To promote sustainable development in developing countries through coordinated Australian and international efforts to deliver the highest quality program of development assistance.
To promote understanding of Australia’s development cooperation program and international development issues. To alleviate suffering of refugees and victims of disaster.
Australian aid activities not planned and delivered on a country, multi-country or regional basis are termed global programs. They include:
support for international organisations, such as the multilateral development banks, UN and Commonwealth development organisations and environment and health research organisations;
support for Australian NGOs;
the Development Import Finance Facility and the Private Sector Linkages Program;
emergency and refugee relief;
development education and public information activities; and
support for the conduct and dissemination of academic research on development issues.
The effectiveness of the Global Programs sub-program is measured by the extent of its contribution to:
ecologically sustainable development and improving the quality of life of people in developing countries, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children;
consistency with recipient countries’ development strategies and Australian interests and expertise, including the effective participation of community-based organisations in program delivery;
meeting Australia’s foreign policy objectives by encouraging a greater international awareness of Australia’s commitment to the multilateral system and policy interests;
a better awareness of Australian capabilities and expertise among the international community and multilateral organisations, reflected in improved commercial, trade and investment links;
a greater appreciation of development issues and Australia’s development cooperation program, as reflected by community participation in discussions on development issues; and the reaction from the public and specific constituencies about the timing, relevance and quality of information provided by AIDAB; and
alleviating the suffering of refugees and victims of disaster in an efficient and appropriate manner and in co-ordination with the international community.
In 1993-94, Australia contributed to some 60 or so international organisations and programs, including multilateral development banks, UN and Commonwealth agencies, emergency and relief organisations, health and environment programs and international NGOs.
Australia’s contributions to the concessional arms of multilateral development banks totalled $141 million in 1993-94, including the Asian Development Fund (the concessional lending arm of the Asian Development Bank), the International Development Association (the concessional lending arm of the World Bank), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Replenishment negotiations for the fourth replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) were put on hold following a series of unsuccessful replenishment meetings during the year. A special committee was established to review IFAD’s structure with the aim of making recommendations to the Governing Council in time to allow for the satisfactory conclusion of the replenishment negotiations by January 1995.
In July 1993, the management of the World Bank presented to the Bank’s Executive Board an action plan responding to the recommendations of a task force which had been set up in 1992 to examine trends in World Bank performance and identify areas for improvement. The task force report, the ‘Wapenhans Report’, had noted the declining performance of the bank’s portfolio of lending operations during the 1980s, and concluded that the World Bank had substantial scope to improve performance through changes in its own policies and practices. The action plan adopted by the bank included a timetable for implementation of various steps to improve performance, and a review of progress is scheduled for mid- 1994.
In September 1993, the World Bank executive directors decided to establish an independent inspection panel which would help ensure the bank’s operations adhere to the institution’s policies and procedures. The panel, consisting of three members from outside the bank, was appointed in April 1994.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has embarked on a similar process of reform, and the report of its Task Force on Improving Project Quality was released in February 1994.
In March 1994, the World Bank, in conjunction with Austrade, held procurement seminars in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane aimed at improving awareness of, and access to, bank business for Australian firms. At the first seminar, in Melbourne, Mr Bilney launched a booklet, 30 Billion Reasons to Enter the Market: Doing Business with Multilateral Development Banks and United Nations Agencies: a Guide to Procurement Opportunities, which was jointly produced by AIDAB and Austrade. The seminars were well attended and the booklet aroused considerable interest among firms interested in project work with multilateral agencies.
In 1993-94, Australia provided $80 million in contributions to UN development organisations. The World Food Programme (WFP), received the largest allocation of $48.9 million. About two-thirds of Australia’s WFP contribution took the form of food.
Australia provided $17.3 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in core funding and a special allocation for assisting UNDP HIV/AIDS activities. UNDP remains the central technical assistance agency in the UN system and has representation in more than 130 countries. Pursuing the mandate of UN General Assembly Resolutions on UN reform, Australia was instrumental in having a resolution on evaluation passed at the 1993 Governing Council annual meeting. Monitoring of reform under the new UNDP Administrator continues.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) received core contributions of $5.4 million and $3.3 million respectively, and $1.1 million was provided to the United Nations Environment Programme.
During 1994, Australia was re-elected to the UNICEF Executive Board for 1995.
