Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Fighting Generational Poverty with Trust Funds for Babies

Generational PovertyThe immensity of the wealth gap in both developing and developed nations is a daunting and cyclical contributor to global poverty. Without an influx of capital, those who have lived in generational poverty lack the fiscal autonomy and security to climb upwards.

Statistics reflect the truth that hard work and luck are not enough to escape generational poverty. In the United States (U.S.), for example, only 4% of poor Americans climb the rungs of the economic ladder toward wealth. The large majority of Americans born into the lowest income bracket remain there for life. Economist Darrick Hamilton confidently stated in The Journal that “Wealth is the paramount indicator of economic security and wellbeing.” Accepting this philosophy, the key question becomes: How does a society accumulate and distribute wealth to people born into the throes of poverty?

The answer just might be establishing trust funds for babies.

Looking to Babies to Address Generational Poverty

In 2002, the United Kingdom (U.K.) piloted a long-term savings account for minors called the Child Trust Fund (CTF). CTF was a tax-free savings account parents could open for their kids without facing any decrease in government benefits or tax credits. The parents of any child born in the U.K. between 2002 and 2011 received a £250 voucher to launch a CTF — they could then contribute an additional £9,000 per year. Once the child turned 18, they could access the funds in their account for any combination of reinvestment and spending they saw fit.

The government knew this was a small step in the direction of addressing generational poverty — a £250 stipend would not be enough to solve the nation’s fiscal inequity — but the hope was that a tax-free savings account for children would promote the possibility of home ownership, higher education and healthy investment practices for many who never thought such would be attainable.

Beyond the UK: Child Trust Funds in Canada

In Canada, every family is eligible to open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP): a low-tax, long-term saving account to help guardians save for their child’s future education. RESP funds can go toward any post-secondary education including colleges, trade schools, universities and formal apprenticeship programs.

While Canadians from all income brackets are encouraged to open an RESP for their children, Canada provides direct capital to low-income families’ RESPs. Any Canadian child born into a low-income family after 2004 is eligible for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The Canadian government provides an initial payment of $500 in the child’s first year and continues to add $100 each year until the total governmental contribution hits $2,000.

The Canada Learning Bond, much like the U.K.’s CTF, aims to chip away at the generational wealth gaps that prevent low-income youth from actualizing their full intellectual and economic potential.

Extrapolating the Baby Bonds Model to the United States

In Connecticut, nearly 15,000 children are born into poverty each year. To help close the state’s wealth gaps and encourage innovation, investment and long-term economic growth, Connecticut recently implemented a Baby Bonds program modeled on the U.K. and Canada’s previous successes.

Any child who is born into a family on Connecticut’s public health insurance — on or after July 1, 2023 — will be automatically enrolled in CT Baby Bonds. The government will contribute up to $3,200 to each child’s trust, and at 18, after completing a financial literacy course, the child can claim their capital. The funds are to be used for home ownership, business investment, education or retirement planning. Despite the program name, CT Baby Bonds, Governor Ned Lamont backed off of the original idea to fund the program using money from investors in exchange for bonds. He worried about debt accumulation. Instead, the state will be funding the program through a deposit of $381 million of state budget surplus — meaning there will be no inflated state debt or increased tax.

The Potential Impacts of CT Baby Bonds

While a leg-up of a few thousand dollars is certainly not the end-all-be-all for leveling the playing field, it is a powerful tool in revolutionizing saving philosophies in low-income communities. “You’re more focused on possibly going to college if you see a pathway, if there’s a fund,” Former Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden shared. “You’re more focused on one day owning a home, which some people in poverty never aspire to because they don’t think it’s ever achievable.”

Shondell Vann, a mother living in Bridgeport, Connecticut with a two-year-old daughter, sees earnest hope in the Baby Bonds program. “I feel like the program would give her a little bit more of a leg up,” she said of her daughter, Maria, in an interview with The Journal. “If she wanted to have a business just like me, she would be able to fund it with no problem. Just anything she wanted to do with that money to be able to be a bit more successful than she was or just be a little bit better off than she was, is better than nothing.”

– Elena Unger
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs Pave Pathways in Jordan 

USAID Programs in JordanThe United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an influential government organization with a global presence, aims to transform the trajectory of development in developing nations. USAID, with the help of the private sector and local communities, identifies where assistance is needed the most and how to make the proper investments to solve problem areas. Since 1949, USAID has worked closely with Jordan to implement various programs that align with the goal of foreign aid and development. As of 2023, USAID continues to implement programs in Jordan, focusing on areas such as gender equality, environmental sustainability and education, to bring about positive changes.

