Poverty

Canada’s inaction in Gaza marks a failure of its feminist foreign policy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

“Peace and prosperity are every person’s birthright.” So opened then Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland’s introduction to Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Key Points: 
  • “Peace and prosperity are every person’s birthright.” So opened then Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland’s introduction to Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
  • Launched in 2017, the policy stated that Canada would take an explicitly feminist approach to international assistance, including a commitment to protecting women’s sexual and reproductive rights.
  • Many considered it to be a forward-thinking policy that builds on the past work of NGOs and other international partners.
  • In addition to funding, Joly also offered RCMP support to help investigate the crimes of sexual violence against Israeli women.

Palestinian women’s rights long ignored

  • Her statement came after United Nations experts expressed alarm over “credible allegations of egregious human rights violations to which Palestinian women and girls continue to be subjected in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.” They cited reports of arbitrary executions, killings, detentions and sexual abuse of Palestinian women and girls by Israeli forces.
  • Even before the current escalation of violence, Canada’s support of Israel’s actions have long been identified as a significant limitation of FIAP.
  • Palestinian women also face increased risk of sexual violence.
  • There are credible reports of sexual violence being used as a tool of war against both Israeli and Palestinian women.

Reproductive health in Gaza in a dire state

  • An estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are at increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and maternal death.
  • The widespread food crisis has also had dire implications for reproductive and maternal health.
  • Malnutrition affects maternal health, and can also have long-term consequences for the health of mothers and their children.

Canada must act

  • Meanwhile, Canadian exports of military equipment to Israel have not only continued, but have increased since October.
  • Global Affairs Canada claims these exports are only for non-lethal equipment.
  • Canada’s delayed and inconsistent response to Israel’s military violence in Gaza represents a failure to evenly apply its own foreign policy.
  • If Canada truly wants to create a more peaceful and prosperous world, they must not leave Palestinian women behind.


Jacqueline Potvin previously received funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Mayme Lefurgey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Fire represents power and control for an Indigneous teenager who lacks both, in Melanie Saward’s compassionate debut novel

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

“From the moment I got here, I’ve wanted to set the whole of Brisbane on fire,” reflects Andrew, the protagonist of Melanie Saward’s debut novel.

Key Points: 
  • “From the moment I got here, I’ve wanted to set the whole of Brisbane on fire,” reflects Andrew, the protagonist of Melanie Saward’s debut novel.
  • Saward, a Bigambul and Wakka Wakka author, moved to Bracken Ridge in the northern suburbs of Brisbane as a teenager, after growing up in Tasmania.
  • Fire is symbolic: it’s power and control for Andrew, who has precious little control over his life.

Reading as ‘invited guests’

  • Writes Leane:
    Presencing means the recognition that First Nations works are happening in the same ‘now’ as the settler reader.
  • Presencing means the recognition that First Nations works are happening in the same ‘now’ as the settler reader.
  • While my own experience was very different, I recognise the way poverty and deprivation press up against natural beauty in Saward’s novel.
  • As an adult living in Melbourne, I became gradually aware of the economic gap between the mainland and Tasmania.
  • They were reasons I left the state when I was old enough to do so.
  • Despite living in Melbourne for nearly 30 years, I still feel the thread Saward writes about, connecting me to Tasmania.
  • Burn, however, generates a type of “presencing” that allows you to see complexity in the way the past manifests in the present.

Inside family trauma

  • “We don’t know how deep it is,” he said the first time I started wading in for a paddle.
  • If a nice, warm, nearly nine-year-old boy gets in, they might think you’re their dinner.” The tidal pool becomes a recurring image for trauma.
  • We see inside family trauma, how the dynamics are self-perpetuating.
  • We also bear witness to the role institutions play in exacerbating trauma associated with colonialism, such as ongoing disconnection from culture.

Crossover appeal


Burn has obvious crossover appeal for teen and adult audiences, with a strong adolescent protagonist driving the story. So it interests me that this novel has been published as adult fiction. In fact as a young adult author and once-upon-a-time editor of books for teenagers, I puzzled over the decision.

  • When teaching young adult fiction to creative writing and publishing classes, I often ask Dr Lili Wilkinson’s four powerful plotting questions: What does your character want?
  • In this novel, there is nothing Andrew alone can do to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
  • The only answer posed to the question, “What does Andrew need to do?” is: light fires.
  • Andrew lights fires which destroy, but Andrew’s fires also offer regeneration and renewal.

‘Who’s your mob?’

  • In Tasmania, Sarah and Andrew try and fail to imagine new futures for themselves, to generate a fantasy of who they might be.
  • New love interest, Tess, makes clumsy attempts to connect with Andrew, and he in turn tries hard not hurt her.
  • This question cuts to the heart of what it means to belong: to family, to Country, to culture and to your own story.


Penni Russon does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

EQS-News: Berlin based tights label saint sass and Trade Republic join forces on International Women’s Day to raise awareness for the importance of female retirement savings.

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Berlin based tights label saint sass and Trade Republic join forces on International Women’s Day to raise awareness for the importance of female retirement savings.

Key Points: 
  • Berlin based tights label saint sass and Trade Republic join forces on International Women’s Day to raise awareness for the importance of female retirement savings.
  • Female founded tights label saint sass is releasing the limited tights on March 8th, The International Women’s Day, featuring the statement “RETIRE RICH”.
  • Trade Republic data, across its 4 million customers, shows that women are better investors, achieving on average 2% higher returns than male investors.
  • Now, tights label saint sass and Europe's largest savings platform, Trade Republic, are joining forces to promote and foster capital markets participation among women.

