On The Ground

Guest: Dr. Temitope Farombi

The Chief Toni Anini Geriatric Center, where Dr. Farombi practices, is a leading institution in West Africa, catering to over 30,000 older adults. Despite its significant impact, many patients arrive too late for effective intervention, often due to cultural misconceptions that label neurological issues as spiritual or witchcraft-related. Dr. Farombi passionately addresses these misconceptions, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and education. Through the Brain Health Initiative, Dr. Farombi has successfully launched campaigns to raise awareness about neurological conditions, dispelling myths and encouraging families to seek help sooner. One of the standout initiatives, "Dementia Not Witchcraft," has gained traction across Nigeria, utilizing traditional media to reach communities where social media may not be effective. This campaign has not only educated the public but has also fostered support groups for caregivers, creating a safe space for sharing experiences and advocating for change. If you're interested in supporting Dr. Farombi and the Brain Health Initiative, consider reaching out through their LinkedIn page or contributing to their fundraising efforts. Together, we can help change the narrative around brain health and ensure that older adults receive the care and respect they deserve.

Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/temitope-farombi-md/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brain-health-initiative-nigeria/

In this special episode of On The Ground, we offer inspiring advice from the leaders of four strong, dedicated organizations: Olof Palme Peace Foundation, the American Association Of University Women, the Organization Of American Firefighters, and the NGO Committee On Human Rights.

"We need to think about zero tolerance for elder abuse, just as we do for child abuse." Dr. Gloria Gutman, Emerita Professor Simon Fraser University

In this episode of On The Ground, we focus on the pressing issue of elder abuse with Dr. Gloria Gutman. As we approach World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, Dr. Gutman shares her insights on the complexities of elder abuse research, including its various forms and the psychological aspects involved. We delve into the dynamics of trust, power differentials, and the unique challenges LGBTQ elders face. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion to illuminate this critical topic and inspire action.

This episode serves as a call to action for all of us to be vigilant and proactive in the fight against elder abuse. By raising awareness and advocating for the rights of older adults, we can work towards a society where every elder feels safe and respected.

#ElderAbuse, #WorldElderAbuseAwarenessDay, #ElderFraud

Resources

World Elder Abuse Day

https://worldelderabuseawareness.com/about-weaad/

What you can do: https://www.un.org/en/observances/elder-abuse-awareness-day

World Health Organization https://www.who.int

International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse http://inpea.net

Seniors First BC https://seniorsfirstbc.ca

BC Community Response Networks https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/government-id/community-response-networks

In this episode of On The Ground, we celebrate the achievements and ongoing efforts of women around the globe with guest Frances Zainoeddin, a former Deputy Director at the UN and a prominent member of Soroptimist International. Discover the rich history of Soroptimist, its mission to empower women through education, and the collaborative work being done to address critical issues such as gender equality and the rights of older women. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about how local actions can lead to global change!

#Soroptimist #Equality #Women'sRights

Welcome to a special episode of On the Ground, the Global NGO Executive Committee podcast. In this episode, we delve into the vital topics of women's rights, influential change agents in civil society, and strategies for effective advocacy inspired by the League of Women Voters.

Guest Interview: Marcia Johnson Esq., a distinguished advocate and expert in civil rights law, joins Adriane Berg, Board Member of GNEC and Representative to the United Nations from the International Federation on Ageing, for an insightful conversation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The historical impact and legacy of the League of Women Voters on modern advocacy.
• Marcia Johnson's perspective on current challenges and advancements in women's rights globally.
• Strategies for modeling effective advocacy for any cause in today's society.

Resources Mentioned:

• International Federation on Ageing (IFA)
• Global NGO Executive Committee (GNEC)
• NGO Committee on Ageing - New York

Tune in to gain valuable insights into empowering advocacy and the ongoing pursuit of equality in civil society.

Showcasing the "Winner's Circle", a webinar celebrating the achievements of young innovators in GNEC's global hackathons.

These hackathons challenge participants to develop technological solutions addressing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

The webinar features presentations from four winning teams highlighting their projects, their development, and their impact on issues such as accessibility, sustainable agriculture, clean water, and skin cancer detection.

Projects included AI apps for the visually impaired, smart gardening platforms, water-purifying drones, and skin cancer detection tools that address racial bias. The Global NGO Executive Committee (GNEC) runs the annual GNEC Hackathon. GNEC leaders highlight the success of the hackathons and the ongoing support they provide to the young innovators.

Resources:

NGO Committee on Education

https://ngoeducation.weebly.com/

International Council of Caring Communities

https://www.universalinclusion.co.uk/news/articles/iccc

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues

https://www.spssi.org/

The 4th GNEC Hackathon, March 24 at 10:30am Eastern Time

Open House, February 24th at 10am Eastern Time

Featuring: AI and Education: Human Agency in an Automated World

Under the theme "AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation", the 2025 International Day of Education encourages reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand and influence technological advancement.

As computer and AI-driven systems become more sophisticated, the boundaries between human intention and machine-driven action often blur, raising critical questions about how to preserve, redefine, and, ideally, elevate human agency in an age of technological acceleration.

Hear a riveting discussion by GNEC Board Members and leading educators Joseph DeMeyer and Richard Jordan

24 January 2025: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm CET

Location:UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, Room I Arrangement type: In-Person and livestream

Register https://www.unesco.org/en/days/education

Resources:

NGO Committee on Education

https://ngoeducation.weebly.com/

International Council of Caring Communities

https://www.universalinclusion.co.uk/news/articles/iccc

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues

https://www.spssi.org/

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Dassa Diarra, the acting director and United Nations main representative from the Olaf Palm Peace Foundation International (OPPFI).

We delve into the foundation's mission of empowering women and children around the world, tackling issues of abuse and providing a pathway to inner peace.

Discover how OPPFI is making a global impact through cooperation, empowerment, and tolerance, and learn about the foundation's history, successes, and challenges along the way.

Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on creating change from the ground up and redefining peace and tolerance in today's world.

Discover the GNEC Hackathon, a contest to offer technology solutions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn how you can participate

This 'On the Ground' podcast episode explores insights from the Summit of the Future, an initiative by the United Nations to reform global governance and implement sustainable development goals.

• The Summit of the Future aimed to address pathways for reforming the UN Charter and achieving sustainable development goals but faced critique for insufficient grassroots involvement.

• Despite challenges in civil society representation, there were notable documents adopted, like the Pact of the Future and the Global Digital Compact, aiming at equitable internet access and consideration for future generations.

• Global NGO Executive Committee Website: GNEC

• World Yoga Community: https://www.worldyogacommunity.org

• League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org

• Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues: https://www.spssi.org

• International Federation on Aging: https://www.ifa.ngo