AGP Executive Report

Climate & Education: UNICEF reports climate hazards disrupted schooling for 171 million students worldwide in 2025, with storms the biggest driver and girls among those most at risk. Church & Gender Equality: A Synod study group calls for clear mechanisms to implement gender equality in Church workplaces, including new criteria and diocese-level roles. Madagascar & Faith: In Mahajanga, a religious program marked the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet and Imam al-Sadiq with Quranic activities and school supplies for about 130 students. Language & Culture Diplomacy: Russia’s Rossotrudnichestvo plans to open a “Russian House” partner centre in Madagascar, alongside new sites in several African countries, to expand Russian language, education, science and culture. Sports & Leadership: Fatma Samoura’s post-FIFA path highlights how African women are reshaping football leadership and development roles. Lifestyle & Travel: A new report flags Antananarivo as a rising incentive-travel destination for its wildlife, landscapes and distinctive culture. Community & Health: Merck Foundation and Africa’s First Ladies announced winners of 2025 Fashion, Song and Film Awards focused on women’s empowerment, girl education and health awareness. Science & Mentorship: New England Biolabs names recipients of its Passion in Science Awards, spotlighting mentorship, environmental stewardship and humanitarian work. Public Health: Uganda marks progress as WHO confirms interruption of a variant polio outbreak detected in 2024. Arts & Pop Culture: DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island gets a Jollibee partnership with themed food, streetwear and a Philippines trip sweepstakes.

Madagascar Youth & Protest Culture: Spanish photojournalist Luis Tato has won the Visa d’Or News for his 2025 coverage of Madagascar’s Gen Z mobilizations, adding to his World Press Photo 2026 win and spotlighting youth anger over corruption and a worsening economic crisis. Community & Faith in Mahajanga: The Ahl al-Bayt Center in Mahajanga marked the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet and Imam al-Sadiq with Quran recitations, poetry, and a Q&A, then distributed school supplies to about 130 students. Education & Language Access: A Russian House in Madagascar launched its first Russian language classes on 8 September, welcoming students, teachers, and civil society representatives, with cultural and learning opportunities highlighted. International Lifestyle & Film Buzz: DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island is tied to a Jollibee partnership across North America, while H.E.R. and Liza Soberano promote the film’s Filipino culture and friendship theme. Global Health Context: A World Mosquito Day analysis warns that malaria’s rise is tied to climate shifts, with Madagascar named among countries driving global increases. US Immigration Watch: The US published DV 2026 selection details, with multiple African countries listed among prospective entrants.

Madagascar & Education: In Mahajanga, the Ahl al-Bayt Center marked the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet and Imam al-Sadiq with Quranic activities, poetry, and a Q&A—then distributed school supplies to about 130 students. Madagascar & Language/Culture: A Russian House partner centre in Madagascar launched its first Russian language classes on 8 September, welcoming students and community representatives and linking language learning with cultural and humanitarian projects. Madagascar & Youth/Arts: AFP photographer Luis Tato has been recognized again for his coverage of Madagascar’s 2025 Gen Z protests, winning the Visa d’Or News award and adding to earlier World Press Photo recognition. Lifestyle/Travel: A new report highlights Antananarivo as a fresh incentive-travel destination for people seeking “somewhere I haven’t been before.” Health: Polio progress is in focus as WHO confirms Uganda has interrupted transmission of variant poliovirus and officially closed the outbreak. Immigration: The US has published DV 2026 Green Card lottery selections, with Madagascar included among African countries listed.

Madagascar Culture & Lifestyle: A Florida wildlife centre has welcomed two red-ruffed lemurs and turned visitor encounters into rainforest restoration funding in Madagascar, including tree-planting with Green Again Madagascar. Youth & Protest Culture: Spanish photojournalist Luis Tato has been recognized for documenting Madagascar’s 2025 Gen Z mobilizations, with awards highlighting a generation pushing back on corruption and economic crisis. Russian Cultural Links: Rossotrudnichestvo and African Initiative signed to establish a partner “Russian House” in Madagascar, expanding cultural and education programming across Africa. Travel & Experiences: A new incentive-travel report flags Antananarivo as a rising “somewhere new” destination, betting on Madagascar’s wildlife, landscapes and distinctive culture. Arts & Media: Chris Rock says he’d love another Madagascar film, keeping the franchise buzz alive for fans. Green Energy for Homes: Carbon credit financing is helping make clean cooking stoves more affordable across Africa, with the shift framed as safer, cheaper daily cooking for families.

