Bolstering commitment to positive social change through group-based interaction. Building on an impressive series of preliminary results, this research uses small group interaction to bolster commitment to work towards long-term goals. The methods explored in the proposal have the potential to boost commitment in the public, private, and community sectors by identifying the key factors responsible for sustaining long-term change. The research is relevant for efforts to combat racism, and to incr ....Bolstering commitment to positive social change through group-based interaction. Building on an impressive series of preliminary results, this research uses small group interaction to bolster commitment to work towards long-term goals. The methods explored in the proposal have the potential to boost commitment in the public, private, and community sectors by identifying the key factors responsible for sustaining long-term change. The research is relevant for efforts to combat racism, and to increase community support for international development and environmental sustainability. Benefits are expected both in terms of the promotion of positive attitudes in society and in overcoming apathy within organisations.Read moreRead less
The Impact of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence on the Dynamics of Conflict. This project aims to understand the impact of sexual and gender-based violence on the dynamics of conflict. With an innovative mixed method design it will study all reported incidences of sexual and gender-based violence in 41 conflict-affected countries between 1998 and 2018. It will generate new knowledge establishing how and when crimes of sexual and gender-based violence affect the onset and intensity of conflict. Th ....The Impact of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence on the Dynamics of Conflict. This project aims to understand the impact of sexual and gender-based violence on the dynamics of conflict. With an innovative mixed method design it will study all reported incidences of sexual and gender-based violence in 41 conflict-affected countries between 1998 and 2018. It will generate new knowledge establishing how and when crimes of sexual and gender-based violence affect the onset and intensity of conflict. The expected outcomes of this project include the identification of the most high-risk situations, the phases of violence, and the improvement of risk assessments for such violence. The project will significantly benefit the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict-affected situations globally.Read moreRead less
Preventing Mass Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Conflict and Non-Conflict Affected Countries. Widespread and systematic Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) has been recognised by the United Nations Security Council since 2000 as a matter of international peace and security. Under the 1998 Rome Statute it is a crime against humanity, a war crime and an act of genocide. There are two explanations for mass SGBV: the presence of armed conflict and the existence of extreme gender inequality a ....Preventing Mass Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Conflict and Non-Conflict Affected Countries. Widespread and systematic Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) has been recognised by the United Nations Security Council since 2000 as a matter of international peace and security. Under the 1998 Rome Statute it is a crime against humanity, a war crime and an act of genocide. There are two explanations for mass SGBV: the presence of armed conflict and the existence of extreme gender inequality and oppression prior to onset of conflict. Yet, to date, there is little knowledge of how variations in the type of conflict and gender inequality contribute to SGBV crimes. This project will test and refine the two dominant and competing explanations for SGBV crimes to inform strategies for the prevention of SGBV where risk is high.Read moreRead less
Multilateral Development Bank Accountability: Who Benefits? In 1994 the World Bank adopted an "external accountability mechanism" to assess claims by people all over the world that they were negatively affected by Bank financed development projects. Within a decade this mechanism would become a global model of accountability. Adopted by the African, Asian, European and Inter-American Development Banks, hundreds of claims have now been filed. In probing the creation, proliferation and operations ....Multilateral Development Bank Accountability: Who Benefits? In 1994 the World Bank adopted an "external accountability mechanism" to assess claims by people all over the world that they were negatively affected by Bank financed development projects. Within a decade this mechanism would become a global model of accountability. Adopted by the African, Asian, European and Inter-American Development Banks, hundreds of claims have now been filed. In probing the creation, proliferation and operations of these external accountability mechanisms, this project investigates who benefits from them: project affected people, the Banks, or the Banks' member states, some who pushed for greater accountability, and some who opposed these infringements on their sovereign right to borrow.Read moreRead less
Contestation or Regulation - New Politics in Southeast Asia. By providing a greater understanding of the region's polities and societies the study can enhance all forms of Australian engagement with Southeast Asia. It offers insights into differential intra-regional capacities and orientations of political systems to absorb diverse social forces into the political process. This knowledge provides a basis for strategies to promote effective governance reform and other Australian aid programs. It ....Contestation or Regulation - New Politics in Southeast Asia. By providing a greater understanding of the region's polities and societies the study can enhance all forms of Australian engagement with Southeast Asia. It offers insights into differential intra-regional capacities and orientations of political systems to absorb diverse social forces into the political process. This knowledge provides a basis for strategies to promote effective governance reform and other Australian aid programs. It will also assist policymakers seeking to influence the management of, or resolution to, conflicts threatening stability in the region. Read moreRead less