Philanthropist Daniel Neiditch Takes Helm as Honorary Principal at NYC Public School Sheds Light on the South Bronx Educational Struggles.

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Daniel Neiditch's experience as principal on February 27, 2024 underscored the urgent need for intervention and support for these students.

Key Points: 
  • Daniel Neiditch's experience as principal on February 27, 2024 underscored the urgent need for intervention and support for these students.
  • Having grown up in the Bronx himself Neiditch knows firsthand the struggles children face in underprivileged neighborhoods.
  • By shedding light on the educational disparities in the NYC public school system, he hopes to catalyze meaningful change that will provide every child with a fair and equal opportunity to succeed.
  • Neiditch recently gave an award to Mayor Eric Adams of New York for his work to help underprivileged children get diagnosed with learning disabilities.

Breaking Barriers: Groundbreaking Job and Resource Fair for Criminal Justice System Impacted Individuals

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Urban Rez Solutions presents a Job and Resource Fair, providing invaluable opportunities for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.

Key Points: 
  • Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 21, 2024) - As part of its ongoing commitment to empowering individuals impacted by the Criminal Justice System, Urban Rez Solutions Social Enterprise is proud to announce the upcoming "Inside-Out Job and Resource Fair.
  • According to recent industry data from the Prison Policy Initiative, formerly incarcerated individuals face disproportionately high barriers to employment, housing, and education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and recidivism.
  • I have not forgotten the skills you taught me, and I'm eager to apply them in my life and business."
  • To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
    For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

"My Exile To The World," A Poignant Memoir Released By Audible Publishing Services In Collaboration With Author Faustin Rusanganwa

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 19, 2024

Davis, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - Audible Publishing Services have released their latest book, written by the talented author, Faustin Reusanganwa.

Key Points: 
  • Davis, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2024) - Audible Publishing Services have released their latest book, written by the talented author, Faustin Reusanganwa.
  • The memoir discusses deeply the feelings of regret and sadness the author feels about leaving his family behind in Rwanda.
  • Audible Publishing Services believes that this memoir is an extremely engaging narrative that shares, in great detail, the inspirational story of Faustin.
  • The author truly lays it all out in this heart-wrenching memoir, describing a life filled with adversity and great struggle.

The Life You Can Save Australia Announces Major Updates & Celebrates $100 Million in Donations Moved to Its Recommended Nonprofits

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Central to its latest advancements, The Life You Can Save has updated its charity evaluation framework to focus more intensively on the complexities of poverty, utilizing the Multidimensional Poverty Index.

Key Points: 
  • Central to its latest advancements, The Life You Can Save has updated its charity evaluation framework to focus more intensively on the complexities of poverty, utilizing the Multidimensional Poverty Index.
  • The Multidimensional Poverty Index, or MPI, acknowledges that poverty's impact extends beyond financial scarcity to include health, education and living standards.
  • "Our enhanced evaluation method and strategic partnerships are designed to amplify our impact," said Katie Stanford, Director of Research at The Life You Can Save.
  • Former Silicon Valley executives Jessica and Andrea La Mesa will co-lead The Life You Can Save into its next decade.

Avid Celebrates Outstanding Achievements of Its Creative Users at 96th Academy Awards® and BAFTAs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Lame edited Oppenheimer with Avid Media Composer ®, the industry’s gold-standard editing tool for creative professionals.

Key Points: 
  • Lame edited Oppenheimer with Avid Media Composer ®, the industry’s gold-standard editing tool for creative professionals.
  • Ever since its trailblazing launch, Avid Media Composer has been consistently recognized as the industry’s top video editing system.
  • Further recognition from the Academy for Avid’s creative tools came in 2004 when the business received an Oscar® for pioneering creative tools for audio postproduction with Avid Pro Tools®.
  • Academy Awards and Oscar are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

AmeriCorps Week 2024: Celebrate Millions of Americans Who Answered the Call to Service

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

Washington, DC, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON, DC— March 10-16, AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, celebrates AmeriCorps Week , a week-long celebration observed during AmeriCorps 30th Anniversary, recognizing AmeriCorps programs and offers thanks to millions of members and volunteers for uniting in service.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON, DC— March 10-16, AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, celebrates AmeriCorps Week , a week-long celebration observed during AmeriCorps 30th Anniversary, recognizing AmeriCorps programs and offers thanks to millions of members and volunteers for uniting in service.
  • In September 2023, AmeriCorps celebrated the 30th anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing the National and Community Trust Act to establish AmeriCorps.
  • "For thirty years, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers have been a vital resource for communities and families in greatest need,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps.
  • This AmeriCorps Week, AmeriCorps celebrates the millions of Americans ages 18 and older, who have served with AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs.

White Rock, NM Named “Happiest Small Town in America”

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

Los Alamos, NM, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Travel —an online travel journal—recently named White Rock, New Mexico, the “Happiest Small Town in America” in their 2024 rankings.

Key Points: 
  • Los Alamos, NM, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Travel —an online travel journal—recently named White Rock, New Mexico, the “Happiest Small Town in America” in their 2024 rankings.
  • “With a friendly atmosphere, tons of trails through and around town, beautiful dark skies, and unique local businesses, White Rock is a gem among small towns across America.”
    For those visiting White Rock, be sure to start your visit at the White Rock Visitor Center for maps and an overview of local activities.
  • White Rock Overlook Park – Grab your camera and prepare for stunning shots at White Rock Overlook.
  • To plan your visit or explore all there is to see and do in White Rock and Los Alamos, go to www.visitlosalamos.org .