Madagascar Youth & Protest Photography: Spanish photojournalist Luis Tato (AFP) has won the Visa d’Or News for his 2025 coverage of Madagascar’s Gen Z mobilizations, adding to earlier World Press Photo 2026 recognition for “Madagascar’s Gen Z Protests,” where young demonstrators used symbols like the One Piece pirate flag to denounce corruption and a worsening economic crisis. Russian Cultural Outreach: Rossotrudnichestvo and African Initiative signed an agreement to establish a partner Russian House in Madagascar, as the network expands across Africa and beyond with a stronger focus on Russian language, education, science, culture, and youth projects. Clean Cooking & Health: Carbon credit financing is helping households across Africa switch from smoky charcoal to safer induction cooking, with reports from Nairobi highlighting lower daily costs and improved indoor comfort for families. Green Card Lottery (DV-2026): The US State Department released DV-2026 selection details affecting many African applicants, with deadlines and next steps still required for anyone hoping to pursue permanent residency. Culture & Lifestyle Travel: A travel feature spotlights Madagascar’s island escapes like Nosy Tanikely, emphasizing wildlife-rich snorkeling and the country’s enduring “surprising” nature appeal.

Development & Everyday Life: A new look at Madagascar’s rice boost highlights how “one grain” can mean more income and school time, citing China-developed hybrid rice yields far above traditional varieties and framing development as lights, roads, doctors, and education—not just big projects. Clean Cooking & Health: Carbon credit financing is helping households switch from smoky charcoal to cleaner induction cooking, with reports from across Africa linking the shift to safer kitchens and major cuts in household air pollution deaths. Madagascar Youth Culture on the World Stage: AFP photographer Luis Tato has won major documentary awards for his coverage of Madagascar’s Gen Z protests, including the pirate-flag symbol used against corruption and economic crisis. Migration Opportunity: The US Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery) DV-2026 list is out, with African countries included and a September 30, 2026 deadline for selected applicants to complete processes. AI & Work Skills: Across Africa, AI is reshaping hiring and skills needs, with warnings that automation may hit young workers first unless talent pipelines and productivity strategies keep pace.

Madagascar Protest Photography: Spanish AFP photographer Luis Tato wins Visa d’Or News for his coverage of Madagascar’s 2025 Gen-Z mobilizations, adding to his World Press Photo 2026 Graphic Reporting win for “Madagascar’s Gen Z Protests.” The images spotlight young protesters’ anger at corruption and economic strain, including the One Piece pirate flag used as a resistance symbol in Antananarivo. Clean Cooking & Carbon Finance: In Nairobi, households are shifting from smoky charcoal to induction cooking thanks to carbon credit financing that helps clean-cooking firms cut costs—an approach aimed at tackling Africa’s massive household air-pollution burden. Digital Identity (Not Madagascar, but relevant tech): The US Green Card Lottery DV-2026 selection list is published, with African countries among the top registrants, while Sri Lanka rolls out a digital ID platform for banking, SIM registration, and education. Culture & Lifestyle Travel: Lonely Planet highlights off-season travel tips, including spotting lemurs in Madagascar in November. Conservation Leadership: Stony Brook University names new associate directors at Centre ValBio, continuing Patricia Wright’s Madagascar wildlife and forest-health work.

Clean Cooking & Carbon Credits: In Nairobi, Mary Kavutha switched from charcoal to an induction cooker after carbon-credit financing made cleaner stoves affordable, highlighting how Africa’s push for cleaner household energy is tied to carbon finance and forest pressure. Youth Protest & Photojournalism: AFP photographer Luis Tato won major recognition for documenting Madagascar’s 2025 Gen Z mobilizations in Antananarivo—young people protesting corruption, failing services, and economic crisis, with viral symbols like the pirate flag. State Capture Explained: A new analysis revisits how Madagascar’s late-2025 youth protests escalated from power and water shortages into demands for political change, arguing they helped overthrow a “captured state.” Education & Community Support: A Madagascan school renovation funded by the Talk Walk Rise/Bourse project aims to make learning safer and expand capacity—fixing broken windows, toilets, and the yard. Lemur Conservation Leadership: Stony Brook’s Patricia Wright expands Centre ValBio leadership by hiring Sarah Zohdy and Cortni Borgerson to strengthen wildlife and forest protection. Higher Education Links: Madagascar plans to deepen cooperation with Moscow in higher education and research, building on recent Russian-language and culture seminars at the University of Antananarivo. El Niño Risks for Children: UNICEF warns El Niño could affect 162+ million children across Eastern and Southern Africa, naming Madagascar among the 13 countries facing threats to nutrition, health, water, and schooling.

