Addis Ababa, 10 May 2012 - Selected to represent Tunisia as a rising global leader at the 22nd World Economic Forum on Africa meetings this week, Lamia Hatira will also speak in the closing plenary. The Forum's focus this week is on strengthening Africa's leadership, accelerating investments in frontier markets and scaling innovation for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Read more at http://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-africa-2012

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, 5 March 2012 – Today, 75 men, women and youth commenced their three-day trek to the top of Africa’s highest mountain – Mt. Kilimanjaro, standing at 5,895m or 19,341-ft above sea level with an extraordinary humanitarian objective. The 75 climbers, representing 36 African countries, 14 United Nations agencies, businesses, women’s rights activists and civil society organisations, are participating in a continent-wide campaign to end violence against women and girls.

CSI+ has designed and is playing a central role in the implementation of a CSR partnership between a major, global flavor company and a local vanilla processing company in Uganda. The innovative project will in addition to creating a market for sustainably sourced Ugandan vanilla, also carry out a series of mutually re-inforcing activities to improve the livelihoods of some of the most impoverished farmers.

Male partner involvement during pregnancy can reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV up to 40%, however, most fathers-to-be have never seen the inside of an antenatal clinic. Perceiving a great opportunity, mothers2mothers partnered with CSI+ to develop and pilot a curriculum designed to increase male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Males currently attend less than 5% of health appointments for their pregnant partners in Lesotho and Kenya where the pilot is taking place. 

CSI+ conducted a baseline study in southwestern Haiti of a community of vetiver farmers. The study was designed to assess practical sourcing issues regarding agricultural techniques, skills, and land distribution. It also covered a range of development indicators, such as education levels, employment, income, and access to health care. CSI+ will use the data to help a large global fragrance company improve the sustainability of their supply chains – creating an even higher quality product while investing in the local farming community.

CSI’s local and international teams designed and carried out a baseline survey for sports for development programing in Ghana and Rwanda. The assessment included in-person surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews.

CSI’s assessment team focused particularly on girls’ participation as girls have traditionally been under-served in sports programming in Africa. After analyzing the findings, CSI+ made a series of recommendations for program implementation and sustainability.

The Mini-University was an interactive event designed for Egyptian professionals and students who are leaders in improving the country’s health. During 16 interactive sessions, participants learned from experts and each other. Topics ranged from using mobile technology in health care to workforce planning and business partnerships in markets for health services. CSI+ organized the event, including assisting presenters with facilitation strategies, engaging print and broadcast media, and handling all organizational details. Click here for more information.

Within the framework of the adidas Exchange Programme West Africa, CSI+ Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa Charlotte Obidairo recently led an organizational development workshop for 13 streetfootballworld network members from 10 West African countries. Members of streetfootballworld – a social profit organisation that links relevant actors in the field of Development through Football – gathered in Bunso, Ghana from 27-29 October not only to enhance their football coaching methods, but to improve their organisational development skills.

CSI+ joins other business leaders in the Middle East and North Africa to support a new generation of Arab entrepreneurs. The MENA 100 business plan competition is designed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. A regional jury of business leaders, including CSI+, analyzed project ideas and selected 100 teams to mentor and connect with additional sources of funding. Click here for the full list of jurors.

A new study, released by Coxswain Social Investment, finds football programs are uniquely successful in preventing the spread of HIV.