I wish i was here

I WISH I WAS HERE ON HOLIDAY

AT LAST! THE WORLD TRAVEL MARKET IS HERE.IT STARTS TODAY Photo: Ayoub mzee

Photo: Ayoub mzee Photo: Ayoub mzee

Photo: Ayoub mzee

COMMONWEALTH: Last supper speech

"But the fact is, you can eat the fruits of democracy, because the greatest dividend of Democracy is Development.


Today, I shall address the two constant themes of my six years as Secretary-General.
They are the two themes that underpin everything we do in the Commonwealth.

They are:
· 'Democracy', and specifically the role of Parliaments;
· and 'Democracy' and its close cousin, 'Development'.
There are plenty of good news stories about democracy in the Commonwealth. They tend to get overlooked, because they do not make sensational stories for the media. We have just had peaceful changes of government in Jamaica and Sierra Leone, one smoother than the other, but in both the people spoke and their wishes were respected. Australia faces an election soon, as does Kenya.By and large, our Commonwealth remains a living example of democracy in both theory and practice.
We have the Commonwealth Declarations of 1971 and 1991 that set out our fundamental political values.
Our Latimer House Principles of 2003 define and differentiate the roles of the three branches of Government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
The overthrow of a constitutionally elected government leads inevitably to a country being suspended.
But even if that happens, we never turn our backs: our aim is always to help it to repair the damage and return to the fold.
Parliaments are at the core of the practice of democracy.
All of you are a supremely important part of its machinery.

Parliaments represent the people.
They discuss.
They agree; they disagree.
They find consensus.
They deliver on behalf of people.

So if you're a Government that has marginalised Opposition parties and limited their capacity to do their rightful job, you will simply hand more power to groups outside of parliament, and that may cause you even greater problems." Don Mackinnon Last speech as the Secretary General of the commonwealth to the CPA

Hazel Blears calls for open selection
Hazel Blears joined Operation Black Vote in calling on the Labour Party NEC and Walthamstow Labour Branch to reopen its selection process. The choice of a women-only shortlist has alarmed all sections of the party reaching up to cabinet level, with Blears calling the decision ‘ill considered’.
There are currently 15 BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) MPs at Westminster, although a representative figure would be closer to 60. The vacancy created by Neil Gerrard standing down in Walthamstow is an opportunity to address Parliament’s Black democratic deficit.
Hazel Blears, alongside OBV and the Fawcettt Society have been advocates of women-only shortlists despite them not delivering for Black women in areas including West Ham, and Hornsey and Wood Green, but on this occasion believe that an open selection will deliver greater equality. OBV appeal to Michael Griffiths, NEC Chair and Peter Watt, the Labour General Secretary to seriously consider this situation.
OBV Director Simon Woolley said:
OBV supports the stance of Cabinet Minister and Chair of the Labour Party Hazel Blears in calling the shortlist ill considered. All women shortlists while addressing the gender gap have failed to deliver on race equality. Walthamstow is an opportunity to get this right, therefore we call for an open selection in a borough where almost 50% of inhabitants are BME.
Ashok Viswanathan OBV Deputy Director said:
There are several local BME candidates-men and women-that would be suitable for this seat. There are only two Black women in Westminster, they were both selected on open lists. Women only shortlists simply don’t work for Black women. The Labour Party need to be bold and courageous, open up the selection and give the opportunity to black male and female candidates.

Since 1997 the Labour Government has built over 1,100 new schools with 27,000 new or improved classrooms. But over the next three years we will accelerate the pace of investment with a £21 billion cash injection to build more 21st century schools.
We have also launched 'Time to Talk' - a national discussion on what more we can do to help children achieve the best education, have a happy, healthy and safe childhood and prevent young people going off the rails and getting into trouble.
To kick things off we heard from more than 50 parents, teachers, children and professionals at a listening event in Bristol. Their views and experiences will help shape the national Children's Plan to be published later this year.
But I want to hear from as many parents, carers, children and young people as possible about their priorities for the future and to find out what the big issues that need addressing are.
You can post your views on the Labour Party website by clicking here or log on to our consultation website at dfes.gov.uk/timetotalk .
I'll respond to as many of the comments as I can next week on LabourVision - the Party's YouTube channel. And our Children's Plan itself will address the big issues that come out of the discussion.
We all want to see every child - no matter what their background - get the best possible start in life and go on to fulfil their potential.
And building on the progress of the last decade, our Children's Plan will help us do even more to improve the life chances of our kids, tackle inequality and extend opportunity for all.
I hope you'll join the debate.
Best wishes,

