2.+FOREIGN+AID-+6.Advant+and+Disad+of+providing+aid




 * //__Advantages of providing foreign aid: __//**

è **__National Security: __** By focusing on development, especially poverty many causes of political unrest can be addressed. Communities are promoted and internal conflicts are reduced. Australia gives Aid to improve political stability and security within the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, by addressing poverty it is hoped in Indonesia, civil unrest, refugees and terrorism may be reduced.

è **__Positive impacts on social justice and equity: Culture and values: __** Though Australia aims to create greater equality and social justice for all, its two main goals are to improve health and education. Without the assistance of foreign aid, this would not be possible. Australians support giving aid //The Australian Overseas Aid Program (//ACFOA) argues that most Australians support Indonesian aid simply because they sincerely care about those who are less well off. Aid to Indonesia may, then, encourage friendly relations between it and Australia and the future positive exchanges of cultural values.

Most Australians want to be part of a society that is caring and compassionate towards those less fortunate. Recent global events, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, global acts of terrorism and natural disasters such as the tsunami in 2004, have encouraged a huge response and led many Australians to become more engaged with the issues and to try to make a difference in people lives.

è **__Economic Advantage: Employment and training opportunities: __** By strengthening economies within our region we help to promote new markets for our products. As a result, employment is also created in these areas. Recently, 45% of all Australian aid was used to buy Australian goods and services. A significant amount of this came from aid to Indonesia, with significant economic flow on effects for businesses and for increased levels of employment in Australia. Full and part-time jobs were created in government and non-government aid agencies as well as in private consultancy firms which increased the number of jobs in Australian export industries. Voluntary aid has been said to benefit young people seeking work experience and retirees and unemployed people seeking worthwhile work.


 * ___________________________________________________________________________________ __**

è **__Environmental, social and cultural advantages: __** Disadvantages occur when the aid agencies do not take into account the specific needs of the community. Aid agencies need to ensure that they keep the local people involved in any initiative that impacts directly on their lives.
 * //__Disadvantages of providing foreign aid: __//**

Sometimes aid is not evenly distributed. A report by ActionAid International states that hundreds of thousands of survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami are still living in substandard shelters and are deprived of adequate health care and other basic services. The report has linked this to discrimination in the distribution of aid sent to tsunami victims and the possible result of regional economic and security weaknesses. Weaknesses come from aid-income assisted government corruption and its forced relocations of Indonesians, land grabs as well as arbitrary arrests and sexual and gender-based violence. This has highlighted the need for not just financial aid but recognition of human rights standards. As a result, tied aid needs to be given, as it is for a specific purpose.

è **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Geopolitical disadvantages: __** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many aid projects encourage dependence from the recipient nation to the donor. Australia’s aid organisation should ensure they encourage independence and self-reliance in that recipient country. Australia giving aid to countries can result in a culture of dependence on Australia to provide money. For example, every year, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea make up a large percentage of Australia’s aid.

è **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Economic disadvantages: __** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In 2006–07 the Australian government allocated $2.946 billion of its annual budget to <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">ODA. In allocating this money to aid, Australia has fewer funds to allocate to areas within Australia which many need more funding including health and education.