On a dirt path that passes for a street in a Kenyan refugee camp, a merchant sells grains he bought from a local farmer outside the settlement. To call it an “economy” would be euphemistic, but it’s a living, and it’s enough to support his wife and two children — a family he’s built since arriving at the camp over a decade ago. [...] Mastercard and Western Union have spent the past year studying the needs of these international camps-turned-cities.

Since economic and social settings of sub-Sahara African countries are to a large extent similar, the findings from Rwanda will undoubtedly inform policy making in most other countries. The objective is to influence the laws, policies and programmes that can address the historically disadvantaged situation of rural women much more effectively.

The University of Cambridge, United Kingdom’s Judge Business School has acknowledged the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), West Africa, in its new model for CSR. The Centre for CSR, one of the sub-region’s leading sustainability and corporate social responsibility, events and advocacy organisations contributed to an extensive CSR research conducted by Professor Peter Williamson, a Professor of International Management at the University of Cambridge.

When Australia’s Foreign Minister announced a $15 million contribution to Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Data for Health initiative in March 2015, the program became a key way for Australia to improve outcomes of its overseas health aid. [...] Data for Health is showing its worth, allowing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other partners to work with governments in developing countries on evidence-based health policies.

Cities are engines of economic growth. Due to unique social, environmental and physical challenges, ASEAN cities should be able to find their own way in dealing with these issues. Collective lessons will need to be drawn from various city development projects implemented by ASEAN member states with support from international donors. These will hopefully lead ASEAN’s cities to their sustainable and livable future.

The 2016 UN climate conference ended last week with reaffirmation by nearly 200 countries of their "highest political commitment" to combating global warming. With the landmark Paris agreement now ratified, the conference delivered what former US Vice President Al Gore called a "bold vision that sets the pace for the world's efforts to implement the deal". 

A photo exhibition titled "Sustainable Living Space in the EU" is being presented by members of the EU delegation to Korea in Seoul and Busan Sept. 25 to Oct 12. [...] The event is part of the EU's global initiative — EU Climate Diplomacy Week — aiming to raise public awareness on climate issues.

The Olympic Games are all about athletics and sportsmanship, for sure. But this year’s games in Rio have also put a spotlight on the environment. Sustainability is playing a big part [...] All the athletes got a chance to plant seedlings native to Brazil in silver containers on the stadium floor. After the Olympics is over, the seeds will be replanted in west Rio de Janeiro, where they will grow in a new “Athletes’ Forest.”