Photojournalism & Youth Activism: AFP photographer Luis Tato has won the Visa d’Or News for his coverage of Madagascar’s 2025 Gen-Z mobilizations, after his “Madagascar’s Gen Z Protests” also took top honors at World Press Photo 2026. The protests, driven by young people denouncing corruption and collapsing public services, used Gen-Z symbols like the One Piece pirate flag and helped trigger a major political shake-up. Migration & Diaspora: The US State Department released DV-2026 “Green Card Lottery” figures, with 129,516 prospective applicants registered worldwide, including a detailed breakdown of African countries and reminder that selectees must complete processes by Sept. 30, 2026. Travel & Lifestyle: Lonely Planet highlights off-season travel value, including spotting lemurs in Madagascar in November. Education & Community Support: Mary’s Meals reports school feeding is helping children attend, concentrate, and progress, with Madagascar among countries expanding reach. Environment & Children: UNICEF warns El Niño risks could affect 162+ million children across eastern and southern Africa, naming Madagascar among the most vulnerable. Higher Education Links: Madagascar’s minister says the country wants to strengthen cooperation with Moscow in higher education and scientific research. Local Philanthropy: A Madagascan school in Antsimondrano is being refurbished and expanded after support from Talk Walk Rise/Bourse, aiming to make learning safer and more accessible.

Travel & Culture: Lonely Planet’s new “Offseason” guide spotlights off-peak trips for richer local encounters—calling out Madagascar for November lemur spotting, plus winter escapes like Romania and Japan. Education & Community Support: Mary’s Meals says school feeding helped children in conflict- and drought-affected areas stay in class and concentrate, with Madagascar among countries expanding reach. Wildlife & Conservation: A new focus on human-wildlife coexistence highlights locally led solutions to protect livelihoods as species recover—relevant for Madagascar’s lemur landscapes. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns that intensifying 2026–2027 El Niño could affect over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, explicitly including Madagascar, with threats to food, health, water, and schooling. Madagascar–Russia Cooperation: Madagascar plans to strengthen ties with Moscow in higher education and scientific research, including university collaboration and cultural programs. Local Education Upgrade: A Madagascan public primary school in Antsimondrano is being refurbished and expanded through a grassroots donor project, aiming for safer facilities and more classroom capacity.

Madagascar–Russia Education Ties: Madagascar plans to strengthen cooperation with Moscow in higher education and scientific research, with talks focused on Russian university collaboration and a possible inter-ministerial agreement. School Renovation for Access to Learning: A Madagascan public primary school in Antsimondrano was refurbished through a grassroots non-profit project, improving unsafe infrastructure and more than doubling capacity for pupils. Blue Economy & Community Participation: Zanzibar and the Union are expanding citizens’ participation in the Blue Economy, including marine spatial planning, public education, and support for women’s groups in seaweed farming and fishing. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns that El Niño could affect over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, with Madagascar named among the countries facing threats to nutrition, health, schooling, and safe water. Conservation Leadership in Madagascar: Stony Brook University announced new associate directors at Centre ValBio, reinforcing ongoing work protecting lemurs, forests, and local communities. Tourism Spotlight: A travel feature highlights Nosy Tanikely’s wildlife-rich waters and endemic lemurs, positioning Madagascar as a “wild new paradise” for visitors. World Cruise Adds Madagascar Stop: Seabourn’s 138-day 2029 world cruise will include Antsiranana in Madagascar, alongside multiple UNESCO sites and overnight port stays.

Madagascar–Russia Education Ties: Madagascar plans to deepen cooperation with Moscow in higher education and scientific research, with talks on university collaboration and a possible inter-ministerial agreement after Russian language and culture activities at the University of Antananarivo. Local Philanthropy & School Upgrade: A Madagascan primary school in Antsimondrano is being refurbished and expanded through the Talk Walk Rise project, improving unsafe infrastructure and boosting capacity so more children can attend safely. Wildlife & Lemur Culture: A new “Islands” exhibit opens at Idaho Falls Zoo featuring Madagascar’s fossa and ringtail lemurs, bringing native island wildlife into an immersive, education-focused experience for visitors. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns that over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, including Madagascar, face growing threats from the intensifying 2026–2027 El Niño, with risks to nutrition, health, learning, and safe water. Conservation Leadership: Stony Brook University highlights Patricia Wright’s Centre ValBio legacy in Madagascar, as she brings in new associate directors to continue protecting lemurs, forests, and local communities. Travel Spotlight on Madagascar: A travel feature frames Madagascar as a “wild new paradise,” spotlighting Nosy Tanikely’s marine life and the island’s surprising endemic wildlife. Identity & Digital Services (Regional): Sri Lanka moves toward issuing production digital identities via SL-UDI, starting with e-NICs for 16-year-olds and expanding through pilots—an example of how identity systems are shaping education and services.

