Os Emirados Árabes Unidos (EAU) fazem um apelo à comunidade global para que todos possam unir esforços a fim de instigar e manter a dignidade humana por meio da contação de histórias

Dignified Storytelling
Bangladesh – Nomita Mondal watering mangrove saplings in Pachim Dhangmari, adjacent to Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Banishanta, Dacope, Khulna, Bangladesh. Credit: BEDS
Dignified Storytelling
Ethiopia – A #SecondChance student in rural Ethiopia reads and does homework at home by candlelight. Credit: Luminos Fund
Dignified Storytelling
Guatemala – Adolescent girl student eager to take part in class as part of a bigger program that is set to elevate the voice and opportunities of adolescent girls in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. Credit: Global Fund for Children
Dignified Storytelling
Liberia – Mary, a #SecondChance student in @LuminosFund’s Liberia program, smiles alongside her classmates prior to the pandemic. Luminos has helped 152,051 out-of-school children experience joyful learning and catch up. Today, Luminos classrooms in Liberia have reopened safely. Credit: Luminos Fund
Dignified Storytelling
Pakistan – The Citizens Foundation (TCF) students in a school playground in Qayyumabad, Karachi, Pakistan. Credit: TCF/Zoral Naik
Dignified Storytelling
Rwanda – A group of students representing the student business club within their school community in Rwanda as part of the “Educate!” program. Credit: Educate!
Dignified Storytelling
Tanzania – A chef pauses from his work at the campsite in Lake Natron, Tanzania. Photographer: Nicola Bailey
  • O projeto sobre Contação de Histórias, uma iniciativa liderada pela Dubai Cares, Expo 2020, em Dubai e UAE MOFAIC, defende a ideia dos Emirados Árabes Unidos de promover a dignidade humana em todo o mundo
  • O Fórum sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas acontecerá em 10 de dezembro de 2021, na Expo 2020, em Dubai, a primeira Expo Mundial a ser realizada na região de MEASA

DUBAI, Emirados Árabes Unidos, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Dubai Cares, Expo 2020, em Dubai, o Ministério de Relações Exteriores e Cooperação Internacional dos Emirados Árabes Unidos (MoFAIC) se uniram para lançar o projeto sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas, uma iniciativa com o objetivo de criar um ecossistema que promova um entendimento compartilhado como prática de contar histórias que mantenham e defendam a dignidade de todas as pessoas, a fim de contribuir para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS).

Hoje, milhares de histórias estão sendo contadas, independentemente de quem as contam e como são narradas. Muitas dessas histórias precisam de autenticidade, transparência ou são movidas por motivos ocultos que servem a uma narrativa predeterminada. Esses são apenas alguns dos poucos obstáculos que impedem uma narrativa honesta, saudável e digna no âmbito do desenvolvimento e contextos humanitários. Para que uma peça – seja visual, escrita ou falada – chegue ao público, ela passa por um longo processo de filtragem, revisão e edição, que às vezes altera o conteúdo original e a torna quase fictícia. Isso, por sua vez, acaba retratando a imagem errada dos colaboradores que muitas vezes não sabem onde suas histórias, visuais ou escritas, serão exibidas e para que finalidade serão utilizadas.

A iniciativa sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas, nasceu da necessidade de unir as vozes de criadores de conteúdo, editores, jornalistas, fotógrafos, cineastas, contadores de histórias e colaboradores, a fim de conscientizá-los sobre o entendimento e o conhecimento prático que lhes permitirão capturar momentos e contar histórias sem comprometer a dignidade humana. Para atender a essa necessidade, a iniciativa sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas deu o pontapé inicial em consultas globais há um ano, para solicitar perspectivas intersetoriais sobre a narração de histórias em contextos de desenvolvimento humanitário, bem como definir e concordar com os Princípios sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas que hoje servem como orientação e uma ferramenta de defesa por reunir várias partes interessadas de todo o mundo, a fim de formar um movimento global que será um divisor de águas na manutenção e promoção da dignidade humana por meio da contação de histórias.

Esses princípios fundamentais também estão orientando o desenvolvimento consultivo de um Manual de Contação de Histórias Autênticas acessível e prático, que fornece orientação “como fazer” e estudos de caso sobre as melhores práticas concretas, perspectivas e percepções intersetoriais de um grupo diversificado de contadores de histórias e partes interessadas experientes de governos, agências vinculadas à ONU, ONGs internacionais, locais e a sociedade civil, as quais estão atualmente abordando os princípios sobre está valiosa estrutura e recurso.

