Daily Current Affairs 19 July 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 19 July 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

Source: UNESCO
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Overview

1. About Report Global Education Monitoring (GEM)
2. Key Themes and Focus Areas
3. Major Findings
4. Implications and Recommendations
5. Conclusion

Why in the News?

Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024 released.

About Report Global Education Monitoring (GEM)

• The GEM Report is a critical tool for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the education sector.
• It monitors progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• The 2024 report focuses on the theme of leadership in education, examining how effective leadership can drive educational outcomes and transform learning environments.

Who is publishing Global Education Monitoring (GEM)?

• Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report is an annual publication by UNESCO that provides an in-depth analysis of the progress and challenges in global education.
• The 2024 edition of the GEM Report continues this tradition, offering valuable insights into the state of education worldwide.
• It is part of the ‘Education 2030 Incheon Declaration.

Key Themes and Focus Areas

• Leadership in Education
  • The 2024 GEM Report delves into the role of leadership at various levels of the education system.
  • It explores how leaders within schools, as well as those in administrative and policy-making positions, can influence educational outcomes.
  • The report highlights the importance of visionary leadership that can inspire change, foster innovation, and create inclusive learning environments.
• Equity and Inclusion
  • A significant focus of the report is on addressing disparities in education.
  • It examines how leadership can play a pivotal role in promoting equity and inclusion, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.
  • The report emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to support marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
• Technology and Education
  • Building on the insights from the 2023 GEM Report, the 2024 edition continues to explore the intersection of technology and education.
  • It assesses how digital tools and platforms can enhance learning experiences and bridge educational gaps.
  • The report also addresses the challenges of digital divide and the importance of ensuring that technology is used to support, rather than replace, human interaction in education.

Major Findings

• Impact of Leadership
  • The report finds that effective leadership is crucial for improving educational outcomes. Schools with strong leadership tend to have better student performance, higher teacher morale, and more innovative practices.
  • Leadership training and development programs are essential to equip educational leaders with the skills needed to navigate complex challenges.
• Challenges in Equity
  • Despite progress in many areas, significant disparities remain in access to quality education.
  • The report highlights the need for policies that address these inequities and provide support to the most vulnerable populations.
  • It calls for increased investment in education, particularly in low-income and conflict-affected regions.
• Role of Technology
  • The report underscores the potential of technology to transform education but also warns against over-reliance on digital solutions.
  • It advocates for a balanced approach that integrates technology with traditional teaching methods.
  • Ensuring digital literacy and access to technology for all students is identified as a key priority.

Implications and Recommendations

The GEM Report 2024 offers several recommendations for policymakers and educators:

• Strengthen Leadership
  • Invest in leadership development programs to build the capacity of educational leaders at all levels.
  • Encourage collaborative leadership models that involve teachers, students, and communities in decision-making processes.
• Promote Equity and Inclusion
  • Implement targeted policies to address educational disparities and support marginalized groups.
  • Increase funding for education, particularly in underserved areas, to ensure that all students have access to quality learning opportunities.
• Leverage Technology
  • Develop strategies to integrate technology effectively into the education system, ensuring that it complements rather than replaces human interaction.
  • Provide training and resources to teachers and students to enhance digital literacy and access to technology.

Conclusion

• The GEM Report 2024 is a comprehensive analysis of the current state of global education, with a particular focus on the role of leadership in driving educational outcomes.
• By highlighting the importance of visionary leadership, equity, and the balanced use of technology, the report provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders.
• As we strive towards achieving SDG 4, the findings of the GEM Report serve as a crucial guide for creating inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education systems worldwide.

Bretton Woods Conference

Source: World Bank
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Bretton Woods Conference

Why in the News?

In recognition of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference (the “Bretton Woods Conference”), the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group today announced the launch of a consultation tasked with developing a long-term view on the future of the world economy, international cooperation, and the roles of the Bank and the Fund.