USAID Makanati – Women’s Economic Empowerment and Leadership Activity

In November 2021, EnCompass Inc. a woman-owned business partnered with USAID to implement the Makanati Program, which focuses on addressing the gender gaps women face in the labor force. Unemployment has been a problem in Jordan for some time but has skyrocketed since the coronavirus pandemic at 20-25% over the last three years. Women are disproportionately impacted with a 30% unemployment rate and 14.2% labor force participation rate, according to the World Bank. Increasing female involvement in the workforce would drastically shift the unemployment rate and improve household incomes, boost economic growth and produce a more inclusive and stable workforce. This is exactly what the Makanati Program is for.

Makanati is a $30 million, five-year project with the primary goal of creating opportunities for women in the workforce. Through the right research, campaigns and interventions, it plans on improving workplace environments and employment policies so that they are inclusive of women. Makanati is taking the approach of solving root issues that prevent women from joining the workforce in the first place. Some of the restrictions women deal with include childcare and transportation or lack thereof. Given this concern, the program intends to explore alternatives to childcare and transportation modes that would give women the flexibility they need. Over the course of the next few years, as a USAID program in Jordan, Makanati hopes to create a domino effect for women as it overcomes these root issues so that it leads to overall economic empowerment for not just Jordan itself, but for the women of Jordan.

USAID Water Management Initiative – Water Efficiency and Conservation Activity

Jordan is the second most water-scarce country in the world. USAID has implemented several programs to address these issues in hopes that with the proper engineering and planning, water can be conserved and more abundant. To put it in perspective, Jordan’s annual water availability in 2012 was 145m3 and 10 years later it is less than 100m3. With significant population growth combined with water scarcity, only two-thirds of the population’s water demands are being met. While changing weather patterns play a role in the disappearing water levels, much of the cause comes from poor infrastructure including supply systems, broken piping and the lack of conservation strategies. USAID is determined to address the issues of water scarcity with the help of Tetra Tech, a consulting and engineering services firm through the Water Management Initiative (WMI).

The WMI is a $35 million five-year initiative that focuses on four key areas; water supply systems, water conservation and demand management, water sector governance and protection of water supply. Tetra Tech is taking a realistic approach in order to create long-term solutions that will provide the country with sustainable water sources. It is hoping to achieve this by partnering with the Jordanian government, Jordan’s water utility services (Yarmouk Water Company) and the private sector. By addressing the problems first and then creating solutions, these long-term goals can be achieved. As an engineering services firm, they are developing the proper framework to improve water conservation and quality management. Gradually, this program will help change the trajectory of Jordan’s resources and assist in meeting the basic need for water accessibility for the people of Jordan, including their large refugee population.

Final Thoughts

Manakati and The Water Management Initiative are simply two examples of the focus USAID programs in Jordan have on ensuring local concerns are met and root problems are identified and solved. Development is not simply applying a bandage to a deep wound; it involves thoroughly cleaning the wound, dressing it properly and providing the appropriate medication. Over the next few years, these programs intend to build a better future for Jordanians and the country as a whole.

– Sarina Qureshi
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Child Trauma in the Caribbean

Child Trauma in the Caribbean
Grenada is a picturesque island nation at the tip of the Windward Islands region of the West Indies with a population of just under 125,000. Currently, the rate of poverty hovers around 38%, estimated by a Food for the Poor report. As a result of the high poverty rate and the legacy of colonial dehumanization, abuse is common in Grenada with 30% of women reporting mistreatment. In 2019, authorities charged a man with raping a 9-year-old girl, an instance in the 30% increase in sexual crimes against children that year.

The National Bureau of Economic Research found that poverty is a significant risk factor for neglect and physical abuse. Poverty can compromise parents’ emotional health, causing absences from home and a willingness to exploit to survive. Child abuse is a global problem, but one NGO is doing something about it. Here is how Reach Within is addressing child trauma in the Caribbean and Grenada.

Reach Within

Reach Within, a program by the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation, combats child trauma in Grenada. It works within the Grenadine community ecosystem: teachers, politicians, health care workers and clergy enact its programs. Community members learn through Reach Within programs how to provide trauma-informed care. Trauma-informed practices bring hope to homes for children, foster homes and to kids on the street. Reach Within’s “philosophical underpinnings” are the cycle of rebirth following a loss. In the words of a volunteer, the organization holds that “every child, no matter their history, can learn to access their inner resources.” Reach Within has developed three, high-impact, low-cost programs that give abused children a future of safety and healing.

