations Systems in Lesotho has established an internship programme for students learning at tertiary institutions. This programme is intended to familiarize graduates with the working environment and help them gain practical experience working in an international environment, to provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UN agencies in Lesotho, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments.

September, 2010

MDG 6 - UNDP Lesotho's Contribution to HIV Response Documented

As part of a global initiative to document UNDP’s work on HIV, UNDP Lesotho was successful in its application to be part of the countries selected to produce a short documentary. Through this initiative UNDP Lesotho will showcase the processes, results and impact, of its support to the implementation of the Community Capacity Enhancement through Community Conversation (CCE-CC) methodology in the response to the HIV epidemic.

23 September, 2010

MDG 6 - Human Trafficking in Lesotho

A  Rapid Assessment of Trafficking in Persons in Lesotho, supported by UNDP and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Safety & Parliamentary Affairs has revealed that people from Lesotho are at a high risk of being trafficked to both the neighbouring Southern African countries and internationally.

20 September, 2010

MDG 3 - Training for Law Enforcement Agencies on Human Rights

The Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and the Correctional Service, in collaboration with UNDP and Irish Aid, as part of the Consolidation of Democracy and Good Governance (CDGG) programme, held a two day workshop on human rights for Law Enforcement Agencies from 14th to 15th of September 2010, at Blue Mountain Inn in Teyateyaneng (TY).

17 September,2010

MDGs without Human Rights - An Empty Promise

 

This Summit was organised by Centre for Reproductive Rights to discuss issues on i) Human Rights as the centre of development programmes, ii) states dealing with Poverty  as a social disaster yet it is a Human Rights obligation for states,  iii) accountability is all about rights and not necessarily just about responsibilities iv) women’s human and reproductive rights are usually ‘policed’ by states, families and societies – making it difficult for women to exercise those rights, especially economic and social rights.

13 September,2010

GEF Photo and Video Contest - 2010

 

The Global Environtment Facility (GEF) is seeking still and motion photography submissions for their 2010 International Year of Biodiversity Photo/Video Contest.  The closing date for submissions is 24 September, 2010.

25 August, 2010

MDG 7 - Launch of DRR Community Project

On the 10th August 2010, the District Disaster Management Team of Thaba-Tseka launched the implementation of Koma-Koma community-based disaster risk management pilot project. Over 300 community members including pupils from Koma-Koma primary school attended the ceremony. During the launch, two sign boards with early warning messages, 10 life jackets and one boat were delivered to the community by the Thaba-Tseka District Administrator.

20 August, 2010

UNDP Lesotho celebrates Women's Month

09 August, 2010 was a different Monday in UNDP Lesotho when UNDP Gentlemen treated ladies to an afternoon of tea/coffee and snacks to mark the Women's Month.

12 June 2010

Getting Kids off the street and into hope, seen as important part of Africa's development

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Footballer Zinédine Zidane join the United Nations in Cape Town to Demonstrate How Sports can Bring Hope to Poor Communities in South Africa.

11 May, 2010

MDG 1 - UN National Volunteer Corps Project Launch

On the 28th April 2010, the Government of Lesotho in partnership with UNDP/UNV launched the National Volunteer Corps Project, setting the first batch of one hundred and fifty three (153) national volunteers on a path to contribute to national development using the values of volunteerism.

10 May, 2010

MDG 6 - Community Conversations help reduce violence - The case of Ribaneng

The Community Capacity Enhancement through Community Conversations (CCE-CC) Programme reinforces community capacity for knowledge generation and transfer as it facilitates that strengthening of HIV and other social services, with communities demanding delivery of services for Human Rights protection and promotion.

20 April, 2010

MDG 7 - Orange Senqu Action Programme

UNDP-GEF kick started an environmental initiative supporting the Orange-Senqu River Commission to realize sustainable development of the Basin and contribute to the Millennium Development Goals in the four riparian States.

13 April, 2010

UN Volunteers Learn Sesotho Language and Culture

The UNV volunteers are encouraged to enhance their local language skills and the culture of their host country. The aim is to allow volunteers to adapt as quickly as possible to their new country of assignment.

10 March, 2010

MDG 7 - RC Visits SGP Projects

 

The UN Resident Coordiantor(RC) visited the Small Grants Programme project in Mafeteng on 17 February, 2010.  The RC, together with other UNDP staff members were taken on a tour of the project where a brief explanation of the project was given followed by a questions and answers session.

5 March 2010

MDG7 - Caring for the environment

 

UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie has officially handed-over a prize to a Mosotho photographer who won 3rd (third) place in 2009 in an Africa-wide global photo contest entitled Picture This: Caring for the Earth. The competition involved capturing direct human action in bringing about real change to mitigate the present and future effects of climate change and environmental degradation. The winner, Hlompho Letsielo, is a professional photographer in the media fraternity

06 January 2010

MDG1 - Youth Employment promotion

 

Promotion of Youth Employment towards Poverty Reduction in Lesotho (YEP) programme (UNDP/ILO/UNICEF), implemented together with the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation, has been contributing towards creating and enabling national environment for the promotion of youth employment and enterprise development to support poverty reduction initiatives in Lesotho.

2009 News and Press Releases

24 October 2009

UN Day Celebrations - MDG Report launch

 

The UN day celebrations in 2010 in Lesotho were marked by a full week of activities to promote the Millennium Development Goals and support for their achievement in Lesotho, including the MDG Report Launch.

23 September 2009
 UN hosts a high level dialogue with the Government of Lesotho on development and growth agenda.

 An interagency dialogue with the Government on its development and growth agenda witnessed participation at the highest level from the Government and the UN to facilitate participation of agencies of the Chief Executives Board’s (CEB) cluster (ITC, UNIDO, WTO, UNCTAD)  on trade and productive capacities.

14 August 2009

Training Workshop for Rural Communities on Solar PV

LREBRE held three one day solar Photovoltaic (PV) training workshops for the beneficiaries of solar electricity in the rural communities. The aim of the workshop was to ensure that beneficiaries appreciate this relatively new technology and understand its various components so they can maintain and troubleshoot solar PV system problems in a safe and sustainable manner. The training included an overview of solar PV, health and safety issues, trouble shooting and maintenance.

7 July 2009

GEF-Small Grants Support

Funding opportunity for Community Environmental Management Projects - Call for Project Concept Papers

17 February 2009

UNV inspiration in Action - School feeding

Sample story of how UNV volunteers contribute to development in Lesotho - featuring the WFP School Feeding Programme.

 

4 February 2009

Launch Small Grants Programme

Official launch of the programme in Lesotho by awarding of the first batch of grants amounting to M 994 070.00, to three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and one community-based organization (CBO) for environment and natural resources management projects.

 
 Recent News

12 December, 2011

Debate on Political Tolerance Marks Human Rights Day

6 December, 2011

UNDP Supports Ministry of Gender on Gender Sensitive Media Reporting

5 December, 2011

Commemoration of World AIDS Day 2011

28 November, 2011

Lesotho's Economy catches flu, writes Africa Renewal Magazine

25 November, 2011

Strategic Planning for Parliament of Lesotho

25 November, 2011

SLM Model Developed in Lesotho

28 November, 2011

Lesotho's Economy catches flu, writes Africa Renewal Magazine

3 October, 2011

Workshop on National Human Rights Action Plan

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