Comments

I think the government, international development and NGOs must start focusing and diverting resources to address the root cause of the problem. They focus more on treating the problem but not the cause. I believe strongly in empowering people economically. The modern cash (money) society has put a lot of pressure on the daily lives of the people. If people are economically empowered, there will be a dramatic drop in most social problems. Example, if a woman is economically empowered she will not demand more from her husband. Some domestic violence erupted when women argue with their male partner for money. If they can make money for themselves there will minimal domestic violence.

Orphanages are not right as they institutionalize children and lead in child rights abuses in Tanzania. However govt and CSOs are deinstitutionalizing children within negotiated legal and operational systems albeit slowly due to capacity and resource challenges. The lens to look at it is from the child rights perspective and all "in the best interests of the child" as that is the RIGHT THING. Challenges to integration of children with/in 'families' will always exist..and am not going into the causes as most as context specific.

Dear Robin, Thanks so much for you elaborate review of IATI Studio. You are the first to provide one like it. Upon reading the review, I have read some valid points on which I would like to provide feedback, hoping this makes for a better understanding of the functional rationale behind some of the Chart Builder features and how they work. We more than welcome feedback and will take yours into consideration as well. First one: switching to a native currency. Your example chart is converted to USD and you get 'no data available' if you switch to native currency and leaving USD active, while having the context "Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade" as reporting organisation. Your are not supposed to see anything, seeing the Australian Government reports in AUD and not USD. If you would however change the active native currency to AUD, you will obviously see your data being plotted again. Give it a run, I just duplicated your chart, changed to native currency to AUD and that worked as expected. So using native currency requires the user to make it explicit. Makes sense, right? With regards to the Chart Builder being basic, that has been a choice of design. This will be enhanced by providing the user with context of data in the chart (transactions, reporting orgs, receiving org. etc) so a more complete data story can be made, rather than just the one off chart. A final note on competition: we do not perceive D-Portal as a competitor. Comparing IATI Studio to D-Portal is a bit of comparing apples and oranges to us. A complete Studio would entail a set of different tools, with a strong data infrastructure powering those tools. And as you rightfully state: the majority of funds to IATI Studio are invested by ourselves, no donor currently supports large efforts into this data initiative or any other for that matter. Very odd, seeing how we are supposed to revolutionise data for the SDG's. Do contact me if you have any questions. Regards, Siem Vaessen CEO IATI Studio

For me i think its good to balance defence spending and aid. This will mean funds are going back to the communities to assist in social development.

Nice information there. It seems the Oil prices is the key driver to this changes.

An Australian refugee policy: Take 50 000+ of the most needy refugees as identified by UNHCR processing. Significant financial support for UNHCR so that the conditions of millions of refugees in camps throughout the world can be improved. Increase Australian Aid to at least 0.7% of GNI (which we and other donor countries agreed to many years ago and some have actually done) to promote better lives for people at home. Quietly absorb asylum seekers presently Australia's responsibility into Australia without the smugglers finding out. (OK, difficult but it's been done before.) I don't know what the policy should be if the boats start coming because it does seem clear that the more boat people Australia accepts the more will come. Does anybody out there have an answer that will do more good than harm?

[Update]: Since initial writing, Nigeria has <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36538379" rel="nofollow">also moved to a floating exchange rate</a>, revealing an up to 27% overvaluation of the currency (i.e. it dropped by as much as 27%).

Nice post there. Thanks for information

The concept of sustainability is very critical and its more than environmental though many still believe environmental sustainability is still key to development and growth.

This is a nice post, very informative and enjoyable to read through. Thanks

Thank you Carman this is an excellent piece of writing, pure talent and experience.

Hi Paul and Camilla, Yes, I think that Paul has a point the money needs to be well spent as the first priority. However, the answer is not just to cut it until there is nothing. When done properly, development funding serves a to benefit not just the country receiving the funds but Australia also receives stable, friendly and co-operative neighbors. I believe that is a good thing! Cheers, Nigel