Self-Regulation Program

This program works beyond traditional “talk therapy.” Some children do not respond well to talking about trauma, as memories of pain can be retraumatizing. Instead, the Self-Regulation Program involves movement therapy such as tapping, drumming, yoga and breathing. According to the “Science Behind PTSD” published by the Boston Clinical Trials, trauma hits the brain stem first, which is underdeveloped in children, leading to intense anxiety that higher brain regions cannot rationalize. Reach Within uses rhythmic movement to heal this trauma. Rhythmic, repetitive music and movement help mature the brain stem and reach the child’s inner resilience.

Caregiver Certification Program

Caregivers provide the stable human attachment necessary to repattern traumatized brains. Trained in the best methods of treating child trauma, caregivers learn the brain regions affected by trauma and how to reframe traumatic events to help regulate emotional experiences. Healthy attachment can be the result of therapeutic play and eye gazing that form a sympathetic, caring human bond. This bond is imperative to successfully overcoming adversity. Self-care is also central to Reach Within’s caregiver program and caregivers are “provided with support groups and retreats” to foster growth and sustainability in all members of the community.

Transitional Living Program

This Reach Within program targets youth who are phased out of living in residential programs. It provides young adults with educational opportunities, housing and emotional support to prevent abandonment and the furthering of the cycle of abuse. These youths become mentors to the community’s children, “informing their behavior in school, work, and the world at large.”

Increasing Its Impact Addressing Child Trauma in the Caribbean

Reach Within’s practices break cycles of abuse by using science-backed soothing techniques and continuing care into adulthood. This program is built into the community’s strengths and values so that healing children’s psychological wounds can be sustainable. Despite the hurdles of poverty and a government with few policies to limit child abuse, Reach Within has dug deep roots over the past decade in Grenada’s communities with a lasting legacy. It is looking to spread its practices to address child trauma in other islands in the Caribbean. And the results so far suggest that other countries could emulate Reach Within’s philosophy and neurodevelopment-informed programs to free children from the cycle of abuse.

– Caroline Crider
Photo: Flickr

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How the Opioid Epidemic in Canada Links to Poverty

Opioid Epidemic in CanadaThe escalating issue of opioid abuse in Canada encompasses both illicit and medically prescribed opioids. From 2016 to 2022, Canada noted a total of 32,632 fatalities related to opioid use. The escalating number of opioid fatalities in Canada has prompted a focus on harm-reduction strategies and incentives designed to mitigate opioid-related deaths and safeguard the well-being of the Canadian population. According to a recent analysis of territorial and provincial surveillance reports, certain subpopulations in Canada are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing opioid crisis. These subpopulations include incarcerated individuals, First Nations people and those experiencing homelessness. Many individuals who suffer from opioid addiction are living in poverty. Many Canadians who experience addiction are living in poverty and the connection between addiction and poverty is intricate. Individuals with lower incomes have a slightly higher tendency to experience challenges with substance abuse, yet it is important to note that poverty alone does not necessarily lead to addiction. This article aims to present a comprehensive overview of the opioid epidemic in Canada.

About Canada’s Opioid Epidemic

Throughout history, Canada has seen a prevalence of illicit drug use among individuals residing in the nation. Fentanyl, an opioid substance, is a significant contributor to mortality rates in Canada. In 2022, the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario accounted for a significant proportion of opioid-related fatalities, comprising 87% of the total number of deaths. In 2016, fentanyl was responsible for 68% of the 985 deaths related to illicit drugs in British Columbia, which marks a significant increase from 4% in 2012. During the first half of 2017, the province experienced a significant increase of 83% in fatalities related to fentanyl.

According to data from 2016, individuals between the ages of 30 and 39 accounted for 28% of opioid-related fatalities in Canada. There appears to be variability in certain jurisdictions based on age and gender. The provinces of Alberta and Ontario have reported a higher incidence of opioid-related overdose deaths among women aged 44 years and older as compared to younger men. Disparities in mortality rates could potentially be attributed to variations in death investigation protocols across different jurisdictions, methods employed for death classification, toxicology examinations or reported statistical data, such as instances of suicide.

An Important Life Story

Jason, a homeless individual residing on the streets of Toronto, Ontario, who is grappling with drug abuse, has been referenced by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. Jason’s account highlights how his consumption of crack and heroin led to a fixation on attaining a state of intoxication. Jason has lived on the streets of Toronto for two decades. Following the car accident that claimed the life of Jason’s 3-year-old sibling, his parents’ grief hindered their ability to offer Jason the necessary emotional support and guidance. During the funeral of his sibling, he resorted to smoking cannabis as a means of coping with his grief.