Para inserir propriamente o projeto sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas nas políticas e práticas diárias entre agências de desenvolvimento internacionais e vários contadores de histórias nos setores de desenvolvimento humanitário, a Dubai Cares, Expo 2020 em Dubai e a UAE MoFAIC, estabeleceram uma Aliança sobre as Contações de Histórias. A Aliança é uma rede de defensores que oferece defesa, apoio em espécie e sugestões sobre os resultados do programa. A representação na Aliança inclui uma gama deliberadamente diversa de pontos de vista das organizações, indivíduos e governos, os quais são capazes de compartilhar as melhores práticas de suas experiências locais, dentro de uma variedade de contextos de desenvolvimento.

Sua Excelência Reem Al Hashimy, Ministro de Estado dos Emirados Árabes Unidos para a Cooperação Internacional e Diretor Geral da Expo 2020, em Dubai, comentou: “No momento em que é mais necessário, a Expo 2020 reunirá o mundo com um espírito de esperança e otimismo, construindo pontes e inspirando ações para um futuro melhor para todos nós. Este será o cenário ideal para fortalecer a Contação de Histórias Autênticas à medida que unimos nossos recursos para reforçar os mais altos padrões e aumentar o impacto das histórias que escolhemos compartilhar com o mundo. A iniciativa também reflete o compromisso dos Emirados Árabes Unidos em fazer avançar uma narrativa responsável para o bem da humanidade e seu papel central nos esforços humanitários internacionais e de desenvolvimento de forma mais ampla.”

Enfatizando a importância da contação de histórias no contexto de desenvolvimento, O Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Diretor Executivo da Dubai Cares e membro do Conselho de Administração, disse: “A contação de histórias é uma ferramenta de comunicação poderosa em ambientes de desenvolvimento humanitário. Narrativas, tanto visuais quanto escritas, fornecem um caminho para a compreensão de diferentes perspectivas e podem ser um estímulo para a ação. É por isso que é importante para nós, como comunidade global, lidar com a contação de histórias inconsistentes, uma prática que não foi abordada por muito tempo, que acredito estar enraizada na ausência de uma orientação abrangente e amplamente disponível sobre a melhor forma de contar histórias, a fim de manter a dignidade de todas as pessoas. Convido todos os contadores de histórias, governos, agências e sociedade civil a se juntarem a nós neste esforço para estimular uma compreensão e prática de contar histórias, de maneira que possamos nos unir e nos lembrarmos de nossa importância como comunidade humana.”

A iniciativa incluirá o Fórum de Contação de Histórias Autênticas, que acontecerá na Expo 2020, em Dubai, no dia 10 de dezembro de 2021, como parte do megaevento de seis meses. O Fórum servirá como uma plataforma poderosa para as principais partes interessadas – incluindo membros de organizações da sociedade civil, governos, setor privado e agências internacionais, bem como defensores, ativistas e contadores de histórias – para se reunirem e concordarem coletivamente sobre um caminho a seguir quanto a autenticidade, adotando e integrando os Princípios de Contação de Histórias Autênticas. Isso será alcançado por meio de uma série de sessões plenárias e uma exposição apresentando as melhores práticas sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas, bem como eventos paralelos, incluindo uma conferência de imprensa.

O Fórum faz parte do rico calendário de programação especial da Expo 2020, que reflete e celebra o espírito de uma abordagem sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas em sua totalidade. Abrangendo temas culturais, sociais, econômicos, ambientais e baseados nos Emirados Árabes Unidos, a programação foi organizada em estreita colaboração com as Entidades dos Emirados Árabes Unidos, participantes internacionais, participantes não oficiais, organizações internacionais, parceiros comerciais e busca angariar solidariedade em torno dos desafios globais, destacar áreas de interesse e importância de forma recíproca e garantir o surgimento de um legado significativo em nível nacional, regional e internacional.

A longo prazo, a iniciativa sobre Contação de Histórias Autênticas criará um ambiente de positividade que irá fortalecer as relações a longo prazo entre os setores público, privado, de desenvolvimento e humanitário, estabelecendo o processo de contação de histórias autênticas e ética no epicentro do compartilhamento de conhecimento, envolvimento das partes interessadas e desenvolvimento de capacidade para inspirar e informar os contadores de histórias. Para conseguir isso, os Emirados Árabes Unidos conclamam as partes interessadas e parceiros globais a se tornarem defensores dessa iniciativa fundamental, comprometendo-se com os dez princípios da Contação de Histórias Autênticas.

