It has been reported that ten Eritrean footballers are seeking political asylum in Botswana after a World Cup qualifying match that took place between Eritrea and Botswana on 10 October.

According to the Sunday Standard, “[s]ources from within the Eritrean diplomatic service have revealed that Eritrea is piling pressure on Botswana to have the ten players repatriated” with concerns being expressed by the Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR) that plans to repatriate are under way.

Last month, the “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs) were launched at the UN in New York. This is the outcome of two years of consultations, lobbying, and debate about what the “post-2015” agenda should look like. This agenda is likely to have far-reaching implications both for development finance and for the promotion of social and economic rights. However, why adopt goals at all? Any systematic effort to answer this seemingly elementary conceptual question has been disturbingly absent. What’s more, not only has this basic question not been answered, what is most striking is that it has hardly been asked.

Plataforma 2015 y más, Social Watch focal point in Spain, launched the publication A research programme for Policy Coherence for Development Analysis. This study summarises a research programme based on a comprehensive view of Policy Coherence for Development using a multidimensional approach for human development. This programme studies coherence based on a quantitative analysis of public policy formulation, action and impact, complemented with quantitative research towards a Policy Coherence for Development Index (PCDI). 

Iraqi al-Amal Association in collaboration with Ala Ali (Independent Researcher/Analyst and Peace Activist) conducted a focus-group based conflict analysis of the Iraqi province of Nineveh. The findings provide important insights into recent developments in Iraq, and the advancement of ISIS.

Several key issues contributing to and sustaining conflict were identified through this research, as were points of entry for peacebuilding, which can be capitalised on to reduce tensions.

Women for Change (WfC) would like to encourage traditional leaders to emulate Chief Mulolo of the Chewa people of Chadiza in Eastern province of Zambia by promoting positive cultural practices that protect and promote the rights of girls and women.

WfC is concerned with the continued cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequality and consequently impact negatively on the future of girls and women in Zambia.