More effective social services

In June 2014, the Productivity Commission was asked to look at ways to improve how government agencies commission and purchase social services. The final report was released in mid-September 2015. It makes several recommendations about how to make social services more responsive, client-focused, accountable and innovative. The final inquiry report has two key messages. First, system-wide improvement can be achieved and should be pursued. Second, New Zealand needs better ways to join up services for those with multiple, complex needs. Capable clients should be empowered with more control over the services they receive. Those less capable need close support and a response tailored to their needs, without arbitrary distinctions between services and funds divided into “health”, “education”, etc. These are significant, but extremely worthwhile, changes for New Zealand

Delivering low income housing in Rwanda

Kigali should be an engine of growth and poverty reduction for Rwanda. But just 1,000 formal houses are built there each year, and most are too expensive for the majority low-income citizens. How can the government breathe life into the city’s low income housing market

Building affordable housing in Kigali

Solving the challenge of affordable urban housing remains a key concern to urban planners and city officials in rapidly urbanising cities. This blog examines a new costing tool that researchers used to model the cost factors of two promising housing designs for low-income markets. Can incrementalism and multi-story construction be effectively scaled to expand access to affordable low-income housing in Kigali

An overview of the hydrology of the Zayandeh Rud Basin

River basins / Hydrology / Water use / Reservoirs / Water balance / Climate / Irrigation systems / Iran / Esfahan Province / Zayandeh Rud Basin / Chadegan Reservoir

The incidence and impact of electronic billing machines for VAT in Rwanda

Donor aid represents roughly 40 percent of Rwanda’s national budget. Expanding the tax base has been a crucial strategy in curbing its dependence on foreign aid. Value-added tax (VAT) is the largest tax-based contribution to government revenues in Rwanda and has been identified as a key priority for raising overall revenue

An Australian mentoring program for beginning teachers: Benefits for mentors

Mentoring programs for beginning teachers originated as response to the problems faced by novices in their transition from higher education to professional practice. However, with the spread of mentoring there has been increasing interest in the benefits of such programs for both novices and their teachers mentors. In the United States, where mentoring is a mass phenomenon, many programs provide mentors with formal training on topics such as communication, effective teaching, and theories of adult learning. Some provide rewards in the form of remuneration and/or professional credentials. The face to face mentoring experience itself is considered to provide many benefits for mentors, including renewal, reaffirmation of professional expertise, and opportunities for reflection