Book Reviews - June 2010

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The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and its Section for Women in Public Administration (SWPA) announce the availability of

Profiles of Outstanding Women in Public Administration.

Edited by Claire Felbinger and Wendy A. Haynes, ASPA’s 2006-2007 President, Profiles is a response to the lack of books chronicling the contributions of women in public administration, political science and public service.

Public service professionals from every background will benefit from learning the history of women in public service and about the accomplishments of women who have served in leadership positions.

This book is a must have for any Introduction to Public Administration, Ethics, Women in Politics, Gender Studies or Diversity class.

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Women in Management Worldwide

Bringing together 30 experts and replete with facts, figures and analysis, this important book provides a genuinely cross-cultural assessment of women's progress in management throughout the world.

Each chapter of the book focuses upon progress in one country and chapters follow the same format so direct comparison of countries is made easy. In total twenty countries (from every continent and at different stages of economic development) are closely examined. Key issues arising from the statistics - such as why there are so few women in top management - are discussed. An introductory chapter by the editors provides a worldwide overview.

By providing benchmark data, examples of best practice, and trend analysis this volume is the essential sourcebook for everyone concerned about the progress of women in management within their own countries and worldwide.

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PSP04 Public Sector Training Package v.3 includes the following:

Volume 1 (part 1)

Preliminary Information, Qualifications Framework, Assessment Guidelines and Generalist Units of Competency

The review and re-development of the Public Sector Training Package has occurred within the context of a strong history of public sector skills development and ongoing reform of the vocational education and training system. Australia is committed to a system of vocational education and training which recognises and responds to industry needs. The aim is to increase the competitiveness and productivity of Australian industry.

A cooperative national approach is enabling Australian industries to identify the competency requirements of their workplaces, and to provide benchmarks for training and development, and qualifications which are nationally consistent and nationally recognised.

A national focus for vocational education and training means that people's qualifications and skills are portable across industries and across states. Industry competency requirements are determined as part of the development of industry Training Packages and most industries are currently engaged in developing or implementing their own Training Packages developed by various approved industry bodies.

Copies can be ordered with a 20% discount off the normal price of AU$49.95 through UNSW Press.

For more information on other titles from ANZSOG and UNSW Press click here.

Adding Value to Policy Analysis and Advising
Prof Claudia Scott and Dr Karen Baehler

The authors critique and expand upon the available models, methods and approaches to policy analysis and advising and propose a systems perspective and a crafting approach to policy design. They examine strategies for improving the quality, capability and performance of the policy advisory system, and the complementary roles of advisers, analysts, managers and others.

In endorsing the book, Prof Allan Fels, Dean of ANZSOG commented:
‘Enhancing policy capability is a priority for governments in Australia and New Zealand. This book is a key resource for practitioners and those seeking understanding of policy systems, better public policy outcomes, and a higher-performing policy system.'

The book will be a required text for the 2010 EMPA course Designing Public Policies and Programs.

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Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World

Editor(s): David O. Hansen, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA;  Norman Uphoff;  Rattan Lal, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA ;  Rattan Lal, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA

Addresses critical issues facing the developing world

Deals with global issues using India as a model, including post-harvest losses, water constraints, energy constraints, soil degradation, and climate change

Identifies technological options for increased food production while minimizing risks to the environment

Can developing countries meet the food requirements of their growing populations without jeopardizing a natural resource base that is already under great stress?

Can increases in food production achieved in the past two decades be sustained in the next two decades?

Can developing countries achieve freedom from hunger and malnutrition for their entire populations?

How can food security be reconciled with environment quality in an industrializing society?

Leading authorities, from soil scientists to economists, address these critical questions in Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World. With a focus on India, this book reviews the state of natural resources, fertilizer and energy needs, and the potential importance of biotechnology as they affect all developing countries. It then addresses issues pertaining to water quality, agricultural chemicals, and pesticide residues on food. Part Three examines water harvesting, post-harvest food losses, storage and processing of animal products, and sustainability and inequality issues. The next sections deal with poverty alleviation, microfinance, gender equity, policy issues, and the role of the public sector. Finally, the book considers emerging issues and priorities.

Developing countries have achieved an impressive increase in total food production over the past two decades, but at a high cost to environmental quality. As the populations of these countries continue to grow, soil degradation, pollution and contamination of natural waters, deteriorating air quality, and growing dependence on expensive and diminishing fossil fuels become increasing concerns. Food Security and Environmental Quality in the Developing World takes on the crucial challenge of enhancing agricultural production while reversing the alarming trends in soil and environmental degradation.

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Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

From two of our most fiercely moral voices, a passionate call to arms against our era's most pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women and girls in the developing world.

With Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn as our guides, we undertake an odyssey through Africa and Asia to meet the extraordinary women struggling there, among them a Cambodian teenager sold into sex slavery and an Ethiopian woman who suffered devastating injuries in childbirth. Drawing on the breadth of their combined reporting experience, Kristof and WuDunn depict our world with anger, sadness, clarity, and, ultimately, hope.

They show how a little help can transform the lives of women and girls abroad. That Cambodian girl eventually escaped from her brothel and, with assistance from an aid group, built a thriving retail business that supports her family. The Ethiopian woman had her injuries repaired and in time became a surgeon. A Zimbabwean mother of five, counseled to return to school, earned her doctorate and became an expert on AIDS.