AIDAB participated with other government departments (Foreign Affairs and Trade and Treasury) in a Review of the Effectiveness of the Global Multilateral Organisations in Australia’s Development Cooperation Program. The review bought together a range of information on the large number of international aid organisations and programs that operate at the global level, and are funded under the aid program. Further work will now be done on more in-depth reviews of specific organisations or programs.
Australia remains the third largest contributor to Commonwealth development activities. In 1993-94, a total of $11.3 million was made available to support the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC), the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Programme (CSFP), the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), as well as projects on climate modelling and marine science. The five-year initiative for a Climate Impact Assessment and Management Program for Commonwealth Countries (COMCIAM), announced by the former Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, at the 1989 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, concluded on 30 June 1994.
As the largest single recipient of Australia’s funding for Commonwealth development agencies, CFTC has received particular attention, and Australia supported a review of technical assistance activities during 1993-94. Changes in the administration of Commonwealth programs are being pursued, as well as a rationalisation of program activities in favour of those in which the Commonwealth has comparative advantage.
Australia’s contributions to international research, environment and development organisations totalled $15 million in 1993-94. This comprised $7 million for international environment programs and $5.5 million for international health programs. Funding for international agricultural research centres in 1993- 94 was transferred from AIDAB to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), leaving a residual $0.3 million funded by AIDAB. A further $2.1 million was provided for international NGOs.
As part of its support for international environment programs, Australia contributed $4.3 million in 1993- 94 to the Global Environment Facility (GEF). In March 1994, Australia was one of more than 80 countries which agreed on arrangements for the restructuring and replenishment of the GEF, concluding negotiations launched 15 months earlier. Twenty-six countries, including several developing countries, pledged more than US$2 billion to the GEF replenishment. Australia pledged A$42.7 million to fund the GEF over three years from 1 July 1994.
The GEF started in 1991 as a three-year pilot program for the management of international funding of global environment programs in developing countries. It focuses on actions to combat climate change, conserve biodiversity, protect international waters and halt depletion of the ozone layer. Projects approved for GEF funding are implemented through the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme or the World Bank. The replenishment agreement was seen as the first major financial accomplishment on the environment since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Under the new GEF structure, an assembly consisting of representatives of all member countries will meet every three years. A council responsible for developing, adopting and evaluating operational policies and programs will meet twice a year (quarterly in the first year). Member countries will be represented on the council through 32 constituencies, and Australia expects to form a constituency with New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. The first council meeting was scheduled to be held by mid-July 1994.
Australia’s contribution to international environment programs also included $2.5 million for the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, and $200 000 for the International Tropical Timber Organisation. Other environment-related programs are funded under AIDAB’s UN and Commonwealth appropriations, and the Asia-Pacific country and regional programs.
Australia’s support for international health programs included additional funding provided under the population initiative announced in the 1993-94 Budget. Health programs included support for the World Health Organisation (WHO) programs in tropical diseases research, HIV/AIDS, immunisation and maternal health, and ‘Tobacco or Health’. Funding was also provided for the Adelaide-based International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh. During the year, AIDAB undertook an evaluation of the eight WHO extra-budgetary funded programs to which it provided funding, as part of the ongoing evaluation and monitoring process. This evaluation will be expanded to examine and report on various aspects of the administration of Australia’s international health programs. Particular attention will be given to the composition and direction of Australia’s bilateral and multilateral health-related aid and Australia’s participation in multilateral health-related organisations, particularly in relation to their activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australia also maintained its support for a number of international organisations in the population sector. Three organisations-the International Planned Parenthood Federation, the Population Council and the International Union for Scientific Study of Population-received additional funding provided under the population initiative announced in the 1993-94 Budget.
Food aid
Australia is a significant provider of food aid to developing countries and one of the largest supporters of the World Food Programme (WFP). The Government recognises that food aid is a key development resource in many low-income, food-deficit countries and that food assistance is vitally important in most emergency and relief situations. Under the Food Aid Convention, Australia has given a commitment to supply at least 300 000 tonnes of wheat or wheat-equivalent to developing countries each year. In 1993-94 Australia spent $105 million on food aid, which represented about 7 per cent of the total aid budget. Of this, $48.9 million was delivered through WFP.
Two-thirds or $32 million of our contributions to WFP was supplied as Australian commodities for use on development projects aimed at achieving long term improvements in the socio-economic conditions of the poor. These commodities were purchased in Australia at prevailing market prices and provided significant benefits to local industry and primary producers. The balance of $16.7 million was paid directly to WFP, mainly to cover shipping and handling charges.
