Canadian Social Research Newsletter
May 10, 2009
Welcome to the weekly Canadian Social Research Newsletter,
a listing of the new links added to the Canadian Social Research
Links website in the past week.
The e-mail version of this week's
issue of the newsletter is going out to 2022 subscribers.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Canadian content
1.
British Columbia General Election - May 12
2. Poverty Reduction Becomes Law in Ontario:
Amended Bill 152 Gets All-Party Support (25
in 5 Poverty Reduction Network) - May 6
3. Our Schools/Our Selves (early childhood programs), Spring
2009 issue (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) - April 27
4. Nova Scotia government budget tabled, government defeated on a
separate bill - May 4
5. What's new in The Daily (Statistics Canada):
--- Labour Force Survey, April 2009 - May 8
--- Employment, Earnings and Hours January 2009 - May 6
6. What's new from the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (Toronto) -
May 6
7. Canadian Social Forum (Calgary, May 19-22, 2009) - Registration ends
May 11
8. Canada, the OECD and the U.N.
International content
9. Poverty Dispatch: U.S. media coverage of social issues and
programs (Institute for Research on Poverty - University of
Wisconsin-Madison)
10. Going Dutch [taxation
and social benefits in Holland] (New York Times) - April 29
11. Statement on the April U.S. Employment Report (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) - May
8
12. AgeSource/AgeStats Worldwide (American Association
of Retired Persons)
13. Measuring disparities in health status and in access and use of
health care in OECD countries (Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development) - March 9
14. Australian Policy Online
15. CRINMAIL (May 2009) - (Child Rights Information Network - CRIN)
Gilles
************************
Gilles Séguin
Canadian Social Research Links
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net
|
1. British Columbia General Election - May 12 |
The British Columbia general election will take place on Tuesday, May 12.
Elections
B.C.
- govt. site, includes links to info about parties, candidates, ridings
and other election logistics
Nodice Elections: British Columbia - from Nodice Elections
2009
Referendum on Electoral Reform
The 2009 referendum on electoral reform will be held together
with the May 12, 2009 provincial general election. During this
referendum, voters will be asked which electoral system British
Columbia should use to elect members to the Legislative Assembly: the
existing electoral system (First-Past-the-Post) or the single
transferable vote electoral system (BC-STV) proposed by the Citizens’
Assembly on Electoral Reform.
* No to BC-STV
* British Columbians for STV
* Citizens’ Assembly on
Electoral Reform
---
From TheTyee.ca:
The Hook -
"Political News, Freshly Caught. A Tyee Blog."
- includes blogs on the following topics:
* BC Politics * Federal Politics * Municipal Politics * Election
Central * 2010 Olympics * Aboriginal Affairs * Education * Environment
* Food + Farming * Health * Housing * Labour + Industry * Media *
Rights + Justice * transportation
Digest of 20 most recent articles in BC Votes '09
Guide
to BC election blogs
By Crawford Kilian
April 18, 2009
Never before has a B.C. provincial election been blogged like this one.
To ensure that voters are informed on all issues, The Hook offers a
rough guide to blogs covering the current campaign. We've organized
them in clusters: Election-dedicated blogs and websites; politics blogs
by individuals, advocacy groups, and communities; and media blogs.
---
More BC election 2009 links
(from PovNet.org):
First Call: Advocating for Children and Youth in BC's General Election
BCPolitics.ca - independent perspectives on the events, people and issues that make up British Columbia's zany political life
- Go to the Political Parties and Elections Links in Canada (Provinces and Territories) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/politics_prov_terr.htm
|
2. Poverty Reduction Becomes Law in Ontario: Amended Bill 152 Gets All-Party Support - May 6 |
Poverty Reduction Becomes Law in Ontario: Amended Bill 152
Gets All-Party Support
May 6, 2009
Toronto– Ontario has taken a historic step forward on poverty reduction
with the all-party approval of Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act,
said the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. The legislation
requires Ontario to set a new poverty reduction target and plan of
action at least every five years, and to consult regularly on its
progress with low income people, groups at heightened risk of poverty,
and other key stakeholders. Poverty in Ontario can no longer be
ignored. (...) Amendments were made to the original Bill after the
Legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy heard suggestions
over two days of public hearings from two dozen community
representatives, and received over 40 written submissions.
