Lao Agriculture looks to future as Land Resources Information Management System (LRIMS) permits public access to detailed future scenarios amid climate change for free with help from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Mapping Present, Future of Lao Agriculture, Land Use Insights with LRIMS
Aide et Action calls for global support on women empowerment
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 23 November 2021 – Aide et Action, the largest international French-based association for development through education, calls for ambassadors from corporates, philanthropists and enthusiasts of global education in Hong Kong to be part of “Education for Women Now“, its first global philanthropic campaign, with the mission to ensure that an additional 3 million women and girls in Africa, Asia and Europe can unlock their potential and have access to quality education by 2025.
The United Nations has made education a priority. In its Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 calls for “inclusive and equitable quality education” and “lifelong learning opportunities” for all and SDG 5 aims to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”. In a recent report titled Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education released by UNESCO, a cross-section of stakeholders in education need to work together to reform education.
Bridging the gender gap
Women and girls are half of the world’s population and half of its potential. UNESCO has warned that most of the world’s 773 million illiterate adults are women and twice as many girls as boys still will never start school. It’s a huge challenge for governments, associations and non-government organisations (NGOs) to close the gender gap in education and the pandemic makes the situation worse. According to UNESCO, more than 11 million girls may never come back to school and might be forced to join the ranks of 130 million girls who were already out of school before COVID-19.
Women and girls are one of the most vulnerable groups during the pandemic. Aide et Action has transformed the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in need for the past four decades. With support of more than 51,000 sponsors and donors, the association has footprints in 19 countries including some from Southeast Asia such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In 2020, Aide et Action supported nearly 3 million people worldwide.
Tackling inequality head-on
In Lao People’s Democratic Republic, before the pandemic, 9% of females were married by the age of 15, while 35.4% were married by 18, according to global partnership Girls Not Brides. This is significantly higher than the global average of 20% and may increase as the COVID-19 crisis continues. These gender dynamics are reflected in the education system where females are more than twice as likely to be unschooled than males, with 21% of adult females reported in the government’s census to have no educational attainment compared with 10% of adult males.
In view of such imbalanced gender dynamics, Aide et Action piloted a project – with the support of the British Embassy – on women empowerment through entrepreneurship training. The project started from 22 participants in two villages in Vientiane province home to primarily Hmong and Khmu ethnicities which demonstrate strong traditional gender role divisions and educational disadvantages.
Scaling up and scaling out
Now, with the support of the L’Oréal Fund for Women, Aide et Action is taking the lessons learnt from its pilot and building on its success, scaling up to reach 860 participants over the next four years. From training on how to apply for a job to how to build a start-up, its goal is to improve the social, behavioural, and entrepreneurship skills of ethnic minority women in Odomxay Province.
What started as a small pilot project in two villages has now grown to represent something much larger for some of the communities’ key figures – the realisation that more options can be created for young women other than child marriage, agriculture and unpaid domestic labour, and that such options may stand to benefit whole communities.
Calling for international support
Early this year, Aide et Action has announced the launch of “Education for Women Now”, its first global philanthropic campaign with the mission to ensure that an additional 3 million women and girls in Africa, Asia and Europe can unlock their potential and have access to quality education by 2025.
Co-chaired by Aïcha Bah Diallo, International President of Aide et Action, also the former Guinea Minister of Education and the former UNESCO senior education leader and, later, special advisor to the Director General, and Denise Epoté, a leading figure of French and African television, now head of Africa department at TV5 Monde (a renowned French television network) the campaign committee is looking for ambassadors from corporates, philanthropists and enthusiasts of global education to be part of this movement.
“Nelson Mandela referred to Education as the most powerful weapon to change the world. Education is a weapon of mass construction. Let’s hand it to girls and women, because they are the ones who will change the world,” says Denise Epoté, Campaign Committee Chair, Director of TV5World, Africa.
About Aide et Action
Aide et Action is an international association for development through education. Since 1981, we have been ensuring access to quality education for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations, especially children, girls and women, so that they can control their own development and contribute to a more peaceful and sustainable world. We promote lifelong learning because access to quality education helps to fight poverty and disease, limit climate change and build peace in a sustainable world. We therefore pay particular attention to early childhood care and education, access to quality education at primary and secondary levels, and vocational training and social inclusion. Based on the values of dignity, inclusion and integrity, as well as on the principles of transparency, accountability and solidarity, and thanks to the support of more than 51,000 sponsors and donors, we are currently running 85 projects in 19 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe for more than 2.9 million children, young people and adults.
