In Nepal, to commemorate International Youth Day, USAID organized a two-day workshop for Nepali youth on “Youth Advocacy and Action for Accountability and Responsibility – Decoding the Political Issues Obstructing the Country’s Development Progress.” During the workshop, youth representatives from different walks of Nepali society gathered to discuss issues impeding the country’s development and to encourage more responsible civic behavior to bring about change. The program also focused on the major Constitution drafting and Peace Process bottlenecks. The event was concluded with a group brainstorming session on solutions to those issues and on designing innovative IT programs for youth-led organizations and movements.
In Lebanon, USAID and the Bebnine community celebrated Ramadan Eid with the opening of the village’s new farmer-to-consumer market and a festival promoting local food products and handicrafts. The four-day festival included approximately 30 local exhibitors, and cultural and thematic activities to attract visitors of all ages. On a land donated by the municipality, USAID constructed and equipped this 350 square-meter vegetable and fruit wholesale and retail market that includes 16 display stands, two cold storage units, one water treatment unit, and an administration office. The market provides opportunities for over 150 farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers and increase their profits, and is expected to generate up to $19,000 per year for the municipality to further develop the market and village.
In Tajikistan, we held a five month long competition for local doctors and nurses to determine the best team of family practitioners in the area. The competition included rigorous evaluations of competing family doctors and nurses by an expert panel. The results of the competition were released to the press in an effort to improve standards and increase accountability for health care providers to their
