By Chloe Hickey-Jones an intern with the Lowy Institute's Melanesia Program
- Tuesday 8 March marks International Women’s Day, and many organisations will host IWD breakfasts and events throughout the week to raise awareness of violence against women and the gender gap. In the Pacific, it's estimated two in every three women will experience some form of violence in their lifetime. UN Women Australia has launched #FaceItTogether campaign to combat violence against women in the region.
- The Human Rights Watch Film Festival kicked off in London this week. The 2016 festival focuses on issues of censorship and freedom of speech, the global refugee crisis and more. The Guardian has published its top five.
- Garth Luke discusses the realities of Australia’s aid program within the current budget and economic outlook.
- And, in case you missed it, CARE Australia CEO Julia Newton-Howes weighed in on The Interpreter debate on the Defence White Paper, arguing Australia’s foreign policy is unbalanced.
- In The NY Times, Tina Rosenberg discusses the development world’s obsession with innovation and suggests it’s better to spread existing ideas than being absorbed with thinking up new ones. Innovation is a core component of Australia’s aid program.
- The World Bank has released an article that explores different ways through which NGOs can evaluate and measure program impact.
- Provide the people of Africa with training, or cold, hard cash? David Evans summarises a fascinating debate on the subject. You can also watch the whole event here.