The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network (CNMI SBDC) at the Northern Marianas College, in partnership with the Commonwealth Women’s Association (CWA), recently awarded certificates to participants who successfully completed the 2024 Women’s Entrepreneurship Project Cohort 4. This year’s program, designed to foster a focused learning environment, limited enrollment to the first 30 registrants. All participants who attended all four sessions received certificates of completion. The four-day training series covered a range of essential topics for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Sessions included: The program fostered active participation, with sessions often extending to accommodate participant questions. Fatima Celis, Vice President of locally-owned Rice to Meat You, a catering business that prepares and delivers pre-packaged platters and food plates, shared her praises on the sessions presented by First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Guam and CEDA, “For small businesses looking to expand, it was very helpful for us to find this type of training where we could come to one place to hear from banks on what small businesses need to know about the loan process and what we also need to do if we want to improve our financials to receive that approval.” Frank Celis, President and Co-owner of Rice…
The Association for Project Management (APM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alistair Godbold and Antonio Nieto Rodriguez as its new Vice Presidents. They will succeed Dr. Paul Chapman and take on key responsibilities within the organization. Alistair Godbold, a highly respected project management professional with over 30 years of experience, will bring his expertise to the role. He has served as Deputy Chairman of APM and is a director of the International Centre for Complex Project Management. Godbold is passionate about addressing the shortage of skilled project professionals and expanding APM’s reach internationally. Commenting on his appointment, Alistair said: I’m very honoured and tremendously privileged to be able to carry on contributing to the profession and to APM.” Antonio Nieto Rodriguez, with 25 years of experience as a project management practitioner and former Global Chair of the Project Management Institute (PMI), brings a unique perspective to the role. His expertise in tackling the challenges facing the project profession, including the rise of new technology, will be invaluable to APM. Antonio said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Vice President of APM, the largest Project Management Association in the UK. Being part of a community of professionals who…
The Fijian government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the growing urbanization of the Nadi-Lautoka urban area and ensure adequate water and sanitation services. The plan, outlined under the Water Sector Strategy 2050, includes investments totaling approximately $1.617 billion over the next 25-30 years. Minister for Public Works Hon Ro Filipe Tuisawau emphasized the need for significant infrastructure upgrades to meet the increasing demand for water and sanitation services, particularly in light of the region’s growing tourism industry. The plan includes investments of $397 million for water infrastructure and $1.22 billion for sanitation. Several key projects are already underway, including the rehabilitation of the Warange to Saru Water Treatment Plant Pipeline, the Warange Dam, and the Saru Water Treatment Plant. These aging infrastructures have been affected by disasters and require upgrades to improve their reliability and capacity. The Fiji Water Board’s raw water trunk mains, which have remained largely unchanged for 64 years, will also be rehabilitated using modern materials to increase their conveyance capacity and reliability. The total investment in these existing improvement works amounts to $9.7 million, with completion expected by December. Despite these ongoing projects, a water supply gap of approximately 5.4 million liters per day…
In observance of World Mental Health Day, the European Commission today unveiled a comprehensive package of initiatives aimed at tackling mental health stigma, promoting understanding, and ensuring access to quality mental healthcare. The Commission’s EU Support Package on stigma will work with national authorities and mental health advocacy groups to implement inclusive and informed policies. The new “In this together” campaign will reach out to people across the EU to challenge misconceptions and promote greater acceptance of mental health. Additionally, the Commission published an updated tracker to monitor progress on the 20 flagship initiatives that are part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to mental health. This approach, launched in 2023, includes funding opportunities worth €1.23 billion to support Member States in ensuring adequate prevention, access to quality mental healthcare, and reintegration into society after recovery. A 2023 EU survey revealed that nearly 1 in 2 people experienced emotional or psychosocial problems in the previous 12 months. The Commission’s commitment to creating a future where everyone’s mental health is nurtured, valued, and protected is underscored by these alarming statistics.
The British Embassy in Lima is seeking proposals for a project that will bring together diverse voices from Peruvian civil society to discuss challenges to democratic governance and sustainable development. The project aims to foster consensus-building among local actors and stakeholders, develop a citizen-driven public agenda, and increase public trust in government and the electoral process.The project should adopt a decentralized approach, prioritizing local voices outside of Lima. It should also include inclusive dialogue with civil society, academia, public organizations, and youth groups. Successful bidders will be expected to create a space for dialogue, collate and systematize the shared agenda, and disseminate findings through multimedia communication products.The project should involve a wide range of stakeholders from all sectors, including private, public, academia, local organizations, NGOs, unions, and political leaders. Projects should propose a clear methodology and activities to achieve their objectives within the project duration and ensure sustainability beyond the project’s end.The project budget should not exceed £17,000. This project aligns with the UK’s commitment to strong democracies and public participation. By supporting a citizen-driven agenda, the project aims to strengthen democratic governance and sustainable development in Peru. Completed forms should be sent in standard document and spreadsheet formats in…
The United States Government has announced an additional allocation of nearly $336 million in humanitarian aid to support the people of Gaza and the West Bank, who have been deeply impacted by the ongoing conflict. This assistance addresses the critical needs of over 1.9 million displaced Palestinians and the more than 2.1 million individuals experiencing severe food insecurity. This latest round of funding will be directed through USAID partners to provide essential life-saving aid. Key areas of focus include the provision of emergency food assistance, enhanced healthcare and nutrition services, psychosocial support, and improved access to clean drinking water, hygiene products, and sanitation facilities. Additionally, the aid package will support the provision of emergency shelter for displaced Gazans, helping them prepare for the approaching winter season. With this new commitment, total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people has exceeded $1 billion since October 2023, underscoring the country’s ongoing commitment to addressing the region’s critical humanitarian needs. The conflict over the past year has claimed numerous lives, affecting both Palestinians and Israelis, while leaving Gaza and the West Bank in a state of crisis. The U.S. continues to advocate for a ceasefire agreement, the release of hostages, and the unimpeded…
The UK consumer confidence index has experienced a significant decline in September, according to data released by GfK. The index fell to -20, down from -10 in August. All key indicators within the index, including personal finances, general economic situation, and major purchase intentions, showed sharp declines compared to the previous month. Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director, GfK, says: “Headline consumer confidence has recorded a big fall this month to -20, taking us back to a similar level seen at the beginning of this year. All five measures are down but there are major corrections in the outlook for our personal financial situation for the next 12 months (down nine points), our views on the general economy for the coming year (down 12 points), and the major purchase index (down ten points). These three measures are key forward-looking indicators so, despite stable inflation and the prospect of further cuts in the base interest rate, this is not encouraging news for the UK’s new government. Strong consumer confidence matters because it underpins economic growth and is a significant driver of shoppers’ willingness to spend. Following the withdrawal of the winter fuel payments, and clear warnings of further difficult decisions to come on…
A new report by the Association for Project Management (APM) highlights the need for improved Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in the project profession. The research explores the early-career experiences of racially diverse project professionals in the UK and Australia. The report, titled “Improving the Early-Career Experiences of Racially Diverse Project Professionals,” was conducted by Dr. Christina Scott-Young, Dr. Jessica Borg, and Dr. Naomi Borg. The researchers found concerning levels of discrimination experienced by racially diverse project professionals in both the construction and business sectors. The authors said: “Reflecting on these high figures, we would do well to be mindful of the negative impacts that racial discrimination can have on an individual. We found it concerning that discrimination was so prevalent towards early career diverse project management professionals. We hope that our research helps highlight this issue and, in turn, helps encourage action towards creating a more inclusive project management community.” While many organizations have DEI policies in place, the report found that they are not always effectively enforced. The researchers emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable reporting discrimination and taking appropriate action. The report identifies several recommendations for employers, universities, and professional…
UNESCO is partnering with the Government of the Maldives to review the Maldives’ Information and Communication Technology in Education Master Plan 2 for 2021-2024 and develop a new national digital learning policy. The Maldives, a small island nation, faces significant challenges and opportunities in its digital transformation and climate crisis. The review process involved over 1,360 teachers, 79 schools, and 50 stakeholders from various government institutions, schools, universities, and companies. The review aims to assess the outcomes of the Master Plan, identify key priorities, and synthesize lessons learned for the design of the next version. Dr Abdul Latheef Mohamed Minister of State for Education, Government of the Maldives, said: “We can link our current initiatives and the ongoing transformation in the digital era. Taking into consideration the digital innovations, we have to make the necessary changes in the new master plan.” UNESCO Programme Specialist Jian Xi Teng presented an overview of the review process, highlighting the key educational issues that technology should address. He emphasized the need for a learner-centered approach that engages all stakeholders and focuses on lifelong learning. Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of State for Education, recognized that “one of the main areas [for the Maldives] is digitalization…
Hetal Vyas, a veteran project management professional with over 30 years of experience, is proud to announce the release of his new book, Project Management Power Play: Your Guide to Delivering on Time, Every Time, now available on Amazon in several languages. This comprehensive guide offers practical project management training for professionals at the beginner and intermediate levels. “I am very excited to release the latest edition of my project management master class,” said Vyas. “Project Management Power Play is the guide I wish I had when starting my career. It covers everything a project manager needs to know at every level and applies to virtually every industry.” Throughout his distinguished career in the manufacturing industry, Hetal Vyas has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead complex projects successfully. Vyas received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Michigan State University in 1990, where he further specialized in supply chain management and strategic leadership. He was an active member of The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), the Aerospace Club, and Hindu YUVA, experiences that helped shape his multidisciplinary approach to project management. In addition to his expertise in the field, Vyas is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals. He regularly…
