December 08, 2025
Hello dear Good News community,
I volunteer as a reading mentor at an elementary school. It’s always wonderful to see how proud the children are when they read a page — or sometimes even a whole book. Projects like these show that reading and writing can be learned in many different ways. All the better that there are also programs for adults to strengthen their literacy skills. You can read more about this in today’s edition.
Enjoy reading, Selina
NEWS OF THE DAY
(Opens in a new window)New York Fashion Week bans fur starting in 2026
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced that starting in September 2026, no events featuring animal fur will be allowed in the official New York Fashion Week program. The decision was made in collaboration with animal welfare organizations Humane World for Animals and Collective Fashion Justice. Source: VOGUE
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Brazil mobilizes billions for Indigenous forest projects
The Brazilian Coalition for Restoration and Bioeconomy Financing (BRB FC) plans to provide $10 billion by 2030 to support businesses of Indigenous and traditional communities. This funding aims to restore millions of hectares of degraded land in the Amazon, Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Rainforest. Source: MONGABAY
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Swiss school tests shortened school week
Fewer holidays but just four school days per week: Starting next year, the municipality of Belp in Switzerland will launch a new pilot project after the summer break. The experiment is scheduled for six years and will be scientifically monitored. The goal is to rethink school as a place where children can learn in a playful, engaging way. Source: BLUEWIN
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Media skills for kids
In Botswana, the initiative Think Equal helps teachers bring empathy into the classroom. In East London, young people participate in a program against disinformation, learning how to properly assess online content and recognize polarization. Source: BBC
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How adults around the world learn to read
Globally, over 700 million adults cannot read, yet innovative educational projects are creating new opportunities. In Somaliland, a learning app supports tens of thousands in developing literacy skills, while in the UK, volunteers guide learners step by step in improving their reading. Source: BBC
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Dogs boost mental health in teenagers
A Japanese study shows that teenagers who grow up with a family dog are mentally healthier than those without one. Certain bacteria in the dog’s saliva play an important role by positively influencing the teenagers’ gut microbiome. Source: THE GUARDIAN
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Best regards,
Bianca Kriel & Selina Mahoche
Date
December 8, 2025