高译教育—NAATI考试英文题库(七)

高译教育—NAATI考试英文题库之（七）

Ageism in the workplace

Discriminatory behaviour towards older workers could replace sexual discrimination as one of the most critical workplace issues of the current generation, according to research into the key implications of Australia s rapidly ageing population.

As the Australian population ages and economic pressures mean more people will have to work later in their lives, the research highlighted the fact that employers and society in general hold inaccurate perceptions about the capability of older workers.

The research paper stated that “young people tend to associate ageing with disability, dependency or irrelevancy”

The Ageing Population: Implications for the Australian Workforce research paper also found that the impact of age discrimination in the workplace is more than just a cultural or social issue, and underscored the potential financial implications of a workforce blighted by ageism through reduced teamwork and failed cross-organisational cooperation. Moreover, negative attitudes towards older workers may prevent organisations from harnessing the knowledge and skills that older workers have to offer, eventually constraining organisational success.

While the research found that a well-implemented ageing strategy

improves morale, teamwork, cooperation and productivity, it also cautioned against policy approaches that aren t carefully framed to avoid stigmatisation of older workers.

The research paper identified a number of HR practices for combating ageism, such as restructuring work practices to accommodate emerging population trends, training workforces to enhance the organisational skillset and training managers in age management strategies and age discrimination.

However, such practices are often dependent on a number of factors, such as backing from senior management, financial backing from an organisation and commitment and flexibility from ageing workers.

Beinefits of scientific progress

Article 15(1)(b) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights guarantees the right to the enjoyment of the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. This right has not been applied in the text proposal for this convention to the circumstances of people with disability.

A number of participants in the consultations pointed to the importance of medical and social-scientific research as a basis for the improvement of the life opportunities of people with disability. They called for government investment in disability research, and for this research to be

conducted within the framework of a social model of disability in partnership with people with disability. Participants were keen to distinguish this approach to research from research that treated people with disability as problems to be eliminated. Participants also called for cultural exchange and cooperation in disability research so that it is capable of benefiting as many people as possible across the world.

The following article is therefore suggested for incorporation into the convention at Part 4: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights:

States Parties to this convention shall take progressive measures to ensure that people with disability benefit from scientific progress and its applications. This shall include the institution of effective measures to:

Promote research aimed at the elimination of barriers to the social and economic participation of people with disability on equal terms with others.

Promote research aimed at reducing or compensating for the impact of impairment, provided that in no circumstances shall such research be directed to the elimination of the person.

Electronic vote

Over the last few years there have been a number of election commentators who have suggested that Australian electoral organisations should introduce electronic voting at Federal, State and Local

Government elections. The general observation is made that as we do more of our business using a number of electronic mediums (from eftpos to electronic banking, ATMs, and purchases over the Internet), it should not be too difficult for us to vote using electronic equipment rather than turning up at a polling place on election day and vote using paper and pencils.

The phenomenal use of the Internet as a vehicle for improved communication, access to information and electronic commerce has led to the claim that the Internet could be used as either a replacement to attendance voting or as an additional voting option. Indeed, we have recently seen a US company (http://www.77cn.com.cn) set up business in Australia aimed at providing Internet voting services in the area of commercial and community elections.

From time to time, a small number of Australian politicians and Parliamentary Committees (both Federal and State) have asked electoral authorities to ascertain the status of electronic voting. Is it an option to introduce electronic voting into Parliamentary and Local Government elections in Australia?

There is no evidence to suggest that there is any political or community support for changing the voting systems presently used in Australia. This is an important point to appreciate when considering the possibility of

introducing any form of electronic voting in this country. In our view, the introduction of any form of electronic voting must support the present voting systems and voting culture.

Oil and natural resource curse

Throughout history, many countries with natural resources have fared worse than "poorer" nations. In the 17th century, the Netherlands outdid resource-rich Spain, despite the fact that the latter's coffers were overflowing with gold and silver acquired in the New World. Similarly, Japan and Switzerland moved past Russia in the 19th …… 此处隐藏：7593字，全部文档内容请下载后查看。喜欢就下载吧 ……