Australia allocated a further $30.2 million bilaterally to project food aid, which was used directly in food- for-work projects or sold locally to raise funds for developmental activities. Project food aid is generally targeted to the poorest sections of society. In 1993-94, most of Australia’s bilateral project food aid was delivered to vulnerable group and food-for-work programs in Bangladesh and Vietnam and rehabilitation efforts in Mozambique and Cambodia.
In 1993-94, Australia spent $25.4 million on emergency and refugee relief food assistance. Much of this assistance went to drought-stricken and war-torn countries in Africa, especially Ethiopia, Eritrea, Angola, Kenya and Mozambique. Substantial contributions were also made for resettlement programs in Cambodia and famine relief in Laos, as well as programs in Iran for Afghani refugees and in Malawi for Mozambican refugees.
Commercial programs
The Australian private sector plays an important role in delivering the development cooperation program. The use of efficient Australian suppliers ensures that Australia’s aid is of a high quality and increases the commercial returns to Australia from the aid program.
AIDAB interacts with a broad range of commercial interests in order to increase their understanding of, and access to, the aid program and the commercial opportunities it offers. Through publications, seminars and workshops, AIDAB ensures that the business community has comprehensive and current information about these opportunities. In particular, the ‘Access AIDAB’ seminars held in capital cities on a regular basis provide an avenue for commercial organisations to learn about the business opportunities under the aid program. Two information seminars were also held in conjunction with Austrade during the year, involving AUSTEMEX (a joint venture between Austrade and the Environment Management Industry Association of Australia), and AUSTENERGY (a joint venture between Austrade and the energy industry).
Expenditure on DIFF (Development Import Finance Facility) in 1993-94 was $120 million. DIFF provides a grant element to soften the terms of loans extended by the Export Finance Insurance Corporation to lower-income developing countries in our region, enabling them to purchase Australian- made, developmentally beneficial goods and services. The combination of aid and export credits means that DIFF can assist the implementation of large development activities beyond the scope of grant funds available through country programs. All proposed DIFF projects are assessed against developmental and environmental criteria at least as rigorous as those used for all other aid projects, and must be consistent with Australia’s development assistance objectives in the recipient country. DIFF-supported projects produce strong economic and social benefits for partner countries, as well as commercial returns for Australia. In many cases, DIFF has been a catalyst allowing many Australian companies to gain international exposure and familiarity with export markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
Under international rules governing the use of tied aid credit financing which were introduced by the OECD in February 1992, DIFF is no longer available for projects which are considered commercially viable. The Government strongly supported these changes to the international rules which aim to improve the targeting of tied aid credits by directing them away from projects which should be financed commercially and towards projects and countries with little or no access to market financing. During 1993-94, some of the proposed DIFF projects referred to the OECD were deemed to be commercially viable, and thus were not eligible for funding. DIFF now focuses on public sector infrastructure projects such as education, water supply, water treatment, waste disposal, transport and remote area telecommunications and power. Commencing in 1994-95, a ‘Green DIFF’ initiative will provide expanded opportunities for Australian businesses to supply important goods and services in environmental fields such as sustainable land, water and waste management, pollution control, and energy efficiency.
Seventeen projects with a combined contract value in excess of $340 million were assisted by the DIFF program during 1993-94. The projects funded were in the sectors of transport, water supply and sanitation, telecommunications, power transmission and education. One of the larger projects funded during 1993-94 was a coal gasification plant in Henan Province, China. This project will provide a modern coal gasification plant for the conversion of steaming grade coal, and will contribute to national air quality improvement as well as increasing energy efficiency. Another DIFF project involved the supply of training, educational material and equipment to special schools for Indonesian children with disabilities.
1993-94 was the first full year of operation of the Private Sector Linkages Program (PSLP), which aims to promote sustainable economic growth in the Asian region through activities which link market-oriented enterprises in Australia and selected developing countries. The maximum Australian government contribution for any individual activity is $250 000, which must be at least matched by contributions from participating firms. Funds are provided from within country program allocations.
There were 133 applications for funding under the PSLP during 1993-94, of which 61 were approved. Successful activities were primarily in the manufacturing, mining and energy sectors in Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Malaysia. An advisory committee, chaired by AIDAB and comprising representatives of other government agencies and the private sector, assists in the assessment of applications.