Source:
25 in 5 Poverty Reduction Network
(Ontario)
Making
history in Ontario: Politicians join to unanimously back anti-poverty
law
May 6, 2009
By Michael Shapcott
Ontario’s Legislative Assembly dropped its usual partisan divisions for
a few moments earlier today (Wednesday) to give unanimous consent to
third and final reading of Bill 152, the province’s anti-poverty law.
The bill – which will pass into law once it receives Royal Assent
(expected shortly) – is a critical step towards a more equitable,
healthier and fairer province. The Wellesley Institute was pleased to
play a strong role in gaining significant amendments to the
legislation, including a strong commitment to strengthening Ontario’s
third sector. We were invited by Ontario’s anti-poverty minister, Deb
Matthews, to join with our partners in the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction in the public gallery of the Legislature to observe the final
vote. This note explains why the bill matters and what’s in the
legislation, underlines the critical amendments to the draft law, and
sets out next steps.
Source:
Wellesley Institute Blog
[ The Wellesley Institute
]
Related links from the Toronto Star:
'Historic'
law compels Ontario to fight poverty
Requires the province to create goals to cut numbers living in need
May 7, 2009
By Laurie Monsebraaten
and Tanya Talaga
Fighting poverty is now the law in Ontario.In a unanimous vote
yesterday, Queen's Park passed legislation that commits the province to
become a leading jurisdiction in the battle against poverty. The
Poverty Reduction Act, hailed by advocates as "historic," requires
successive governments to draft poverty-fighting strategies with
specific goals every five years and to report annually to the
legislature on progress.
Welcome boost for poverty
bill
Editorial
May 07, 2009
It is significant that a bill committing the Ontario government to a
plan to reduce poverty was passed with all-party support in the
Legislature yesterday. It suggests there is widespread agreement among
the politicians that it is no longer acceptable – either morally or
economically – to leave more than a million Ontarians in poverty. That
acknowledgment– and the law now on the books – is a wonderful
beginning. But it is just a beginning. We ought not to forget that in
1989 our federal politicians voted unanimously to "achieve the goal of
eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000." Sadly,
two decades after that resolution, the number of poor children is
nearly the same.
Activists
strengthen anti-poverty legislation
May 07, 2009 04:30 AM
By Greg deGroot-Magetti and Sarah Blackstock
The historic Poverty Reduction Act passed this week with the support of
all three political parties. This important legislation requires the
Ontario government, now and for years to come, to create and implement
poverty reduction strategies. No longer can poverty be ignored.
Update on Legislation - A Letter from Minister Matthews
May 1, 2009
I’m writing to give you an update on Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction
Act. As you may have heard, the bill passed 2nd reading and was sent to
the Social Policy Committee to get public input on the bill. This was a
great opportunity to get feedback on the proposed bill and to further
engage people on this landmark piece of legislation. Following the
input of 24 deputants and 13 written submissions, I think we have a
strengthened piece of legislation, and I’m grateful for the thoughtful
contributions made by all those who participated.
Real
gains made as poverty reduction becomes law
A Special Message from the 25 in 5 Legislative Action Table
April 29, 2009
Dear friends,
Ontario is on the cusp of an historic step forward on poverty reduction
as final reading of Bill 152 is set to begin on Thursday of this week.
We would like to send out a word of gratitude for everyone who helped
craft the 25 in 5 recommendations and who participated in the hearings
for Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act.
25-in-5
Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy
regarding Bill 152, An Act respecting a long-term strategy to reduce
poverty in Ontario (Word file - 226K, 6 pages)
April 2009
Source:
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100
provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on
eliminating poverty.
