Frontier Dialogues

This week on FD we talk to Laari Koba on finance literacy. Laari Koba is an initiative to kickstart that conversation and provide a FREE resource about money management techniques, ranging from analyzing spending habits, savings, future planning, and investment options available for individuals in the Maldives.

Miyaheli' is a social innovation camp hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ooredoo Maldives since 2016, with the support of the Government of Australia and in collaboration with several partners to empower young individuals to become change-makers. The latest in the series of social innovation camps brought together over 30 participants aged between 18-30 years - who, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, were targeted from Alif Alif, Alif Dhaalu, Vaavu, and Kaafu atolls this year. Mentors guided the participants to create innovative ideas themed around 'Innovation for People, Planet and Prosperity.

This week on Frontier Dialogues next episode with Kamana A.I on encouraging the use of the Dhivehi language through an easy online translator of English to Divehi (vice-versa) -Speech to text and text to speech-. As well as a solution to make information accessible for people with disabilities using software that translate in real-time

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we talk to Mr. Muhammed Jailam, Majalla's creator on encouraging Dhivehi language and culture through a virtual library platform. Majalla.mv also participated in the last Solutions Mapping exercise conducted by Accelerator Lab Maldives.

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we talk to Mr. Ahmed Afrah from the Right to the information portal about the importance of promoting and encouraging citizens' participation in the public arena through access to information in the Maldives.

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we talk to the Maldivan Community Foundation (MCF) on promoting, encouraging, and facilitating sustainable philanthropy and social responsibility among citizens and businesses in the country.

This week on #FrontierDialogues we talk to @OfficialShunan - Founder and CEO of @UtotoAi , on Artificial intelligence: Awesome Clue - an AI-based personality prediction algorithm, and recommendation engine.

This week in Frontier Dialogues, we talk to professor Hassan Ugail, Director of the Centre for Visual Computing at the University of Bradford, UK. on Artificial intelligence and its impact on national development in the Maldives. He is also the director of the Ugail Foundation in the Maldives, which focuses on, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and coding programming for youth in the country. He also is part of the First Learning Cycle Advisory Committee (FLCAC) on exclusion in the labor market, a project lead by the UNDP Maldives Accelerator Lab.

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we talk to Binheyo on transforming the food system and a youth innovation for human planetary health in celebration of the UN International youth day 2021.

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we talk to our team, Khady Hamid, Hussain Rasheed, and Fathimath Lahfa about the last activities of the MV Acclab; the first learning cycle, solution safari, and the nationals consultation under the frame of the UNDP country program document 2021-2026.

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we talk to Ahmed Nasir, CEO of Maldives Polytechnic about the future of work and skills needed for the youth in the Maldives.

Frontier Dialogues. Ep 26. with Aishath Naj. Female Maldivian Photographer. Series: Innovation and creativity

Creative industries and creative people not only make an important contribution to our economies but, also helps solve societal problems by bulldozing across our beliefs! Join Nattu and our host Fathimath Lahfa to learn more about Nattu's journey in creating LottieFiles. website: lottiefiles.com

This week on Frontier Dialogues we talk to Professor Peter Rudge from Staffordshire University (UK) on 'Beyond the blue economy and creative industries in the SIDS.' He is an award-winning creative entrepreneur, academic, writer, & producer.

The new series of Frontier Dialogues this week features Abdulla Shafeeu, founder of Vaahaka.com. This Frontier Dialogue will be hosted in Dhivehi by Hussain Rasheed, UNDP Maldives Accelerator Lab's Head of Experimentation.

This week on Frontier Dialogues - we have with us, Mohamed Mazin to speak about enabling and inclusive workplaces for persons with disabilities.

On this episode of Frontier Dialogues our host Fernando Galindo talks to Ali Adam from Maldives Association of HR Professionals (MAHRP) on Unpacking the issue of high percentage of NEETs in the Maldives.

This episode of Frontier Dialogues is part of the Maldives AccLab First Learning Cycle focusing on exclusions in the labor market in the country. We are currently working with many national actors to unpack the issue and co-design solutions. Under this exploratory frame and the celebration of International women's day, we want to dedicate this episode to explore Gender in the Workplace in the Maldives. That's why today we have a special guest: Fathimath Shaazleen, who has extensive experience in the hospitality and tourism industry in the Maldives and abroad.

In this episode of Frontier Dialogues, our host Fernando Galindo, who is also the Innovation, Research, and Development Lead at UNDP Maldives is joined by the UNDP Maldives Accelerator Lab team, comprising of Maldivian development practitioners: Khadeeja Hamid (Head of Solutions Mapping), Hussain Rasheed (Head of Experimentation) and Fathimath Lahfa (Head of Exploration). The Maldives Accelerator Lab, which is being launched on March 13th, is joining a global network of UNDP Accelerator Labs working to re-imagine innovative approaches developed for the 21st Century.

The first episode of 2021 of Frontier Dialogues has UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives Akiko Fujii talking to UNDP Maldives Innovation Lead Fernando Galindo about the Maldivian Innovation Journey in 2020 and the setting up of the UNDP Maldives Accelerator Lab, as well as innovative development, approaches for the 21st century.

Our last episode of the year finds our hosts Fernando & Khady talking to Ms. Akiko Fujii, Resident Representative of UNDP Maldives about her reflection on the year. Ms. Akiko explores the biggest challenges faced IN 2020, how UNDP adapted to those challenges and how this informs future actions.

