Listening Practice - Family Planning in South Korea

South Korean family planning

Summary: South Korean government workers are being told to 'go home and multiply'. Tonight the Ministry of Health, concerned about the country's falling birth rate, will force staff to leave the office early and return to their loved ones.

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Forget that still unwritten report or the backlog of paperwork building up on the desk, on this cold and rainy mid-week night there can be no excuses to stay late in the office. South Korea's Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs will be turning off all the lights at 7pm in a bid to force staff to go home to their families and, well, make bigger ones. It will repeat the experiment once a month.

The country now has one of the world's lowest birth rates, lower even than neighbouring Japan, and boosting the number of newborn children is a priority for this government, staring into the abyss of a rapidly ageing society, falling levels of manpower and spiralling health care costs.

The Ministry of Health, now sometimes jokingly referred to as the 'Ministry of Matchmaking', is in charge of spearheading that drive and it clearly believes its staff should lead by example. Generous gift vouchers are on offer for officials who have more than one child and the department organises social gatherings in the hope of fostering love amongst its bureaucrats. But critics say what is really needed is wide-scale reform to tackle the burdensome cost of childcare and education that puts many young people off from starting a family.

John Sudworth, BBC News, Seoul

FURTHER READING (click here): South Koreans told to go home and make babies

An End of Programme Report

Take a look at Oxfam International's Tsunami Fund End of Programme Report HERE (downloadable PDF file)

BBC NEWS - Bill Gates' Vaccine Pledge

What do you think about this news item?

What impact do you think this initiative will have on Indonesia?

What role could NGOs have in implementing this programme?

Gates makes $10bn vaccine pledge

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda have said they will donate $10bn (£6.2bn) over the next 10 years to develop and deliver new vaccines.

Mr Gates, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said the aim was to see 90% of children in developing countries immunised.

Over the past 10 years, the couple's charity has committed $4.5bn (£2.78bn) to the development of vaccines.

The World Health Organization called the commitment "unprecedented".

Mr Gates said that by increasing immunisation coverage in poorer countries to 90% it should be possible to save the lives of 7.6 million children under five between 2010 and 2019.

'Incredible impact'

"We must make this the decade of vaccines," he said in a statement.

"Vaccines already save and improve millions of lives in developing countries. Innovation will make it possible to save more children than ever before."

He said money was needed to make the most of new vaccines now becoming available, including ones against severe diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Melinda Gates added: "Vaccines are a miracle. With just a few doses, they can prevent deadly diseases for a lifetime.

"We've made vaccines our number one priority at the Gates Foundation because we have seen first hand their incredible impact on children's lives."

Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization, said it was an unprecedented contribution and urged governments and private donors to add to the initiative.

"An additional two million deaths in children under five years could be prevented by 2015 through widespread use of new vaccines and a 10% increase in global vaccination coverage," she said.

Related to this story:
Malaria vaccine 'three years off' (26 Jan 10)
Grant to tackle sleeping sickness (20 Jan 10)
Gates' charity funds new vaccines (27 Oct 09)
Gates cash to help fight rabies (21 Sep 09)
Tycoon helps pneumonia research (07 Apr 09)
Malaria battle given $3bn boost (26 Sep 08 )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
World Health Organization

Vocabulary Quiz

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Vocabulary Quiz: "Cut"

Decide if the definitions given for the idioms and other expressions using the word "CUT" are true or false. We will check your answers in class when we meet next week!

1. Someone or something that is a cut above other people or things is much better than those people or things.

2. If you are having a conversation with someone and you cut them short, you stop talking so that they can say something.

3. If you are cut up about something (for example, you are cut up about the way you are treated by someone), you are very happy and surprised.

4. If somebody cuts you dead, they shout at you because they are very angry.

5. A new employee in your company doesn't cut the mustard. In other words, he / she is not good enough.

6. Something in a shop that is described as cut-price is more expensive than it should be.

7. If your friend has a plan, and you cut the ground out from under his feet, you offer to support him, usually by lending him money.

8. A business that is described as cutthroat is a one that has a disadvantage because it is smaller than other businesses making the same product or offering the same service.

9. When someone cuts loose (for example, they cut loose from their family), they stop being influenced or controlled by them.

10. If you cut off your nose to spite your face, you work so hard and for so long that you become ill.

11. You have a train to catch and you are cutting it fine. This means that you have arrived at the station very early and have plenty of time before the train leaves.

12. If something is described as cut and dried (for example, "The issue of pay rises is cut and dried."), it is being talked about very carefully.

13. If something is described as cutting-edge (for example, cutting edge technology), it is very dangerous.

14. If you say to someone "Cut it out!", you are telling them to stop doing something that you do not like.

15. If, in a meeting, you cut to the chase, you waste time by talking about small, unimportant issues rather than issues which are more urgent.

16. A cutting remark is a remark that is cruel and intended to upset someone.

17. If you are in a difficult or unpleasant situation and you decide to cut and run, you pretend that the situation is not so difficult or unpleasant and continue behaving as normal.