On this particular day, Jason began the habit of drug use as a means of coping with his emotional distress and feelings of fragmentation. The video concludes with Jason stating, “If you wake up every day thinking about making money, that’s all you’re going to do. If you want to consume crack, that’s all you’re going to get. Well, you know what, I want life.” The story of Jason revolves around his experience of suffering from emotional distress and frustration during his childhood, which unfortunately remained unaddressed, leading him to resort to drugs as a coping mechanism. Poverty impacts social support, confidence and hope, making individuals who already experience poverty more likely to slip into addiction and vice versa.

Harm Reduction Efforts

Canada has made significant progress in implementing opioid harm reduction strategies. The government has implemented measures such as SCS (supervised consumption sites), overdose prevention sites, drug testing programs and naloxone kits have been implemented to address the issue.

The federal government also granted a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for individuals aged 18 and above in British Columbia, allowing them to possess up to 2.5 grams of opiates. This is thought to reduce the number of individuals incarcerated for drug possession.

Since 2017, the Canadian government has allocated approximately $800 million to address the opioid epidemic in Canada. This includes the provision of funding for community organizations’ Substance Use and Addictions Program initiatives aimed at providing assistance to individuals who use drugs. The provision of temporary drug consumption spaces has been authorized by the government to enhance overdose prevention services, allowing provinces and territories to establish such facilities. The prioritization of mental health and addiction services is also a matter of federal concern.

The opioid epidemic in Canada presents a significant public health concern and is responsible for the loss of lives on a daily basis. The availability of treatment and community-based services is crucial for individuals grappling with addiction and mental health challenges. The timely provision of appropriate interventions to Canadians is crucial in preventing them from reaching a state of despair where drug remedies become the sole recourse for emotional distress. The allocation of funding by the federal government towards harm-reduction initiatives is a crucial step. Opioid overdoses are predominantly characterized by high rates of poverty, unemployment, lower education levels and median household income. Additional research has also identified poverty as a contributing factor to the risk of opioid overdoses. The opioid epidemic in Canada and poverty are intertwined and it is critical for the Canadian government to address this issue in ways that lower deaths and harm.

– Valentina Ornelas
Photo: Flickr

Period Poverty in Egypt

Period Poverty in Egypt Globally, approximately 500 million individuals encounter challenges in accessing necessary care and resources during menstruation. To put it into perspective, this figure is roughly five times the population of Egypt. Similar to many developing nations, Egypt experiences a disproportionate impact of period poverty on its impoverished population, resulting in detrimental effects on health, equality and sustainability.

The Complex Causes of Period Poverty in Egypt

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reports that 34% of Egyptian girls surveyed did not know what menstruation was before starting their period. Of these, 74% were “shocked, afraid or cried” during their first menstruation.

Stigmatization of periods leads to inadequate education and unreliable information: people who menstruate are often ashamed or afraid to ask questions, seek care or leave home on their period. Many young people default to unhygienic practices like not bathing during menstruation, and this can result in infection and serious illness.

Those in poverty often cannot afford sanitary resources, medication or care during their period. Many girls from impoverished families miss school while menstruating. Skipping up to a week of school every month frequently forces them to drop out, putting them at risk in a country where 35.6% of people with no formal education live in poverty.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the poor struggled to attain the appropriate resources, education and care during menstruation. Many suppliers stopped serving hard-to-reach, remote areas and period poverty-focused initiatives decreased, according to Frontiers in Global Health. Increasing economic strain led many households to deprioritize menstrual health.

Working to End Period Poverty

The 2019 World Cup winners, the Enactus Cairo University student collective, present one possible solution to period poverty in Egypt: Rosie. Rosie is a social enterprise providing environmentally friendly, hygienic, affordable sanitary pads to rural Egyptian communities.

In addition to distributing their product, Rosie’s founders taught women in impoverished communities how to make the pads themselves, boosting their income and making them active participants in eliminating period poverty. To date, Enactus estimates that Rosie has positively impacted 6,372 people across its initiatives.

Shark and Shrimp took a different route. In 2019, this Cairo-based digital marketing agency became the first company in Egypt to offer all female employees one paid day of leave per month for their period. The move was controversial, as talk of periods is rarely so public. Still, it has received praise inside and outside Egypt’s borders as an important step in removing the stigma around menstruation.

