Leadership | Jotup

Why are First Nations children still not coming home from out-of-home care?

Retrieved on:

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Reducing the number of First Nations children in out-of-home care is a priority of the national Closing the Gap targets.

Key Points:

Reducing the number of First Nations children in out-of-home care is a priority of the national Closing the Gap targets.
However, child protection authorities have been removing First Nations children from their parents at increasing rates over the past decade.
However, reunification of First Nations children with their parents is largely overlooked in child and family welfare practice.

The numbers show we’re not closing this particular gap

Under the Closing the Gap targets, the government aims to reduce the rate of over-representation of First Nations children in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031.
However, there are still high numbers of First Nations children in out-of-home care, despite these efforts.
In NSW, the number of First Nations children living in out-of-home care has increased by 48% over the past decade.
Meanwhile, the numbers of First Nations children being reunified with birth parents has decreased by 41% over the same period.

Bring Them Home, Keep Them Home

This project is focused on understanding the best practices to bring First Nations children back to their families.
The first group consisted of (mostly young) children recently removed from their parents on short-term or interim orders.
These parents are required by child protection authorities to demonstrate they have made swift and significant changes to address the causes of removal.
Unless the child can no longer live with their out-of-home carer, or a parent pursues legal options, children often remain in out-of-home care until they are 18.

Where to from here

As of 2020-21, only 17% of funding for child protection services went to First Nations-led organisations.
The remaining funds went to child protection interventions and out-of-home care services.
Child protection systems also need to recognise that First Nations children’s cultural and family connections are vital to their wellbeing.

Kenya's new spy chief will lead the national intelligence service – what the job is all about

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Saturday, June 10, 2023

But what is national intelligence and what work does it do, particularly in Kenya?

Key Points:

But what is national intelligence and what work does it do, particularly in Kenya?
Legislators will either approve or reject his nomination to the National Intelligence Service as director-general.
In my view as a political scientist who has studied Kenya’s counter-terrorism policies and strategies, Haji could improve civilian oversight and accountability in the intelligence service.

What is intelligence?

Intelligence services are state agencies that produce reports to help maintain national security.
By providing reliable information about potential threats to national security, intelligence agencies contribute to peace and stability.
Kenya’s National Intelligence Service has three primary divisions responsible for these different kinds of information.

What are the functions of intelligence?

The National Intelligence Service functions to detect actual and potential national security threats.
The intelligence service provides confidential security reports on people who apply for state positions that require vetting.
This means it is not legally permitted to carry out police functions, such as search, arrest and prosecution.
In such cases, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which falls under the National Police Service, investigates and sets the appropriate charge.

How is intelligence gathered?

Kenya’s National Intelligence Service gathers information by working with individuals and organisations.
It also cooperates with foreign governments and intelligence agencies, such as the MI5 in the UK.

Going forward

The microchip industry would implode if China invaded Taiwan, and it would affect everyone

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Saturday, June 10, 2023

CHIPS, Workforce, Semiconductor, Technology, Science, Pressure, Industry, Leadership, Democrat, COVID-19, Micrometre, Goal, CHIPS and Science Act, TSMC, Silicon, Video game, Creative industries, EU

A conflict between the US and China over computer chips – or semiconductors – has been escalating in recent months.

Key Points:

A conflict between the US and China over computer chips – or semiconductors – has been escalating in recent months.
In particular, the US has taken steps to limit China’s access to advanced chip technology amid heightened international competition in the area.
Beijing retaliated by banning US chip maker Micron from operating in China.
Because of Taiwan’s dominant position in the chip industry, its economy has been described as the the “most indispensable” in the world.

Critical technology

However, Taiwan alone manufactures more than 60% of the world’s semiconductors -— and crucially, 90% of the most advanced ones.
There are fears the silicon shield might not hold forever, and an invasion by China would threaten the global economy with implosion.
However, if TSMC were to build new manufacturing facilities elsewhere it would reduce the world’s reliance on Taiwan for chip production.
A practice called “friendshoring” could concentrate manufacturing and the sourcing of materials outside Taiwan in countries friendly to the US.

The chip shortage

There is already a shortage of microchips, which began with the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 and has affected many industries and products.
In a bid to boost chip supplies, the Biden administration and the EU have tried to improve supply chain resilience by incentivising production closer to home.
Under current chip war conditions, low supply is likely to continue, which means price increases and product delays.
The increase in chip prices would unleash massive inflation on a range of products and services, including cars, phones and healthcare equipment such as ultrasounds and vital sign monitors.

Nikki Haley: the 'new generation' candidate trying to win the Republican nomination

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Saturday, June 10, 2023

Haley entered the 2024 race on February 14 2023 with a strong electoral résumé, having never lost an election.

Key Points:

Haley entered the 2024 race on February 14 2023 with a strong electoral résumé, having never lost an election.
She was elected to the South Carolina legislature in 2004 and ran for governor in 2010, winning narrowly, but coasted to victory in 2014.
Her winning record will now be tested by a growing field of candidates, including the clear leader for the Republican nomination: Donald Trump.