News in Brief

• Bank and the Fund are pleased to announce the formation of a group of external advisors to help guide the exercise.
• This event explores the ambitious architecture of the international financial system set out at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944.
• Eighty years later, the global economy is once again in a moment of significant turmoil as countries recover from the pandemic and conflict has flared across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

About Bretton Woods Conference

• The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, stands as a pivotal moment in the history of global economic governance.
• Held from July 1 to 22, 1944, in the serene town of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, this conference laid the foundation for the modern international financial system.

Background and Context

• As World War II drew to a close, the Allied nations recognized the need for a stable and cooperative international economic framework to prevent the economic turmoil that had characterized the interwar period.
• The Great Depression, competitive devaluations, and trade wars had wreaked havoc on global economies, leading to widespread poverty and political instability.
• The Bretton Woods Conference was convened to address these issues and to establish a new economic order that would promote stability and growth.

Key Objectives

The primary objectives of the Bretton Woods Conference were to create institutions that would oversee the international monetary system and facilitate post-war reconstruction. The conference aimed to achieve the following:

1. Stabilize Exchange Rates: To prevent the competitive devaluations that had plagued the interwar period, the conference sought to establish a system of fixed exchange rates.
2. Promote Economic Growth: By facilitating international trade and investment, the new system aimed to foster economic growth and development.
3. Prevent Economic Crises: The conference aimed to create mechanisms to provide financial assistance to countries facing balance of payments problems, thereby preventing economic crises.

Major Outcomes

The Bretton Woods Conference resulted in the creation of two key institutions that continue to play a crucial role in the global economy:

1. International Monetary Fund (IMF):
   • The IMF was established to oversee the international monetary system and to provide short-term financial assistance to countries facing balance of payments difficulties.
   • It aimed to promote exchange rate stability and to facilitate the balanced growth of international trade.
2. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD):
   • Commonly known as the World Bank, the IBRD was created to provide long-term capital for the reconstruction of war-torn economies and for the development of emerging economies.
   • It focused on funding infrastructure projects and promoting economic development.

The Bretton Woods System

• The agreements reached at the Bretton Woods Conference led to the establishment of the Bretton Woods system.
• This system was characterized by fixed exchange rates, with currencies pegged to the US dollar, which in turn was convertible to gold.
• This arrangement provided stability and predictability to international trade and investment.

Legacy and Impact

• The Bretton Woods Conference had a profound and lasting impact on the global economic order.
• The institutions it created—the IMF and the World Bank—continue to play a central role in international economic governance.
• The Bretton Woods system itself lasted until the early 1970s, when the US abandoned the gold standard, leading to the current system of floating exchange rates.
• The conference also set a precedent for international economic cooperation, highlighting the importance of multilateralism in addressing global economic challenges.
• It demonstrated that nations could come together to create a framework that promotes stability, growth, and development.

Conclusion

• The Bretton Woods Conference was a landmark event that reshaped the global economic landscape.
• By establishing the IMF and the World Bank, it laid the foundation for a more stable and cooperative international monetary system.
• Its legacy continues to influence global economic policies and institutions, underscoring the enduring importance of international collaboration in achieving economic stability and prosperity.

Foreign Tribunals

Source: The Hindu
GS II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Foreign Tribunals
3. Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964

Why in the News?

Assam government asked the Border wing of the State’s police not to forward cases of non-Muslims who entered India illegally before 2014 to the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs).

News in Brief

• This was in keeping with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019 that provides a citizenship application window for non-Muslims — Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, Jains, and Buddhists — who allegedly fled persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
• Over 30,000 people detected to be foreigners by tribunals in Assam since 1966.

Foreign Tribunals

• Foreign tribunals play a crucial role in determining the status of individuals suspected of being foreigners in India.
• These quasi-judicial bodies are essential for maintaining the integrity of the nation’s borders and ensuring that only legitimate residents and citizens remain within the country.
• In this blog post, we will explore the concept of foreign tribunals in India, their functions, and their significance.

What are Foreign Tribunals?