Contact:
Makram Bou Kheir
makram.boukheir@dubaicares.ae
+971509345854

Fotos deste comunicado podem ser encontradas em:
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Sabin Vaccine Institute Names Richard Adegbola and Yacine Djibo to Board of Trustees

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) announced that Professor Richard Adegbola and Yacine Djibo have been elected to the Board of Trustees. Professor Adegbola is a microbiologist, public health advocate and professor in Lagos, Nigeria. Ms. Djibo is founder and executive director of Speak Up Africa, a policy and advocacy action tank promoting public health and development based in Dakar, Senegal.

Sabin will benefit from their global health leadership, as well as their expertise creating community-led solutions to increase vaccine uptake and advance vaccine equity at this critical moment for immunization efforts worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that due to COVID-19, vaccination campaigns have been postponed in 50 countries: more than half of the affected countries are in Africa.

“As Sabin continues to meet today’s changing immunization landscape, Richard’s deep background in the lab developing vaccines and, on the ground, delivering them and Yacine’s work developing cross-sector campaigns that spotlight the importance of vaccines and vaccine equity will be invaluable to Sabin and our work to ensure more people globally can get the lifesaving vaccines they need,” said Regina Rabinovich, MD, MPH, chair of the Sabin Board of Trustees.

Professor Adegbola is a research professor at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and a consultant for Immunization & Global Health, RAMBICON. His 40-year career has focused on preventing infectious diseases, strengthening health care systems and mentoring young researchers. His dedication to making vaccines more accessible came while working in The Gambia. There, his research contributed to the widespread use of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which had been the leading cause of meningitis in children. When given routinely, this vaccine now results in a 90 percent decrease in severe Hib infections.

Professor Adegbola’s expertise has also helped shape pneumonia research at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and community-led decision making with GlaxoSmithKline. He holds a PhD in medical microbiology and bacteriology from University of Dundee (UK). “With vaccination in low- and middle-income countries, you have to start thinking from day one, how will this be sustainable? You must bring people into the process to take ownership,” he said. “Sabin shares these values and I’m delighted to be joining the board.”

Ms. Djibo founded Speak Up Africa in 2011 to help fill a gap in African voices and leadership contributing to global development policies and the United Nation’s sustainable development goals. Today, the organization works in 10 countries in West and Central Africa driving economic sustainability through bolstering public health. In response to the pandemic, she helped form Stay Safe Africa, a platform for organizations and communities to create tangible actions that build trust around vaccines, as well as a campaign advocating for vaccine equity. Currently, only 0.3 percent of COVID-19 vaccine supply is going to low-income countries.

While pursuing a career in finance, Ms. Djibo’s interest in global health began when she joined the Malaria No More’s Senegal office as its country director. There, she led public and private-sector collaborations to promote malaria treatment and prevention. Ms. Djibo holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor of arts and science in international relations from Boston University. “Community engagement is key to overcoming mistrust and building confidence through actions like using proven channels of communication, engaging trusted messengers with roots in the community and working toward equitable access,” she said. “I’m excited to support programs like Boost, a community dedicated to the needs of immunization professionals, in building capacity sub-nationally and then applying lessons to other places.”

“Richard and Yacine are respected thought leaders, tireless advocates and innovative problem solvers who share our belief that communities and families everywhere must have equal access to the vaccines they need,” commented Amy Finan, Sabin’s chief executive officer.

With the appointment of Professor Adegbola and Ms. Djibo, Sabin’s board consists of 14 members. Learn more at www.sabin.org/board-trustees.

About the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non-profit with more than two decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit https://www.sabin.org and follow us on Twitter, @SabinVaccine.

Media Contact:
Mary Beth Wooden
Vice President, Communications
Sabin Vaccine Institute
+1 (202) 842-5025
press@sabin.org

WHR Group Divulga Resultado de Benchmark de Remanejamento de Funcionários

MILWAUKEE, Wis., May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O WHR Group, Inc. (WHR), líder na indústria global de remanejamento de funcionários, realizou um estudo de Benchmark de Mobilidade Global pesquisando algumas das maiores empresas dos EUA de várias indústrias. O resultado da pesquisa mostra como as empresas mudaram suas políticas de remanejamento de funcionários, até mesmo durante 2020 e a pandemia. Os entrevistados incluíram funcionários corporativos que trabalham em RH, gestão de mobilidade, gestão de talentos e departamentos de benefícios e remuneração. Eis aqui alguns resultados:

  • Os benefícios de remanejamento ainda estão em alta, mesmo com a pandemia de COVID-19.
  • 85% das empresas oferecem algum tipo de benefício para venda de casa para os funcionários transferidos.
  • 67% dos entrevistados indicaram escassez de talentos, mas incluem seu programa de mobilidade nas estratégias de recrutamento de candidatos.
  • Os benefícios de montante fixo em tendência no momento são oferecidos frequentemente como complemento dos benefícios básicos de remanejamento vs um pacote de benefícios autônomo.