Moving Forward with Hope

Menstrual health contributes to population health, sustainable development, gender equality and human rights – and people are starting to notice. Increasing numbers of women and communities in Egypt are combatting period poverty in innovative and sustainable ways. At the same time, organizations like Shark and Shrimp are taking the lead in destigmatizing menstruation once and for all. Egypt may have much further to go, but there is cause for optimism yet.

– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr

War Pressures Fuel Investment in Renewable Energy in Ukraine

Renewable Energy in UkraineHistorically, renewable energy in Ukraine has represented only a marginal share of the country’s energy production. The country’s 15 nuclear reactors and fossil fuels together provide the vast majority of electricity produced in contemporary Ukraine, generating 51% and 37% of total electricity produced, respectively.

However, the war in Ukraine has interrupted both nuclear and fossil fuel energy production globally. These pressures have increased demand for and investment in energy sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric. Fortunately, many different actors have sprung to action to accelerate Ukraine’s transition to renewable energy. In 2018, there were already 347 Ukrainian renewable energy projects underway, and projections at the time suggested the number could grow in the following years.

Why Ukraine Needs Renewables

Conflict due to Russia’s invasion has damaged critical energy infrastructure, causing outages for an estimated 9 million Ukrainians as of the end of 2022. This has put many Ukrainians at risk of losing access to emergency medical treatment, safe food and other basic necessities like heat and light.

A five-fold explosion of poverty has further exacerbated the energy crisis. Since the outbreak of the war, the amount of Ukrainians living in poverty has grown to about a quarter of the population, subjecting more than 7 million Ukrainians to rising electrical costs, city-wide outages and lack of food and water.

Biomass

Ukraine’s agricultural industry is consistently ranking among the world’s largest exporters of crops such as wheat, corn and seed oils. It generated $27.8 billion in total value in 2021. Thus, biomass is one of the most promising potential sources of renewable energy in Ukraine. A 2022 study estimated the total economic potential of Ukrainian agricultural waste alone has the potential to supply “16.3% of the country’s energy needs.”

Solar

Despite only constituting around 5% of Ukraine’s energy production in 2022, solar energy production is expected to grow from 2023 onward. Public interest in renewable energy in Ukraine has increased in 2023, and The Solar Energy Association of Ukraine has responded to meet localized energy needs in impoverished or destroyed communities by cooperating with SolarPower Europe and the German Solar Association for the Solar Supports Ukraine campaign.

With the help of foundations such as the Energy Act for Ukraine and the Repower Ukraine Foundation, workers and volunteers installed hundreds of residential solar panels in Ukrainian communities in 2023, bringing energy to hospitals and homes.

Hydroelectric and Wind

Hydroelectric plants generate 6.8% of Ukraine’s electricity, but plants such as that at Kakhovka Dam have been damaged by conflict in 2022 and 2023, reducing Ukraine’s hydroelectric energy output. Luckily, Ukrainian company DTEK is filling this deficit with the 19-turbine Tyligulska Wind Power Plant, which opened in May 2023.

Built at twice the normal speed for a plant of this size, and the first of its kind in an active war zone, Tyligulska produces enough electricity for 200,000 homes, with plans to expand the plant already in development.

Looking Ahead

Renewable energy in Ukraine has already proved to be a popular and reliable solution to the hardship imposed on the country by Russia’s invasion. Fortunately, Ukrainian companies and the government are embracing the potential of these cleaner, independent energy sources.

– Finneas Sensiba
Photo: Flickr

Period Poverty in Mozambique

Period Poverty in Mozambique
Period poverty is an issue that affects many women and girls around the globe. In the Southeast African country of Mozambique, females are at increased risk of facing this issue — in 2014, about 63% of the population, or 16.7 million people, lived under the international poverty line, the World Bank reports. In response, several organizations are taking action to address period poverty in Mozambique.

What is Period Poverty?

Menstruation is a natural part of the female biological process. However, due to the grand cost of menstrual products, including underwear, sanitary pads/tampons and pain relief medication, many impoverished women and girls cannot afford to properly manage their menstruation.

Though little data and statistics exist regarding period poverty in Mozambique, the cost of pads and tampons in neighboring African countries gives a relative indication of the costs in Mozambique. In Zimbabwe, it would cost about $2 for a pack of the most affordable sanitary pads. To put things into perspective, the average monthly wage for a Mozambican is $11.84 in 2023. Considering that many people need more than one pack of pads during a menstrual cycle, this purchase can interfere with other necessary expenses.

