Lauren Paynter

THE HIDDEN REFUGEE CAMPS OF EUROPE

In 2015, the European migrant crisis reached its peak, with 1,015,078 individuals seeking refuge across the continent. Since then, the European Commission declared the migration crisis to be over in 2019, as the rest of the world largely forgot about the humanitarian crisis lingering on Europe’s foreshores. However, the fire that ripped through the largest refugee camp, Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos on 8 September 2020, has gained global attention and reminded the world of the humanitarian disaster that remains. … Continue readingTHE HIDDEN REFUGEE CAMPS OF EUROPE

PNG’S MOMENT OF TRUTH

Papua New Guinea is one of Australia’s closest neighbours, yet it largely goes unnoticed. It is a country with aapproximately 80 per cent of its population living in rural areas, with very little access to modern life. Many of the country’s tribes live in the … Continue readingPNG’S MOMENT OF TRUTH

SO, IRELAND JUST HAD AN ELECTION

Just three months ago Ireland had an election but amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the election was largely drowned out in the mainstream news. However, something very important happened as Sinn Féin won the popular vote. For those not familiar in Irish politics, Sinn Féin is … Continue readingSO, IRELAND JUST HAD AN ELECTION

WHY DOES NO ONE CARE ABOUT YEMEN?

In 1996, Chandler Bing pretended to move to Yemen in an attempt to escape his annoying yet persistent girlfriend Janice. Yemen was a country so-far fetched that not even Janice wanted to follow Chandler there. Almost 20 years later, Yemen descended into chaos with a … Continue readingWHY DOES NO ONE CARE ABOUT YEMEN?

WHAT MAKES ME VOTE?

WHAT MAKES ME VOTE? WELL THE LAW. Australia’s system of compulsory voting mandates that all individuals 18 and above, enrolled on the electoral roll, are required to vote. Individuals who fail to vote in both State and Federal elections are issued with fines. Fines for … Continue readingWHAT MAKES ME VOTE?

THE WEST IS STEALING THE WORLD’S DOCTORS

“There’s a lot of guilt in that. Some cocoa farmer worked very hard to pay his taxes so I can go to school.” Those are the words of Dr George Ofori-Amanfo, an associate professor of paediatric cardiology in an American hospital. But America isn’t Dr … Continue readingTHE WEST IS STEALING THE WORLD’S DOCTORS

CHINA – THE REAL WINNER IN TENSIONS WITH IRAN

There has been a lot of attention from both politicians and the media regarding the escalating tensions of the United States and Iran. It’s a tit-for-tat. Each side moderately strikes and then the other side strikes back, perhaps just a little bit more provocative than … Continue readingCHINA – THE REAL WINNER IN TENSIONS WITH IRAN

THE RISE OF THE EUROPEAN FAR-RIGHT

During the 2017 French Presidential race, the world media became fixated upon Marine Le Pen, the leader of far-right party Front National. Le Pen was everywhere during 2017; everyone was talking about her. The world became fascinated by this new formidable force who was establishing … Continue readingTHE RISE OF THE EUROPEAN FAR-RIGHT

BEYOND THE FLAMES: FRANCE ALIGHT

On late Monday evening, Parisians and tourists alike, stood in a sombre silence as the Notre Dame de Paris – ‘Our Lady of Paris’ – was ablaze in fire. The world watched in horror as 400 firefighters desperately tried to save the Cathedral. Although the … Continue readingBEYOND THE FLAMES: FRANCE ALIGHT

THE SILENT SUFFER IN KASHMIR

When the historically bloody conflict in his disputed homeland reignited once again, one Kashmiri citizen said: “Whenever India and Pakistan fight, we are the first ones to suffer.” (Yasir & Gettleman 2019, para. 27) Residents of Kashmir have long remained the forgotten victims of the … Continue readingTHE SILENT SUFFER IN KASHMIR