Breaking political records

At 38, she was the youngest governor of any state in the union at the time.
She rose to national prominence in 2015 following a mass shooting at an African-American church in Charleston.
In January 2023, Haley explained her rationale for this change of heart, stating:
I think it’s time for new generational change.

Competency test for over 75s

At 51 she is significantly younger than both Donald Trump and president Joe Biden.
In remarks to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in March 2023, Haley called for all politicians over the age of 75 to pass a mental competency test.
Haley is also behind on national endorsements with only one congressman having offered his public support.
Haley has been critical of this position and called for continued military and financial support for Ukraine.

Three challenges

As well as low poll numbers and a lack of important political endorsements, Haley faces three further challenges.
Also, the rules for deciding allocation of delegates in Republican primaries are determined by individual states.
For example, in the 2016 Florida Republican primary Trump won 45.7% of the vote and consequently all of its 99 delegates.
At this stage in the race, however, Nikki Haley’s path to the White House remains tricky.

Charities can get a 6% donations boost when Charity Navigator gives them more stars – but to get there, they might game the system

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Monday, June 5, 2023

Charity, Wind, Thought, Review, Organization, Organic, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Housing, Charity Navigator, Research, Average revenue per user, Candid (organization), Behavior, Culture, Leadership, Management, Toy

To find out, I conducted a study regarding the impact of Charity Navigator – the largest U.S. charity evaluator.

Key Points:

To find out, I conducted a study regarding the impact of Charity Navigator – the largest U.S. charity evaluator.
Donors reward boosted charities
I analyzed data drawn from Charity Navigator’s ratings for roughly 9,000 charities from 2002 to 2019.
Charity Navigator awards charities a rating between zero and four stars, with just under half of all organizations earning its highest rating.
Specifically, if a charity’s rating rises from two to three stars, or from three to four stars, its donations rise by about 6%.

Farming in South Africa is being hobbled by power cuts and poor roads. Rural towns are being hit hardest

Retrieved on:

Monday, June 5, 2023

The sector’s gross value added grew by 14.9% in 2020, 8.8% in 2021 and modestly by 0.3% in 2022 .

Key Points:

The sector’s gross value added grew by 14.9% in 2020, 8.8% in 2021 and modestly by 0.3% in 2022 .
The current season is also likely to deliver solid growth for the sector, with variation across sub-sectors.
Export performance is likely be robust, especially with a weaker rand exchange rate, which makes South African products more competitively priced in the global market.
These challenges highlight the effects of weak governance across all spheres of government in South Africa.
Farming and agribusiness play a crucial role in sustaining the economies of small towns and rural areas.

Roadblocks facing farmers

The impact that poor roads have on farmers is well illustrated by a recent case in the Eastern Cape province.
Dairy farmers in the Ncorha area struggled to receive farm supplements, feeds and diesel because of the poor state of roads.
Water has often been flagged by various agribusinesses and farmers as another major problem.
Harvest and livestock theft affect all farmers and are much harder for new entrant farmers without a strong financial position to invest in security and technical solutions.

Why strong agricultural sector matters

Agriculture is one such sector, while agribusiness and agro-processing also present a range of employment opportunities.
The recently launched Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan presents practical steps for implementing Chapter Six of the National Development Plan, which outlined a vision for developing the agricultural sector further.
Public-private sector partnerships can also be considered to help tackle some of these challenges.

South Africa's role as host of the BRICS summit is fraught with dangers. A guide to who is in the group, and why it exists

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 2, 2023

South Africa will host the BRICS summit in August 2023.

Key Points:

South Africa will host the BRICS summit in August 2023.
South Africa could face the wrath of its BRICS partners if it fulfils its international obligation and arrests him.
Hosting the 2023 BRICS summit is therefore fraught with dangers.

Who are the BRICS?

These countries decided that Goldman Sachs had a point and that they could enhance their global influence if they cooperated.
They first met at a ministerial level in 2006 and at a leaders’ summit in 2009.
The group has also sought, through groups like its business forum, to promote greater economic cooperation between the participating countries.

What has the BRICS grouping achieved?

They contend that it is a “new” multilateral development bank which offers its members an alternative to institutions like the World Bank.
It claims that its governance is fairer than the World Bank because its five original members all have equal votes.
It has provided US$32.8 billion to 96 projects in the 5 BRICS countries and it has begun looking to expand the scope of its operations.
But another important reason is that the BRICS are not unified in their demands for reform.
Similarly, not all the other BRICS have supported South Africa’s call for a third African seat on the IMF’s board of directors.

Are there any downsides to BRICS membership?

These changes have created both opportunities and challenges for the BRICS.
One opportunity arises from the fact that approximately 19 countries in the Global South, including Argentina, Cuba, Iran and Saudi Arabia, have expressed an interest in joining the BRICS.
It is expected that the BRICS will consider the issue of membership at their upcoming August 2023 summit.
However, given the complex economic and political relations between the BRICS member states, there is considerable scepticism about the feasibility of the BRICS developing a new global currency in the near term.