Related link:
Bill 152 :
An Act respecting a
long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario (PDF - 349K, 10 pages)
April 28, 2009
Second reading copy, changes annotated
Update on Legislation - A Letter from Minister Matthews
May 1, 2009
I’m writing to give you an update on Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction
Act. As you may have heard, the bill passed 2nd reading and was sent to
the Social Policy Committee to get public input on the bill. This was a
great opportunity to get feedback on the proposed bill and to further
engage people on this landmark piece of legislation. Following the
input of 24 deputants and 13 written submissions, I think we have a
strengthened piece of legislation, and I’m grateful for the thoughtful
contributions made by all those who participated.
Real
gains made as poverty reduction becomes law
A Special Message from the 25 in 5 Legislative Action Table
April 29, 2009
Dear friends,
Ontario is on the cusp of an historic step forward on poverty reduction
as final reading of Bill 152 is set to begin on Thursday of this week.
We would like to send out a word of gratitude for everyone who helped
craft the 25 in 5 recommendations and who participated in the hearings
for Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act.
25-in-5
Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy
regarding Bill 152, An Act respecting a long-term strategy to reduce
poverty in Ontario (Word file - 226K, 6 pages)
April 2009
Source:
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100
provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on
eliminating poverty.
Related link:
Bill 152 :
An Act respecting a
long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario (PDF - 349K, 10 pages)
April 28, 2009
Second reading copy, changes annotated
Update on Legislation - A Letter from Minister Matthews
May 1, 2009
I’m writing to give you an update on Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction
Act. As you may have heard, the bill passed 2nd reading and was sent to
the Social Policy Committee to get public input on the bill. This was a
great opportunity to get feedback on the proposed bill and to further
engage people on this landmark piece of legislation. Following the
input of 24 deputants and 13 written submissions, I think we have a
strengthened piece of legislation, and I’m grateful for the thoughtful
contributions made by all those who participated.
Real
gains made as poverty reduction becomes law
A Special Message from the 25 in 5 Legislative Action Table
April 29, 2009
Dear friends,
Ontario is on the cusp of an historic step forward on poverty reduction
as final reading of Bill 152 is set to begin on Thursday of this week.
We would like to send out a word of gratitude for everyone who helped
craft the 25 in 5 recommendations and who participated in the hearings
for Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act.
25-in-5
Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy
regarding Bill 152, An Act respecting a long-term strategy to reduce
poverty in Ontario (Word file - 226K, 6 pages)
April 2009
Source:
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100
provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on
eliminating poverty.
Related link:
Bill 152 :
An Act respecting a
long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario (PDF - 349K, 10 pages)
April 28, 2009
Second reading copy, changes annotated
---
Update on Legislation - A Letter from Minister Matthews
May 1, 2009
I’m writing to give you an update on Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction
Act. As you may have heard, the bill passed 2nd reading and was sent to
the Social Policy Committee to get public input on the bill. This was a
great opportunity to get feedback on the proposed bill and to further
engage people on this landmark piece of legislation. Following the
input of 24 deputants and 13 written submissions, I think we have a
strengthened piece of legislation, and I’m grateful for the thoughtful
contributions made by all those who participated.
Real
gains made as poverty reduction becomes law
A Special Message from the 25 in 5 Legislative Action Table
April 29, 2009
Dear friends,
Ontario is on the cusp of an historic step forward on poverty reduction
as final reading of Bill 152 is set to begin on Thursday of this week.
We would like to send out a word of gratitude for everyone who helped
craft the 25 in 5 recommendations and who participated in the hearings
for Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act.
25-in-5
Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy
regarding Bill 152, An Act respecting a long-term strategy to reduce
poverty in Ontario (Word file - 226K, 6 pages)
April 2009
Source:
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100
provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on
eliminating poverty.
Related link:
Bill 152 :
An Act respecting a
long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario (PDF - 349K, 10 pages)
April 28, 2009
Second reading copy, changes annotated
- Go to the Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm
|
3.
Our Schools/Our Selves (early
childhood programs), Spring 2009 issue - April 27 |
Our
Schools/Our Selves: Spring 2009
Beyond Child's Play: Caring for and educating young children in Canada
Editor: Erika Shaker
April 2009
Our Schools/Our Selves is a regular report of the Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives.