Ed Balls MP Labour's Children, Schools and Families Secretary

KENYA

Dr Mathew
RegenAfrica is a regeneration and development initiative promoting Africa as an investment destination for the world and encouraging effective Public and Private Partnership (PPP) for local infrastructural development.RegenAfrica has both medium and long-term visions to regenerate Africa through promoting sustainable growth in infrastructure, human capital, local wealth and effective leadership and governance. This includes direct investments in people, systems and structures to facilitate growth create local wealth and help to reduce poverty within the communities.These regeneration programmes will be driven by our 'PEPS' Strategy - Political, Economic, Physical and Socio-cultural interventions aimed at regenerating the community on a scale that will propel rapid development and increased Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) in the key growth sectors within our communities. For further details :www.regenafrica.com

The Kenya High Commissioner UK H.E Joseph muchemi at a Bussines Award ceremony

NEWSLETTERS
10/08 Issue 7 PDF

Businesses are invited to join a market visit

EXHHIBITION by

Carlos Reyes-Manzo
PRISONERS OF EXILE
29th October, 6pm
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS
Photojournalist and poet Carlos Reyes-Manzo presents a haunting series of images and words on the Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria
Q&A with Carlos Reyes-Manzo, Zroug Lula (Saharawi Info press), Aminattou Haidar (Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience)
Followed by live music
RSVP ras_research@soas.ac.uk
The Royal African Society, in association with the Centre of African Studies
Part of the Sandblast Festival www.sandblast-arts.org
SOAS ▪ Thornhaugh Street ▪ Russell Square ▪ London WC1H

Ayoub mzee with Mr Barno Kenya commercial Attache UK
Kenya’s total area is about 587,000 sq km of which 576,076 sq km is land and 11,230 sq km is covered by water. Of the total land area 16% is a high to medium potential. The rest is arid and semi-arid and therefore of low agricultural potential. Out of the ASAL’s 48 million Ha, 24 million Ha is only useful for nomadic pastrolism, the rest can support some commercial ranching and irrigated agriculture but with a lot of physical infrastructure input.

The critical farming characteristic is that 5 million people live and derive their livelihoods in ASAL areas, the rest of the population is in the 16% of the land area. In a country where 80% of the population depend on agriculture, the high and medium potential areas have been reduced to small scale farms of up to 0.5 – 10 ha. Infact, 81% of small-scale farmers occupy holdings of less than 2 ha. With the population growth rate of 3.2%, the pressure on land will continuously reduce the capacity to sustain food production and cash crop farming.

KENYA HIGH COMMISSION UK NEWSLETTER : click on link below:
10/08 Issue 7 PDF

WOWEN! WOMEN IN BUSINESS!
I've now got this amazing offer of tickets hope you can make it and/or kindly inform others of this event.

Find out more and book your free ticket byCalling 0207 978 9488 and mentioning the Voice NewspaperRefreshments and Lunch provided.

To confirm attendance use our Online Booking Form
( Cc: http://us.f516.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@paceworking.co.uk)
Mention The Voice and Paceworking and you could win a surprise gift.
The BAME Women's Business Network Consortium (BWBN Consortium) will lead a group of 200 of the UK's top BAME business women to : Examine the 'Six Pillars' of the Women’s Enterprise Task Force.
Networking Surgeries /Private Appointments for international delegates.
Chair - Sarah Ebanja - Deputy Chief Executive - LDA , Brenda King - Women's National Commission, Dr Glenda Stone - Women's Taskforce Chair, Ruth Brothwell - Supply London, Jackie Brierton - Prowess, Benjamin Smart - Business Link London Bryan Treherne -UKTI, Patricia Green WPG Marketing USA AND Workshops - Doing Business In India / Doing Business In China / Be successful in the Olympic Supply Chain

ASAP Communications is marketing this event on behalf of BWBNC:Email:info@asapcomms.co.uk
http://www.blackwomeninbusiness.com/

UN

Ayoub mzee with the Deputy secretary general of the United Nations- Dr Rosemary Asha migiro

The UN has played an important role in addressing conflicts in Africa. Half of the peacekeeping missions in the post-Cold War era have been in Africa. The continent also hosts about 85 percent of peacekeepers. In addition, a significant amount of the UN’s socio-economic and humanitarian efforts are located in Africa. In spite of the important role played by the UN in Africa, there is still paucity of knowledge about the organization and how to access it to serve the continent’s needs among many African practitioners and policy makers.We believe that the appointement of Dr Rosemary Asha Migiro as the Deputy secretary General will help to boost that image given her experience.

Food and Crafts of the Commonwealth - In aid of the CCL Education Fund.

