Month: March 2023

Australia, EducationLeave a comment

Australia: Universities eye opportunities in trilateral submarine plan

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Kalinga Seneviratne25 March 2023 Universities in South Australia have indicated their eagerness to play a major role in the development of nuclear-powered submarines, the key component of a recent trilateral security pact entered into between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, aimed at shoring up stability in the Indo-Pacific. “We have the population and the history of naval shipbuilding in South Australia. What we’ve always needed is a continuous pipeline of work that allows businesses to invest,” said South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas on 15 March, the day the nuclear submarine building agreement known as AUKUS was signed. … Continue reading Australia: Universities eye opportunities in trilateral submarine plan

Education, SDGsLeave a comment

SDGs: Study urges universities to see students as resource

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Published by University World News By Kalinga Seneviratne Constraints associated with a lack of financial resources could prevent universities from taking a leadership role in addressing issues associated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, universities are also in pole position to get youth involved in addressing the SDGs, speakers at the ninth Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC9) heard this month. “Even though higher education institutions are not directly addressed by the SDGs – as they are directed towards governments – universities all over the world engage with the SDGs and contribute to their … Continue reading SDGs: Study urges universities to see students as resource

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Long association’ leads to India’s first foreign campus

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Shuriah Niazi and Kalinga Seneviratne Australia’s Melbourne-based Deakin University will become the first foreign university to open a branch campus in India, according to an announcement made last week during a visit to India by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a high-powered trade delegation, including three Australian vice-chancellors. Deakin is expected to invest AU$4 million (US$2.7 million) in the India venture. Speaking at the event in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 8 March, Albanese hailed the development as an important milestone in Australia’s expanding educational cooperation with India. “It paves the way for commercial opportunities for Australian education providers to offer … Continue reading Long association’ leads to India’s first foreign campus

Climatic Change, Environment, Human Rights, SDGs, South PacificLeave a comment

Vanuatu’s Cyclone Destruction Makes ICJ Opinion Critical

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By Kalinga Seneviratne SUVA, Fiji, 9 March 2023 (IDN) — After two destructive cyclones and an earthquake within a week, people of the small Pacific Islands state of Vanuatu are slowly picking up the pieces after the destruction from winds and rains that flooded many properties. This devastation should strengthen Vanuatu’s ongoing initiative at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to seek an International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion on compensation for climatic change victims. Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1,300 kilometres with a population of just over 319,000 people. Reports … Continue reading Vanuatu’s Cyclone Destruction Makes ICJ Opinion Critical

Development and Economy, Environment, Human Rights, South PacificLeave a comment

Pacific Islanders Want Japan to Stop Dumping Nuclear Waste into Their Ocean

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By Kalinga Seneviratne SUVA, Fiji 6 March 2023 (IDN) — Alarmed at Japan’s plans to dump nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean regional leaders are calling upon the Japanese government to immediately call a stop to such plans. Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong, said on Monday (6 March) “there is little doubt that this nuclear wastewater will find its way into ecosystems and food chains, so contaminating people and also harming Pacific fisheries industries”. He added that “if this nuclear wastewater is discharged, it will be the ‘Pacific Chernobyl’ causing harm to our people … Continue reading Pacific Islanders Want Japan to Stop Dumping Nuclear Waste into Their Ocean

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OBSERVER ISSUE 17 FEBRUARY 2023

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In the 17th issue of Sustainable Development Observer we are focusing on Education and the SDGs. Education contributes to many of the Sustainable Development Goals. It reduces poverty, drives sustainable economic growth, prevents inequality and injustice, leads to better health – particularly for women and children – and it helps to protect the planet.  The COVID-19 pandemic has more than ever put at risk the education of children, adolescents and young people and has caused the largest education disruption ever in history. The pandemic is exacerbating pre-existing challenges in access to education and quality learning and skills, and the impacts … Continue reading SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OBSERVER ISSUE 17 FEBRUARY 2023