The complete report isn't
available online; you'll have to order a paper copy ($12 + tax &
shipping) - ordering info appears below.
I'd recommend a quick perusal of the Table
of Contents (PDF - 285K, 5 pages) for anyone who is interested
in early childhood programs.
Sample content from this issue:
Editorial (PDF - 295K, 7
pages)
By Erika Shaker
Can
Canada Walk and Chew Gum? The state of child care in Canada in 2009
(PDF - 1.0MB, 17 pages)
By Martha Friendly*
"(...) although this has been an era in which evidence about the
benefits of quality early childhood programs for young children has
gained public acceptance, and participation in the paid labour force
has become the norm for mothers of young children, Canada has failed to
make progress in early childhood education and care.
[* Martha Friendly founded and is Executive Director
of the Child Care Resource
and Research Unit in Toronto.]
The
Fight for a Publicly-Funded Child Care System in Canada
(PDF - 348K, 13 pages)
By Jody Dallaire and Lynell Anderson
Old
Dollars, New Sense: Recent Evidence and Arguments about Child Care
Spending (PDF - 290K, 9 pages)
By Susan Prentice
---
Purchase
a copy of
Our Schools/Our Selves: Spring 2009 issue (256 pages, $12 +
tax & shipping)
This issue of Our Schools/Our Selves takes a broad,
comprehensive view of child care and early childhood education and
examines it through a variety of different lenses to offer readers a
number of points of entry into this nuanced and multifaceted topic.
[ Earlier issues of Our Schools Our Selves ]
Source:
Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent,
non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social and
economic justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading
progressive voices in public policy debates.
- Go to the Non-Governmental Early Learning and Child Care Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ecd2.htm
|
4. Nova Scotia Government Budget tabled, Government defeated on a separate bill - May 4 |
N.S. Tory government defeated on money bill
May 4, 2009
HALIFAX -- After three years in power, Nova Scotia's
sometimes gaffe-prone minority government fell on Monday, setting the
stage for an early June election call. Premier Rodney MacDonald says he
will meet with Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis on Tuesday to discuss the fate
of his government, but he expects an election to be held on June 9. The
Conservative government lost a vote Monday on a bill that would have
allowed it to miss legally required debt payments, which it considered
a matter of confidence. The government's defeat was widely expected
sometime this week and it came as no surprise to MacDonald.
(...)
The government had introduced its 2009-10
budget earlier Monday, although it was largely a political exercise as
the document will die with an election call. [bolding
added]
Source:
CTV News
---
NOTE: Even though the government was defeated (not on the budget itself, but rather a separate money bill) and an election has been called, the budget papers contain a lot of useful information on provincial government expenditures and business plans and suchlike. You can find those by clicking the first link below and scrolling down the "2009" column. You can also find budget papers for earlier years back to 1996 in the left-hand column on that page.
Nova Scotia Budget 2009-2010 Budget Papers
May 4, 2009
"The province of Nova Scotia is tabling its eighth consecutive balanced
budget in 2009–2010, estimating a surplus of $4 million."
- links to all budget documents, including the Budget Address,
Highlights, Budget Bulletins, Estimates, Supplementary Detailed
Estimates, Crown Corporation Business Plans, Government Business Plan
and more
February 2009 Pre-Budget Consultations (PDF - 35K, 13 pages)
Earlier NS Budgets - back to 1996
- Go to the 2009 Canadian
Government Budgets Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets.htm
- Go to the Nova Scotia Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nsbkmrk.htm
|
5. What's new in The Daily
(Statistics Canada): |
What's New in The Daily [Statistics Canada]:
May 8, 2009
Labour
Force Survey, April 2009
Employment grew by 36,000 in April, the result of an
increase in self-employment. Despite this increase, overall employment
has fallen by 321,000 since the peak in October 2008. The unemployment
rate was unchanged at 8.0% in April, remaining at its highest level in
seven years, with the growth in employment coinciding with an increase
in the labour force.