#EducationForWomenNow #WomenEmpowerment #AideetAction
Laos Confirms 1,323 New Cases of Covid-19 and Four New Deaths
Laos has recorded 1,323 new cases of Covid-19 across the country today, with four new deaths.
Share the Joy With Awfully Chocolate’s Latest Corporate Gift Collection This Christmas
Celebrate Christmas with homegrown Singaporean brand Awfully Chocolate. Curate a thoughtful gift with Christmas gift hampers, gifts and Christmas cakes to show heartfelt appreciation to your business partners, staff and colleagues. Get your gifts delivered right to your recipients’ doorsteps with Awfully Chocolate’s Island wide delivery services.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 23 November 2021 – It’s that time of year again! Organisations in Singapore looking for a special way to celebrate Christmas can now look forward to Singapore’s Favourite Chocolate bakery and gift shop Awfully Chocolate’s latest customised corporate gift selection. Choose from Awfully Chocolate’s exclusive collection of chocolate gifts and favourites to convey appreciation in the best way possible.
Spread the Love with Thoughtful Corporate Gifting
With ongoing COVID-19 Safe Management Measures at workplaces in Singapore, businesses can still reach out safely and send thoughtful gifts to partners, staff, and friends this festive season with Awfully Chocolate. With their widest Christmas collection to date, simply choose from hampers, gift sets, chocolates, artisanal cakes and more at your fingertips, 24/7!
This is made possible with Awfully Chocolate’s online delivery service, bringing the brand’s famous chocolate gifts, cakes and desserts closer to everyone through an easy and convenient e-commerce platform.
If you or your company are based overseas, you can also pick the best corporate gifts with Awfully Chocolate and place international orders for local delivery to all Singapore addresses.
Leave a Lasting Impression with Premium Quality Chocolate Gifts
With the latest and largest selection of X’mas corporate gifts made in Singapore including luxurious hampers and gift sets, chocolate cookies, new chocolate bar collections and artisanal cakes to choose from, there is something for everyone at Awfully Chocolate.
Presenting our newest seasonal Christmas Chocolate Bars in flavours like Smoked Salt, Mint & Cacao Nibs and Buttered Waffle, these come specially packed in vintage Christmas designs. Awfully Chocolate customers may also choose from entirely new collections like the Chocolate & Coffee Collection comprising Espresso, Java Chip and Matcha Latte, and the Single Original Chocolate Bars collection that is guaranteed to delight with its beans from the best cocoa-growing plantations in the world, from Venezuela to Tanzania.
No Christmas gifting is complete without cake, and for those looking for the classics, The Original All Chocolate Log Cake is a Singapore classic 23 years and counting. The ultimate chocolate gifting cake is just a click away with this seasonal special. Inspired by the well-loved All Chocolate Cake that started it all, this divine chocolate delight makes the perfect start to all the Christmas festivities. With luscious tiers of dark chocolate fudge and soft cake, you will be sure to impress all your recipients!
Awfully Chocolate’s Chocolate Cookies, Christmas Chocolate bars and new collections are thoughtfully put together in hampers and gift sets, and are convenient to order online to celebrate this season of giving. We also have a wide range of Christmas Cakes created just for the festive season, including Singapore’s famous log cake, our Original All Chocolate Log cake. Daily island wide delivery in Singapore is free for orders of $120 and above. For corporate orders and customisation requests, do get in touch with us at sales@awfullychocolate.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
About Awfully Chocolate
Awfully Chocolate was first started in 1998, with the mission to create simple yet delicious every day chocolate delights that everyone can enjoy. Since then, Awfully Chocolate has blossomed into a household name with its shops, cafes, restaurants, and an e-commerce platform that delivers its signature chocolate desserts in Singapore and overseas. Awfully Chocolate’s products are made daily to ensure customers only enjoy made in Singapore premium quality chocolate goods. Find out more at 
https://www.awfullychocolate.com/
#AwfullyChocolate
ASEAN-China Special Summit Held via Video Conference
A special summit held between ASEAN nations and China was held via video conference yesterday, with the Lao delegation led by President Thongloun Sisoulith.
Australia’s FURY Takes Home Chicken Dinner at Regional Finals of AOC Masters Tournament 2021
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 23 November 2021 – Team ‘FURY’ took the proverbial chicken dinner back home to Australia as champions of the AOC Masters Tournament 2021 Regional Finals, one of the biggest gaming events in Asia Pacific, that hosted between November 2nd and 7th 2021. Competition was fierce, with many of the region’s elite gaming talent pitting their skills and wits against each other in a series of tense PUBG duels.