• Foreign tribunals in India are specialized judicial bodies established to determine whether an individual is a foreigner or not.
• These tribunals operate under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, of 1964, which was enacted under the Foreigners Act, of 1946.
• The primary objective of these tribunals is to provide a legal mechanism for identifying and dealing with illegal immigrants.

Key Functions of Foreign Tribunals

• Adjudication of Citizenship:
  • Foreign tribunals are responsible for adjudicating cases where an individual’s citizenship status is in question. They examine evidence and testimonies to determine whether a person is an Indian citizen or a foreigner.
• Handling NRC Cases:
  • In states like Assam, foreign tribunals play a significant role in handling cases related to the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Individuals excluded from the NRC can appeal to these tribunals to prove their citizenship.
• Deportation Orders:
  • Based on their findings, foreign tribunals can issue orders for the deportation of individuals found to be residing illegally in India. These orders are then executed by the relevant authorities.

Establishment and Jurisdiction

• The central government establishes foreign tribunals, but recent amendments to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, have empowered district magistrates in all states and union territories to set up these tribunals.
• This decentralization aims to expedite the process of identifying and dealing with illegal immigrants across the country.

Challenges and Concerns

• Judicial Delays:
  • One of the significant challenges faced by foreign tribunals is the delay in adjudicating cases. The backlog of cases can lead to prolonged uncertainty for individuals whose citizenship status is under scrutiny.
• Burden of Proof:
  • The burden of proof lies on the individual to establish their citizenship. This can be particularly challenging for marginalized and economically disadvantaged individuals who may lack proper documentation.
• Human Rights Concerns:
  • There are concerns about the potential for human rights violations in the process of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants. Ensuring that the tribunals operate fairly and transparently is crucial.

Recent Developments

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has made several amendments to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, to streamline the functioning of these tribunals.
• These amendments include provisions for setting up additional tribunals and enhancing their powers to ensure timely adjudication of cases.

Conclusion

• Foreign tribunals in India are vital for maintaining the country’s internal security and ensuring that only legitimate residents and citizens remain within its borders.
• While they play a crucial role in adjudicating citizenship cases, it is essential to address the challenges they face to ensure fair and transparent proceedings.
• By understanding the functions and significance of foreign tribunals, we can appreciate their role in upholding the rule of law and protecting the nation’s integrity.

Bhooskhalan Mobile App

Source: PIB
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. National Landslide Forecasting Centre
3. Bhusanket Web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App
4. About the Geological Survey of India

Why in the News?

Union Minister of Coal and Mines launched the Bhusanket Web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App. 

News in Brief

• Also inaugurated the National Landslide Forecasting Centre.
• Landmark achievements for GSI and a testament to its commitment to advancing disaster preparedness and safety in India.
• The event underscores GSI’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology and innovation for the nation’s sustainable development, resource management, and disaster mitigation.

National Landslide Forecasting Centre

• NLFC is a pioneering initiative aimed at landslide hazard mitigation in India. Soon after this inauguration, residents of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Nilgiri districts will benefit from a live forecasting report to be shared with them from 20th July 2024.
• It will in due course issue early warning bulletins for all landslide-prone states, operationalizing the regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) nationwide by 2030.
• Equipped with advanced technology, the NLFC will provide early information to local administration and communities, update landslide inventories, and integrate real-time rainfall and slope instability data for enhanced forecasting accuracy.

Bhusanket Web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App

• Bhusanket Web Portal
  • Marks a major step towards disaster risk reduction.
  • This web portal will facilitate the dissemination of relevant data and information on landslide hazards, initiating short-range and medium-range landslide forecasting in the country.
• Bhooskhalan Mobile App
  • Integrated with the Bhusanket Web Portal, the user-friendly Bhooskhalan Mobile App will enable quick dissemination of daily landslide forecasts.
  • Also allow stakeholders to share and update spatial and temporal information on landslide occurrences.
  • The app is available on Bhusanket web portal and will soon be available on Google Play Store.

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