[ NOTE: For a study in contrasts, see Statement
on the April U.S. Employment Report (May 8)
from the U.S. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,
further down on the page you're now reading. ]
Related report:
Labour Force Information - April 12 to 18,
2009
HTML
PDF
( 430K, 57 pages)
May 6, 2009
Employment, Earnings and Hours January 2009
HTML
PDF
(3MB, 361 pages)
Highlights
* The average weekly earnings of employees increased 1.1% from December
to $823.71 in January.
* Since January 2008, average weekly earnings have risen 3.2%.
* Among Canada's largest industrial sectors, between January 2008 and
January 2009, average weekly earnings increased by 6.1% in retail
trade, 4.4% in health and social assistance, 3.5% in educational
services, and 2.2% in accommodation and food services. Over the same
period, earnings declined by 0.8% in manufacturing and 0.4% in public
administration.
Related subjects:
o Labour
o Employment
insurance, social assistance and other transfers
o Non-wage
benefits
---
The
Daily Archives - select a year and month from the drop-down
menu to view releases in chronological order
[ Statistics
Canada ]
- Go to the Federal Government Department Links (Fisheries and Oceans to Veterans Affairs) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/fedbkmrk2.htm
|
6. What's new from the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (Toronto) - May 6 |
From the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU):
May 6, 2009
State
of the world’s mothers 2009: Investing in the early years
6 May 09 -
10th annual report from Save the Children focusing on the critical
importance of children’s experience in the early years.
Crisis
in kindergarten: A new report on the disappearance of play
6 May 09
- Report from the Alliance for Childhood examining what activities
children are engaging in in American kindergarten classrooms.
Parents
as child care providers: A menu of parental leave models
6 May 09
- Briefing note from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research looking
at various paid parental leave models and employee benefits in the US.
Raised
by a village
6 May 09
- Brief from The Vanier Institute of the Family looking at family and
community child raising in Aboriginal communities.
child care in the news
· There
should be no such thing as a ‘women’s issue’ [CA-ON]
6 May 09
· National
child care provider appreciation day is on Friday [US]
6 May 09
· Stop
another ABC Learning fiasco [AU]
6 May 09
· Open
day-care spots remain hard to find [CA]
5 May 09
· ABCs
and no skinned knees: Study reveals various barriers to physical
activity in child care [US]
5 May 09
·
Early years ‘key’ to economic well-being [US]
5 May 09
Related Links:
Subscribe
to the CRRU email announcements list
Sign up to receive email notices of updates and new postings on
the CRRU website which will inform you of policy developments in early
childhood care and education, new research and resources for policy,
newly released CRRU publications, and upcoming events of interest to
the child care and broader community.
Links to child care sites in Canada and elsewhere
CRRU Publications
- briefing notes, factsheets, occasional papers and other publications
ISSUE files
- theme pages, each filled with contextual information and links to
further info
Source:
Childcare Resource and
Research Unit (CRRU)
- Go to the Non-Governmental Early Learning and Child Care Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ecd2.htm
| 7. Canadian Social Forum (Calgary, May 19-22, 2009) - Registration ends May 11 |
Canadian Social Forum
(Calgary, May 19-22, 2009)
The Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) invites you to the
first Canadian Social Forum, which will take place in Calgary, May
19-22, 2009. We're bringing together a dynamic combination of unusual
suspects from social development, public health, environment, community
safety and recreation to brainstorm about poverty.
Registration for the Canadian Social Forum ends MONDAY, May 11, 2009.
Preliminary Program (latest
version)
HTML
version
PDF
version (114K, 9 pages)
- incl. links to : * Preliminary Program * Speakers' Bios * Advisory
Committee * Registration Information * Accommodations * Calgary *
Abstracts * more...