18. If somebody tells you something important or impressive, and you say "That doesn't cut any ice with me", you are telling them that you have had the same experience yourself.

19. If you are doing a job and you cut corners, you do not do the job as thoroughly as you should, especially because you want to finish it as quickly as possible.

20. If you cut somebody down to size, you talk kindly to them and help them because they are very upset.

21. If somebody says something to you that cuts you to the quick, they offer you a suggestion or an idea which would help you a lot.

22. Somebody cuts a dash in the new clothes they are wearing. In other words, the clothes make them look stupid.

23. If you cut something short (for example, you cut a visit short), you arrive early.

24. If something cuts both ways, it has both good and bad aspects.

25. You and your friend own a car together, and your friend wants to sell it. You tell him that you want your cut. This means that you want to decide whether or not the car is sold.

NGO Focus: Oxfam Indonesia - part 2

Oxfam's work in Indonesia in depth

In Indonesia, Oxfam's focus is on creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting gender equality, increasing fair trade, and preparing for disasters.

The context

The Republic of Indonesia is a vast archipelago of more than 13,000 islands, less than half of which are inhabited. Two-thirds of Indonesia’s 200 million strong population inhabit just three of the islands - Java, Madura and Bali.

Most Indonesians live in rural areas, and 26 million people rely on farming for a living. However there is increasing migration of people moving into the cities, as small-scale farmers have limited access to resources to improve their livelihoods.

115 million people in Indonesia live on less than US$2 per day, and 32 million people at an employable age are without work. Indonesia now owes at least US$144 billion and as a consequence has cut the national budget, cutting back on food subsidies, privatising state enterprises, and limiting spending on education, health and social services. Indonesia is currently ranked 109 out of 179 in UNDP’s Human Development Index (2006).

Indonesia is a republic with a presidential system. Power is concentrated in the national government, however most communities are governed by a hierarchical system known as adat, or customary law. Following the resignation of President Suharto in 1998, Indonesian political and governmental structures have undergone major reforms. Indonesia has seen much political instability and conflict over the last century, the effects of which are still being felt in many areas.

Indonesia lies on volcanic fault lines and faces a range of natural hazards including tropical flooding, earthquakes and drought, in addition to persistent conflict. During the last three years 255,000 people died due to natural disasters and conflict, and 1.4 million people have been displaced from their homes.

How is Oxfam helping?

Oxfam has been working in Indonesia since 1972. We work with communities and partners in three major areas, while promoting gender equality in all of our programmes. Oxfam works to:

• Improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and labourers
• Save lives by delivering humanitarian assistance and assisting communities to prepare for natural disasters
• Help to shape government policies in favour of poor people and marginalised communities.

Oxfam’s response to the 2004 Tsunami has been extensive over the last four years. In terms of public health for example, 652 million litres of clean water has been provided, 7,100 wells built or rehabilitated, over 170 community water systems built, over 6,000 latrines and 2,200 bathing units built or rehabiliated, and over 2,500 health volunteers trained. In total has supported 121 projects working with 92 partner organisations, reaching more than 250,000 women and men. Oxfam was a leading actor in the post Tsunami response.

Small scale farmers, labourers, and people living on small islands and coastal areas have limited access to resources to improve their livelihoods. Oxfam works with communities and partners to strengthen the power of farmers organisations to influence the process and content of annual budgeting for the agricultural sector and food security policies that benefit both men and women at district and national levels.

A notable success came in 2004 when ten district governments in Java began to include farmers representatives in their budget planning sessions as a result of Oxfam’s combined lobbying with our local partner.

In working with small-scale farmers Oxfam has sought to modify unhelpful farming practices. Many farmers in Indonesia rely on chemical fertilisers to make a living from the land. Yet these are often expensive, and bad for the health of farmers and the environment. Oxfam works with farmers to promote organic farming methods that are less expensive, and produce greater yields. We also give marketing advice so that farmers can access markets and get the best possible price for their produce.

Last updated: December 2009

Supplementary Reading - Indonesia's Economy

A sunny outlook

Aug 21st 2009
From The Economist Intelligence Unit ViewsWire

Indonesia's robust economy continues to grow

Indonesia has proved to be less exposed to the global recession than many of its neighbours, and its economy expanded by 4.2% year on year in the first half of 2009. As a result, the Economist Intelligence Unit has revised up its forecast for real GDP growth to 4.1% (from 2.6% in our previous forecast) in 2009 and 4.4% (from 3.4% previously) in 2010.

The government's Rp71.3trn (US$7.1bn) stimulus package for 2009, which includes cash transfers and higher salaries for civil servants, is supporting household expenditure. So are lower prices for food and fuel, which have provided a boost to personal disposable income.