Mais de 57% dos entrevistados têm um programa de remanejamento internacional e 88% têm políticas de transferência permanente de expatriados ou internacionais. Mais de 50% consideraram as leis de imigração a parte mais difícil para os remanejamentos internacionais, sendo a África e Ásia considerados as áreas mais difíceis. As leis de imigração e o clima político na África são considerados os mais problemáticos. As leis de imigração e a barreira linguística na Ásia apresentam os maiores desafios. Habitação temporária; serviços e acomodação no destino; bens domésticos; assistência com visto e imigração; e assistência fiscal são considerados benefícios essenciais para transferências e atribuições internacionais.

Dos 68,5% que oferecem custos de fechamento no destino, 76,5% não limitam esse benefício, embora o limite do suporte seja uma maneira de controlar os custos da empresa. A maioria das empresas criou pacotes de benefícios com base no transferido médio, nem sempre considerando as culturas individuais e a dinâmica familiar. Isso pode levar a solicitações de exceção de política por parte dos funcionários.

Faça o download do Relatório de Benchmark Completo do WHR.

Sobre o WHR Group, Inc.
O WHR é uma empresa global privada de gestão de remanejamento orientada para o cliente, distinguida pela sua superior prestação de serviços e tecnologia proprietária de ponta. O WHR tem escritórios em Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Suíça e Cingapura. Com sua taxa de retenção de clientes de 100% na última década, o WHR continua a se posicionar como provedor confiável na relocação global de funcionários. http://www.whrg.com,   LinkedIn, Twitter e Facebook.

Contato com a Mídia: Mindy Stroiman, Redatora Corporativa
Mindy.Stroiman@whrg.com
262-523-7510

WHR Group publie ses résultats de référence sur la mutation des employés

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, 25 mai 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHR Group, Inc. (WHR), un leader mondial dans le domaine de la mutation des employés à l’échelle mondiale, a mené une étude de référence mondiale sur la mobilité interrogeant certaines des plus grandes entreprises américaines opérant dans une variété de secteurs. Les conclusions mettent en lumière la manière dont les entreprises ont changé leurs politiques de mutation des employés, même pendant l’année 2020 et la pandémie. Les répondants comprenaient du personnel d’entreprise travaillant dans les secteurs des ressources humaines, de la gestion de la mobilité, de la gestion des talents ainsi que des avantages sociaux et de la rémunération. Voici quelques-unes des conclusions :

  • Les avantages de la mutation sont toujours solides, malgré la pandémie de COVID-19.
  • 85 % des entreprises offrent un certain type d’avantage sur les ventes immobilières aux personnes mutées.
  • 67 % des répondants ont connu une pénurie de talents mais incluent leur programme de mobilité dans les stratégies de recrutement des candidats.
  • Les prestations forfaitaires sont tendances mais sont souvent utilisées en complément des indemnités de déménagement de base par rapport à un forfait de prestations autonome.

Plus de 57 % des personnes interrogées ont un programme de mutation international et 88 % ont des politiques de transfert permanent international ou d’expatriation. Plus de 50 % ont estimé que les lois sur l’immigration constituaient la partie la plus difficile des mutations internationales en Afrique et en Asie. Pour l’Afrique, les lois sur l’immigration et le climat politique ont été rapportés comme créant les plus grands défis. Pour l’Asie, les lois sur l’immigration et la barrière linguistique constituent les plus grandes difficultés. Les logements temporaires, les services de destination et l’installation, les articles ménagers, l’assistance en matière de visas et d’immigration et l’aide fiscale sont considérés comme des avantages essentiels pour les mutations et les affectations internationales.

Sur les 68,5 % qui proposent des frais de clôture à destination, 76,5 % ne plafonnent pas cet avantage, même si le plafonnement de l’aide est un moyen de contrôler les coûts organisationnels. La plupart des entreprises ont indiqué créer des forfaits d’avantages basés sur le bénéficiaire moyen, qui ne tiennent pas toujours compte des cultures individuelles et de la dynamique familiale. Cela peut entraîner des demandes d’exceptions à la politique de la part des employés.