Speakers/moderators include:
* Richard Harwood * Sheila Watt-Cloutier * Charles Karelis * Alain
Noël * Cornelia Wieman * Alain Noël * Richard Shillington *
Michael Creek * Ruth MacDonald * Shirley Soleil * Steve Snyder * Roger
Gibbins * Christine Walsh * Michael Prince * Yvonne Peters * Deborah
Parkes * Lucie Dumais * Laurie Beachell * Cam Crawford * Michael Bach *
Bruce Porter * Lois Klassen * Cindy Blackstock * Uzma Shakir * Tim
Draimin * Michel Venne * Tim Draimin * Michel Venne * Mike McCracken *
Jim Mulvale * Jacquie Maund * Laurel Rothman * Adrienne Montani * Ian
Renaud–Lauze * Hugh Segal * Françoise David * Mark Kelley *
James Hughes * Seth Klein * Derek Cook * Linda Hawke * Lois Klassen *
more...
Source:
Canadian Council on Social Development
- Go to the Conferences and Events Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/confer.htm
| 8. Canada, the OECD and the U.N. |
From Canada's International Gateway:
Permanent
Delegation of Canada to the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Canada is one of the 19 founding members of the OECD. Just as Canada
was committed to strengthening the economic cooperation of the Marshall
Plan, Canada contributed to the creation of the OECD with the goal of
promoting economic growth as a path to stability.Canada views the OECD
as a key forum to discuss international and domestic economic and
social issues. OECD Peer reviews on Canada assess Canadian policies and
provide useful recommendations to improve performance in a wide range
of areas.
[ Excerpt from Canada
and the OECD ]
Selected recent peer reviews:
* Early
Childhood Education and Care
("OECD urges Canadian governments to increase funding for
childcare")
* The Canadian Economy
* Development
Co-operation Policies
Canada
OECD Info
This monthly newsletter prepared by the Canadian Delegation
provides updates on OECD publications and events. It is read by over
500 Canadian government officials active in OECD Work. To subscribe,
please contact poecd@international.gc.ca
Latest issue of the newsletter:
Canada
OECD Info - March-April 2009 - In this issue: Interim Economic
Outlook; 2008 DAC Aid Statistics; Progress toward meeting OECD tax
standard; OECD Factbook 2009; Freedom of Investment; Globalisation and
Emerging Economies.
Canada
- Country Web Pages
www.oecd.org/canada is a one-stop-shop for OECD reports and statistics
on Canada. Browse the documents in chronological order or by topic
(e.g. economy, trade, development, environment, energy, social issues).
---
Permanent
Mission of Canada to the United Nations
The Mission of Canada is the primary channel for communications
between the Canadian government and the United Nations in New York
City. The Mission acts as diplomatic representation for the Government
of Canada abroad.
Canada's
Diplomatic Missions to the United Nations
Canada has seven diplomatic missions accredited to the UN:
[Click the link above to access the links to more info on each of the
specific missions listed below.]
* United Nations in New York * Office of the United Nations
in Geneva * UNESCO in Paris * International
Organisations in Vienna * Office of the United Nations in
Nairobi * the FAO in Rome * the ICAO in
Montreal
Related link:
Canada
at the United Nations - from the OECD website
Canada has been active at the United Nations since its foundation in
1945 and played a key role in drafting the UN Charter -- an
international treaty that sets out basic principles of international
relations.
Canada and
other international organizations and forums
- incl. links to more info about the following:
* Arctic Council * Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) *
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) * Commonwealth *
European Union (EU) * G8 Summits * International Criminal Court *
International Indigenous Affair * La Francophonie * North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation (NATO) * Order of Malta * Organization of the
American States (OAS)
| 9. Poverty
Dispatch: U.S. media coverage of social issues and programs (Institute for Research on Poverty - University of Wisconsin-Madison) |
Poverty
Dispatch (U.S). ===> the content of this link
changes twice a week
IRP compiles and distributes Poverty Dispatches twice a week. Each
issue of the dispatch provides links to U.S. web-based news items
dealing with topics such as poverty, welfare reform, child welfare,
education, health, hunger, Medicare and Medicaid, etc.
Each Dispatch lists links to current news in popular print media.