The Impact of Poverty

From 2002 to 2014, Mozambique experienced progress in reducing multidimensional poverty. However, data reveals that between 2019 and 2020, that progress reversed. Households in Mozambique suffering from multidimensional poverty increased from 32% to 46% during this time. Due to rising rates of poverty, menstruating girls and women struggle to afford basic hygiene products required for the maintenance of their period. “Without proper menstrual hygiene in place, particularly in warm, humid climates throughout Mozambique, girls and women are at greater risk of infections with impacts on their physical and mental health and well-being,” the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says.

The Solutions

In the fight to resolve period poverty in Mozambique, in 2019, the Government of Mozambique and UNFPA provided “dignity kits” to more than 16,500 girls and women in Mozambique who cannot fund these resources themselves, according to UNFPA. A “dignity kit” includes menstrual pads, bath soap, multiple pairs of underwear, detergent powder, sanitary napkins, a flashlight, toothpaste, a toothbrush and a comb. UNFPA reports that it distributed 484,000 dignity kits across 18 countries in 2017. 

Additionally, HELVETAS Mozambique has attempted to address menstrual stigma in the country. HELVETAS arranged a campaign in May 2022 called “Social and Behavioral Change for the Adoption of Good Management Practices for Menstrual Hygiene.” In collaboration with the Chiúre District Government, the event raised awareness of this topic in local communities. The initiative is important considering that “Poor menstrual hygiene management affects the dignity, mobility and confidence of girls and women, thus compromising access to education, health, hygiene and economic development and ultimately overall progress toward achieving gender equity and equality,” HELVETAS says.

Period poverty is a global issue affecting women and girls everywhere. And a vital component of positive progression is education. Hence, if all people, regardless of gender, are educated in every country about the issues arising from period poverty, the taboo and stigma surrounding it could decrease.

– Katerina Petrou
Photo: Flickr

Food Systems in Tasmania

Food Systems in TasmaniaTasmania, an island state of Australia situated 240 kilometers from the mainland, faces significant challenges in terms of poverty and food insecurity. With a poverty rate of 17.7%, Tasmania surpasses other Australian states, highlighting the extent of the issue. Alarmingly, 30% of households in Tasmania are marked as food insecure, a figure that is higher than in other states. The COVID-19 pandemic, frequent natural disasters, and rising living costs have all contributed to this situation. These factors have led to one in two Tasmanians experiencing food insecurity, impacting the lives of more than 550,000 residents.

These factors have exhausted local food systems in Tasmania, despite the island being a global choice for fresh, premium food products. In a regional study, the University of Tasmania found that “Quality food is too expensive to afford.” According to the Department of State Growth, Tasmania exports 82% of its food to outside nations or other Australian states.

Due to the island’s temperate maritime climate and biosecurity advantage, Tasmania boasts ideal growing conditions, opening substantial opportunities for local food systems to thrive. With more than a quarter of the land committed to agriculture, Tasmania prospects a robust and viable market for feeding its own. And through additional support, residents could benefit from healthy, nutrient-dense local foods, advancing the island’s food security and independence.

Tasmanian Food Security Council

In partnership with several organizations, the Tasmanian Government has outlined the insecurities of food systems in Tasmania, combining efforts to approach and reinvent the island’s food systems. The “Food Relief to Food Resilience Action Plan” and “Food for all Tasmanians” plans set forth strategies to address the island’s food systems, offering funding and programs to ensure “…every Tasmanian has access to sufficient, quality and nutritious food.” Since the initiatives began in 2018, the Tasmanian Government has committed $9 million toward the delivery of food relief across the State.

In addition, the 2023-2025 plan strengthens the previous budget, adding another $2 million toward “delivering food relief to Tasmanians who need it most, and this is alongside building food resilience for a sustainable future.” The Action Plan involves three main areas of support: sustainable relief, growing systems and building resilience. Through collaborative coalitions between the government, community organizations, and the food relief sector, various proposed and established programs detail the State’s efforts to institute sustainable and resilient food systems.

The school lunch pilot program “School Food Matters” exemplifies the council’s successful pursuit to support food insecure students, having committed an additional $400,000 to the $1.87 million. With the support of the Tasmanian Government, the program assists “school communities to promote and provide a school food service that is nutritious, affordable, safe and where possible, locally sourced and prepared by the school.” In the 2022 school year, the program provided 78,832 lunches, serving more than 1,600 students with healthy, nutritious lunches, according to a 2023 report. The program continues to develop and grow, relying on local food systems in Tasmania to ensure every student eats lunch.

