Author Archives: Ashlee Betteridge

Two-thirds of PNG businesses employ security guards: World Bank

A new World Bank series of policy briefs (summarised here) sheds light on the high costs of law and order problems for businesses operating in Papua New Guinea…. Continue reading

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Australia Network axing: what will happen to coverage of the region?

Today’s budget teaser in the papers is that the Australia Network will be scrapped. This is unsurprising, considering it not only came under fire from the… Continue reading

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SWEDOW cows and rotting apricots: bad food aid proposals gaining support of MPs

Just as the US is pushing to reform its long criticised food aid program, Queensland graziers and Victorian stonefruit growers are calling on the Australian government to purchase and send surplus livestock and agricultural products to developing countries in the name of ‘helping’ – and their idea is being backed by some federal MPs. The Australian Financial Review (May 8 2013, Page 7) reported on calls for the Australian government […] Continue reading

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An ex-volunteer’s perspective on improving the Australian Volunteers program

The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program offers an incredible opportunity for Australians to live in a developing country, to build cross-cultural knowledge and to share skills. For many, it is a life changing experience. Ask anyone who has taken on a volunteer assignment what is was like and they will usually gush out a string of positive adjectives. It is also a public relations boon for the aid […] Continue reading

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The economic costs of gender-based violence

Currently, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is taking place around the world. On development blogs, there have been posts on the impact of gender violence on militarism, human security, culture and more, including first person accounts. Most of this activism has centred on the social costs of gender-based violence (GBV), which encompasses sexual, physical and psychological abuse. These social costs are highly significant, as is the relationship between economic problems and increases in GBV [pdf]. But what are the economic costs? How […] Continue reading

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Aid Buzz (Nov 29): AusAID Transparency Charter | Aid rankings | Busan | US partnerships

AusAID launches Transparency Charter AusAID released its Transparency Charter last week, committing to the publication of detailed information on AusAID’s work ‘in a timely fashion and in a format that is useful and accessible’. The charter also promises local language summaries of aid projects, participation in the International Aid Transparency Initiative and the publication of annual targets for improving transparency in the aid program. Coinciding with the release of the charter, the first two of AusAID’s improved country pages also went live, for Vanuatu and […] Continue reading

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