In this episode of #FrontierDialogues, our hosts Fernando and Khady chat with Dr. Arvind Mathur, the Representative of WHO in the Maldives. Dr. Arvind reflects on 2020, WHO's response in the Maldives to the Covid-19, and how the pandemic has shaped the role of WHO in the international arena. Dr. Arvind also talks about the COVAX initiative and what we could expect from that in 2021.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we talk to Dr. M. Munir A. Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to the Maldives who reflects on 2020, discuss the role of UNICEF in response to COVID-19 in the Maldives, and innovati ons in education.

This week we have a special episode of Frontier Dialogues with Ms. Catherine Haswell, the UN Resident Coordinator joining us to reflect on 2020, discuss the role of the UN system in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives, and explore the implications of this pandemic and the Maldives' role in multinational cooperation.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we have with us Hulwa Khaleel, the Project Coordinator for IDEAS in the Maldives - an NGO partner of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grant Programme (SGP), implemented by UNDP. Hulwa has worked with IDEAS on a voluntary basis to manage projects and drive outreach. She has experience in the education sector working on nationwide vocational education and environmental education programs.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we have with us Mohamed Zubair (Zubair) on behalf of FAAM Foundation- recipient of UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) fund. In this episode, Zubair shares information about the work of FAAM and his passion and commitment to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the development challenges of his community. He talks about what the NGO is doing under the GEF-SGP and UNDP-supported 'Kihaadhoo Goes Organic' project as well as the importance of making a shift to more nature-friendly ways of farming.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we talk to Ahmed Shafiu, the President of NGO Dhivehi Masverin (Maldives Fishermen). We discuss the story behind Dhivehi Masverin, the effects of COVID-19 for fishermen, as well as the progress of their projects supported by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme and UNDP.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we talk to Shuhad Ibrahim, who works as a Trade & Investment Consultant at the Ministry of Economic Development, about his work on the Rapid Livelihood Assessment Report and his thoughts on the crisis and possible ways forward.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we talk to Dr. Assela Pathirana who has worked in the sector of climate and water security for more than 20 years. Currently, Dr. Assela works for UNDP as Chief Technical Advisor-Water Engineering for the project 'Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Maldives to Manage Climate change-induced Water Shortages', implemented by the Ministry of Environment of the Maldives. Dr. Assela talks about issues that Maldivian islands face when it comes to potable water accessibility and how UNDP is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment to address these issues. Dr. Assela also highlights how digital tools help to effectively manage precious natural resources like groundwater lenses.

This week on Frontier Dialogues, we had a chat with Mariyam Yasmeen who took part in our Film for Change programme which encourages youth to explore social issues through the medium of film.

This week we talk to Areesha Moosa, who works as the manager at Business Center Kulhudhuffushi. Areesha touches upon challenges faced by Maldivians searching for employment, difficulty in becoming financially independent, and skills needed to be developed for the future job market after the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this episode, we talk to Mizy Musthafa, Communications and Resource Mobilisation Officer at Maldivian Red Crescent. Mizy touches upon some of the crucial work of the MRC team, often directly on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis, as seen with initiatives such as the launch of the Migrant Relief Fund. Mizy highlights how human rights and inclusion are key to the work of MRC as they assist communities to build back and recover stronger, and shares some of the significant lessons learned from the current crisis for future disaster preparedness.

This week on Frontier Dialogues we talk to Ismail Ubaidh, General Manager of Marketing, Business, and Development at the Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO). He was part of the team that established the current waste collection system and introduced most of the services provided by WAMCO. Ubaidh talks about the crucial role the WAMCO team plays in continuing to provide sustainable waste management solutions for the people, while prioritizing the safety of staff, especially in the face of major crises such as COVID-19.

This week we talk to Dr. Aminath Riyaz, an information management professional and one of the leading contributors on the Rapid Livelihoods Assessment on COVID-19, which looked at the impact of the crisis on the Maldives tourism industry in terms of employment and livelihoods and the potential knock-on effects on families and communities.

This week on Frontier Dialogues - we have with us, Fathimath Ibrahim (Faathun) on behalf of the Thaana Mellow team, winners of Miyaheli social innovation camp 2019. Thaana Mellow is a screen reading application that cothatnverts Thaana (written script of Maldivian language, Dhivehi) to Latin Dhivehi which then reads the text out loud. The app aims to addresses the gap in access to Dhivehi information sources online. Faathun, known for her volunteer work in multiple NGOs such as the Blind and Visually Impaired Society of Maldives and Maldives Red Crescent, is a true inspiration to all with her endless efforts to challenge societal expectations and show that Persons with Disabilities too can do anything they set their mind to.

In this episode, we talk to Mariyam Shiba - a passionate advocate for mental well-being and easily accessible mental health services. She is the founder and chairperson of Blue Hearts, which is the first online mental health support and awareness platform in the Maldives. Her academic background is in psychology. Frontier Dialogues is a series of podcasts from UNDP Maldives, bringing you voices from the front lines and in the response to COVID-19 in the country.

In our first talk, we feature Raushan Ali Firaq from UNDP Maldives, who tells us about the first virtual social innovation camp held in the Maldives, a part of the 'Miyaheli' series, that connected changemakers to create innovative ideas to fight the pandemic.