Latest Story
-
Learning & Change
Danny.Almagor | March 26, 2009I’ve seen complex water systems that stopped working because the community had no-one locally who understood the design.
At Engineers Without Borders (EWB) our strategy to affect change through appropriate and sustainable development is twofold: to work with communities, and promote learning and change in our own community.
In my last blog, The Four Cs, I talked about working with communities, and here I’d like to talk about one of the ways we’re promoting learning and change.
I’ve heard about expensive fridges, donated to communities for storing vaccines, being used as bookshelves because they didn’t run on the local electricity voltage. A very expensive bookshelf by anyone’s standards.
-
Does Age Absolve Guilt?
sally.rose | March 26, 2009No, I don't believe it does and there's a popular perception to the contrary which disturbs me greatly.
-
Do our newspaper opinion writers serve us well?
MikeM | March 25, 2009Is adequate regard being given by local columnists to facts, fairness and balance?
-
The Weakest Link
patrickcallioni | March 24, 2009Without the right regulatory framework the, seemingly, strongest player is likely to become the weakest link in our global economy.
-
Finding the First 5000
Peter Fritz | March 23, 2009Australia’s top performing SMEs can lead the way, we must communicate with them.
Driving to work last week I was listening to ABC Radio coverage of the latest Dun & Bradstreet business report which indicated that 1 in 4 businesses expect to dismiss staff in the near future. This is the worst prognosis on employment since the survey started 21 years ago, and worse is yet to come.
I have headed up TCG for nearly 40 years. In that time we have seen 5 major recessions and survived them all without a single bankruptcy. The TCG Group employs thousands of people in dozens of companies across diverse industries. Today, we are still growing and retain a positive outlook for our future.
-
What does the Harmony Day mean to me?
Sue Ellson | March 19, 2009For me, it is peace on earth. That is the beauty and charm of diversity. Long may it continue.
Harmony Day is 21 March each year. It celeberates the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australia and promotes cultural diversity. Starting in 1999, it is managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
After growing up in conservative, 'big country town' Adelaide, I loved visiting my family on Kangaroo Island and mixing with the international guests staying at Ellson's Seaview Motel. They told interesting stories, looked different, sounded different and seemed so much more fascinating than the 'twin set and pearls' brigade that was more familiar to me.
-
Where have all the women gone?
MikeM | March 19, 2009It has become common for facilities, products and services to be described as available for "ladies" and "men". Those who recall a former era know that adult humans were classified as "ladies" and "gentlemen" on the one hand and "men and "women" on the other.
What has happened?
-
Australia’s Asian Neighbours
Warren Reed | March 18, 2009To keep the economic crisis in perspective, we need to look beyond the stereotypes in getting to know our neighbours.
In recent years, Australians have been dazzled by China’s high economic growth rate and the riches it has bestowed upon us. Many hoped, even assumed, that the good times would keep rolling on. Chinese industry would continue to consume huge quantities of our resources and in return send back two things: loads of cash and an ever-expanding range of reasonably priced goods, from electronics to clothing. Most Australians give little thought to what was happening inside Chinese society, behind the economic façade. The Beijing Olympics provided a respite of sorts, but it was as brief as it was spectacular and was then quickly overshadowed by the global financial crisis.
-
It’s Not Easy Being Green
Oliver.Hartwich | March 18, 2009Protectionist policies are being justified with false claims they will protect the environment and jobs.
As Kermit the Frog famously sang "It’s not easy being green". Well, it certainly isn’t if you’re a politician. Green policies may be popular and they may even win you votes. But the flipside is that such policies usually come at a price to the consumer and the taxpayer. So the temptation for politicians is to find a way that will make them look green without actually hurting anyone.
The Australian government’s policy towards the car industry is a good example. You could hardly claim that the cars currently driving on Australia’s roads are the world’s most fuel-efficient. In fact, the proportion of V6 and V8 gas-guzzlers is extremely high in Australia- we love our big Commodores, Falcons and Utes.
-
Navigating Rocky Business Waters
Juliet Bourke | March 17, 2009The best way to navigate rocky business waters is with flexibility: expert opinion.
-
Advice to Young Graduates
jswprice | March 17, 2009"How do I get the experience?" is the cry of the graduate. The answer is work integrated learning.
-
What to do about graffiti
MikeM | March 16, 2009British street artist Banksy has become an international phenomenon. But much of the unsolicited street decoration from spray cans and textas is a blight on the environment.
For more than 50 years, perhaps since invention of the aerosol paint can and the texta pen, graffiti has become an urban blight. British street artist Banksy has become an international phenomenon. But much of the unsolicited street decoration from spray cans and textas is a blight on the environment. What can we do about it?
