DFAT

1. DFAT Key Knowledge 2.5 the priorities of the Australian Government's aid initiatives and the role it plays in developing programs to promote global health and sustainable human development Key skills Describe the role of international and Australian government and non-government agencies and organisations in promoting global health and sustainable development

2. DFAT- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade • DFAT is the Australian Government department that focuses on providing Official Development Assistance (ODA). • The purpose of the Australian Government’s aid program is; • to promote sustainable human development by working to reduce poverty in developing countries • promote Australia’s national interests by contributing to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. • to provide Official Development Assistance (ODA) to a number of developing countries • to assist developing countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals

3. Australia's aid program focuses on the Indo-Pacific region. • Internationally recognised for our leading role in the region, particularly in PNG and the Pacific. • Australia also provides assistance to Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. WHERE AUSTRALIA GIVES AID

4. How DFAT provides Aid Australian Government contributes to aid programs in a number of ways including by: • Providing funds to international organisations such as the United Nations. • Other examples: World Bank/World Health Organisation • Allows Australia’s aid program to be part of large scale projects that are too big for individual countries alone. • Assist with accelerating MDG’s • 1/3 of aid budget goes to multilateral aid. • Forms bilateral partnerships with developing countries. • Provides aid to 75 countries • Most our neighbouring regions • Aid can include funding, donations of materials, training and advice. • Works with governments to eventually become self sufficient. • Funding non-government organisations. • E.g World Vision Australia/Australian Red Cross • 6% of funding goes to NGO • Enable aid to reach the most vulnerable, are small community based projects and involve people with expertise. • Providing humanitarian assistance in times of need. Note: All Australians contribute to Australia’s aid program. Every week, about $3.30 in taxes from each eligible Australian goes toward paying for our aid program. This is about 1 per cent of the Australian Government’s expenditure and approximately .37% of Gross National Income (GNI).

5. DFAT PRIORITIES • Priorities all contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty in developing countries. • Addressing the priorities, will allow for changes to occur that will promote health and human development in the future

6. 1. DFAT PRIORITIES: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ENCOURAGING TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT • Economic development- relates to increasing opportunities for employment and increasing average incomes. • A developed economy provides many benefits to global health and sustainable human development, including: • More taxation revenue: • Can be used by governments for resources such as infrastructure (including roads and communications systems), education, health care and social security. • This assists the population in accessing knowledge and the resources required for a decent standard of living. • Health care can decrease rates of communicable diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. • Greater employment opportunities for individuals: • Can provide individuals with an income which can then be used to provide resources such as food, water and adequate housing. This increases the ability of people to lead long, healthy and productive lives, in accordance with their needs and interests. • Increased ability to develop new industries that can contribute to future economic growth. This improves opportunities for future generations to enjoy a decent standard of living. • Increasing trade and private sector investment are two ways that countries can develop their economies.

7. 1. DFAT PRIORITIES: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ENCOURAGING TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT

8. 2. DFAT PRIORITIES: HEALTH INCLUDING SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND TUBERCULOSIS • Many developing countries experience poor health outcomes – leads to poverty cycle and low level of HD. • Australian government focuses on improved health – HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB through provision of food, safe water, sanitation, trained health workers, disease prevention etc.

9. Education: key to reducing poverty and improving SHD. By being educated, people can gain the skills that will enable them to contribute to the country’s economy in the future. Giving girls an education leads to many other benefits. Educated women have better maternal health, fewer children, healthier children and increased economic opportunities, and are likely to marry later in life. They are also more likely to send their own children to school which increases sustainability. The Australian Government considers education to be one of the best investments it can make to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable human development. As a result, Australia has committed $270 million to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) from 2011–15. Australia's investment is expected to contribute to help 20 million children enrol in school, provide 40 million new textbooks in classrooms, and train 500,000 teachers. • 3. DFAT PRIORITIES: EDUCATION

10. Women and girls in developing countries often lack the same opportunities available for males in terms of education, employment and making decision that affect their lives. It is estimated that the Asia-Pacific region is losing up to US$47 billion annually because of women’s limited access to employment opportunities, and up to US$30 billion annually due to gender gaps in education.  By empowering women and girls, benefits are felt throughout the community with higher average incomes, greater levels of education and healthier families. The Australian Government has set a target requiring that at least 80 per cent of investments, regardless of their objectives, will effectively address gender issues in their implementation.  • 4. DFAT PRIORITIES: EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS

11. Governance impacts on all aspects of a country’s society and economy. • Stable, productive governments can work to promote the health and human development of the population. • An effective government provides the foundations for economic growth, private sector investment and trade. • Well-functioning governments can work to provide stability and maintain law and order by ensuring disputes among citizens are settled peacefully and fairly. • They can deliver education and health services that build a skilled, productive and healthy workforce. • However, where governance is poor, development outcomes are also poor. • 5. DFAT PRIORITIES: EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

12. Provided in crisis situations such as natural disasters and human-induced emergencies, where human life is at immediate risk. Causes of these situations include earthquakes, bush fires, tsunamis, conflicts and chemical spills. Australia’s goal for humanitarian action is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of humanitarian crises. The Australian Government recognises that humanitarian action saves lives and helps people get back to leading productive lives more quickly. • 6. DFAT PRIORITIES: HUMANITARIAN AID