A review of the World Bank Australian Consultants Trust Fund was completed during the year. The fund assists the World Bank to pay the fees, travel and subsistence expenses of Australian consultants on short- term assignments in support of the bank’s lending operations. It aims to increase the participation of Australian consultants in World Bank activities and open opportunities for the procurement of goods and services by establishing an Australian identification with a project in its early stage. The review of the fund found that it has benefited both Australian consultants and the World Bank. A number of minor improvements were recommended and these are being discussed with the World Bank.
AIDAB also funds a number of international trade development activities designed to foster the export programs of developing countries. Trade development activities in developing countries received a total of $4.1 million in 1993-94. This was divided between the Trade and Investment Promotion Service (TIPS), export promotion activities under the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement, the Sydney-based South Pacific Trade Commissioner, and trade promotion displays for developing countries under the Developing Countries Trade Assistance Program.
A review of TIPS was completed during the year. The review recommended that the size of the program be reduced and that significant modifications be made to the operations, activities and delivery of the program. The modifications suggested are reflected in the proposed TIPS program for 1994-95 and include:
cessation of any further trade promotion support for China and the wealthier ASEAN countries;
closure of the trade promotion display centres in Sydney and Melbourne; and
increased targeting of activities to the needs of each eligible country in the context of bilateral aid programs.
AIDAB has also been involved in the development of a package of trade expansion measures called the Australian Trade and Investment Package (ATIP), which was introduced late in 1993. ATIP brings together various government trade facilitation and aid programs to achieve a more strategic and coordinated approach to the export of Australia’s wool. Activities aimed at improving China’s wool processing facilities were developed by ATIP during the year. The Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs, Mr Gordon Bilney and AIDAB’s Director General, Philip Flood, are members of the joint ministerial council responsible for the oversight of ATIP.
Emergencies and refugees
Following the break-up in recent years of former political blocs, diminished superpower rivalry and increased regional instability, there has been a resurgence of ethnic, political and nationalistic rivalries often culminating in civil war. Numbers of people affected by these events have grown dramatically and there are now some 19 million refugees-most of whom are women and children-who have fled civil unrest in Africa, Asia, Central America and Europe. Along with other donors, multilateral agencies and NGOs, Australia has responded to these emergencies with interventions aimed at meeting the basic needs of people facing a precarious and uncertain future. Australia also provided rapid assistance following natural disasters in India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Emergency and refugee assistance totalled $67.9 million in 1993-94. This comprised $11.5 million for emergency aid and $57.4 million for longer term refugee and relief activities. Australian assistance in 1993-94 was channelled through multilateral agencies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and non-government organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Vision Australia, CARE Australia, UNICEF Australia and the Australian Red Cross Society.
Consistent with Australia’s moral obligations as a good international citizen and as a middle ranking donor, contributions were made in 1993-94 to the core funds of the key multilateral agencies with mandates to provide assistance in relief and emergencies situations. Major recipients in 1993-94 were UNHCR ($7.5 million), which has primary carriage for providing assistance to refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency ($2.7 million), which administers international assistance to Palestinians in the occupied territories, the International Committee of the Red Cross ($650 000), the World Food Programme ($600 000) and the Australian Red Cross Society ($550 000). Additional funds were also provided by Australia for individual appeals by these agencies and through other programs highlighted below.
Africa remains a major focus for Australian relief assistance because of its overwhelming humanitarian needs. Civil wars, drought, environmental degradation and structural food deficits have impacted negatively on large numbers of people in many regions of Africa.
Australian assistance to the Horn of Africa helped avert major disasters, including mass starvation, by contributing to the successful efforts of the international community in a number of countries in the region. Major Australian humanitarian programs involving the provision of food, agricultural rehabilitation and medical assistance were undertaken in Ethiopia ($8.7 million), Eritrea ($4.4 million), the Sudan ($4 million) and Somalia ($3.2 million). At times, civil war and factional fighting in the Sudan and Somalia hindered program delivery and severely affected local food production. Poverty and environmental degradation, aggravated by decades of civil war and recurrent drought, effectively guarantees that there will be a need for external assistance to this region for many years to come.
In Southern Africa, Australia responded to needs resulting from continuing political instability in Mozambique (over $7 million) and Angola ($2.4 million), mainly through the provision of food aid. Assistance for drought affected people in Zimbabwe was also provided.
