Eswatini Financial Times

UN ignites Eswatini, hope for MTN a sustainabl­e Bushfire partnershi­p future

- Stories by Siphesihle Dlamini

United has once Nations again (UN) joined Eswatini forces consecutiv­e with MTN year, aiming Bushfire to for strengthen a second Universal the partnershi­p Declaratio­n that of aligns Human with Rights the Goals and the (SDGs). Sustainabl­e Developmen­t seven This year, crucial the human collaborat­ion rights themes focuses including on Freedom of expression, right to Gender health, right & NonDiscrim­ination, to a change. decent standard of living, and Climate OHCHR, A total of UNDP, seven UNICEF, UN agencies, UNFPA, including IOM, WFP, to work and alongside UNAIDS, MTN have Bushfire come together with a objectives set of ambitious range objectives from enhancing in mind. visibility These platform and advocacy on the SDGs to providing their a work, share for informatio­n UN partners on to showcase developmen­tal small issues, microfinan­ce and promote enterprise­s. entreprene­urship and in According Eswatini, to George the UN Resident Wachira, Coordinato­r to achieve will these goals, conducted a series across of outreach universiti­es dialogues in Eswatini, be engaging youth in discussion­s on critical peace and topics justice, such HIV/AIDS, as youth employabil­ity, gender-based action, violence, and food the significan­ce security, education, of the upcoming climate Summit Wachira of the Future in September 2024.

will take said place the culminatio­n at the Bring Your of these Fire efforts Zone (BYFZ) stage during the MTN Bushfire festival, where their the work UN and through its partners interactiv­e will showcase stalls. The festival to key will messages serve as on a the platform SDGs to the communicat­e audience, reinforcin­g the importance engagement, of youth empowermen­t, and climate civic action. points One of of the focal the upcoming will be the Summit festival scheduled of the Future, take place in New to York summit, in September. convened This by the in UN collaborat­ion SecretaryG­eneral with Germany, Namibia aims and to revamp multifacet­ed global collaborat­ion crises facing to our address world today. the internatio­nal With a focus peace on sustainabl­e and security, developmen­t, science global and technology, governance, youth the Summit engagement, of the Future and presents new internatio­nal a unique opportunit­y consensus for to a forge better a future. Wachira revealed

Bushfire partnershi­p stands that the as UN-MTN beacon of hope a sustainabl­e future in a Eswatini and beyond. for By address challenges combining while efforts engaging to with local global issues, this unity, collaborat­ion advocacy, and embodies action. the “As spirit we look of forward to the upcoming activities, dialogues let us stand and together a world to create that nurtures the

dignity of every and individual potential while health safeguardi­ng of our planet the for he generation­s declared. to come,”

entertainm­ent MTN Bushfire festival is not just — Jiggs an

beacon MTN of Bushfire purpose-driven Festival creativity stands and out social as a emphasized impact. The that festival beyond director mere entertainm­ent, Jiggs Thorne MTN be a catalyst Bushfire for was social born change with and a mission advocacy to through Thorne’s the vision arts. for the festival goes beyond leveraging the music creativity and performanc­es, as a powerful focusing tool on communicat­ion, education, for At Bushfire’s and ethos activism. is the ‘Bring the Your core of Fire’ MTN call to action, message engagement a powerful in addressing that critical inspires social collective issues.

Zone, Through the festival initiative­s has like tackled the Bring a diverse Your range Fire environmen­tal of topics, from sustainabi­lity advocacy and inclusivit­y and climate to schools, justice. By and engaging artists, with the festival local communitie­s, has become empowermen­t. a driving force for meaningful change and evident The festival’s through commitment programs like to the giving EU Schools back is Festival, the transforma­tive which introduces power of young the arts, learners and arts to industry with the skills workshops needed that to succeed equip in local their artists craft. Additional­ly, proceeds profits support from ticket beneficiar­ies, sales and merchandis­e further amplifying Bushfire’s positive impact. the Central partnershi­p to MTN with Bushfire’s the United mission Nations, is which the festival’s has brought efforts. a Thorne global perspectiv­e highlights the to the alignment UN’s Sustainabl­e between Bring Developmen­t Your Fire Goals and collaborat­ion (SDGs), emphasizin­g in effecting the change importance on a larger of scale. Thorne’s

‘business as unusual’ emphasis underscore­d on the concept Bushfire’s of commitment to change challengin­g through norms ethical and and driving responsibl­e positive practices. By partnering organizati­ons festival aims with to inspire a new like era the of UN, social the innovation and boundaries. collaborat­ion that transcends traditiona­l

initiative­s MTN Bushfire unveils social dynamic environmen­tal for a positive change and

unveiled Communicat­ions a series Officer of new Phiwo and Dhlamini dynamic initiative­s aimed at fostering positive social and the festival’s environmen­tal core values change. of sustainabi­lity Embracing and highlighte­d community the importance engagement, of aligning Dhlamini their developmen­t. actions with the principles of sustainabl­e

Under to action, the banner MTN of their ‘Bring introduced Your Fire’ a call theme for this year’s festival: Bushfire ‘Manifest Fire for is Action.’ active service This theme and collective serves as a contributi­on rallying cry the towards community. building Partnering sustainabl­e with legacies the UN, in collaborat­ion MTN Bushfire to aims drive to meaningful harness the impact. power of ‘Bring The Your first initiative Fire Volunteer announced Day,’ was inviting the all service Ema in Swati June. to Through join in partnershi­ps a day of active with various to mobilize stakeholde­rs, the community MTN Bushfire for positive hopes social and environmen­tal can sign up for change. this initiative Interested on participan­ts the festival’s digital platforms or at the UN Bring Additional­ly, Your Fire Zone MTN during Bushfire the event. introduced the Giveaway,’ ‘Bring Your offering Fire a Zone free activation Advocacy Space space aligned to a deserving with the organizati­on Sustainabl­e or Developmen­t changemake­r Goals (SDGs). platform This opportunit­y for grassroots aims to advocates provide to a network, their impact. showcase Entries their for work, this giveaway and amplify are now The open selected and will organizati­on close on May or 17th. individual visibility will receive on a range LED of screens, benefits, networking including opportunit­ies, and profession­al By empowering profiling on changemake­rs digital platforms. and fostering collaborat­ion, MTN change Bushfire and inspire continues a new wave to drive of social positive and environmen­tal As the festival activism. gears up for another year these of music, initiative­s art, and serve community as a testament engagement, to MTN sustainabl­e Bushfire’s commitment and inclusive to future creating for all. a more With the dedication support of of the partners emaSwati like community, the UN and the the flame ever at of MTN positive Bushfire. change burns brighter than

 ?? ?? Wachira ▲UN Resident making Coordinato­r his remarks. in Eswatini, George
Wachira ▲UN Resident making Coordinato­r his remarks. in Eswatini, George
 ?? ?? Dhlamini. ▲MTN Bushfire Communicat­ions Office Phiwo
Dhlamini. ▲MTN Bushfire Communicat­ions Office Phiwo
 ?? ?? ▲UN sponsored MTN Bushfire with E325 000.
▲UN sponsored MTN Bushfire with E325 000.
 ?? ?? director ◀MTN Bushfire Jiggs Thorne. Festival
director ◀MTN Bushfire Jiggs Thorne. Festival

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