Are we adequately building the resilience of young Australians as they transition from school to work?

Young Australians experience disadvantage in the labour market for a number of reasons. Alexandra Loftus says we need to connect young people to the working world as early as possible to expose them to the realities of the job market.

Needles in haystacks: intelligence gathering, subjects and citizens

Two American whistleblowers are currently in Australia to give talks on reclaiming one’s citizenry once it's lost. Binoy Kampmark says there is an obsession with controlling every facet of information as a means of protecting a state’s security.

Effective childcare programs for children with ASD – yes we can!

Standard community services often don’t have the resources to support intensive home programs for pre-schoolers with autism. Dr Giacomo Vivanti shares research on how an effective intervention model can be delivered successfully in a childcare setting.

Current music industry woes

The music industry has been transforming since songs and music video clips could be streamed for free. Neil Milliner appeals to his fellow musicians worldwide to unite and come up with a workable system.

A Nation of “Good Sports”‘? Cultural Citizenship and Sport in Contemporary Australia

The national government and its agencies tend uncritically to reproduce the mythology of universal Australian love of sport. David Rowe is head of a project in ethnically diverse Greater Western Sydney, exploring if it still can be assumed that sport plays a unifying role in this country.

Sport in Australia: global engagement, national and local significance

Australia is no backwater in world sport and hosts big international tournaments each year. Daryl Adair says a balance of global and local events is important for the sustainability of the Australian sport marketplace.

We can’t afford to ignore it

It is Homeless Persons’ Week from 4 to 10 August 2014. This year, Homeless Persons’ Week will look at how ignoring homelessness causes significant costs to individuals, government and society. The event is coordinated by Homelessness Australia. It is used to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness and the surrounding issues.

It’s about what is wrong and what is right

Politicians from both major parties keep using asylum seekers to score political points. Alycia Gawthorne from GetUp says that instead of operating on our most base human emotions, fear of the unknown, our actions should reflect our nation’s true values of mateship and a fair go.

Swimming, sport and all that Jaz

Regardless of the level you reach in any sport, the life lessons and skills developed are invaluable. Jaz Forsyth from Swim Australia looks back on her own career as a competitive swimmer cut short.

Australia, we need to talk

Australians are kind and generous people, but like anyone, we are prone to fear what we do not know. Alycia Gawthorne from the community advocacy organisation GetUp says it is up to us to start changing the way we talk about asylum seekers.

Have a night in to get the word out

Friday 25 July is White Ribbon Night. The event raises funds to help stop violence against women. Communities across Australia are asked to have a night in to get the word out.

World Cup goes to Germany

Germany has won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. They beat Argentina 1-0 on Sunday evening. It’s Germany’s fourth World Cup victory. The last win in 1990 also came over Argentina.