What hangs on the summit?

The G20, which brings together the 20 leading economic powers in the world, has called itself the “premier forum” for global economic governance.
Planning for this G20 event must begin soon because in 2024 South Africa will join India, the current G20 host, and Brazil, the 2024 G20 host in the troika that manages the G20 process.

The 'truther playbook': tactics that explain vaccine conspiracy theorist RFK Jr's presidential momentum

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 2, 2023

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a self-described vaccine sceptic, announced his candidacy to run for president as a Democrat in April.

Key Points:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a self-described vaccine sceptic, announced his candidacy to run for president as a Democrat in April.
Our new study on the rhetorical techniques used to spread vaccine disinformation partly explains Kennedy’s appeal to voters.
We examined the strategies of RFK Jr and American osteopath Joseph Mercola, two prominent members of the “disinformation dozen”.

1. Identity and belonging

COVID truthers offer their followers access to an exclusive in-group identity.
They adhere to a dualistic belief system that divides the world into good and bad actors, light and dark forces.
For COVID truthers, it is not simply that their opponents have acted through ignorance or error – they frame them as corrupt and evil.

2. True knowledge and enlightenment

Figures such as Kennedy and Mercola capitalise on this, appealing to those disillusioned with the government’s official narrative.
They present themselves as having access to privileged knowledge and understanding.
They do this by revealing alternative “facts” that contradict the official narrative, and that they claim have been concealed from the public.

3. Meaning and purpose

COVID truthers provide their followers with meaning, offering a reason to believe in a greater purpose.
This can take the form of New Age spirituality, suggesting that humanity is undergoing a “shift in consciousness”, or a more secular commitment to truth, freedom and justice.
Kennedy frequently deploys the language of social justice in his posts and newsletters, as a rallying call to unite his followers.

4. Leadership and guidance

Kennedy’s campaign contrasts the power of corrupt government institutions, corporate cronyism and nefarious media elites with the powerlessness that the disenfranchised public feels.
As a consequence, he positions himself as an incorruptible leader with the capacity to “clean up government”, restore civil liberties, and speak truth to power.

Why this matters

Filings with charity regulators show that revenue for Kennedy’s organisation more than doubled in 2020, to US$6.8 million.
In our current post-truth era, where opinions often triumph over facts, influencers and celebrities can achieve authority.

'Dismissed': legal experts explain the judgment in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 2, 2023

The civil trial ended in July 2022 after an astonishing 110 days of evidence and legal submissions.

Key Points:

The civil trial ended in July 2022 after an astonishing 110 days of evidence and legal submissions.
Besanko determined the newspapers did establish the “substantial truth” of some of the allegations, though not of others.
Read more:
A win for the press, a big loss for Ben Roberts-Smith: what does this judgment tell us about defamation law?

Substantial and contextual truth

Besanko also found allegations of bullying by Roberts-Smith to be substantially true, but did not find that the newspapers had established the substantial truth of the domestic violence allegations.
The “contextual” truth changes came in a push to have uniformity in defamation laws back in 2005.
Under the law, they needed only to show the “substantial” truth of what they had alleged.
Because the papers were able to establish the substantial truth of key aspects of the reporting, Roberts-Smith’s case failed.

What happens next?

The newspapers requested three weeks to consider how much to seek for costs and third-party costs.
There’s little doubt that both sides have each spent millions on their respective legal teams.

Australian Defence Force must ensure the findings against Ben Roberts-Smith are not the end of the story

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 2, 2023

The court found that reporting by Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters and David Wroe had satisfactorily established the truth of several serious imputations against Roberts-Smith.

Key Points:

The court found that reporting by Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters and David Wroe had satisfactorily established the truth of several serious imputations against Roberts-Smith.
Read more:
A win for the press, a big loss for Ben Roberts-Smith: what does this judgment tell us about defamation law?

Standards of proof and evidence

This case was a civil proceeding, meaning the imputations only needed to be proven true on the balance of probabilities, a substantially lower requirement than proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which would be required in a criminal trial.
Because of the different standards of proof, it is not certain Roberts-Smith would be found guilty in a war crimes trial, assuming all the same evidence was called.
Prosecutors will be concerned, moreover, that the outcome of the high-profile defamation trial might influence a future war crimes proceeding.

Contextual truth

Some imputations against Roberts-Smith were not substantiated at the defamation trial.
However, Justice Besanko found that these defamatory statements, which concerned threatening a fellow soldier and domestic violence, were nonetheless contextually true.

Broader implications

He received financial support for the case from Kerry Stokes – who, from 2015 to 2022, was chair of the Australian War Memorial.
While the memorial as an institution did not support Roberts-Smith with the case, Stokes remained as chair even after his role was publicly questioned.
The interpretation from some quarters that reporting on Roberts-Smith constitutes unfair criticism of a war hero will persist.
Since the second world war, Australia has positioned itself internationally as a champion of the laws and proper conduct of war.