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Somaliland: Berbera city's growth is being held back by a power supply monopoly

Retrieved on:

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Over the years, these revenues have mostly gone into the central state coffers, while the development of Berbera has been neglected.

Key Points:

Over the years, these revenues have mostly gone into the central state coffers, while the development of Berbera has been neglected.
When we visited the city for our research project on port infrastructure, international politics, and everyday life, this neglect was immediately visible.
Physical and social infrastructure – ranging from roads, water and electricity to health and schooling – were lacking.
Lack of regulation, and collaboration between the government and private businesses have spawned a monopoly of energy provision in Berbera.

Berbera port and development

The neglect of Berbera city stands in stark contrast to the modern technologies and equipment at its port.
Since 2017 the port has been managed by the Dubai-based logistics giant DP World.
And a transport corridor that links the port with Ethiopia is nearly complete.
So far, only limited investments have been made into the generation of clean energy, among them a solar mini grid in Berbera, funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The privatisation of energy

The energy sector, for example, started with private business people who initially used generators for their own consumption.
The businesses eventually provided their neighbourhoods with excess energy.
At least four major energy suppliers are competing for customers in Somaliland’s capital city, Hargeisa.

Mini grid solar power plant

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, for example, provides financial and technical support for the transport corridor from Berbera to Ethiopia.
It has also initiated social projects for the urban poor in Berbera, like building schools and providing green and affordable energy.
It financed a 7MW solar power plant which was inaugurated in January 2021.
But immediately after the launch of the project, the Somaliland Ministry of Mines and Energy handed over the solar facility to Berbera Power House.
During the inauguration of the mini grid solar power plant, the finance minister proposed that electricity prices in Berbera would be reduced to US$0.1 per unit compared to US$0.6 per unit before the investment.

What the Vietnamese Barbie movie ban tells us about China's politics of persuasion

Retrieved on:

Thursday, July 6, 2023

She is at once a symbol of female empowerment, ridicule and consumerism.

Key Points:

She is at once a symbol of female empowerment, ridicule and consumerism.
People might suspect that the recent ban of the Barbie movie by the Vietnamese government is motivated by these concerns.
Amid the frothy Barbie plot, the attentive viewer might notice a map depicting a broad area claimed by China in international waters that buffer the Philippines, Malaysia/Indonesia, Vietnam and China.

Appropriating culture

China has claimed traditional Korean songs (arirang), dress (hanbok) and the quintessential culinary staple, kimchi.
But on a psychological level, culture and physical territory are central to group identities.
Vietnam’s concerns about a momentary glimpse of a map in a movie must be viewed in these terms.

Cultures evolve

The Vietnamese, for example, developed their own folk medicine, often appropriated by the Chinese as “southern medicine (Thuốc Nam).” By making claims on other cultures in the region, China is attempting to legitimize its influence as it seeks global superpower status.
Understandably, when China makes claims on regional cultural traditions — and territory — its neighbours fear for their autonomy.

Eyeing territory

The party has dedicated considerable effort to building up a powerful navy and constructing artificial islands atop coral reefs to place military bases.
During this time, parts of Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and other countries were subjected to brutal colonial rule.

Persuasion through media, messages

A key strategy in persuasion is to flood information ecosystems with desired messages.
When presented in ubiquitous media, such as memes or postage stamps, an audience can begin to lose track of the credibility of the source.
Beyond film, history textbooks and classrooms are the latest battleground for wars that continue to live in collective memory.

The power of pink persuasion

Its brief moment in the spotlight will likely amuse audiences, but it also adds another small brick to the wall being built by China to expand its influence.
Regulations aimed at preventing Chinese influence won’t be sufficient as they might replicate the kind of censorship seen in China.

Starved of funds and vision, struggling universities put NZ’s entire research strategy at risk

Retrieved on:

Monday, June 19, 2023

The crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand’s university and wider research sector did not happen overnight.

Key Points:

The crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand’s university and wider research sector did not happen overnight.
While funding shortfalls and sweeping redundancies are now making headlines, the underlying problems have been evident for years.
As I wrote after last year’s budget, financial support for research across our universities and crown research institutes “is steadily eroding and has been doing so for some time”, given the impacts of inflation.
The lack of new funding for science and research in recent successive budgets might once have been explained by sector reform being a work in progress.

Challenge and capacity

The prime minister and minister of education refuse to interfere in what they see as operational matters, saying universities need to adapt to changing realities.
Read more:
University funding debates should be broadened to reflect their democratic purpose
But cutting staff undermines the sector’s capacity to deal with those challenges in the first place – because capacity lies at the heart of this issue.
As former prime minister Helen Clark said last week:
It has taken decades to build the current capacities of our universities.

A system at odds with itself

It’s easy to sympathise with this, and to hope those students return to tertiary education in future.
That research funding target of 2% of GDP – reiterated again in this year’s budget – has been with us since 2017.
The current [research, science and innovation] system is poorly placed to utilise increased funding to prepare us for [the] future.