Since 1925 the Commonwealth Countries League has worked to promote the development, education and empowerment of women. Through its charity, the CCL Education Fund, formed in the 1960's, it sponsors girls of proven potential enabling them to complete their secondary or high school education where, without such help, they would be unable to do so
Even when basic tuition is provided free, families may not be able to afford the associated costs - travel, uniform, books, exam fees. Boarding may be essential. Girls can be especially vulnerable if they are expected to remain at home to help care for the family or work in the fields or markets. Sadly in some cases education for girls is still viewed as a waste of time.
The challenge of providing free and universal education at secondary or high school level in countries struggling with development, health and economic issues cannot always be met.

All proceeds from the event go to the CCL Education Fund, allowing them to continue their work and further the education of girls across the member nations.

For furthe information on how to help ,please contact: Email:EducationFund@cclint.org.uk
Telephone:+44 (0)1322 276445
Post:CCL Education Fund-Miss Sheila Kennard13 Capel PlaceWilmingtonDartfordKentDA2 7PU

FOR MORE INFO PLEASE VISIT http://www.ayoubmzee.blogspot.com/

Know your Ambassador-Mauritius

Photo- Ayoub mzee

Head of Mission: HE Mr Abhimanu Mahendra Kundasamy
Address:
32/33 Elvaston Place London SW7 5NW
Telephone: (020) 7581 0294-8
(020) 7584 3666 Tourism Office
Office Hours:
Mon–Fri: 0930–1300 and 1400–1700

COUNTYR PROFILE'

Area: 1,865 sq kmPopulation: 1,250,882 million (2007 est.)Capital City: Port Louis (Pop: 143,600 (2004 est))People: Hindu Indo-Mauritian, 51%; Creoles, 27%; Muslim Indo-Mauritian 17%; Others 5%Languages: English, French, CreoleMain Religion(s): Hinduism (52%); Christianity (28%); Islam (17%)Currency: Mauritian RupeeMajor political parties: Labour Party; Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM); Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM); Mauritian Party of Xavier Duval (PMXD).Government: Alliance of Labour plus five smaller PartiesHead of State: HE Sir Anerood Jugnauth KCMG PC QCPrime Minister: The Hon Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam (appointed July 2005)Foreign Minister: The Hon Madan DullooMembership of international groupings/organisations: African Union (AU); Non Aligned Movement (NAM); Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC); Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP); Indian Ocean Commission (IOC); Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Commonwealth. GEOGRAPHY Mauritius is a mountainous sub-tropical island in the Indian Ocean, with an area of 1,865 square km. The Republic of Mauritius also includes the island of Rodrigues, 560km east of the principal island, and several much smaller islands. Mauritius lies some 800km to the east of Madagascar. The capital, Port Louis, is in the north west of the island. The temperature range is moderate, from a low of 16ºC in the winter, to 35ºC in summer. Mauritius has a number of micro-climates so weather conditions can vary considerably across the island. The islands are in the Indian Ocean cyclone belt (the season runs from November to April). Most cyclones miss the islands but can bring vital rains at the ideal time for the country's main crop, sugar. Cyclones occasionally cause extensive damage. HISTORY Arab sailors visited Mauritius during the Middle Ages and the Portuguese were probably the first Europeans to land in around 1511 but they did not settle the island. The first colonists were the Dutch who settled in 1638 and named the island Mauritius after Prince Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch, who eventually abandoned Mauritius in about 1710, are remembered for having introduced sugar cane to the island. The French occupied between 1715 and 1810, renaming the country Isle de France. In 1810 the British took possession during the Napoleonic Wars (the French ceded the island under treaty in 1814) and reverted to the name Mauritius. Following the abolition of slavery in 1835, the British imported indentured labour from the Indian subcontinent to work the sugar cane-fields. Mauritius' history is reflected in its ethnic mix and its languages. Although English remains the official language of government and education, French is much more widely used today, especially by the media. Creole (a French-based patois) is the lingua franca. Several Asian languages are also spoken. Mauritius is a generally harmonious multicultural society despite occasional ethnic tension.Mauritius gained independence on 12 March 1968 and became a member of the Commonwealth. The Queen was Head of State until 12 March 1992 when Mauritius became a Republic. POLITICSSince independence in 1968, Mauritius has been a uni-cameral Parliamentary democracy, with an active free press and an independent judiciary. The National Assembly consists of 70 MPs. 62 are directly elected under a first-past-the-post system. The remaining eight are distributed according to a complex Best Loser formula designed to ensure equitable ethnic representation in Parliament.Mauritian governments have been dominated by changing political coalitions. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was Prime Minister of a Labour-led coalition from 1968 to 1982. He lost the 1982 election to Sir Anerood Jugnauth (leader of the Mauritian Socialist Party and later the MSM Party) who was initially in alliance with Paul Berenger’s MMM until a rift in 1983, then in coalition with rival groups. Sir Anerood dominated the political scene for the next twelve years. In 1995 Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam (son of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam) led his Labour Party to a landslide victory in alliance with the MMM under Paul Berenger. Berenger served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the new coalition until Dr Ramgoolam dismissed him in June 1997.Dr Ramgoolam called a snap General Election in August 2000, following allegations of corruption against three of his Ministers. The MSM and MMM combined forces at the last moment to inflict a heavy defeat on the Government, taking 58 out of 70 seats in Parliament. Under the terms of the MMM/MSM agreement, Sir Anerood Jugnauth was Prime Minister for the first three years of the Government's five-year mandate. At the end of September 2003 he became President and was succeeded as Prime Minister by his coalition partner Paul Berenger.Their fortunes were reversed at the July 2005 General Election. It produced a big swing back in favour of the Labour Party who, in alliance with five smaller Parties, returned to power with 42 seats to the MMM/MSM’s 24.

