Category Archives: Analysis

Underpaid at home, vulnerable abroad: how seasonal job schemes are draining Pacific nations of vital workers

Apisalome Movono, Massey University; Leilani Faaiuaso, and Regina Scheyvens, Massey University The economic impact of COVID on Pacific Island states, combined with major labour shortages in Australia and New Zealand, has created a perfect storm. A mass exodus means Pacific nations are now losing crucial workers at such volume that their own development prospects areContinue reading “Underpaid at home, vulnerable abroad: how seasonal job schemes are draining Pacific nations of vital workers”

Burning waste must end: African leaders look to recycling for better health and value

Desta Mebratu, Stellenbosch University When African environment ministers met in Senegal in mid-September, they made one of the most important decisions in the history of waste management in Africa. The ministers laid the foundation to end the open dumping and burning of waste. Putting this decision into action will have multiple economic, environmental and socialContinue reading “Burning waste must end: African leaders look to recycling for better health and value”

Climate finance for Africa: the key challenges and what needs to be done about them

Ademola Adenle, Technical University of Denmark Climate change is a significant threat to development across Africa. Important sectors, such as agriculture, health and water will feel a considerable adverse impact from 1.5⁰C-2⁰C of global warming, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the agricultural sector, negative climate change impactsContinue reading “Climate finance for Africa: the key challenges and what needs to be done about them”

Education in Kenya’s informal settlements can work better if parents get involved – here’s how

Benta A. Abuya, African Population and Health Research Center Education is a public good. All children should have access to education as a human right, irrespective of their gender, socioeconomic or disability status. This is reinforced and validated by countries’ commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4. Its promise is inclusive and equitable education, and lifelongContinue reading “Education in Kenya’s informal settlements can work better if parents get involved – here’s how”

‘He was in fear of his life’: bullying can be a major factor in deciding to homeschool

Rebecca English, Queensland University of Technology An increasing number of Australian families are educating their children at home, either through homeschooling or distance education. My research highlights how some parents are not necessarily choosing to homeschool for religious reasons or because they want to hothouse their kids. Nor are they doing it as their firstContinue reading “‘He was in fear of his life’: bullying can be a major factor in deciding to homeschool”

Nigeria’s education for entrepreneurs needs to keep it real, not just in the classroom

Bukola Amao-Taiwo, University of Lagos Africa is home to over 200 million people aged between 15 and 24, according to UN data. The continent has the largest population of young people in the world. This should be a sign of great productive potential. Unfortunately, youth unemployment and under-employment have held productivity back, resulting in aContinue reading “Nigeria’s education for entrepreneurs needs to keep it real, not just in the classroom”

Lockdown babies behind on communication milestones: to help toddlers’ language skills, just talk and listen

Katie Alcock, Lancaster University Research has found that babies born during lockdown have been later to meet some language and communication milestones. During this time, babies met fewer new people and had fewer chances to socialise with other adults and babies, whether in baby groups or in family and friends’ homes, and parents had workContinue reading “Lockdown babies behind on communication milestones: to help toddlers’ language skills, just talk and listen”

Towards zero hunger in Africa: 5 steps to achieve food security

Edward Mabaya, Cornell University; Robert B. Richardson, Michigan State University, and Thomas Jayne, Michigan State University Global food systems have been battered by overlapping crises in recent years. Key among these are the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukraine war and extreme weather events resulting from climate change. These have resulted in forced migration, loss of employment,Continue reading “Towards zero hunger in Africa: 5 steps to achieve food security”

Has the pandemic changed our personalities? New research suggests we’re less open, agreeable and conscientious

Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences For many of us, some personality traits stay the same throughout our lives while others change only gradually. However, evidence shows that significant events in our personal lives which induce severe stress or trauma can be associated with more rapid changes in our personalities. A newContinue reading “Has the pandemic changed our personalities? New research suggests we’re less open, agreeable and conscientious”