White paper

About: White paper is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3852 publications have been published within this topic receiving 51169 citations. The topic is also known as: White paper & White papers.

Working Towards a Deeper Understanding of Digital Safety for Children and Young People in Developing Nations

Abstract: This exploratory study is a first output of an ongoing collaboration between the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and UNICEF. It is intended as a contribution towards building a deeper understanding of children’s safety in a digital context in developing nations. More specifically, the objectives of the paper are threefold: First (and foremost), it seeks to raise awareness about issues related to digital safety for youth in developing nations. Second, it aims to provide a tentative map of these issues and give insights into the current state of the respective research based on an exploratory literature review. Third, the paper seeks to outline the contours of a research framework through a series of working hypotheses that might inform subsequent research efforts on these issues by connecting efforts in developing and industrialized nations. The topic of this paper is challenging along a number of dimensions, including the complexity of the subject of investigation, cultural expectations and tolerance, language barriers, the highly limited availability of data, and limited access to scholarship from developing nations to the extent that it exists. We therefore decided not only to take a collaborative approach to research this paper (see methodology paragraph in paper), but also to release it as a “learning document” by soliciting feedback, comments, pointers to additional materials, etc. At the end of such a participatory period and after additional research on our end, the hope is to publish a revised and extended version of this paper in the format of a white paper.

Developing inclusive policy and practice in diverse contexts: A South African experience

Abstract: Pre-1994, South Africa was a country riddled with inequality and discrimination stemming from the policy of ‘apartheid’. Since 1994, there have been considerable efforts made to enable the country to move toward becoming non-racial and democratic, with a culture of human rights and social justice. One of the primary tasks of the new democratically elected government was a reform of the education system. Specialized Education was initially neglected, but then in 1996 a National Commission was appointed to investigate Special Needs in Education and Education Support Services, of which the author was one of the co-ordinators. The timeline for the full implementation of the resulting White Paper 6 on Inclusive Education is 20 years. Inclusive Education in South Africa aims to meet the needs of all learners by addressing barriers to learning, welcoming diversity and fostering maximum participation by all in the culture of the school. This article, based on the author’s experience, will discuss the challenges for implementation of the policy in one of the South African districts which field-tested the recommendations in White Paper 6, a district with diverse contexts, the emerging promising practice, and the implications for specialized support professionals, in particular the role of school psychologists.

Towards a culture of good governance: the Presidential Review Commission and public service reform in South Africa

Abstract: On its election to power in April 1994 South Africa's first democratic government was quick to recognise that its ambitious programme of reconstruction and development would require a dramatic transformation of the public service inherited from the apartheid regime, from an instrument of discrimination, control and domination to an enabling agency which serves and empowers all the people of the country in a fully accountable and transparent way The framework for this was set out in the Government's 1995 White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service To ensure that the change processes were subject to independent scrutiny, the White Paper recommended the establishment of a Presidential Commission to carry out a comprehensive review of the structures, functions and operation of the post-1994 public service The Presidential Review Commission (PRC) was established by President Mandela in March 1996 and submitted its findings and recommendations two years later in March 1998 Although acknowledging the achievements that have been made in translating the transformation agenda into practice, the Commission provides exhaustive evidence in support of its main conclusion that ‘overall progress in relation to the effective implementation of the transformation and reform process has in many ways been seriously disappointing’ It also proposes a wide-ranging set of recommendations for placing the transformation process back on track Through an examination and critique of the findings and recommendations of the PRC, the following article attempts to highlight some of the main challenges and contradictions associated with public service reform in countries such as South Africa that are faced with the task of negotiating the difficult path between economic liberalization on the one hand and political democratisation on the other Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Healthy Aging: American Geriatrics Society White Paper Executive Summary.

Abstract: In July 2015, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published a manuscript titled, "Failing to Focus on Healthy Aging: A Frailty of Our Discipline?" In response, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Clinical Practice and Models of Care Committee and Public Education Committee developed a white paper calling on the AGS and its members to play a more active role in promoting healthy aging. The executive summary presented here summarizes the recommendations from that white paper. The full version is published online at GeriatricsCareOnline.org. Life expectancy has increased dramatically over the last century. Longer life provides opportunity for personal fulfillment and contributions to community but is often associated with illness, discomfort, disability, and dependency at the end of life. Geriatrics has focused on optimizing function and quality of life as we age and reducing morbidity and frailty, but there is evidence of earlier onset of chronic disease that is likely to affect the health of future generations of older adults. The AGS is committed to promoting the health, independence, and engagement of all older adults as they age. Geriatrics as an interprofessional specialty is well positioned to promote healthy aging. We draw from decades of accumulated knowledge, skills, and experience in areas that are central to geriatric medicine, including expertise in complexity and the biopsychosocial model; attention to function and quality of life; the ability to provide culturally competent, person-centered care; the ability to assess people's preferences and values; and understanding the importance of systems in optimizing outcomes. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:17-20, 2019.

New Zealand's health reforms: a clash of cultures

Abstract: To reshape a health system without due regard for cultural imperatives is to risk failure, as has proved to be the case with New Zealand's health reforms of 1993. New Zealanders take pride in their claim to be the first to introduce a universal healthcare system, in 1938, as part of a post-depression welfare state. The recent, market oriented health reforms proved a major challenge to long accepted values and assumptions underlying the universal and freely accessible public health system established 50 years ago. In response to public opposition and polarisation of clinical and commercial cultures, the new coalition government is planning to remove the commercial and competitive basis of the reforms. The health reforms were announced in the minister of health's green and white paper of July 1991.1 Before the health reforms hospital care was coordinated by 14 area health boards financed according to a population based funding formula. Some hospital services were (and still are) available privately, but as health insurance contributed only 6% to total health expenditure private hospital care was restricted effectively to such areas as elective surgery. In primary care, general practice consultations carried various government subsidies, though the value of these subsidies had been reduced steadily and markedly over a decade or more. At the core of the health reforms was the establishment of a purchaser-provider split, which introduced the mechanisms of the market into a publicly funded health system. The government claimed that this would increase effectiveness and efficiency, improve access to care, create greater flexibility in the use of services, reduce waiting time for prioritised services, and better integrate primary and secondary care. It was considered that restructuring public hospitals as businesses would provide the necessary tension and incentives to enhance performance. The reforms were implemented in July 1993. The Ministry …