Eat Well Tasmania

Eat Well Tasmania is a nonprofit organization working alongside the Tasmanian Government to build a sustainable and resilient food system through creative campaigns, advocacy and robust research. The organization champions local procurement as the principal solution, transitioning the State to be more self-reliant on its own food, which could inadvertently protect the island State against future threats or disasters.

Localizing food systems eliminates the island’s dependency on outside imports, improving food security by increasing access to local, healthy food. Studies also show that “every $1 million invested in buying Tasmanian-produced food could create up to $3 million of economic activity in Tasmania.” Pivoting to locally grown and produced food generates jobs while better equipping local communities to cope with future challenges.

In combination with the Tasmanian Government’s efforts and collaboration with local organizations, support for local food systems in Tasmania blossoms and aids positive food environments. Such measures and programs promote food grown and processed regionally, thus minimizing the transport distance and sustaining a local economy that provides a market for food to sell where it is grown. As the State continues to prioritize and invest in its food systems, Tasmanians could garner greater access to affordable local food that is nutrient-dense, thereby creating a positive economic impact and building resourcefulness and resilience in local communities.

– Emmalyn Meyer
Photo: Flickr

How the Government Is Working To Improve Mental Health Care in Croatia

Mental Health in CroatiaSince declaring independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the Central European nation of Croatia has faced numerous difficulties, including a devastating war from 1991 to 1995, that have contributed to a rise in mental health issues among its population. However, since joining the European Union in 2013, the Government of Croatia has focused on implementing community-based solutions and other health care reforms to address the problem.

The State of Mental Health in Croatia

Statistics show that mental health in Croatia has declined since the end of the war in 1995. For example, a 2009 study noted that the period of transition following the war was marked by “a dramatic rise in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially among soldiers.” Similarly, a 2010 comparative study of patients suffering from mental illness in Germany and Croatia revealed that the prevalence of war trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was significantly higher among Croatian patients, with 78% reporting experiences of war trauma and nearly 62% exhibiting PTSD. By contrast, only 6.8% of the study’s German participants reported experiences of war trauma and only 30% exhibited PTSD.

More recent statistics indicate that Croatia has continued to witness a significant rise in mental health conditions. For instance, a 2019 study by scholars at the Croatian Public Health Association and the University of Zagreb School of Medicine estimated that some 30% of the Croatian population was struggling with one or more mental health issues, with 50% of those conditions developing at 14 years of age. The study stated, “Mental disorders account for the largest and fastest-growing categories of the burden of disease in Croatia,” making clear that mental health is a key concern in improving overall health within the nation. However, in 2019, just 6% of Croatian females and 5% of Croatian males over the age of 15 reported consulting with a mental health professional.

Though significant, the figures from these studies highlight a need for even more effort toward ensuring the effective detection, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues in Croatia.

Community Care

On the bright side, the Croatian government has been introducing reforms that target the growing national epidemic of mental health conditions. Noting that factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and recent earthquakes have exacerbated the problem, in 2022, the government adopted the Strategic Framework for Mental Health. Outlining plans of action to be implemented between 2022 and 2030, the framework prioritizes mental health as a public health concern. It focuses on early detection and prevention of mental health conditions, increasing access to mental health care and improving the effectiveness of treatment.

Implementing community-based treatment and support programs is a key component of the framework. Furthermore, it emphasizes developing telemedicine services and providing care through “mobile multidisciplinary teams.” These initiatives are part of a larger effort, outlined in Croatia’s National Health Development Plan for 2021-2027, to make the country’s health care system more accessible, affordable and effective.

Croatia’s Young People

While community care is a focus of Croatia’s mental health care reforms, the Croatian government and the Ministry of Health have also recognized the need to focus on youth mental health services.

As of June 2023, UNICEF estimated that some 11.5% of Croatian young people between 10 and 19 years of age are struggling with mental health issues, and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 75% of mental illnesses in Croatia develop by the time individuals reach their mid-20s. To tackle this issue, Croatia’s Strategic Framework for Mental Health 2022-2030 emphasizes introducing mental health education and treatment into schools. This includes developing social-emotional learning programs to help young people better understand and express their feelings, as well as implementing peer support and counseling programs. Such reforms are part of the government’s initiative to destigmatize mental health in Croatia, ensure treatment for those who need it and reduce the development of mental health conditions.