Simple funding solutions

As has been pointed out elsewhere, money to cover projected higher student enrolments was originally budgeted for by the government.
The decision not to allocate that money due to lower than expected enrolments is really a question of funding priorities and structures.
A shift in the balance between baseline and per-student funding is not a dramatic structural change.

A coordinated national strategy

Perhaps a “supercouncil” composed of representatives of each university council could provide the forum for this.
It would help ensure individual university strategies were complementary, making the most of their distinctiveness and responsibilities to local communities.
But having national strategic thinking available to support those decisions could only be a good thing.

South Africa's drinking water quality has dropped because of defective infrastructure and neglect – new report

Retrieved on:

Saturday, June 10, 2023

A report released by the South African government paints a grim picture of the country’s water resources and water infrastructure as well as the overall quality of its drinking water.

Key Points:

A report released by the South African government paints a grim picture of the country’s water resources and water infrastructure as well as the overall quality of its drinking water.
The report records continued overall decline in the status of the country’s water supply services.
The report shows that the Department of Water and Sanitation issued non-compliance letters to 244 wastewater treatment works in 2022.
They are able to ask for financial support and assistance to help with capacity building and skills development.

Drinking water quality

In addition, 26 water boards and bulk water service providers were assessed.
Most of the treatment plants in the sample were found to be failing to produce acceptable drinking water according to the SANS 241:2015 drinking water standards.
Only 50% of the assessed treatment plants produced drinking water of a suitable quality not contaminated by sewage or other pathogens or chemicals.
The report also noted that 11 of the 140 municipalities that were assessed had no water quality monitoring systems in place or no evidence of any water testing.

Wastewater treatment works

Of the total 850 wastewater treatment works assessed, 334 (39%) received scores below 31% and were placed under regulatory surveillance.
Overall, the country’s wastewater treatment works are in a poor to critical state, posing significant risks to public health and to the environment.

Other major issues reflected in the report were:

Next steps

Recent cholera outbreaks in Gauteng and Free State provinces have been a warning sign that the country’s water is contaminated.
But government will have to regain the trust of private institutions before they will be willing to invest in water infrastructure projects.

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

Retrieved on:

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.

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.

Working with kids, being passionate about a subject, making a difference: what makes people switch careers to teaching?

Retrieved on:

Saturday, May 27, 2023

One part of the push to increase teacher numbers is encouraging people to swap their current career for a teaching role.

Key Points:

One part of the push to increase teacher numbers is encouraging people to swap their current career for a teaching role.
The most recent Australian data shows as of 2017, one-third of new applicants were 25 or older.
Last August, the Albanese government set up an expert panel on teacher education, in part due to concerns about teacher shortages.

Our research

Our new research reviewed studies on career-change teachers from the past two decades.
This international review explored the experiences of career-change teachers worldwide, including Australian, US, UK and New Zealand studies.

Who enters teaching?

Many previously worked in childcare, tutoring, volunteering in classrooms, coaching sports, or working with children in community organisations.
Many realised having skills such as effective communication, organisation, resilience, and being able to build relationships were useful for teaching.
Several were inspired by role model teachers or had family who were teachers.

What makes someone switch to teaching?

Many had thought about becoming a teacher for a long time, calling it a longstanding interest or “someday” career.
This desire often predated their first career choice, but life circumstances played a big role in choosing when to make the switch.
Some had become dissatisfied in their job because of boredom, long hours or poor conditions, or because they wanted a career that felt more meaningful.

What does and does not support career changers?

Career-change teachers reported friends and family usually supported the idea of choosing teaching.
Mature entrants sometimes struggled in teacher education programs, because of study costs and lack of financial support, especially during lengthy unpaid professional placements.

Expectations vs reality

Once mid-career teachers made it into a job, their ideas about teaching did not always match reality.
Some were shocked by the high workloads, excessive administration demands, continual government-driven changes and lack of professional autonomy.

What can we do differently?

Mid-career entrants come to schools with new ideas and enthusiasm to make a difference and share their real-world and industry experiences.
One option is to formally recognise extensive industry experiences or advanced subject area qualifications (such as a PhD in chemistry) these career changers bring to schools.
This could allow for school-industry partnerships that benefit students, and let these teachers use their professional experiences to make a difference.

How Erdoğan framed his science and tech 'great achievements' as part of election campaign

Retrieved on:

Saturday, May 27, 2023

In the first few terms of his rule, Turkey experienced significant economic growth and a reduction in inequality.

Key Points:

In the first few terms of his rule, Turkey experienced significant economic growth and a reduction in inequality.
However, inflation hit a 24-year high of 85.5% in November 2022, creating speculation that economic instability would count against Erdoğan in the 2023 general election.
Despite this, in the first round of the election Erdoğan attracted 49.5% of the vote.
Some argued that what Erdoğan calls his “great achievements” in science and technology were a significant reason for his continued popularity.

