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Globalisation and privatisation : the impact on childcare policy and practice

VANDENBROECK, Michel
January 2006

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This paper explores the impact of globalisation and neo-liberalism policies on child care provision, with a special focus on Belgium. It provides an overview of the historical context, and shows how even in Belgium social democratic welfare state globalisation has stimulated privatisation and decentralisation of services, and forced parents to take direct responsibility for the care of their children. The paper suggests that policy makers need to balance competing demands: government responsibility versus autonomy; standardisation versus diversity; inclusion versus exclusion

What do we do with culture? Engaging culture in development

VINCENT, Robin
March 2005

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This short briefing paper gives a critical overview of recent attempts to engage culture in development work, and in HIV and AIDS work in particular. It also outlines a range of insights from anthropological work that relate to understanding and addressing culture in development. Areas covered include moving beyond a focus on the individual in analysis of change, looking beyond the local setting only, considering the role of the organisational culture of development institutions, valuing indigenous knowledge, and looking at the way mobilising culture and cultural resources is intimately linked to power relations

Our common interest : report of the Commission for Africa

COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
March 2005

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This wide-ranging report was produced by the Commission For Africa, assembled by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2004 to define the challenges facing Africa, and to provide clear recommendations on how to support the changes needed to reduce poverty. The report is in two parts. The first, The Argument, addresses itself to a wider audience and sets out the Commission's call to action. The second part, The Analysis and Evidence, lays out the substance and basis of the recommendations. Recommendations are set out between these two sections. Topics covered include governance, peace and security, social issues such as education, health and vulnerability, and economic growth and development

Global health watch 2005-2006 : an alternative world health report

LEMA, Claudia
et al
2005

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This report is the result of a collaboration of leading popular movements, NGOs, activists, academics and health workers. It provides an evidence-based analysis of the political economy of health and health care and challenges policies and initiatives of global organisations including the World Bank, the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Many key issues relevant to health are covered, including health care services and systems, health of vulnerable groups, climate change, food and water, education, armed conflicts. Part E also provides and assessment of the impact global institutions, transnational corporations and rich countries. This report is a call for action, directed to health workers and activists and national and international policy-makers

Universal birth registration : a universal responsibility

PLAN INTERNATIONAL
2005

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This publication is the final report arising from a Plan International campaign on universal birth registration. Article 7 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that 'the child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right to a name and the right to acquire a nationality'. Most recent statistics estimate that 36 percent of children are currently not registered. Without a birth certificate, children may have difficulty proving to officials that they are eligible for assistance at times of personal and national crisis. They may have problems accessing human rights such as care and education. They can be at risk of exclusion and not fulfilling their potential by operating at a disadvantage within social, cultural, economic and political spheres. This campaign aims to ensure that evey child is registered at birth

The 'rights' start to life

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF)
2005

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This is a publication produced by the United Nations Children's Fund and is a statistical analysis of birth registration. Birth registration is a fundamental human right and an essential means of protecting a child's identity. This objective of this study is to present available empirical evidence to understand which factors are associated with children who obtain a birth certificate. By analysing levels of birth registration in the context of other health, education and poverty indicators, the study points to opportunities to integrate advocacy and behaviour change campaigns for birth registration with early childhood care and immunisation. By linking birth registration to early childhood care programmes, a legal hurdle can become a helpful referral to promote improved health, education and protection for disadvantaged children and their caretakers. Particular references to ethnic groups and minorities appear on page 12 and on page 22

Preventing chronic diseases : a vital investment. Overview

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
2005

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This report urges health planners and decision-makers influence multisectoral government action to prevent chronic diseases. It dispels the long-held misunderstandings about heart disease, stroke, cancer and other chronic diseases that have contributed to their global neglect. It states clearly that 80% of the 35 million chronic disease-related deaths in 2005 will occur in low and middle income countries, where they affect men and women at younger ages than in high income countries. Premature deaths in countries such as China, India and the Russian Federation are projected to cost billions of dollars over the next 10 years