Visible Progress

Evincing the Croatian government’s commitment to improving mental health care in the country, Croatia’s suicide rate per 100,000 people had already fallen from 12.31 in 2013 to 11.01 in 2019, according to the WHO’s Mental Health Atlas 2020 report. Additionally, the number of mental health workers per 100,000 people rose from 59.86 in 2017 to 67.84 in 2020. Such statistics demonstrate the visible success of early government interventions aimed at improving mental health care in Croatia. With the Croatian government’s continued efforts to develop the country’s mental health system, expand its services and reach more of the population, mental health care in Croatia can record more progress in the years to come.

– Matilda Davey
Photo: Flickr

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Vocational Education Training in India 

Vocational Education Training in IndiaVocational education training in India is different from formal education in some ways. It is “skill-based,” as it involves learning real-life expertise. This type of training or education prepares individuals for specific skills involving crafts, trade and other practical activities.  Vocational training can qualify as “teaching procedural knowledge” as it teaches technical skills and abilities compared to formal education.

Why is Vocational Education Training Important?

Many skills that individuals need to compete in the modern work industry are technical and vocational abilities. Vocational skills could be especially impactful in impoverished communities, offering a more affordable or cost-efficient path to education. Specifically, individuals do not need to attend college to obtain vocational skills. In fact, vocational training is quite accessible in most local settings. The accessibility and affordability make it especially important, as it could lead to a path of stable income for participants.

As of April 2023, India’s unemployment rate went up to 8.11%, which considering the country’s high population, results in many Indians having no jobs. With vocational education in India, there is a potential to reduce the unemployment rate. Moreover, more Indians could receive not just access to employment, but also skills that could increase their chance of remaining employed.

History of Vocational Education Training in India 

In 1950, India established Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to provide vocational training at full capacity. After this establishment, more than 13,000 ITIs opened across the country. The Standing Committee on Labour noted that around 64% of trainees in ITIs were employed, which is significant as more than 40% of individuals enrolled in ITIs are below the poverty line. This was a significant leap of progress for India’s labor and employment rates.

STRIVE Program

The Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement Operation (STRIVE) Program is a five-year government-aided organization that aims to improve the quality of vocational education training, according to the World Bank. Specifically, STRIVE aims to improve the quality of vocational education training that is provided in ITIs and other apprenticeships in India. The program intends to increase government support, improve teaching methods and expand apprenticeships nationwide. As of 2017, STRIVE has supported 300 ITIs and 100 industrial apprenticeships nationwide.

Impact of Vocational Training on Women

In India, 30% of the population lives in extreme poverty, with women and children being “the weakest members” of Indian society. This evident gender disparity combines old Indian tradition and female access to education. While the bias against women working and gaining education is gradually subsiding, there is still room to make education more accessible for women.

By emphasizing the importance and adequately funding vocational education training, the gender disparity could decrease significantly. Not only would this allow poverty rates to decrease, but it could also provide women with the basic skills they need to make a living. For example, vocational education training in India can teach women the skills to become receptionists, carpenters, cosmetologists, clothesmakers, cooks and other positions that can provide a steady income. 

India’s labor force could experience increased productivity by significantly raising the rate of female employment, which currently stands at only 31%. Shockingly, more than 50 million women in India neither attend school nor participate in the workforce, as reported by the World Bank. Additionally, women constitute less than 9% of the enrollment in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Studies indicate that women are less inclined to pursue training due to concerns about family responsibilities.

Varthana’s Help

Steve Hardgrave and Brajesh Kumar Mishra founded Varthana in 2013. It is a private company that provides financial assistance to students interested in vocational education training in India. It specifically provides aid through loans. The National Skill Development Center (NDSC) partnered with Varthana to lessen the gap between low-income families and enrollment in education. While vocational training is rather accessible and does not require prior education, it can still be costly for many individuals. There are many that avoid vocational training because of financial obligations. With Varthana’s help, vocational education can be even more accessible with supplied funds and support. 

Particularly, Varthana has funded approximately 4,500 private schools, providing education for more than 3 million students. Additionally, Varthana has partnered with more than 500 institutions helping fund 5,000 financially challenged students. Varthana made an inspiring and motivational goal to make education in India accessible to more than 10 million students by 2025.

Looking to the Future

In India, vocational education training holds immense potential to address unemployment and poverty rates, providing individuals with practical skills that can lead to stable employment. Initiatives like the STRIVE program and organizations like Varthana are actively working to improve the quality and accessibility of vocational training across the country, benefiting both men and women. By expanding vocational education opportunities and reducing financial barriers, India can empower its workforce and uplift communities, ultimately fostering economic growth and reducing inequality.

– Samsara Shrivastava
Photo: Unsplash