Science is a way of building knowledge and generating solutions for everyday life. It helps us solve human, animal and plant diseases, understand water and climate change, and lead us to innovations that make the world a better place.  Science must be accessible to everyone across the world, especially to women and girls. February 11 is an annual recognition and celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS), a day that reminds us to work towards improving access for women and girls to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and research, and creating a conducive and favorable environment for female scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. Despite celebrating the IDWGIS for the past 8 years, UNESCO’s Director General, Ms. Audrey Azoulay reports that just one in three researchers is a woman and only just over 35% of graduates in STEM-related fields in higher education. And yet, it is clearly acknowledged that increased female participation in science is key to tackling major global challenges such as major diseases, climate change, and natural disasters and developing more equitable, inclusive, effective, and sustainable responses to these threats, In this year’s statement on the auspices of IDWGIS, UNESCO’s Director General, Ms. Audrey Azoulay has stressed the importance of closing the science gender gap by taking concerted, concrete measures to overcome stereotypes and biases that prevent women and girls from realizing their full potential. Ms. Azoulay reiterated that at:  “UNESCO, where we work to build peace in the minds of men and women, addressing these stereotypes is a priority – because more women in science means better science. This conviction underpins all our work in this domain, and is enshrined in our Recommendation on Open Science, adopted by all our Member States in 2021”. UNESCO is working to foster equitable and inclusive environments with Partners such as Intel to close the science and digital divide by encouraging girls to pursue science courses by offering them scientific mentorship opportunities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Through this initiative, millions of girls will be mentored by women scientists who have broken the glass ceiling and are pioneering scientific breakthroughs in their respective fields. This year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science will celebrate the achievements of these women and provide encouragement, support, and opportunities for girls to be engaged in the wealth of scientific fields led by women that will define all our futures. For this to happen, governments need to devise concerted and creative new solutions to enable girls and women to seize new and emerging STEM opportunities in the artificial intelligence and automation age; without them, women will definitely fall further behind in the scientific and technological world of work. Inspiration can be taken from the Winners of the 2022 L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Awards | UNESCO. The achievements in these areas of the women featured can serve to encourage more girls from the region to take up STEM subjects and careers.

Over 100 teachers gathered with other school leaders and policymakers for the Ministry of Education’s inaugural Teachers Convention Transforming Education: Curriculum Change and Pedagogical on Saturday 5th November 2022 in Mahé, Seychelles. The conference provided a platform for teachers to engage around issues of professional concern and explore tangible actions to address challenges and promote educational innovation.  The importance of the conference was underscored by the attendance of high-level policymakers including the Minister for Education, Dr. Justin Valentin, and the Minister for Investment Entrepreneurship and Industry, Mrs. Devika Vidot.   Held in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) the conference built on the principles underlining the global UN Transforming Education Summit held in September 2022. The Summit provided a unique opportunity to elevate education to the top of the global political agenda and to mobilize action, ambition, solidarity, and solutions to recover pandemic-related learning losses and sow the seeds to transform education in a rapidly changing world. The quality of education in Seychelles is high, recognized as the only African country to completely attain all of the UNESCO Education objectives and rated 43rd globally by the world education forum.  This achievement is particularly notable with the disruption to education experienced worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 90 % of the world’s children had their education interrupted. This represents the largest disruption of education systems in history. Speaking on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Dr. Rex Mpazanje, WHO Country Representative applauded the Government of Seychelles for keeping schools open safely during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to access to education challenges thrown up by the pandemic reflects a global trend in the way we work and live. Shifting professional skills and a recognition of the importance of creativity in both work and academic life means that educational systems need to adapt making learning more student-centered, connected, dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative. Within this context Dr. Mpazanje stated:   ‘Put simply, education remains pivotal to every aspect of our being, the way we think, how we react to what we think, where we will go, what we will achieve and how we will contribute to the betterment of the precarious planet plagued by environmental and societal challenges. Humanity requires transformative education more than ever and teachers have to lead the way in having schools remain flourishing sanctuaries of learning and cultivation of ideas for teachers and students alike.’   The Minister for Education gave a keynote address that used curriculum modifications made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a departure point. He underlined a transformation mantra of changing the face of the classroom to increase learning effectiveness and facilitate mutual enjoyment by both teachers and pupils for the learning process. Dynamic group discussions followed the minister’s address around relevant proposals. Recommendations for teaching financial literacy and health/life skills to be included in the curriculum were explored, as well as specific suggestions on best practices for sharing teaching materials.   Those in attendance in unanimously agreed that further discussions will be needed before respective resolutions are adopted. The Ministry of Education intends to organize another convention before any changes are implemented next year.