Financing Human Rights: Global Problems and Possibilities. In global terms, Australia is a rich country with a large aid budget and a strong record of supporting the international advancement of human rights standards, especially in the Asia-Pacific. Australia's private sector also invests heavily in many of our neighbouring states, thereby helping to advance human rights through economic development. But human rights problems persist in many countries in our region. This project seeks to optimi ....Financing Human Rights: Global Problems and Possibilities. In global terms, Australia is a rich country with a large aid budget and a strong record of supporting the international advancement of human rights standards, especially in the Asia-Pacific. Australia's private sector also invests heavily in many of our neighbouring states, thereby helping to advance human rights through economic development. But human rights problems persist in many countries in our region. This project seeks to optimise the impact of the financing of human rights protection in developing countries, and thereby add significantly to the maintenance and promotion of the security, prosperity and welfare of all peoples in our region.Read moreRead less
Global Governance, Eco-Justice, and International Grievance Mechanisms. Despite their global use, there is no evidence that grievance mechanisms provide remedies for people and ecosystems harmed by international development projects. This project aims to investigate whether grievance mechanisms provide eco-justice, where communities seek to be recognised and participate, can lead full lives safe from undue environmental risk, in ecosystems that can regenerate and repair. This is significant give ....Global Governance, Eco-Justice, and International Grievance Mechanisms. Despite their global use, there is no evidence that grievance mechanisms provide remedies for people and ecosystems harmed by international development projects. This project aims to investigate whether grievance mechanisms provide eco-justice, where communities seek to be recognised and participate, can lead full lives safe from undue environmental risk, in ecosystems that can regenerate and repair. This is significant given increasing environmental conflict and deaths at project sites around the world. Examining over 430 original claims to the Multilateral Development Banks’ mechanisms over 25 years, and four case studies, the project aims to determine whether the mechanisms deliver eco-justice, and can improve global rules for remedy.Read moreRead less
Rethinking Impartial Humanitarianism: Lessons from the Recent History of the Asia-Pacific Region. Australia today is increasingly involved in complex international humanitarian missions, involving cooperation with other nations and with international non-government organizations. These actions have profound implications for relationships between Australia and other countries. Through an investigation of key case studies from the Asia-Pacific region, this project will create a deeper understandin ....Rethinking Impartial Humanitarianism: Lessons from the Recent History of the Asia-Pacific Region. Australia today is increasingly involved in complex international humanitarian missions, involving cooperation with other nations and with international non-government organizations. These actions have profound implications for relationships between Australia and other countries. Through an investigation of key case studies from the Asia-Pacific region, this project will create a deeper understanding of the long-term experiences, possibilities and limitations of impartial humanitarian action. It will thus contribute to global debates about humanitarianism, and to better-informed Australian engagement in responding to humanitarian crises in our region and the wider world.Read moreRead less
The Cartography of Peace: Security Zones, Colour Codes and Everyday Life. This project investigates the impacts of security mapping and the use of specific color-codes by United Nations peacekeeping operations when assessing risks. It will for the first time trace the origins of United Nations security mapping practices and compare key case studies: Afghanistan (green zone), Somalia (white zone), South Sudan and Kenya (blue zones) and Haiti (red and yellow zones). Expected outcomes include bette ....The Cartography of Peace: Security Zones, Colour Codes and Everyday Life. This project investigates the impacts of security mapping and the use of specific color-codes by United Nations peacekeeping operations when assessing risks. It will for the first time trace the origins of United Nations security mapping practices and compare key case studies: Afghanistan (green zone), Somalia (white zone), South Sudan and Kenya (blue zones) and Haiti (red and yellow zones). Expected outcomes include better understanding of how policy-makers assess risks on the ground, how security maps are drafted and modified across time, as well as an understanding of the meanings given to specific color-codes. The findings expect to benefit Australian and other policy makers seeking to design better security interventions.Read moreRead less
The Professions, Human Rights, and the State: law and medicine in the transition from repression to democracy. This study contributes to an ?anthropology of democracy? examining the processes of political transition beyond the state. It investigates the role of the health and legal professions with regard to human rights abuses occurring during and after state repression taking the cases of Argentina and South Africa. It explores the way the legal and health professions extend human rights thro ....The Professions, Human Rights, and the State: law and medicine in the transition from repression to democracy. This study contributes to an ?anthropology of democracy? examining the processes of political transition beyond the state. It investigates the role of the health and legal professions with regard to human rights abuses occurring during and after state repression taking the cases of Argentina and South Africa. It explores the way the legal and health professions extend human rights through their respective ethical responsibilities thereby enhancing citizenship in the post-transition period. It will provide important insights into the roles professions play in mediating between civil society and the state in a transnational context.Read moreRead less