Australia responded quickly to the tragic situation which developed in east and central Africa towards the end of 1993-94. Assistance totalling $1.75 million (from a commitment totalling $10.3 million to September 1994) was disbursed to assist victims of ethnic and political violence in Rwanda and Burundi. Medical services within Rwanda and refugee relief programs in neighbouring countries were supported. In Kenya and Tanzania, food valued at more than $2.7 million was provided for drought-affected people during the year.
In recent years Australia has played a leading role in brokering a transition to democracy in Cambodia, supported by a humanitarian program of refugee resettlement, rehabilitation and nutritional security. Australian support for the Cambodian Mine Action Centre has helped to reopen agricultural land through mine awareness, information/marking, clearance operations and training. It is expected that mine clearance will take more than eight years. Essential food supplies comprising 4,900 tonnes of Australian rice valued at $2.9 million were channelled through the World Food Programme. In Battambang province, an Australian-supported ($600 000) rural credit scheme has helped re-establish former refugees under UNDP’s Cambodia Resettlement and Reintegration Programme.
In other parts of South-East Asia, Australia provided $1 million to help alleviate the effects of rice shortages in Laos through the World Food Programme and CARE Australia. The rice will be used for innovative village based rice banks. A further $1.5 million was provided for the Comprehensive Plan of Action for Indo-Chinese refugees. Funds were also provided in response to flooding in Vietnam, earthquakes in Indonesia and typhoons in the Philippines.
Australian assistance to the South Asia region was mainly for Burmese and Afghan refugees. United Nations agencies (UNHCR and WFP) are assisting in the repatriation of some 200 000 Rohingya (an ethnic minority group) refugees from Bangladesh to Burma. The voluntary repatriation program includes reception centre infrastructure development, household assistance, and community level projects in agriculture, health, water, sanitation and education. Food, medical and other assistance was also provided for displaced Burmese on the Thai-Burma border ($300 000). As a result of serious fighting in Afghanistan, refugee and displaced person numbers have again risen. Australian assistance has included wheat, mine clearance, and water supply rehabilitation. Medical support was provided in Sri Lanka ($315 000) and assistance totalling $575 000 was provided for victims of the Indian earthquake and for locust control in India.
Continuing unrest in the former Yugoslavia in 1993-94 created logistical difficulties for relief agencies and resulted in significant humanitarian needs. In 1993-94 $1.8 million was provided through multilateral channels to meet the basic survival needs of the displaced and destitute (including health care, shelter and fuel), bringing the total provided since 1991 to $3.35 million. Australian assistance is provided on the basis of need and independent of ethnic, religious or political considerations.
Some $1.2 million was provided to assist thousands of people displaced in Lebanon and Iraq by events in those countries.
The World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction was held in Yokohama in May 1994 to mark the mid point of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). Australia supports disaster preparedness activities under IDNDR in the Pacific and through the Pacific Disaster Preparedness Program.
Non-government aid organisations
Financial assistance provided by the Government through Australian NGOs in support of overseas aid activities totalled approximately $71 million in 1993-94. A further $19 million was channeled through non-Australian NGOs.
Within the NGO component of Global Programs, the AIDAB/NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) received more than $12.9 million in 1993-94. ANCP funds are used to subsidise development projects which are sponsored by Australian NGOs. The program aims to assist those agencies which have the capacity for sound development work and can demonstrate a significant level of community support.
The Government continued to fund four agencies which manage the placement of Australian volunteers in developing countries. Volunteer programs received $8.4 million. Support was provided to the Overseas Service Bureau (which manages the Australian Volunteers Abroad program), the Australian Executive Service Overseas Program, the Interserve Fellowship and the Paulian Association Lay Missionary Secretariat.
In 1993-94, some $1.4 million was allocated to projects with an environmental focus proposed by Australian NGOs.
The AIDAB Women in Development Scheme was allocated $1.3 million in 1993-94, from which 38 grassroots projects were funded. Priority for funding was given to project proposals centred on the theme of the 1995 Beijing conference, which is action for equality, development and peace.
Australia also provided $225 000 for the Professional Association International Development Scheme. This scheme supports small projects which strengthen counterpart professions in developing countries and provide specialised services on a voluntary basis.
