Effectiveness of targeting in social protection programs aimed to children: lessons for a post-2015 agenda

One of the main challenges for the post-2015 agenda is to reach universal primary education for all children. The last decade experienced a boom of social protection programs aimed at increasing school enrollment, mostly in the form of Conditional Cash Transfers. These programs are mostly targeted to poor families and have proved to increase enrollment and attendance. However, not all vulnerable children are benefiting from these programs. As more children are to be reached, there is a higher risk to incur in inclusion errors. This paper discusses the main challenges of targeting this type of programs and draws some lessons for improving targeting effectiveness. It also highlights the importance of moving from enrollment and attendance to learning and attainment as we move forward towards reaching high education quality for all children. This paper was commissioned by the Education for All Global Monitoring Report as background information to assist in drafting the 2015 report. It has not been edited by the team. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and should not be attributed to the EFA Global Monitoring Report or to UNESCO. The papers can be cited with the following reference: “Paper commissioned for the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2015, Education for All 2000-2015: achievements and challenges

Issues in spatial microsimulation estimation: a case study of child poverty

Spatial microsimulation techniques have become an increasingly popular way to fulfil the need for generating small area data estimates. Nevertheless, this technique poses numerous methodological challenges, including those that relate to fundamental differences between the multiple data sources which spatial microsimulation techniques seek to combine. Using two different databases simultaneously to produce estimates of population characteristics may come up against problems related to different distributions of key variables within the two databases. Such differences can make it difficult to adequately validate small area estimates, as it can be hard to assess whether differences between synthetic and original data are due to failures or inaccuracies within the estimation procedure, or simply to the differences within the underlying data. This study presents a case study of this problem using a very important small area estimate – child poverty rates. We compare how income distributions for children are different in two Australian databases being combined within a spatial microsimulation model. We then assess the extent to which this affects our estimates of child poverty, and gauge its impact on the apparent validity of these synthetic small area poverty rates.Microsimulation, Spatial, Inequality

Youth social exclusion in Australian communities: a new index

Using specialised data from the 2011 Census, this paper presents a new index intended to be representative of youth at risk of social exclusion. Abstract Social exclusion and inclusion has been given a great deal of attention in Australia and throughout the world. This broader concept of disadvantage has replaced much of the social discourse around poverty and inequality, with the realisation from researchers, practitioners and policy makers that disadvantage is often a multi-dimensional occurrence, spanning many dimensions of an individual’s life. Despite the attention social exclusion has been given, particular population groups are often overlooked – particularly young people. A growing interest in the power of geographic data and the prevalence of social exclusion, has lead the authors to develop the first nation-wide geographically disaggregated index of youth social exclusion for Australia. A number of domains and indicators deemed important to youth wellbeing were identified and constructed to develop a comprehensive index of youth social exclusion for young people aged 15-19 years. Using specialised data from the 2011 Census, supplemented with national school assessment data, we use a domains approach to construct an index that is representative of youth at risk of social exclusion, using a combination of principal components and equal weighting techniques. Particular attention is paid to ‘youth’ as an important stage of life in its own right and the implications of the delayed transition into adulthood that is now seen in many developed nations. Many more young people now remain as dependent children well into their twenties. A final index of youth social exclusion across Australian communities is presented and discussed

Managing the endogeneity problem of the market structure: a study on banking competition

Recent literature suggests that the market structure is an endogenous variable that is determined by a firm’s behaviour and the competitive environment of the industry. This study examines the relation between the market structure and the banks’ behaviour in Indonesian banking by considering the endogeneity problem of them as variables. The estimations using the Vector-Error-Correction approach suggest that the structural approach provides a valid prediction of the relationship between market structure and bank behaviour by recognizing the endogeneity issue between those two variables. The banking industry would be more competitive if the market was less concentrated

Managing the endogeneity problem of the market structure: a study on banking competition

Recent literature suggests that the market structure is an endogenous variable that is determined by a firm’s behaviour and the competitive environment of the industry. This study examines the relation between the market structure and the banks’ behaviour in Indonesian banking by considering the endogeneity problem of them as variables. The estimations using the Vector-Error-Correction approach suggest that the structural approach provides a valid prediction of the relationship between market structure and bank behaviour by recognizing the endogeneity issue between those two variables. The banking industry would be more competitive if the market was less concentrated

NEXUS OF COMPETITION AND STABILITY: CASE OF BANKING IN INDONESIA

This paper analyzes the relationship between banking competition and banking stability in Indonesia, where the bank lending is the major source of funding on this country with a series of structural changes including deregulation, economic crisis, and consolidation. We apply generalized method of moment approach on individual bank data, and the result shows that competitive banking will increase the economic stability. Under a competitive industry, banks must improve their efficiency, increase their loans disbursement, diversify their business, boost their assets and enhance their capitalization. This paper emphasize that the efficiency is a critical to reduce risk, both for large and small banks. Furthermore, regardless their size, an adequate capital is an important factor for the bank to cope with shocks in the marke

Tri Hita Karana for environmental resilience: Enhancing coral reef conservation and sustainable practices in Mengiat Beach Bali

This collaborative international community service initiative applies the Tri Hita Karana philosophy to improve coral reef conservation at Bali''s Mengiat Beach. The collaboration between Universitas Ngurah Rai and the University of Canberra integrates traditional wisdom and innovative methods, promoting resilience, sustainable practices, and economic growth while adhering to Tri Hita Karana''s holistic principles. The initiative program combines Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the Mars Assisted Restoration System (MARRS) to safeguard coral ecosystems. Participatory Action Research (PAR) empowers communities, aligning with the holistic principles of Tri Hita Karana. The methodology encompasses preparation, education, hands-on training, beach clean-ups, and continuous evaluation, reinforcing coral preservation while promoting sustainable practices and ecological well-being. These strategies align with the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, promoting local engagement and resource management. The donation of Reef Stars by the universities to the Bali Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Foundation reflects a commitment to environmental well-being and long-term harmony. The Mengiat Beach collaboration by two universities and the Bali Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Foundation integrates traditional wisdom and modern methods within the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. Through education, training, and reef restoration, the initiative emphasizes community engagement and ecological resilience