Mauritius Government Web Portal HUMAN RIGHTSRespect for Human Rights is enshrined in the Mauritius Constitution and laws and is generally respected by the authorities, although there are instances of police brutality. A National Human Rights Commission under a High Court Judge has submitted annual reports since 2001. The Government recently opened up radio broadcasting to private operators and intends to do the same for the television industry.Human Rights Annual Report 2006ECONOMY Basic economic facts GDP: US$ 7.135 billion (2006 estimate)Annual Growth: 4.3% (2006 est)Inflation: 8.9% (2006 est)Major Industries: EPZ (Export Processing Zone) enterprises (mainly textiles), tourism, sugar , financial servicesMajor trading partners: (Exports) UK, France, USA; (Imports) France, South Africa, India, China, UKExchange rate: Mauritian Rupees: US$ (av.2005) 29.48Mauritius enjoys a stable and relatively sound economy. But with the decline of its traditional textile and sugar industries, the Government is pushing for diversification of the economy into areas such as IT, business outsourcing (call centres) and seafood. It also aims to maximise the potential in its tourism sector.

IMF Country reports - Mauritius DEVELOPMENT 41% of the population live in urban areas. The rates of adult literacy (over 95% of under 30s) and life expectancy (71 years) are well above the sub-Saharan African average. There are, however, pockets of both urban and rural poverty, the latter notably on Rodrigues.In March 1998, Britain cancelled all outstanding bilateral aid loans to Mauritius (totalling £1.1 million), under a UK initiative to cancel the aid debts of Commonwealth countries. Mauritius benefits from EU development assistance, currently focussed largely on the wastewater sector. The British High Commission funds small projects which meet poverty alleviation and environment criteria . DFID does not have an assistance programme.

FOREIGN POLICY

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photo: Ayoub mzee

Simon Hardy .The big man before the big door

A briefing paper published today by Chatham House states that coalition forceshave failed to bring security to Afghanistan because they do not have acoherent strategy for operating in the country.The coalition’s internal cohesion is becoming increasingly fragile as some NATOstates have been less willing to share risks, and resisted sending their troopsin Afghanistan into combat. Insurgents have been able to take advantage of thisweakness, and have sought to influence NATO strategy by targeting individualmember states so as to manipulate public opinion among their home populations.At the same time, the conflict in Afghanistan is becoming increasinglyregional. Insurgents are able to source significant logistical and armamentsupplies from Pakistan. Coalition forces have been unable to stem thesesupplies because the Pakistani side of the border region is beyond theircontrol.The paper concludes that NATO will not be able to control Afghanistan until itdevelops a strategy that integrates counter-insurgency, counterterrorism andstability and reconstruction into operations on the ground.Click here to read Coalition Warfare in Afghanistan: Burden-sharing orDisunity? Photo: Ayoub mzee

The vice president of Uganda spoeaking to his people in the UK
Photo: Ayoub mzee

Ugandans in the Dispora listening to the vice president.In pucture[blk suit and grey shirt] is Mr Sam Lubega Democratic Party Uk

KNOW YOUR AMBASSADORS IN THE UK

PHOTO: AYOUB MZEE
The Uganda and South Africa High commissioner's In the UK

tanzania

The day Tanzania officially visited the UK

A Tanzania MP speaking to delegates

Diplomats including the kenya and Zimbabwe ambassadors listening to the President's adress

The Tanzania president at chatham house