However, we forecast that fixed investment will expand by only 0.5% this year, as domestic firms will experience difficulty in obtaining capital. Before the onset of the global financial crisis, domestic non-financial corporations obtained almost 50% of their financing from abroad. The Western investors that provided much of this cash have since scrambled to sell assets to meet their own short-term liabilities, which have become difficult to roll over. As a result, many investment plans in Indonesia are being postponed or dropped. Moreover, weak overseas demand will continue to prompt companies in the export sector to reduce investment. Although firms have so far not moved to lay off employees in large numbers, possibly because of the high severance costs that they must pay to sacked workers, we expect the unemployment rate to rise in response to the contraction in investment.



Although exporters will struggle amid economic weakness in 2009, imports are also likely to decline significantly. We therefore expect the foreign balance to continue to make a positive contribution to growth. Indeed, this contribution, at 1.2 percentage points, will be double that in 2007 and 2008.



There are still downside risks to our forecast. The international financial crisis could deepen, with a more damaging impact on global economic growth and capital inflows to Indonesia than we currently expect. The rupiah's exchange rate is also important to the health of the Indonesian economy. Although the currency has appreciated since mid-March, renewed weakness is possible, and the effect of a collapse in the value of the rupiah (not our central forecast) would be to lower the spending power of most Indonesians. A weaker rupiah would also make it more difficult for local corporations to meet their external debt obligations, raising the number of bankruptcies.

In addition, political risks exist: if deteriorating economic conditions spark social unrest, investment growth could be even more sluggish than currently forecast as investors lose confidence in the country. That said, the outlook remains broadly encouraging. The convincing re-election of the president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is likely to boost political stability and will give the new administration a strong mandate to pursue economic reforms—even though many of these will have to wait until the worst of the global economic downturn has passed. There are also signs that the rate of contraction in the global economy has slowed in recent months, while conditions in global financial markets have also improved. A stronger recovery in the global economy than we currently forecast would enable Indonesia's economy to grow at a faster rate.

Article available online HERE.

Copyright © 2009 The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group. All rights reserved.

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NGO Focus: GTZ

In fact, GTZ is a governmental agency managing some of Germany's overseas aid, but as it has impact on the work of its NGO partners in Indonesia, we will take a look at here.

GTZ in Indonesia

Indonesia is a country on the move. Due to its regional significance the archipelago is accounted to be one of the anchor countries in South East Asia. GTZ has been working in Indonesia since 1975 on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Technical cooperation with Indonesia dates back to 1958.

Resulting from the agreement concluded during the government negotiations in October 2007 with the Indonesian Government and other donors, Development Cooperation is currently concentrating on the following three priority areas:

• Climate change
• Private sector development
• Good Governance/Decentralisation

The renewed priority area setting takes influence on the changed role of Indonesia in a global and regional context.

Throughout the negotiations Germany committed as well to provide financial assistance to support to fight avian flu and consultancy in the health sector.

After the devastating Tsunami of December 2004 in the Aceh and Nias Provinces, the German government provided huge additional funds for reconstruction of the affected areas. The extensive reconstruction programme that had been implemented will end in 2009. The main focus has been on the reconstruction of settlements, the rebuilding of the vocational training sector as well as the support for local administration and health services, and the facilitation of economic activities.

GTZ is in charge for regional projects with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat. The official partner on the Indonesian side is the National Development Planning Agency (Badan Perencanaan dan Pembangunan Nasional –BAPPENAS).

Priority areas in Indonesia

In consultation with the Indonesian Government and other donors, the current project portfolio in Development Cooperation is divided as follows:

Climate Change
Germany supports Indonesia in implementing its national climate action plan. The German Development Cooperation assists mainly programmes and projects such as “Nature and Climate Protection”, “City Traffic Emission Reduction” and “Forest and Climate Protection”. “Forest and Climate Protection” are tied to the German Development Cooperation’s longterm experiences of former forest management projects in Indonesia. In this connection, German Development Cooperation (GDC) supports the implementation of the forest management reform, the preparation of a future Post-Kyoto Protocol, and the establishment of new concepts for nature conservation, through incentive systems for emission reduction such as Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD).
In the sectors “Natural and Climate Protection” and “City Traffic Emission Reduction”, the Indonesian government will receive support to achieve its long term strategy of carbon-reduced development. Additionally, GDC supports capacity building of executive managers for the development of global and sustainable solution statements.

Private Sector Development
In terms of the Millennium Development Goals the German Development Cooperation promotes a socially balanced economic growth. This should allow as many people as possible to actively participate in the economic life. A basic requirement therefore is a competitive private sector and the access of a broad part of the population to more education. A sufficient supply of qualified manpower plays an important role in the competitiveness of businesses. Germany’s contribution in Indonesia therefore focuses on the private sector development as well as vocational training prioritizing on the support of small and medium-size enterprises.

Good Governance / Decentralization
Decentralization and democratization play key roles in development:, the old authority structures are gradually being replaced by more participative processes. German Development Cooperation has provided support to the Indonesian Government in crucial aspects of the decentralization process and the creation of a new legal framework. Also, competences and potentials of the local government officials should be strengthened (Capacity Development). Thereby, the public services should be improved and efficiently set up.