May
7, 2009
* People Living in Poverty - Wisconsin, Maryland, Maine, Virginia
* People Living in Poverty - United Kingdom
* Welfare-to-Work Programs
* Report: Child Hunger in the US
* Medicaid Coverage and Funding
* Unemployment Safety Nets in the US and Europe
* Report: High School Dropout Rates
* Public Defenders and Legal Aid
* States and Weatherization Assistance Program
* Child Welfare and Temporary Placement
May
4, 2009
* States and Economic Stimulus Spending
* Homelessness and Housing
* Medicaid Funding - Michigan, Florida
* Poverty and Food Stamp Enrollment
* Child Welfare and Foster Care
* High School Dropout Age - Connecticut
* Early Childhood Education - Ohio
* Editorial: Poverty in Illinois
* Unemployment and Poverty Alleviation - Japan
* Health Care and the Uninsured
Past
Poverty Dispatches
- links to two dispatches a week back to June 2006
If you wish to receive Poverty
Dispatches by e-mail,
please send a request to rsnell@ssc.wisc.edu
Source:
Institute for Research on Poverty
(IRP)
[ University of Wisconsin-Madison ]
- Go to the Links to American
Government Social Research page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us.htm
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (A-J)
page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us2.htm
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (M-Z)
page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us3.htm
- Go to the Poverty Measures - International Resources page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/poverty2.htm
| 10. Going Dutch (taxation and social benefits in Holland)- April 29 (New York Times) |
Going Dutch
How I learned to Love the European Welfare State
[taxation and social benefits in Holland]
By Russell Shorto
April 29, 2009
[An American expatriate's thoughts on Holland's 52% income tax rate and
its health and social benefits]
"(...) Maybe we Americans have set up a false dichotomy. Over the
course of the 20th century, American politics became entrenched in two
positions, which remain fixed in many minds: the old left-wing idea of
vast and direct government control of social welfare, and the
right-wing determination to dismantle any advances toward it, privatize
the system and leave people to their own devices. In Europe, meanwhile,
the postwar cradle-to-grave idea of a welfare state gave way in the
past few decades to some quite sophisticated mixing of public and
private. And whether in health care, housing or the pension system
(there actually is still a thriving pension system in the Netherlands,
which covers about 80 percent of workers), the Dutch have proved to be
particularly skilled at finding mixes that work."
Source:
New York Times
- Go to the Social Research Links in Other Countries (Non-Government) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/internatngo.htm
| 11.Statement
on the April U.S. Employment Report - May
8 (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) |
Statement by
Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the April Employment Report
CBPP Statement
May 8, 2009
[ PDF version
- 2pp.]
Today’s jobs report brings more sobering news about the depth and
duration of the recession. Even if the economy hits bottom soon and
begins growing again, it will take time to reverse the severe job
losses and sharp increase in unemployment that have already occurred. The official unemployment rate hit 8.9 percent in April, the
highest it has been since 1983. But that figure does not portray the
full difficulties that job seekers face. The Labor Department’s most
comprehensive alternative unemployment rate measure — which includes
people who want to work but are discouraged from looking and people
working part time because they can’t find full-time jobs — rose to 15.8
percent in April, an increase of 7.1 percentage points since the
recession began and the highest level on record in data that go back to
1994.
Related links:
o Special
Series: Economic Recovery Watch
o Unemployment
Source:
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
(CBPP)
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
is one of the nation’s premier policy organizations working at the
federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that
affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (A-J) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us2.htm
| 12.
AgeSource/AgeStats Worldwide (American Association of Retired Persons) |
AgeSource/AgeStats Worldwide
http://www.aarpinternational.org/database/
The American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP) covers aging and
aging-related topics quite well, and this website is one of their many
compelling initiatives. The databases, AgeSource and AgeStats, on
AARP's international website are designed to "facilitate the
international exchange of policy and program-relevant information in
aging." Under the "Aging Everywhere" tab is an interactive map that
allows the visitor to read "Country Profiles" as well as read articles
about a region selected from the map. A "Comparative Data Search" can
also be done by clicking on the link above the map. There are multiple
ways to search the information in the databases. On the left hand menu
visitors can explore by topic or by region. Some of the topics include
"Aging & Society", "Economic Retirement & Security", "Livable
Communities" and "Long-Term Care". Searching for a particular topic can
be accomplished by using the keyword search box in the middle of the
page. The search can be further limited by deciding which databases to
search, and by information type, geographic coverage, and language.
