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1462. Football Diplomacy Redux: The 2015 Asian Cup and Australia’s Engagement with Asia
- Author:
- Anthony Bubalo
- Publication Date:
- 03-2013
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Lowy Institute for International Policy
- Abstract:
- In 2015 Australia will host the Asian Football Confederation’s Asian Cup, providing opportunities for government, business and community groups to strengthen their engagement with Asia.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Australia
1463. Emerging Schlars
- Author:
- Melissa Conley Tyler
- Publication Date:
- 12-2013
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Australian Institute of International Affairs
- Abstract:
- The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) was established in 1924 with to promote public understanding and interest in international affairs. The AIIA works actively to engage younger people in the community in its work by coordinating events such as careers fairs, school events, mentoring, internships and the Young Diplomats Program
- Topic:
- International Relations and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Australia
1464. The Lessons and Limits of DDR in Africa
- Author:
- Prosper Nzekani Zena
- Publication Date:
- 01-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies
- Abstract:
- With organized initiatives for demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) in 10 African states, there is widespread recognition of the importance of these programs to advancing stability on the continent. Even so, these initiatives are often under-prioritized and -conceptualized, contributing to the high rates of conflict relapse observed in Africa. DDR efforts across Africa over the past decade indicate that DDR cannot substitute for measures that address core conflict drivers and is often hobbled by expedient but fragile efforts to integrate nonstate militias with a national defense force.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Africa
1465. Bridging the PAYE gap
- Author:
- ZIPAR
- Publication Date:
- 01-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR)
- Abstract:
- Zambia’s tax revenue-to-GDP ratio dropped to a record low of 13% in the early 1990s from a peak of 30% in the 1970s. To address the problem, Government embarked on a wide range of tax reforms that included the formation of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in order to increase revenue collection through efficient tax administration. Despite these reforms, tax revenues have remained low, averaging only 17% of GDP. The low tax revenues can be partly attributed to tax evasion. The current legal and administrative measures to address this problem are inadequate. This is evidenced by the underperformance of taxes such as PAYE with a significant proportion remaining uncollected. The estimated PAYE tax gap as a percent of GDP is 6.7% or 40.3% of total tax revenues in 2010. Government should embark on comprehensive legal and administrative tax reforms in order to minimise the tax gap, thereby combating tax evasion.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
1466. Human Rights and the Transformation Process in Turkey
- Author:
- Bülen Arınç
- Publication Date:
- 06-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- The increase in the number of nation-states and the violent wars of the last century has triggered the evolution of a new approach that seeks to find a place for the individual in international law. In other words, human rights has become internationalised and this is for the good of all humanity. Today, the fundamental human rights principles, such as justice, equality and freedom, have been embraced unquestionably and put into writing, which demonstrates that they were adopted by all peoples on earth. The fundamental principles of human rights include ensuring a life and governance system where all people will be free and equal and not subject to discrimination due to their race, colour, sex, language, religion, faith, nationality or ethnic origin. In addition, the rights must include an adequate standard of living for the individual, encompassing health, education, food, shelter and social services; an equal enjoyment of legal protection; freedom of assembly and association; and freedom of belief, conscience, thought and speech.
- Topic:
- International Relations and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Turkey
1467. Turkey’s Regional Approach in Afghanistan: A Civilian Power in Action
- Author:
- Saban Kardas
- Publication Date:
- 04-2013
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Abstract:
- This policy brief studies Turkey’s contributions to the resolution of the Afghan conflict by focusing on its regional approach. The brief puts forth the argument that Afghanistan provides a good show-case to demonstrate the elements of a new security culture Turkey has adopted in its post-Cold War transformation. Reflecting the growing power of civilians in the making of foreign policy, Turkey’s security culture has evolved in ways that it has embraced many liberal elements, which can be grouped under the concept of cooperative security.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Turkey
1468. Making Sense of Turkish-EU Relations in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring
- Author:
- Bülent Aras
- Publication Date:
- 04-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- Both the EU’s recognition of the importance of its value system and Turkey’s rediscovery of its European component in its foreign policy identity have occurred during a period of radical transformation in the Mediterranean region. The Arab Spring has resulted in a process of renegotiation over territory, identity and governance which has eventually fostered the idea of a new regional political community. The EU is in an advantageous position now if it truly wants to build a political community eastwards and southwards. One logical move would be a renegotiation in the EU over Turkey’s role in a new vision for the future of the EU. Turkey’s European identity and policy style will continue to shape its own neighbourhood policy as it is at the centre of a new geopolitical thinking. Ankara sees itself as having an order-instituting role in its changing neighbourhood and is in a process of recalibrating its policies in this direction. The Turkish and EU models complement each other, and there is no possibility for any other model to compete with these perspectives in the foreseeable
- Topic:
- International Relations and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Turkey
1469. The Role of CSOs in Monitoring and Evaluating National Action Plan (NAP) for Implementation of UNSCR 1325
- Author:
- Gorana Radovanovic
- Publication Date:
- 01-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
- Abstract:
- Successful implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 requires the establishment of an effective mechanism for monitoring and evaluation. To ensure that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are effective, it is necessary to include involvement and ideally, oversight, from civil society organizations (CSOs). Unfortunately cooperation between government institutions and CSOs in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the NAP on 1325 is often reduced to a single CSO consultation and only in a formal and limited context. As a consequence, meaningful dialogue and cooperation between state institutions and CSOs in NAP implementation, monitoring and evaluation is either missing altogether or limited to the point of ineffectiveness.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
1470. Security Matters
- Author:
- Centre for European Security Studies
- Publication Date:
- 02-2013
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Centre for European Security Studies
- Abstract:
- In 2012 CESS conducted a range of activities in Turkey in the framework of the “Good Governance of the Security Sector in Turkey” programme: In March we organised a conference and a follow-up training course in Ankara on Financial Accountability and Budgetary Transparency of the Security Sector. During these events we discussed the main procedures in reviewing defence budgets and particular attention was dedicated to the role of the Court of Accounts. It became clear during the proceedings of both events that despite the fact that changes have been made for the better in Turkey with regard to financial oversight of the security sector, most of these changes unfortunately are only made on paper and are still not put into practice. The auditing process clearly lacks key mechanisms that would make the military more accountable. Therefore the Court of Accounts still has no real leverage over the military in terms of auditing defence spending.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus