Posts by Neena Bhandari

75 Million Environmental Refugees to Plague Asia-Pacific

0 Comments read Climate Change, Environment & Development, Migration

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 03.08.2009 (IPS): Pacific Islanders, aiming to secure their very survival, are calling for immediate commitments from the developed world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45 percent by 2020.

“For us, climate change is a reality. We have been experiencing high tidal waves, which has not been the case earlier,” Pelenise Alofa Pilitati, Chairperson of the Church Education Director’s Association in Kiribati, told IPS. “High tides and sea level rise will submerge our homeland. We don’t want to become environmental refugees.”

Climate change could produce eight million refugees in the Pacific Islands, along with 75 million refugees in the Asia Pacific region in the next 40 years, warns a new report by aid agency, Oxfam Australia.

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Uplifting Aboriginals, a Matter of “Urgent National Significance”

0 Comments read Indigenous
Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Wadeye (Australia), 09.07.2009 (IPS): In the remote Aboriginal town of Wadeye, 420 km south-west of Northern Territory’s capital, Darwin, third world living conditions still prevail despite the Australian Government’s efforts to improve life for its oldest inhabitants.

Wadeye, formerly known as Port Keats, has the largest Aboriginal community with a population of 2,500, comprising over 20 tribal groups speaking seven languages. The family and clan diversity in this remote community, some say, has led to simmering tensions which erupt into violence every now and then.

It is hot and muggy and the only sound is that of stirring leaves in the light breeze. From the desolate airstrip, the message on the posters, however, is loud and clear:  “Don’t bring gunja into our town” and `No alcohol, no pornography’.

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Attacks Expose Ills Of A Much-Touted Education System

0 Comments read Education

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 01.07.2009 (IPS): The modern façade of its cities, cost-effectiveness and its high standards of education make Australia an attractive destination for foreign students. But the recent spate of attacks on Indian students has exposed the many ills afflicting the Australian education system, threatening its lucrative markets.

‘As long as you can pay, you are in’ has been the driving force that has catapulted education as Australia’s third largest export, second only to coal and iron, reaping rich dividends worth A$15.5 billion last year.

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