Outside the NGO component of Global Programs, AIDAB funds the NGO implementation of projects through bilateral programs and a variety of special programs. NGOs are also funded extensively by AIDAB to deliver emergency aid, including food aid. In 1993-94, emergency aid delivered through Australian NGOs totalled $27 million.
AIDAB completed a review of its NGO budgeting and acquittal mechanisms, which resulted in the development of new guidelines which will apply to all NGO grant and subsidy schemes. The review was part of a continuing process of standardising and streamlining the management of NGO programs.
NGOs raise funds totalling some $90 million per annum directly from the Australian community. In order to encourage community participation in Australia’s overseas aid activities, the Government allows a proportion of these funds to be claimed as tax deductions.
Women in Development
Within the aid program increased emphasis is being given to
gender-the socially constructed relationship between women and
men which is reflected in the causes for and structures of
women’s subordination. This emphasis is reflected in
AIDAB’s Women
in Development (WID) policy which has an objective to enhance
women’s status through initiatives which address the causes
of
systemic disadvantage.
As part of a comprehensive plan of action to implement the policy, a five-year WID strategy is currently being implemented for each component of the aid program. Under the WID policy, AIDAB’s institutional capacity to integrate gender considerations into policies, programs and activities has also been enhanced, through training of staff and consultants and increased use of WID advisers. In addition, each program is now required to support at least one substantial WID activity, based on women’s participation in design and implementation.
In addition to the bilateral country programs, specific mechanisms such as the AIDAB Women in Development Fund, have been established to provide direct access for women to development funding for small projects addressing their direct needs.
Australian contributions to United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) have also increased opportunities for women to become involved in the development process.
The UN will convene the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, in Beijing, China, from 4-15 September 1995. Australia has accepted the role of regional lead donor for the Pacific.
Biannual consultations with NGOs on WID issues continued to be held as an important process contributing to the aid program.
Public information and development education
Public information and development education activities received $1.58 million in 1993-94. These activities aim to enhance public awareness of the aid program, build support for aid activities and encourage a more informed debate on development issues.
Activities included:
a strategy to publicise the completion and developmental benefits of the Mekong River Bridge;
six collaborative projects funded under the new Development Education Special Project Scheme in priority areas: trade and development, PNG and the Pacific and curriculum development;
a national conference on Australia’s relationship with PNG;
pilot programs with the Tasmanian and Western Australian Education Departments to fund teacher in-service training on the teaching of global issues;
a video, ‘Australia’s Aid Program: making a difference’ for general audiences;
an information booklet and teachers’ resource on developmental food aid for primary schools;
production of display materials, including new displays on food aid, women in development, education and Papua New Guinea; and
production of public information materials including AIDAB’s quarterly magazine Focus, Sowing the Good Seed with CSIRO’s Double Helix magazine and Cooperation 1993-94.
Academic and research
Funds provided for academic research and seminar support totalled $2.4 million in 1993-94. AIDAB assisted research on development issues primarily through budget support for the National Centre for Development Studies (NCDS) of the Australian National University and grants made under the International Seminars Support Scheme (ISSS). In addition, AIDAB also provided funds for country- specific development research through its country programs.
The NCDS grant of $1.28 million was provided to the centre in core and supplementary funds. Following a review in 1992-93 of NCDS operations with particular focus on funding arrangements and the centre’s research, AIDAB will continue to allocate the majority of its research funds to the centre for a further three year period to 1996-97. However, in line with the review recommendations, funds will also be provided to other research centres on a competitive basis for specific research projects.
The ISSS supported development-oriented seminars, conferences and workshops by providing cash grants to a maximum of $20 000 per seminar. The grants are aimed at assisting attendees from developing countries and key Australian specialists, mainly with airfares and living expenses. In 1993-94, some 180 seminars were supported with grants totalling some $1.1 million. Nearly 100 of these seminars were to be held in Australia. These grants will have enabled some 470 people to attend seminars, of whom 61 are Australian and 226 from the South Pacific, PNG and the ASEAN countries.
An independent review of the ISSS was undertaken by Dr Ron May of the Australian National University. The review commended the success and the administrative efficiency of the scheme and recommended its continuation. In line with review recommendations, the guidelines for the scheme were modified as of 1 July 1994. The new ceiling for funding assistance to each seminar is $30 000 and the eligibility criteria limit the scheme primarily to developing country participants attending seminars in Australia and Australian specialists invited to play a key role in seminars held in developing countries.