News & Updates

New titles for familiar issues is a problem for me. I have to learn the new titles and abbreviations – and often it feels as if someone thought them up to be on the inside and make me feel an outsider. But it is important to keep up and take part in the debate. We must not be overawed by jargon. And we can let each other know when a new term becomes important. I saw “mHealth” in several places and googled it. It means health care and public health programmes supported by mobile electronic gear such as mobile phones. ~ MM

Understand the problem and how your NGO can offer a good package of help. Thanks to Abdinasir for this translation. » Download from the Library

How to Run a Workshop is now available in Arabic. Thanks to Mubarak for this translation.

There is currently a lot of attention in the global news for the Ebola virus. Yet the people most at risk often lack the essential knowledge, and the means, to protect themselves adequately. Our colleague Shine writes from Monrovia, Liberia: “I am sure you have heard about the Ebola outbreak in some parts of West Africa, affecting Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia in particular. It’s the worst outbreak ever recorded. Over 1,100 people have died and the World Health Organization has declared it a global health emergency.

The Networklearning team is deeply concerned by this practice, which is more widespread than many realise. This short manual, with illustrations, gives a clear overview of what it is, when and why it happens – and what can be done to help. Update August 2014: Somali and Arabic editions also now available for download. » Download from the Library

Caring for people with Physical Disabilities: Best Practice in Person-centred Care is now available in Arabic. Thanks to Mubarak for this translation.

The Networklearning Group recently completed Caring for people with Physical Disabilities: Best Practice in Person-centred Care . It was done with help from a number of co-authors – colleagues and friends in the field. We are now finalising “Caring for the Elderly” and beginning with “Caring for Children” . Could you help with this topic? > Contact Networklearning

We have been contacted by a colleague who works in Nagpur, India. She told us about the work her NGO is doing with urban spaces. The needs (rights) for children to play can be partly met by making parks safe, pleasant and used. The NGO has worked with the community to upgrade eight parks. Some of the parks have also had further work to make them accessible for disabled kids. This sounds like a great development field which is new to us. More info: http://www.esafindia.org/livable-cities-india.html and https://livablecitiesindia.wordpress.com

Opportunities for distance education are rapidly moving to a new level. In the last year, start-up ventures including several elite universities have released hundreds of quality, high-level courses online – for free. Update September 2014: 4th edition now available for download includes Twelve Dozen Places To Educate Yourself Online For Free.