Reviewed by:
The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009.
http://scout.wisc.edu/
- Go to the Seniors (Social Research) Links
page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/seniors.htm
- Go to the Social Statistics Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/stats.htm
| 13.Measuring
disparities in health status and in access and use of health care in
OECD countries - March 9 (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) |
Measuring
disparities in health status and in
access and use of health care in OECD countries (PDF -
514K, 55 pages)
[incl. Canada]
March 9, 2009
By Michael de Looper and Gaetan Lafortune
This paper assesses the availability and comparability of selected
indicators of inequality in health status and in health care access and
use across OECD countries, focussing on disparities among socioeconomic
groups. These indicators are illustrated using national or
cross-national data sources to stratify populations by income,
education or occupation level. In each case, people in lower
socioeconomic groups tend to have a higher rate of disease, disability
and death, use less preventive and specialist health services than
expected on the basis of their need, and for certain goods and services
may be required to pay a proportionately higher share of their income
to do so.
Source:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development
- Go to the Health Links (Canada/International) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/health.htm
| 14. Australian Policy Online |
Australian
Policy Online (APO)
APO is a news service and library specialising in Australian public
policy reports and articles from academic research centres, think
tanks, government and non-governement organisations. The site features
opinion and commentary pieces, video, audio and web resources focussed
on the policy issues facing Australia. [ About APO ]
NOTE : includes links to the latest APO research; the five most popular
downloads of the week
appear in a dark box in the top right-hand corner of each page, and the
downloads vary depending on the topic you select.
New Research : Social
Policy | Poverty
- topics include:
* Community * Cultural diversity * Families & households * Gender
& sexuality * Immigration & refugees * Population * Poverty *
Religion & faith * Social problems * Welfare * Youth
- Go to the Social Research Links in Other Countries (Non-Government) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/internatngo.htm
|
15. CRINMAIL - May 2009 |
From the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN):
7
May 2009 - CRINMAIL 1082
* UN: Top envoy on violence against children finally appointed
[news]
* CHILD RIGHTS: Resources on law reform [publication]
* ARMED CONFLICT: No More Denial: Children Affected by Armed Conflict
in Myanmar [publication]
* GLOBAL: Begging for Change - Research findings and recommendations on
forced child begging in Albania/Greece, India and Senegal [publication]
* INDIA: Parliamentarians say no to sex education in schools [news]
* EDUCATION: Online consultation
* EMPLOYMENT: UNICEF - DCI - Children's Legal Centre - Save the
Children Sweden
**NEWS IN BRIEF**
5
May 2009 - CRINMAIL 1081: Special edition on the rights of children
with disabilities
Breaking news: Top envoy on violence against children finally
appointed.
Read more in the Violence CRINMAIL:
http://www.crin.org/email/crinmail_detail.asp?crinmailID=3138
* INTRODUCTION: The Convention's first birthday [update]
* GUIDE: Using the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities to promote the rights of children [publication]
* YOUTH-LED ADVOCACY: Young people lobby their government - quotes
* IT'S ABOUT ABILITY: An explanation of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities [child-friendly version of the Convention]
* RESOURCES: News - publications - laws - contribute
**SUBMISSION** Ana Peláez Narváez
**NEWS IN BRIEF**
Earlier
issues of CRINMAIL
- links to 300+ earlier weekly issues, many of which are special
editions focusing on special themes, such as the 45th Session of the
Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights
of the Child.
Source:
CRINMAIL(incl. subscription
info)
[ Child Rights Information
Network (CRIN) ]
- Go to the Children's Rights Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/chnrights.htm
Disclaimer/Privacy Statement
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E-MAIL:
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**************************
1. I have all the money I’ll ever need - if I die by 4:00 p.m. today.***************************
And, in closing...