The United Nations (UN) Country Teams for the Multi-Country (MCO) of Mauritius and Seychelles celebrated UN Day by organising a week of activities from the 21st – 30th October.   The UN in Seychelles kickstarted UN Week for the MCO with a timely examination of the opportunities and challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.  Held on Friday 21st October in collaboration with the University of Seychelles, the panel discussion was moderated by Emeritus Prof. Dennis Hardy with the panel comprising of academics from the University of Seychelles as well as a UNDP representative. The participants addressed questions pertinent to global issues hampering progress towards the SDGs, the challenges of population growth, whether tourism can actually be sustainable in the future, and the progress made towards agenda 2030.   The decision to focus the event on youth stems from the UN’s pledge to Leave No One Behind which underpins its work and SDGs. This includes our youth who not only directly experience the outcome of the SDGs but will also be the key driver for their successful implementation in the future. For this reason, it is vital to raise awareness about the 17 SDGs among youth and to promote their engagement around these global goals.   UN week continued in Mauritius highlighting activities of different UN agencies working to support the country’s development priorities as per the Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) agreement and achievement of the SDGs.  The International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the leadership of Coffi Agossou, Director of ILO Country Office for Madagascar, Comoros Mauritius and Seychelles held an awareness-raising session on ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment on 26th October. This initiative contributed to the objective of this year's celebration, which is “Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity”.   On 27 Thursday October the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) & Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) – in collaboration with The Mauritius Gymkhana Club, and the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) held a Panel Discussion on “Local solutions to secure the next generation” with key stakeholders in the food chain to reflect on challenges of local food systems and avenues for securing food for a healthy population. The discussion addressing the country’s challenges with food security was in support of SDGs 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals. On Friday a day of activities was held beginning with a dialogue bringing over 50 people representing senior government officials and UN heads of agencies and programme management team for Mauritius together. The UN-Government dialogue provided a unique opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved under the current SPF, extract lessons learned, and to analyze the current country situation. Significantly these discussions will pave the way for the consultative process of the new UN/Government Cooperation Framework 2024-2028. The dialogue underlined the important convening role of the UN in supporting collective action with our partners as we aim to build back better after the recent and ongoing global crisis.   Later that afternoon the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness launched the Sexual and Reproductive Health policy and action plan 2022-2027. The launch during UN Week was particularly meaningful as it marks a critical milestone in ensuring effective and efficient integration of sexual reproductive health services within national primary health care strategies to advance progress towards Universal Health Coverage - contributing to SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being. The day was rounded off with a Cultural Event and Farewell Reception for the outgoing UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Christine N. Umutoni.  A photo exhibition “Narrating the SDGs Through the Eyes of the Youth” featuring winners from the first UN Mauritius – Business Mauritius national Youth SDG photo competition was on display. The photo competition encouraged youth to explore how the SDGs are relevant to their lives and provided an opportunity for the UN to strengthen partnerships with the private sector in Mauritius. During the evening members of the UN, government, diplomatic corps and other development partners paid tribute to the passion and commitment of the outgoing Resident Coordinator. Speaking on behalf of the UNCT, Celine Lemmel Head of Mission for IOM thanked the Resident Coordinator for her years of service:   “Her leadership embodies the values of the UN as emphasized in the UN charter – with an emphasis on collaboration, partnership, and inclusiveness.”   The week concluded on Sunday 30th October on a high with an outdoor UN Family Fun Day in Seychelles. In support of the UN values of working and communicating together UN employees from the different agencies and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission were brought together for a day of team building and appreciation of the natural world that we are striving to preserve.

The UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles was joined by UN regional directors, a deputy director, heads of agencies with their senior technical staff, and development partners. This first in-person retreat since 2020 (due to the pandemic) embodied the spirit of the UN reform strengthening cooperation and identifying opportunities for collaborative, coherent action to further the two government’s development agendas and achieve the sustainable development goals.   The main UNCT retreat was preceded by a two-day retreat for the PMT bringing together all programme managers across the agencies and RCO team. Mrs. Christine N. Umutoni, Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles welcomed the participants with a speech reflecting that crisis brings challenges and opportunities. COVID-19 has opened everyone’s eyes to the value of collaboration, coherence, and cooperation. She emphasized that the PMT is vital in supporting this inter-agency cohesiveness, as we all strive to support governments to jointly implement CFs and toward achieving our common vision of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030.  Over the course of the PMT retreat presentations around the annual results reports, CCA process, joint programming, and regional initiatives provided a springboard for breakout sessions, which encouraged sharing lessons learned and lively discussions producing an action plan.    Fostering Synergies for Sustainable Development was the focus of day 1 of the main UNCT retreat. The purpose of the retreat and the centrality of UN Coherence and Leaving No-One Behind to achieve the SDGs were examined, with remarks from both governments, and an opening from Seychelles’ Minister for Youth, Sports and Family. Development challenges and opportunities were discussed, including a review of UN achievements under the current SPF, key priorities, and opportunities for joint UN programmes, and looking forward to a new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.   A unique aspect of this year’s retreat was the opportunity for strategic engagement within the context of the retreat on day 2 with the most senior authorities in Seychelles, beginning with H.E the President of the Republic. The UN Family, led by the UN RC paid a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan at the State House. The RC presented to His Excellency her delegation of 10 Heads of Agencies. Discussions centered around the need to move away from a siloed approach to development, the devastating impact of COVID-19 in highlighting the vulnerability of small island developing states, and the importance of economic diversification.  The capacity of the UN to mobilize knowledge and expertise at national, regional, and global levels was emphasized, as well as its ability to facilitate collaboration and exchange between countries in the region.   After the meeting with the President, the UN RC and heads of agencies joined UN technical staff for a rare opportunity to conduct a high-level policy dialogue with cabinet ministers and other senior government officials as well as heads of key institutions. Co-chaired by the UN RC and Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the high-level dialogue was organized as an open and constructive exchange, in order to reflect on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify priority areas of support and cooperation for the next UN-Seychelles Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF 2024-2028) in parallel with the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS). Both sides also agreed to work in synergy as a way forward, for the benefit and improvement of the socio-economic development of the country, post COVID-19 pandemic.   Day Three focused on WHAT and HOW the UNCT needed to work together in providing Visionary Leadership that leads to results. The RC in her closing remarks shared how she was grateful for the joint efforts by participants for a successful retreat, as well as underlining the need to think outside of the box and perhaps remove the box totally.   The UNCT retreat ended on a high with a cultural evening hosted by Minister Radegonde. UNCT members, government ministers, and other key stakeholders enjoyed the evening in a recently restored creole house and were treated to a culinary feast of Seychellois cuisine. The guests were also entertained by performers playing and dancing the traditional Moutya, which is on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.   The retreat highlighted the commitment and tireless work of the UN family in Mauritius and Seychelles. Collaboration both inter-agency and with development partners is key. When different parts of the UN system act together, they can deliver greater results!