Téléchargez le rapport de référence complet de WHR.

À propos de WHR Group, Inc.
WHR est une société de gestion des mutations des employés mondiale privée, axée sur le client, distinguée par sa prestation de services meilleure de sa catégorie et sa technique exclusive de pointe. WHR possède des bureaux à Milwaukee, dans le Wisconsin, en Suisse et à Singapour. Avec son taux de rétention de la clientèle de 100 % au cours des dix dernières années, WHR continue de se positionner en tant que fournisseur de confiance dans le domaine de la mutation des employés à l’échelle mondiale. http://www.whrg.com,   LinkedIn, Twitter et Facebook.

Contact auprès des médias : Mindy Stroiman, rédactrice d’entreprise
Mindy.Stroiman@whrg.com
262-523-7510

WHR Group Releases Employee Relocation Benchmark Results

MILWAUKEE, Wis., May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHR Group, Inc. (WHR), a leader in the global employee relocation industry, conducted a Global Mobility Benchmark study surveying some of the largest U.S. companies from a variety of industries. Findings shed light on how companies have changed their employee relocation policies, even during 2020 and a pandemic. Respondents included corporate staff working in HR, mobility management; talent management; and benefits and compensation departments. Some findings include the following:

  • Relocation benefits are still going strong even with the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 85% of companies offer some type of home sale benefit to transferees.
  • 67% of respondents have experienced a talent shortage but include their mobility program in candidate recruitment strategies.
  • Lump sum benefits are trending but often used as a complement to basic relocation benefits versus a standalone benefit package.

Over 57% surveyed have an international relocation program, and 88% have expatriate or international permanent transfer policies. Over 50% found immigration laws to be the most challenging part of international relocations with Africa and Asia reported as the most challenging. For Africa, immigration laws and political climate were reported as creating the greatest challenges. For Asia, immigration laws and language barrier created the greatest challenges. Temporary housing; destination services and settling in; household goods; Visa and immigration assistance; and tax assistance are considered core benefits for international transfers and assignments.

Of the 68.5% offering destination closing costs, 76.5% don’t cap this benefit, even though capping the support is a way to control organizational costs. Most companies reported creating benefit packages based on the average transferee, not always considering individual cultures and family dynamics. This can lead to policy exception requests by employees.

Download WHR’s Complete Benchmark Report.

About WHR Group, Inc.
WHR is a privately owned, client-driven global employee relocation management company distinguished by best-in-class service delivery and cutting-edge, proprietary technology. WHR has offices in Milwaukee, Wis., Switzerland, and Singapore. With its 100% client retention rate for the past decade, WHR continues to position itself as the trusted provider in global employee relocation. http://www.whrg.com,  LinkedInTwitter and Facebook.

Media Contact: Mindy Stroiman, Corporate Writer
Mindy.Stroiman@whrg.com
262-523-7510

Blue California Opens New Possibilities in Functional Food and Beverages Following Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) GRAS Status

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California’s Taxifolin BC-DHQ® with super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties is now Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) in a range of foods and beverages following a letter of no objection from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Naturally found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, Dihydroquercetin (DHQ), also known as taxifolin, is a flavonoid commonly found in apples, olive oil and red onions. As a flavonoid, taxifolin possesses powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may support immune health.

“This GRAS status is good news for consumers and brands alike, because it opens new doors for brands to create products that will excite health-conscious consumers,” said Dr. Linda May-Zhang, research, science and innovation officer at Blue California. “DHQ is a powerful antioxidant that has a greater antioxidant capacity when compared to vitamin C, and it is ideal in a variety of on-trend food applications, including beverages, yogurt and chocolate products.”

Health-conscious consumers are actively exploring new functional food and beverages for supporting immune health and wellness. Immune health will remain a top priority for consumers as 64% of global consumers are looking to improve their immunity over the next 12 months, reported by FMCG Gurus, Top Ten Trends for 2021, Dec. 2020.

DHQ seeks and neutralizes free radicals in the body, and its unique molecular structure makes it especially effective at preventing cellular damage. It can also play an important role in skin health since it protects cells and stimulates collagen and elastin production in the skin.

“Taxifolin BC-DHQ has much to offer as a powerful antioxidant in food and beverages as it provides improved color stability for beverages, extends shelf life, and enhances flavor,” said May-Zhang. “Not only is DHQ regarded as a promising ingredient to immune health, it may also be used in cosmetic applications for anti-aging and UV-protection.”

