Praxis Discussion Series

Building peaceful nation-states which respond to the aspirations of their citizens takes strong leadership, both international and domestic. The international community has an important role to play in assisting countries to avoid, contain and recover from conflict, and the recent past demonstrates how much can be achieved when global and national incentives align, and program implementation is appropriately designed and well-managed. Too often, though, efforts have failed to decisively address the motives and opportunities which help to mobilize violent conflict; to integrate political, security and development approaches; or to align local, national, regional and global actions. As a result, some areas have seen new waves of conflict and violence in recent years and some “post-conflict countries” have not yet managed to make a decisive shift to successful and stable development. Features Terence Wesley-Smith and Tarcisius Kabutaulaka from the University of Hawai’i, and Anne Brown from the University of Queensland.

A meaningful path out of poverty requires a strong economy that produces jobs and good wages; a government that can provide schools, hospitals, roads, and energy; and healthy, well-nourished children who are the future human capital that will fuel economic growth. Though the most acute phase of the global financial crisis has passed, recovery remains fragile and uneven. Continuing high food prices are of particular concern for developing countries, as is limited international financing. The World Bank estimates that 64 million more people are living in extreme poverty this year and 40 million more people went hungry in 2009 due to the combined food, fuel and financial crises. Features James Cox from World Vision Australia, Prof. Ross Buckley from the University of New South Wales, and Mark Thirlwell from the Lowy Institute.

A quarter of the population of developing countries still live on less than $1.25 a day. One billion people lack clean drinking water, 1.6 billion lack electricity. Yet these are the people who will bear some 75 to 80 percent of the costs of damage caused by the changing climate. Higher temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and more frequent weather-related disasters all pose risks for agriculture, food, and water supplies in the developing world. Features Norman Gillespie from UNICEF Australia, Milina Battaglini from the World Bank, and Martijn Wilder from Baker and McKenzie.

UNAIDS and the World Health Organization estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in recorded history. Health statistics show that the poorest regions of the world are also the most affected by HIV. More than 68 percent of people living with the HIV virus live in Sub-Saharan Africa. The 6th Millennium Development Goal is to stop the spread and begin to reverse incidences of HIV by 2015 – as well as to provide universal treatment. Features Rouena Getigan from ChildFund Australia, Bruce Parnell from the Burnet Institute, and Bill Bowtell from the Lowy Institute.

Having food security means that all members of a household have continuing access to nutritious and safe food. It’s estimated that 1 billion people worldwide are hungry all the time. Two hundred million, or one third of these malnourished people, live in sub Saharan Africa. In the past three years 200 million more people have been pushed into hunger. Features Archie Law from ActionAid Australia, Nick Austin from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and Denis Blight from Crawford Fund.

During the past few decades, women’s and girls’ education and health levels have improved in most poor countries. In low-income countries, more than 37 million girls have been enrolled in primary school since 1995, improving girls’ enrollment rates from 80 percent compared to boys in 1995, to 88 percent in 2005. Since 1970, average life expectancy for women increased by 15 to 20 years in developing countries. But progress is lagging on improving equality on women’s economic empowerment, employment, and workplace issues. Features Elizabeth Reid, consultant on humanitarian and development assistance, Gillian Brown from AusAID, Andrew Rowell from CARE Australia, and Robert Dunn from Opportunity International Australia.

Poor people, particularly those in developing countries, face countless challenges when it comes to accessing financial services. Credit may be available through informal channels that are usually insecure and come at a high cost to borrowers. Microfinancing offers access to loans, insurance, and money transfers to allow people living in poverty the opportunity to run their own businesses and build up their assets in order to better their livelihoods. Features Guy Winship from World Education Australia, Terry Reid from the Asian Development Bank, and John Conroy from the Foundation for Development Cooperation.