Ultimately, perseverance paid off for Team FURY, who managed to overcome adversity, including some defeats, and end the tournament at the top of the leaderboard. Trailing in their wake in second place was MiTH from Thailand, then Extraordinaire, and then ‘From the Future’ team from Indonesia, with all teams deserving of credit for their strong will and dedication.
Kevin Wu, General Manager, MMD Singapore, commented, “This was the third AOC Masters’s tournament event, its a collaboration with Mineski Global, PUBG Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds, as well as prominent gaming casters and other KoLs and emphasizes AOC’s commitment to the eSports industry. By conceiving and sharing this marquee gaming event with audiences through Twitch, YouTube and Facebook, we were able to unite the global gaming community. As a top monitor brand dedicated to connecting global gaming communities by playing and winning together, we are truly proud of this, and are looking forward to many more future collaborative gaming events.”
As part of its latest market positioning, AOC has unveiled its three-tiered gaming segmentation, with its newly-branded AGON PRO line targeted at professional team gamers and individuals seeking stardom within the global gaming community. AOC will continue to meet its varied customer needs with new monitor models and accessories and continue to receive industry acclaim and awards.
Enjoy all the winner winner chicken dinner moments of Team FURY, plus epic highlights of the AOC Masters Tournament at Facebook: AOC Monitor.
About Agon by AOC
AGON by AOC, offers one of the strongest portfolios of high-performance gaming monitors in the world and a complete ecosystem of gaming accessories grouped in three categories: AOC GAMING for core gamers, AGON for competitive gamers and AGON PRO for esports enthusiasts and professional esports players. Since 2020 AGON by AOC has been one of the leading gaming monitor brands and a top choice of gamers worldwide.
About AOC
Sold in over 120 countries, AOC is a market leader in electronic displays and is positioned to be one of the top global brands in providing the best display technology to users worldwide. With more than 50 years of experience in market analysis and consumer feedback, AOC is dedicated to designing products that address rising technological trends, as well as the diverse and changing needs of different consumers. Our commitment is emphasized through AOC’s slogan: ‘Vision at Heart.’ – at AOC, we’ve kept the hearts of our users in our vision, and we’ve kept their vision in our heart. Find out more about AOC at 
www.aoc.com
#AgonbyAOC
Laos to See Mineral Earnings of USD 463 Million in Fourth Quarter
Laos expects to earn USD 463 million in the final quarter of this year from mineral sales both domestically and for export, after earning USD 1.464 billion in the first nine months of 2021.
De Beers New Research Highlights Generational Shift In Attitudes Towards Provenance Of Luxury Goods
Younger generations more interested in ethics and sustainability as the new status in luxury and are prepared to pay a premium for this
LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 23 November 2021 – New research published today in De Beers Group’s latest Diamond Insight ‘Flash’ Report highlights that consumer attitudes towards provenance are changing as younger generations value ethics and sustainability assurances beyond simply knowing where a product originated.
De Beers’ new global “I do.” campaign centred on commitments to ourselves, to one another and the wider world.
Click here to find out more.
Based on research conducted among 1,000 US consumers, the report found that while consumers aged 50 and above cited quality factors as being their most important considerations relating to provenance of luxury goods (for example, French champagne, Italian cashmere), the 18 to 34 age cohort over-indexed on factors such as ‘human rights,’ ‘environmental impact’ and ‘from a company whose values I agree with.’
The research also found that consumers who valued information about a product’s provenance were prepared to pay a premium for this assurance, with affluent consumers being the most likely to pay a premium. Sixty-four per cent of all consumers and 73 per cent of affluent consumers (those with household income of more than US$150K per year) said they were willing to pay more for a product if its place of origin mattered to them. However, only seven per cent of consumers said they believed it was ‘very easy’ to discover where their products originated from, while another 29 per cent said it was only ‘somewhat easy’. More than half of consumers surveyed said it was ‘somewhat or very difficult to understand the story behind the items they buy’.
The study also found that while essential health and safety items such as food, cars and skincare ranked most highly as categories for which consumers were concerned about provenance, 34 per cent said they ‘care a lot’ about luxury goods and 35 per cent said the same about diamonds, highlighting that consumers are increasingly concerned about where and how their discretionary items are made.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “It’s clear from this research that while provenance remains of high importance to luxury consumers, the meaning associated with provenance is shifting. Younger generations want assurance of the positive impact a product has created beyond simply knowing where it originated. This is creating a new status in luxury, where consumers want to show the world they care through their luxury purchases and are increasingly prepared to pay a premium to do so.”
The full Diamond Insight ‘Flash’ Report is available to download here.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘
Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
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