The small tropical paradise of Vanuatu is far from an international powerhouse in any arena, and that’s exactly how the Ni-Vanuatu like it. It is an 82-island archipelago 1,750km from Australia that has for much of its independent history chosen to remain cut off to all but a few key
By UPF Webzine Articles/Asia/Economy And Trade/Environment/Health/Human Rights/Oceania/South America Our rainforests are running out of breath
Most people are aware of the rapid and accelerating destruction of our rainforests, the so-called lungs of our planet, yet it seems practically impossible to stop. The situation has not improved after Brazil’s decision in March to make deforestation of the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon, easier due to changes
By UPF Webzine Articles/Culture/Democracy/Economy And Trade/Media/Migration/North America/Oceania/Pop culture/Science/Security/Technology/The Carte Blanche - Blog/USA How The Other 0.01% Lives
“I like ‘Star Wars’ way better. I’m a capitalist. ‘Star Wars’ is the capitalist show. ‘Star Trek’ is the communist one. There is no money in ‘Star Trek’ because you just have the transporter machine that can make anything you need. The whole plot of ‘Star Wars’ starts with Han
By UPF Webzine Articles/Democracy/Freedom of Speech/Human Rights/Interview/Migration/Nationalism/Oceania/The Carte Blanche - Blog An Interview with the Australian Ambassador to Sweden
On 28th November 2017, I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Kenna, Australian Ambassador to Sweden, following on from an event where members of UPF were able to ask the Ambassador questions, especially pertaining to Australia’s new Foreign Policy White Paper. I asked him a few questions regarding recent domestic
Australia’s Carmichael Coal Mine: Slow Dancing in a Burning Room?
“Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them” – George Orwell. The Australian government’s approval in April of the Carmichael Coal and Rail Project, just 3 months after ratifying the Paris Agreement on climate change, illustrates a paradox at the
The Whanganui River and Indigenous Property Rights
Ever since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Tiriti o Waitangi) in 1840, it has been plagued by controversy. From alleged differences in the English and Māori versions, to the land grabbing that followed, and, lastly, the treaty settlement process in the 20th century, the controversy has by no means
November Election Bonanza – 4 Non-American Elections You Don’t Want to Miss
Not getting enough news about the American election on November 8? Or are you perhaps tired of all the drama surrounding it? No matter your standpoint, here are four other presidential elections taking place in November that you shouldn’t miss. Palau First out on the election schedule is the island
Australia’s Identity Conflict: The Unseen Battle between Us and Them
In today’s globally connected world, it’s easy to become another person in the crowd. As to not become lost in the sea of people, we gather together in groups of those with whom we identify. Identity groups are numerous; one rarely identifies in just one or two groups. Your identity
Disappearing paradise: How will the Pacific island people cope with the rising sea?
Kiribati is a Pacific Island facing the immediate impact of rising sea levels and has been looking towards relocation as a possible solution. Forced migration due to climate change has put pressure on urban cities and tensions have risen around questions of national moral responsibility. What will be the fate
The truth is (probably) in the numbers: the excel sheets that could topple giants
The use of opinion polls in elections goes back to the early 19th century, though the current method of representative sampling was developed in the 1930’s. Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first presidential candidate to use polling in the election of 1932, but it was after John F. Kennedy successfully