Radha’s Message for April 2013
Dear Friends,
Last month’s Clean Cooking Forum 2013 in Cambodia was a major milestone for the sector, and I’d like to thank our sponsors, attendees, partners, and the Khmer people for helping to make the Forum a dynamic and catalytic event. I invite you to read our post-Forum publication and review some of the proceedings now available online, including session notes, posters, presentations, photos, and video.
With a successful Forum behind us, the Alliance is already back on the road and continuing to propel its work in a number of key areas. As I write this, Alliance staff are with the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves as that group works to form a national program for action to reach its goal of 10 million Nigerian households adopting clean cooking solutions by the year 2020.
The Alliance participated in recent environmental and health events and activities to highlight the household air pollution issue and the potential of clean cookstoves and fuels. Along with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which has an energy and environment project in Mongolia to improve air quality – in part through improved cookstove implementation and adoption – the Alliance participated in tabling, speaking, and film-screening opportunities as part of Earth Day. From climate change-inducing emissions to ambient household air pollution to rampant deforestation, the Alliance took advantage of a nationally-recognized day in the U.S. to raise awareness about inefficient and unsustainable cooking practices.
The Alliance also participated in discussions with the global health community on a new strategy to combat pneumonia and diarrhea, the number one and two killers of children under five, respectively, worldwide. The importance of reducing household air pollution through clean cooking solutions in the fight against pneumonia is part of the action plan being led by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
The Global Mom Relay was also an opportunity that benefited the Alliance and other UN Foundation initiatives working to improve the lives of mothers. From March 22–April 4, individuals participating in the Relay – celebrities, chefs, cookstove sector actors, and others – told stories about the importance of motherhood in their lives, thereby raising awareness about household air pollution and funds for the Alliance. You can read those posts, and all Relay entries, on the Huffington Post’s dedicated page.
Next month, the Alliance will have a strong presence at Women Deliver, the largest global conference focused exclusively on women’s issues. From networking opportunities to engaging panels to high-level dinners, the cookstoves issue will be strategically woven throughout the event.
Inside the rest of April’s newsletter, you’ll read about a recent fuels meeting at the UN; partner ACE’s manufacturing efforts in Lesotho; the Sankalp-Alliance Award-winner; important additions to the Alliance’s Leadership and Advisory Councils; and as usual, new partners, recent media coverage, and upcoming events. And for all Alliance partners, we encourage you to take the time to tell us about your 2012 work via the Results Reporting Survey.
On a happy note, I’m delighted to announce that the Alliance’s director of programs, Dr. Sumi Mehta, gave birth to a son earlier this month! The whole family is happy, healthy, and well.
And while Sumi is on leave, Mike Sage, formerly of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and well known to the sector, will be supporting the Alliance’s research and M&E work.
Regards,
Radha