The End of Polio Is Near

"We are within grasp of declaring the end of polio worldwide," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said end October, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth. During that meeting, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria and Pakistan, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, pledged over $100 million in new funds to stamp out the last 1% of the disease that has not been eradicated yet.

Help put an end to this disease and save children's lives by contributing to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Also check out The End of Polio website: sign the petition!

Good News in Africa

Positive news does come out of Africa. For example, the largest African film festival, Africa in Motion, featuring 70 films from 28 countries, is currently taking place in Scotland, the 5th such festival to date. This year's theme is celebrations.

Other examples: South Africa and India are joining forces on HIV vaccine research; Uganda receives a grant of $207 million for clean energy; Angola increases tourism significantly; Nigeria boosts its status as the top oil producer in Africa, Rwanda initiates a plan for economic recovery.... For details on these stories and other good news from Africa, go to http://www.africagoodnews.com/ and http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/