Debunking the myths in the US global AIDS strategy : an evidence-based analysis

CENTER FOR HEALTH AND GENDER EQUITY (CHANGE)
March 2004

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This key report takes a critical look at the US Global AIDS Strategy. It argues that responses to the crisis are not based upon evidence, but rather upon political and fundamentalist religious ideologies. The US AIDS strategy is critically reviewed section by section and evaluated according to evidence. The core assumptions in the strategy around prevention, treatment and funding mechanisms are challenged by the authors, who draw on evidence and data from a range of scientific and public health literature. The evidence overwhelmingly contradicts the assumptions on which the PEPFAR strategy is based, raising serious questions for those working those working to tackle the crisis

HIV/AIDS and the public sector workforce : an action guide for managers

RAU, Bill
2004

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The guide is designed for human resource managers, employee welfare managers, medical officers and labor representatives in government ministries and agencies. It will assist in designing and developing prevention, care, and support programmes, and in mitigating the effect of staff losses due to AIDS in the public workplace. It includes information on the effects of HIV on the public sector, the components of prevention, care and support programmes and policies in the public sector, methods to gain the support of senior management and employees for HIV/AIDS workplace programmes and policies, background information on the disease, and country experiences

Advancing equity in health in Southern Africa : EQUINET publications 1998-2004

EQUINET
Ed
2004

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This CD-ROM provides a collection of EQUINET publications from 1998 to 2004 and includes dozens of policy papers, discussion papers, reports, resolutions, toolkits and training materials. EQUINET, the Regional Network on Equity in Health in Southern Africa, is a network of professionals, civil society members, policy makers, officials and other stakeholders and aims to promote equity and social justice in health.

Health care systems in transition : Estonia

JESSE, Maris
EUROPEAN OBSERVATORY ON HEALTH SYSTEMS AND POLICIES
2004

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"The Health Care Systems in Transition (HiT) profiles are country-based reports that provide an analytical description of a health care system and of reform initiatives in progress or under development. The HiTs are a key element of the work of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. HiTs seek to provide relevant comparative information to support policy-makers and analysts in the development of health care systems in Europe." Contents: 1. Introduction and historical background 2. Organizational structure and management 3. Health care financing and expenditure 4. Health care delivery system 5. Financial resource allocation 6. Health care reforms

Twenty five years of primary health care : lessons learned and proposals for revitalisation

SANDERS, David
2003

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This report highlights the lessons learned from 25 years of primary health care. It highlights the gains that there have been in health status, but also looks at the setbacks, for example the increased gap between the health of rich and poor, and the resurgence and spread of old communicable diseases and new epidemics. It highlights the mixed progress in implementing primary health care and makes proposals for the revitalisation of primary health care

CBR: a participatory strategy in Africa

HARTLEY, Sally
Ed
2002

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This resource provides an important contribution and understanding of how community-based rehabilitation (CBR) operates in Africa. It contains the experiences and reflections of key stakeholders within CBR from 14 African countries. It will contribute to a more mutual and holistic understanding of the concept of CBR and bring about the development of new initiatives. This book is useful tool for CBR planners, policy-makers and managers

Speaking of health : assessing health communication strategies for diverse populations

INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE
2002

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This book looks at the challenges of delivering important health messages to different audiences. Using case studies in the areas of diabetes, mammography, and mass communication campaigns, it examines the ways in which messages must be adapted to the unique informational needs of their audiences if they are to have any real impact. It also looks at basic theories of communication and behaviour change and focuses on where they apply and where they don't. Although written for the context of the USA, the principles of adapting health messages to the needs of minority populations may have relevance in developing countries

Gender and HIV/AIDS : taking stock of research and programmes

JOINT UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
1999

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Discusses public health and social science research on risk and vulnerability as applied to both men and women (in terms of prevention, care and support). Examines current programming priorities in public health and development for gender and HIV, highlights trends and issues, and identifies challenges and gaps

Refugee health : an approach to emergency situations

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIERES
1997

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This book is intended for professionals involved in public health assistance to refugees and displaced persons. It deals with a wide variety of specific refugee health issues such as the initial assessment, immunisations, water and sanitation, nutrition, shelter, communicable diseases, human resources and training. In the introduction the book gives some political and social background and highlights vulnerable groups that need to be recognized

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