Opinion pieces

121 - 130 of 143 results

Website focus on charities a timely contribution to a sacred trust

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The move to make Australia’s charities more accountable with the establishment of a ‘my-school’ type website is to be applauded. Charities such as World Vision, which is Australia’s largest overseas aid and development agency, are built upon a ‘sacred trust’ in which donors expect their hard earned dollars to make a very real difference in the lives of those in need.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, Humanitarian, NGO, Philanthropy, Tim Costello

A boom for philanthropy?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Western Australia is at an unprecedented point in history. It sits at the centre of a resources boom, perfectly placed in the region during the “Asian century” and blessed by social and political stability.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, International Development, NGO, Philanthropy, Tim Costello

Labour trafficking, not sex trafficking needs more attention

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Stories of girls as young as five found exploited and abused in brothels have been splashed across our screens for the past 10 years. These stories are shocking and deserve the media's scrutiny, but this shining light on one dark corner of our world has meant an even larger issue has not been given the attention it needs and deserves.

Opinion Pieces, Human trafficking, Asia and the Pacific, Child Labour, Child Slavery, Human Rights, Human trafficking, Tim Costello

Poor will pay the price to cut emissions

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

While Australians grapple with the idea of putting a price on carbon and the impact on their fuel and grocery bills, in many developing countries the choice looks more like a trade-off between national development out of poverty and global action to limit climate change.

Opinion Pieces, Climate change, Asia and the Pacific, Climate Change, Environment, International Development, Tim Costello

Helping those beyond our shores is good business

Monday, May 30, 2011

Simon McKeon, 2011 Australian of the Year and former World Vision Australia Board Member, suggests that at less than 1% of the recent Federal Budget, Australia's overseas aid program is both the right thing to do and a sound investment, because it's contributing to the economic health and stability of our neighbours.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, Millennium Development Goals, Simon McKeon, United Nations

The moral cost of cutting aid

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Many Australians think we are the St Vincent de Paul of the world. When disaster strikes Australia responds. When there are poor communities in need we are only too eager to help. It's the Aussie way and perhaps even a responsibility for us as "The Lucky Country".

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, Millennium Development Goals, Tim Costello, United Nations

Our guilty pleasure at Easter

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Like many Australians - both young and old - I’m looking forward to tucking into a few chocolate eggs this Sunday. I love chocolate and it’s hard to imagine a world without it – especially at Easter.

Opinion Pieces, Child labour, Africa, Cadbury, Child Labour, Child Slavery, Cocoa Industry, Martin Thomas, West Africa

Remember Haiti, even in the midst of floods

Monday, January 17, 2011

Australians glued to their televisions watching the dark tide of floodwaters in Queensland may remember the earthquake that flattened the capital of Haiti, Port au Prince, one year ago and killed more than 200,000 people.

Opinion Pieces, Emergencies, Latin America and Carribean, Australian Government, Earthquake, Election, Flood, Foreign Aid, Haiti, President Obama, Tim Costello

Aid agencies ready to help in Sudan if referendum erupts into conflict

Friday, January 7, 2011

Seldom is there a warning of a looming crisis. Natural disasters come as a shock to everyone. However as Africa's largest nation prepares for a critical referendum, people in many parts of Sudan already know that their future is precarious. Many are already moving from the most volatile districts as both North and South Sudanese face this critical juncture.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Election, Foreign Aid, International Development, President Obama, South Sudan, Sudan, Tim Costello

This election, put your vote to work for someone who needs change in their lives

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Most of us are sick of hearing about Julia Gillard’s hair, or Tony Abbott’s Speedos. But trivia aside, one of these people will lead the country. Will you vote for the old Julia? The ‘real’ Julia? Tony Abbott? The Greens? Or will you take Mark Latham’s advice, and not vote for anyone?

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Climate Change, Election, Foreign Aid, Humanitarian, Julia Gillard, Tim Costello, Tony Abbott