The HEAL Africa hospital in Goma Democratic Republic of Congo is not just a hospital - H is for Health care but the E is for Education of both health care workers and the patients - so women who have had surgery to repair the damage done by rape are given the opportunity to learn to read and write or to learn to sew so that they can earn a living as in the Healing Arts program pictured here But some women despite numreous operations cannot be healed - and they have no home to return to either because of... Full article »

Tags: Africa, charity, environment, health

Scientists are usually reluctant to state anything as fact preferring instead to prequalify everything with the term "theory" (relativity, big bang, string, quantum entanglement....). However, while some theories prove to validate, others often sit on the lab bench for centuries waiting for that missing link. The one commonality is that they remain theories which means that they can and often are proved wrong. So why is it that climate change is a done deal? Should we really believe that pretty much every scientist worth their weight in petri dishes agrees that climate change is fact? Professor Ian Plimer thinks not.... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 9:56 PM Comment

Tags: business, environment, law, science

While Australia has the lowest recorded annual rainfall of any inhabited continent it tops the list on a per capita calculation, our problem has always been more about management. This book chronicals the history of Australia from the first fleet to present day, outlining how the search for and management of water shaped this great continent. In the early days Sydney and its surrounds was sustained by fresh water running into Sydney Cove but with the population rapidly increasing this supply became inadequate and the "Tank Stream" was created. By tapping into an underground water source Sydney was able to... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 10:34 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, business, environment

If you want to push your particular issue up the political agenda, then it is necessary to add "security" to your noun eg "water security", "climate security" and "education security". I think that there should be a national campaign to emphasize "food, fibre and fuel security". On Friday September 11 2009 I spoke in Brisbane at the Queensland AGFORCE 2009 State Conference. This was an appropriate anniversary on which to be speaking about new approaches to "security"!                  People now expect more "safety" from their governments. There has been a revolution of "rising... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 6:52 PM Comment

Tags: business, economics, environment

In an age when stories of impending doom with regards to the state of the environment are rampant it is great to read something more positive. Lester Brown has was named by the Washington Post as "One of the world's most influential thinkers" and has devoted his life to the global environmental movement. His most recent book, "Mobilizing To Save Civilization" reviews the health of the planet while discussing and offering up practical and positive steps towards a solution. This book champions the cause for education and empowerment (through health care) of the individual as a means to achieving environmental... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 11:18 PM Comment

Tags: charity, environment, media, reviews

It seems that politicians all over Australia had a thing or two to say about the recently rejected Cap and Trade emissions plan. The only problem is in working out just what they all meant! Take a look at this clip from Sunrise on Seven and see for yourself!... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, entertainment, environment

The recent controversy over the Australian mining executive, Stern Hu, held in China has been a reminder of the importance of mining to the Australian economy. But mining's contribution is not just financial. In May 2008 I spoke at the dinner of the National Mining Congress of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC). Here are some of my remarks: Mining Companies Make the World a More Peaceful Place First, mining is part of the overall improvement in international trade - and trade that bring countries together reduces the risk of international war. This has been called the "MacDonald's... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, business, economics, environment

Rating:

• Currently 3

The poor treatment of foreign students in Australia has been in the news again this week. The ABC TV "Four Corners" programme explained the plight of Indian students coming to Australia and being cheated by some of the educational institutions, migration agents etc. My only complaint with the programme was the implication that this was somehow a new issue. In fact almost as soon as the formal "export of education" got underway in 1986, there were problems. In my 1995 book "Global Agenda: Economics, The Environment and the Nation-State", I raised some concerns with this process (pp 128-134). Australia has... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:24 PM Comment

Tags: Asia, Australasia, education, environment

                    Kevin opened up his latest world tour with a stopover in Malaysia. Friday Mash's exclusive sources believe he went there to lecture asylum seekers on the joys of living in New Zealand. Then on to Germany, the Pope's country of birth. Correspondents travelling with Kevin were undecided whether he went there to pick up a beamer to replace the ute or to impress Angela Merkel with his economic theories for post neo-liberalism and his smoke and mirrors approach to saving the world from environmental catastrophe. Is the Pope a catholic?... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, entertainment, environment

Launched on World Environment Day this film depicts our planet as you have never seen it before. The photography is as stunning as it is confronting, showing the have-have not dichotomy as never before. Home has been cleverly constructed in a way that motivates the viewer to engage with the environment and appreciate what our "home" has to offer. The film signs off by saying that what happens next is up to us, what could be more powerful than that? A trailer for the film is shown below. To view the full movie please follow this link to you tube.... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 10:30 PM Comment

Tags: environment

On May 27 2009 I went back to school - as a principal. This is a bit of exaggeration as I was only a “Principal for a Day”. The community partnership scheme saw over 50 “Principals for a Day” shadow the principal in a primary, special or secondary government school in metropolitan Sydney and rural NSW. This is part of a global programme with sister events being held in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Auckland. The Principals for a day are business and community leaders representing a range of fields and all are interested in education and youth. It... Full article »

Tags: Australasia, education, environment, health

Rating:

• Currently 5

Full review »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 1:02 PM Comment

Tags: environment, peace

Pete Seeger from Wikipedia. Photo By Anthony Pepitone

Pete Seeger turned 90 yesterday (3rd May) and celebrated a lifetime of making a difference through song. This much loved folksinger is synonymous with the American civil rights movement - a cause that ruffled the FBI enough to have them ban his band "The Weavers". Down but not out Pete continued to sing his protest songs, entertain and inspire the public through his work. He has been a tireless peace and anti-war campaigner as well as taking on many environmental issues. One of his most successful was the cleaning up of the Hudson River and the subsequent passing of the... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 12:16 PM Comment

Tags: America, environment, peace

A moving story of Christian the lion who was purchased by Australian's John Rendall and Anthony Bourke from UK department store Harrods in 1969. Christian was released back into the wild a year later. Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 7:25 PM Comment

Tags: charity, environment

For 1800 of the last 2000 years China had the worlds largest economy. The term "The Rise of China" should be re-written as "The Return of China" to more accurately reflect their global position. This book explores China's double digit growth starting in the late 70's up to the present day. Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:08 AM Comment

Tags: Asia, economics, environment, media, reviews, sociology

The United Nations Association of Australia Katoomba branch opened its doors to the public on Easter Monday with a tour of their edible garden and an update on the work being carried out under the UNAA's environmental program. I went along with my family to get some "green" inspiration. Full article »

Tags: charity, environment

The United Nations Association of Australia (NSW) Inc is opening its Blue Mountains Branch office in Katoomba to the public from 12 noon on Easter Monday 13th April, 2009 Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 5:04 PM Comment

Tags: environment, health

An irreverent look at topical world events. Full article »

Tags: Asia, entertainment, environment

There has been a great deal of media attention this week to the fate of the Kyoto Protocol. But there is some good news on the environment front Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 4:21 PM Comment

Tags: charity, environment

The British magazine "The Economist" is one of the world's most influential publications. It normally deals with high finance and high politics. However, it has recently carried an obituary for a person who could not read or write for the first 98 years of his life. Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 4:06 PM Comment

Tags: education, environment, health, sociology