Blue California offers food and beverage manufacturers its high purity Taxifolin BC-DHQ made by a sustainable process. Innovation partner Conagen developed a clean, reliable, and scalable DHQ using its proprietary bioconversion process, resulting in a sustainable production method.

“Conagen is unlocking novel compounds from nature which are more sustainable and offer better options for ingredient applications, said Dr. Casey Lippmeier, vice president of innovation at Conagen. “Our ability to rapidly scale-up and commercialize this and other novel ingredient solutions demonstrates our strength as a strategic service partner.”

Taxifolin BC-DHQ,® is a registered trademark of Blue California, Inc.

About Blue California

Blue California is an entrepreneurial, science-based solutions provider and manufacturer of clean, natural, and sustainable ingredients used in food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, dietary supplements, personal care and cosmetic products. For more than 25 years, Blue California has built a strong reputation for creating value in these diverse natural product and nature-inspired industries.

About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop sustainable, nature-based molecules bio-manufactured into the highest quality products available. We focus on the bioproduction of high-value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. For more information, visit www.conagen.com

Attachment

Ana Arakelian
Blue California ingredients
+1-949-635-1991
ana@bluecal-ingredients.com

US politicization of tech supply chains is both risky and costly

BEIJING, May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by China.org.cn on US politicization of tech supply chains is both risky and costly.

In 2019, the Trump administration unleashed its “tech war” on China, with the goal of blocking China’s development in high tech sectors by preventing targeted companies from procuring components manufactured in the United States.

As the White House ramped up its hostility toward Beijing, it intensified its measures. The most notable target was the Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei, which was first placed on the commerce department’s “entity list” putting it under export controls. Later, it was also subjected to the “foreign direct product rule,” which unilaterally banned overseas companies who use U.S. patents in their own semiconductor production from supplying the company.

A staff member works at a workshop of a semiconductor company in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 10, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Even though President Joe Biden has since taken office, he has yet to reverse these decisions. Instead, he has pressed on in the mold of an “America First” policy when it comes to semiconductors with the goal of consolidating a U.S. monopoly of the industry and controlling “technologies of the future.”

What have been the consequences of these decisions? In fact, they have had adverse effects for America and the world at large.

The aggressive politicization of the semiconductor sector against the world’s second largest economy is disrupting a global supply chain, reversing globalization and creating an effect of “localization.”

China has massively boosted its investment in semiconductor capabilities on a whole-of-society scale, while America has created political risks for tech firms who rely on their supplies. On an organizational level, firms have been bulk buying semiconductor and lithography manufacturing equipment from the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea, as well as panic buying semiconductors to hedge against potential future restrictions. Companies are losing confidence in traditional suppliers.

This uncertainty has created a global shortage in semiconductors, which is causing risks to the global economy. The shortage has created delays in the manufacturing and supply of electronic consumer goods and automobiles, which has forced many factories around the world to postpone production and furlough workers. For example, Nissan’s Sunderland factory in the U.K. was forced to slow production for three weeks due to a lack of semiconductors. Another consequence has been growing inflation, which undoubtedly contributed to the unexpected surge in the U.S. consumer price index, which jittered global markets last week.

These adverse outcomes show that weaponizing technology supply chains against China will not make America better off. Localized supply chains are more expensive and will cost the U.S. considerable market share as Beijing develops its own industry. This year, China will commence production of 7-nanometer nodes and quickly cede dependency on lower nodes, with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) investing in a $2.35 billion chip foundry in Shenzhen set to produce 28-nm integrated circuits. This has allowed companies such as Huawei to continue developing their 5G networks despite U.S. sanctions.

In China, government investment in the sector has already amounted to $150 billion, while earmarked investment for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) extends to $1 trillion. While this is seen as a political necessity, few disagree that an open-ended global industry remains preferential. Leading foreign semiconductor companies still seek to compete within the Chinese semiconductor market due to its growing economy and surging demand, showing the dangers of upheaving this market.

In this case, it is worth noting that one thing is certain when it comes to current U.S. policy: Weaponizing semiconductors creates a “lose-lose” situation, carving up a global industry into localized spheres, creating a fractured market and raising prices. That being said, it will still not block China’s technological advances.

For all involved, it is a costly and unpredictable path with knock on effects all the way down to the ordinary consumer.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. He writes on topics pertaining to China, the DPRK, Britain and the U.S. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm

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