Creating Turkey’s own car

Although the car industry has had an important role in Turkey’s economy, it has been dominated by foreign car companies.
In 1961 the military government attempted to develop the first Turkish car, Devrim, as a symbol of modern Turkey, but it was not very successful.
This led to a change in the way it was described, rather than a “100% domestic and national” car Erdoğan began calling it “the car of Türkiye” and claimed the product as a Turkish industrial win.

Social costs

With political economists Gabor Scheiring and Tamas Gerocs I have been investigating the implications of the policies related to Turkey’s car industry on social and economic development.
Policy interventions that led to the development of Togg and Erdoğan’s other “achievements” came at the expense of workers.
Changes during the Erdoğan years made subcontracting legal for big firms, resulting in more insecure and low-paid employment.
The number of unionised workers in the car industry dropped from 68% to just 17% between 2003-23.

Rallying nationalist support

Just days before the first round, Erdoğan drove around in the first Togg car to get media coverage.
He said the car “will hit the roads of Europe with all of its models” soon and the Europeans “will say ‘crazy Turks’ are coming”.

Indigenous women in Northern Canada creating sustainable livelihoods through tourism

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

In summer 2022, the Northern WE in Tourism study invited Indigenous women entrepreneurs from northern Newfoundland and Labrador, northern Québec, Nunavut, the Yukon and Northwest Territories to collaborate on an Indigenous-led and ally-supported research project.

Key Points:

In summer 2022, the Northern WE in Tourism study invited Indigenous women entrepreneurs from northern Newfoundland and Labrador, northern Québec, Nunavut, the Yukon and Northwest Territories to collaborate on an Indigenous-led and ally-supported research project.
Over shared stories of lived experiences and examples of best practices, participants discussed the barriers faced by Indigenous women entrepreneurs in the North and their colonial origins.

History of colonization

If an Indigenous woman married outside her community, she lost her status.
Her children were also denied their right to status, setting the foundation for intergenerational vulnerability and cultural alienation.
Almost 1,200 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls were identified by law enforcement between 1980 and 2012.

Indigenous tourism

These conventional systems are not designed to factor the lived realities of Indigenous women into their operations.
The complex challenges facing Indigenous women in Canada’s North cannot be resolved in isolation or at the discretion of the entities that created them.
Often lacking Western educational requirements, business experience or associated skill sets, Indigenous women experience significant bias in accessing support.
And tourism provides a gateway to entrepreneurship for Indigenous women, serving as a catalyst capable of influencing societal behaviour on a broader scale.

Understanding success

Success requires healing and understanding the impact of intergenerational trauma.
Viewing success through this lens places value on equity, the concept of continuity of culture and Indigenous integration and stewardship of their lands.
As Indigenous business owner Joella Hogan put it:
“I really try to lead my business with the values and teachings that I have been taught.
Our Elders give us these teachings so we can be strong Northern Tutchone people and live our lives in a good way.

Can China broker peace in Yemen – and further Beijing's Middle East strategy in the process?

Retrieved on:

Friday, May 5, 2023

After nearly a decade of grinding conflict, Yemen looks to be inching toward a peace deal.

Key Points:

After nearly a decade of grinding conflict, Yemen looks to be inching toward a peace deal.
The recent breakthrough in Yemen has been undergirded by a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, facilitated by Beijing in March 2023.
It has the potential to reduce rivalries and strengthen stability in Yemen, along with other countries prone to sectarian violence, including Lebanon and Iraq.
But it has also led to speculation over China’s emergence as a major regional player in the Middle East.

Fragmentation and regional dynamics

But given the role that the rivalry between the regional powers has had in fueling the fighting, international observers have expressed optimism.
The disintegration of Yemen began with the collapse of its central government in 2011 after the Arab Spring uprising.
Hadi’s government struggled to establish itself in Aden and eventually relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he resigned in 2022.

China’s path through Saudi Arabia

According to the World Bank, in 2013 China was Yemen’s second-largest trading partner after Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, China has maintained formal diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates – each of which back militias involved in Yemen’s war.
In recent years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has visited both the UAE and Saudi Arabia to underscore Beijing’s growing role as a partner in the region.

What’s to gain from peace?

The UAE can influence Yemeni factions it has provided military and financial support to, including the “Security Belt” forces affiliated with the transitional government.
However, the Emiratis’ goals may differ from those seeking a unified, independent Yemen.
Saudi Arabia, of the three, stands to gain the most from peace in Yemen.
The talks were the first direct negotiations between the two sides on Yemeni soil since the war began in 2015.

The thinking in Beijing

Rebuilding a war-shattered Yemen and establishing a stable government may take time – and the investment required to do so might outweigh short-term economic gains.
Moreover, China already has a military base in Djibouti, giving it access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait even without peace in Yemen.
Priorities in Washington have shifted to strategic concerns in East Asia and Ukraine, leading to a diplomatic opportunity for China – one Beijing is seemingly keen to exploit.
For China, it provides opportunities for another diplomatic success from which it could emerge as a reliable partner in a changing geopolitical landscape.