The ACMA’s international engagement - regulating in a globalised communications and media environment

The ACMA’s overriding purpose is to make communications and media work in the public interest, and its international engagement is central to achieving this. The role of international engagement in both protecting and promoting Australia’s communications and media interests is reflected in the legislation the ACMA administers - particularly for spectrum management, telecommunications and radiocommunications standards-setting, unsolicited communications and cybersecurity, and online content. These areas of the ACMA’s work span jurisdictional boundaries, often making it necessary to engage with international bodies and overseas regulators to develop effective responses to the challenges they raise. The ACMA and its predecessors have been engaging with overseas organisations and in international fora for many years. However, the continued global integration of communications and media markets and services, and the disruptive impacts of digital technologies is driving the need for greater collaboration and cooperation between countries. The ACMA is one of many communications and media regulators around the world looking to maximise the social and economic benefits of digital technologies through developing best-practice responses to these challenges. International engagement is an important way the ACMA advances policies and programs that will help to reduce harms and promote outcomes in the interests of Australian business and the community. For example, the ACMA’s international engagement aims to prevent cybersecurity threats and unsolicited communications at the source country through entering bilateral and multilateral arrangements to support a safer networked environment. And, along with other international regulators, the ACMA is looking to ensure that sufficient spectrum is available to cater for the expected growth in mobile broadband services through regional and global harmonisation to foster innovation and productivity within the Australian communications sector. Through engaging with overseas regulators and other international bodies, the ACMA can learn from their experiences and enhance its own regulatory practice. In so doing, the ACMA ensures its decisions and approaches reflect world’s best practice, and as an organisation it is well positioned to respond to the pressures and demands of the evolving environment in which it operates

Parenting implementation project resource kit

"Parenting Implementation Project [PIP]: Making a Difference Working with local areas to deliver better services for parents and families. Conference: 9th June 2009, Royal Lancaster Hotel, London" - Front Cover

The radio spectrum : opportunities and challenges for the developing world

The radio spectrum is a major component of the telecommunications infrastructure that underpins the information society. Spectrum management, however, has not kept up with major changes in technology, business practice, and economic policy during the past two decades. Traditional spectrum management practice is predicated on the spectrum being a limited resource that must be apportioned among uses and users by government administration. For many years this model worked well, but more recently the spectrum has come under pressure from rapid demand growth for wireless services and changing patterns of use. This has led to growing technical and economic inefficiencies, as well as obstacles to technological innovation. Two alternative approaches are being tried, one driven by the market (spectrum property rights) and another driven by technology innovation (commons). Practical solutions are evolving that combine some features of both. Wholesale replacement of current practice is unlikely, but the balance between administration, property rights, and commons is clearly shifting. Although the debate on spectrum management reform is mainly taking place in high-income countries, it is deeply relevant to developing countries as well.Broadcast and Media,Roads&Highways,Climate Change,Montreal Protocol,ICT Policy and Strategies

In the Battle for Reality: Social Documentaries in the U.S.

Provides an overview of documentaries that address social justice and democracy issues, and includes case studies of successful strategic uses of social documentaries

Efforts to Address Gender-Based Violence: A Look at Foundation Funding

Gender-based violence is one of the most insidious and pervasive problems affecting women. Throughout the world, it is estimated that one in three will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime.While foundation support of work to address gender-based violence has existed for many years, little research has been conducted on the level or type of funding in the United States. Spurred by this paucity of data and analysis together with the importance of recognizing the fifteenth anniversary of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, the Ms. Foundation for Women undertook a multipronged study to measure the scope, focus and impact of funding in this critical area.Key Grantmaking FindingsFoundation Center research comparing funding by the top 100 foundations in 1994 and 2008 shows that the number of foundations supporting gender-based violence issues increased 143 percent over that time period, while the dollar amount of funding increased three-and-ahalf fold.Sixty-nine (69) diverse foundations responded to the survey and reported awarding 1,042 grants totaling $67,344,220 to gender-based violence issues in 2008.By far, the highest percentage of funding addressed issues of domestic violence, followed by sexual assault, child sexual assault, violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and female trafficking.Intervention and direct-service programs garnered the majority of funder dollars, followed closely by prevention strategies.Grantees employing a social-service approach to their work received the most grant dollars, with a social justice perspective receiving the second highest level of support, followed by human rights and feminist perspectives. Faith-based approaches received by far the least amount of foundation support. Key RecommendationsInclude systems change, policy, and advocacy along with direct services fundingIncrease support for violence prevention Create connections across the full spectrum of gender-based violence issuesCreate connections between gender-based violence and other major issues addressed by philanthropyProvide general operating support and multiyear grants, especially during times of financial hardshipDon't underestimate the effectiveness of nongrantmaking activitiesBe kind with In-KindConsider how to use your "bully pulpit" more effectivelyBuild a gender-based violence funder communit