Madagascar–Russia Education Ties: Madagascar plans to deepen cooperation with Moscow in higher education and scientific research, with talks on university collaboration and a possible inter-ministerial agreement. School Support & Community Learning: A Guernsey-backed “Talk Walk Rise” project refurbished Antsimondrano Public Primary School, fixing unsafe infrastructure and more than doubling capacity to help more children attend safely. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns that intensifying El Niño (2026–2027) could affect over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, including Madagascar, with threats to nutrition, health, water, sanitation, and schooling. Bishops’ Formation in Rome: Vatican formation courses in Rome include newly appointed bishops from Madagascar, as the Church strengthens leadership and ecclesial communion across continents. Culture & Heritage Spotlight: A new “Queen Sarraounia” feature revisits the Hausa warrior-priestess who resisted French colonial forces, framing her legacy as part of broader African anti-colonial memory. Local Learning Through Faith: Vatican courses for new bishops also highlight liturgy and abuse prevention training, reflecting how religious institutions shape community life.

Madagascar–Russia Education Ties: Madagascar’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research says the country wants to deepen cooperation with Moscow on higher education and research, including links between Russian universities and Malagasy institutions. School Renovation & Community Learning: A trust company Bourse-backed project is refurbishing Antsimondrano Public Primary School, upgrading unsafe infrastructure and more than doubling capacity so more children can attend safely. Climate & Children at Risk: UNICEF warns that intensifying El Niño could affect over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, naming Madagascar among the countries facing threats to nutrition, health, water, sanitation, education, and safety. Blue Economy Collaboration: Union and Zanzibar governments are strengthening cooperation on the Blue Economy, including marine spatial planning and support for citizens—especially women’s groups involved in seaweed farming and fishing—to access skills and capital. Culture & Faith in Focus: Vatican formation courses in Rome bring 147 newly appointed bishops from multiple countries, including Madagascar, as part of training for episcopal ministry and church governance.

Vatican Formation: Rome’s September courses are underway for 147 newly appointed bishops from five continents, including Madagascar, aiming to strengthen episcopal ministry and church governance. Education & Culture Ties: Madagascar is set to deepen cooperation with Moscow in higher education and scientific research, with Russian language and culture activities already reaching University of Antananarivo students. School Renovation: A Madagascan primary school in Antsimondrano is getting a major refurbishment after funding support through the Bourse-backed Talk Walk Rise project, expanding capacity and improving safety for pupils. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns that intensifying El Niño could put over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa—including Madagascar—at risk through drought, heat, flooding, and disrupted learning. Biodiversity & Wildlife Coexistence: A new push highlights how conservation gains depend on locally led solutions so people and wildlife can share landscapes safely. Travel & Lifestyle: Seabourn opened bookings for a 138-day 2029 world cruise that includes Antsiranana, Madagascar, alongside island and UNESCO stops.

Education & Community Support: Talk Walk Rise and Bourse-backed donors have refurbished Antsimondrano Public Primary School in Madagascar, fixing broken windows, damaged floors and toilets, and more than doubling capacity for safer learning. Climate & Children’s Rights: UNICEF warns that over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa—including Madagascar—are exposed to intensifying 2026–2027 El Niño impacts like drought, extreme heat, flooding and disrupted schooling. Church & Leadership Training: Vatican formation courses in Rome are set for 147 newly appointed bishops, including participants from Madagascar, as they begin September “courses” for pastoral preparation. Culture & Language: A new academic year ceremony at the Russian Embassy school in Madagascar marked Knowledge Day, with officials stressing values alongside classroom learning. Sports & International Presence: Oman’s debut at the Brics Skate Cup included Madagascar among participating countries, highlighting growing regional sports links. Health Policy: WHO marks African Traditional Medicine Day (Aug. 31) with calls for more research, regulation and investment to help traditional care support universal health coverage. Energy & Daily Life: Madagascar’s state-owned JIRAMA reportedly bought diesel directly for the first time in nearly three decades via a Nigerian supplier, signaling a shift in how fuel imports are handled.