Botswana receives project grants from devt partners
Lerato Maleke | Thursday March 5, 2015 17:50
Presenting her Ministry’s budget, she said that they have also received scholarship offers for both undergraduate and graduate courses in different disciplines from different countries. She said that the grants will go a long way in contributing towards the socio-economic development.
Further, she said that the Ministry continues to seek employment opportunities for Batswana at regional and international organisations like Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth and the United Nations (UN).
Venson-Moitoi revealed that one citizen, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, was recently elected to the position of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.
Among other things, the Minister said that they continue to be actively involved in the promotion of global issues such as human rights, good governance, democracy, the rule of law, maintenance of international peace and security. She added that Botswana can make the world a better place by working closely with like-minded countries, in addressing these issues within the framework of multilateralism.
The minister said last year Botswana hosted the “Responsibility to Protect” workshop whose objective was to sensitise participants about the responsibilities of governments, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The participants were made aware of their responsibilities to ensure that crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide are prevented at all costs. Therefore, she said, the successful hosting of the workshop was a testimony to Botswana’s unwavering commitment to the support of the work of inter- governmental institutions, which seek to advance the cause of humanity.
“Honourable members of this committee will be happy to know that we have been re-elected to the Human Rights Council for the period 2015-2017 and we are the Vice Chair of the Council this year,” she said.
The minister said that they continue to work for the protection and promotion of human rights around the globe. She revealed that this year the ministry is due for the mid-term review of the Universal Periodic Review during the June 2015 session.
She said the purpose of the mid-term review is to monitor the progress on the implementation of the recommendations that were made by some UN member states regarding improvement on specific human rights issues.
She said that they will work closely with implementing ministries to ensure that they comply with the international obligations.
Botswana also hosted and chaired the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Council meeting last year.
The country was elected as the chair of the council in 2013 in recognition of its reputation as an advocate of democracy, strong commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights.
She said that Botswana is gravely concerned about the increasing trend of instability, insecurity and violent conflicts in various parts of the world.
“We are currently witnessing unimaginable levels of human suffering, thousands of lives being lost and the world gravitating towards calamitous levels of humanitarian crises,” she said.