Help children to make sense of media coverage of war and terrorism
Events of the past few weeks have taken a toll and many of us are feeling a little overwhelmed and sad about the state of the world. The horrific terror attack in Nice, a brutal coup attempt in Turkey, war in Syria and South Sudan, and at home, continuing debates about terrorism, race and religion, dominate the news.
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The media have a duty to bring us this news, but we should be mindful that children in particular can struggle to make sense of these reports. Even if they are shielded from them at home, they do pick them up from other places. It can leave them feeling distressed, confused or anxious.
We are constantly amazed by the resilience of the children we work with who live in conflict zones and are surrounded by the consequences of war day-to-day.
That’s why Plan International Australia developed a guide based on advice from the parents who have lived in, or fled from, war-torn countries about how they broach these issues with their children.
We recommend parents talk openly with children about how they feel about the news, but to let the child lead the conversation. It’s important to reassure children they are safe and secure. No one expects parents to have a deep understanding of complex conflicts that are difficult to explain. Nor do parents need to go into detail about injury or death. But children are smart and they will gain a sense of comfort if we talk with them openly.
It can help to let children know agencies like Plan International Australia are working to help.
Families can donate to our Children in Crisis Fund via 13 75 26.
Our guide to talking to children about war can be downloaded from our website at www.plan.org.au.
Ian Wishart,
CEO, Plan International Australia
Milk brand loyalty needs continued support
The national milk sales figures for the period after the Murray Goulburn (MG) farmgate price cut were released last week. Since the initial MG markdown there has been a significant community and media campaign culminating in rallies in support of dairy farmers all around the country. The figures recorded by Dairy Australia confirmed what we had already been hearing – that branded milk sales had increased in excess of 20 per cent nationally.
Small processors in our region have been reporting sales increases of 30 and 40pc. While this initial burst of consumer support of the major brands has tempered, the campaign has clearly shown the power of consumer-led sentiment.
The clear message has always been buy branded milk as this puts more money back into the dairy supply chain. From a financial point of view this has been quite easy, but from the quality side, the increasing requirements of supply into home brand tenders mean the ability of the milk processors to differentiate their product has become more difficult.
Branded milk sales have suffered since 2011 and the recent burst of consumer support has given processors a small windfall to offset these falls, however capturing permanent consumer support still sits at the end of the rainbow.
Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO) has put a lot of time and resources into the brand versus unsustainably priced milk debate and the lack of transparency in the market has not made it easy at times.
Consumers need to know their choice at the milk cabinet makes a clear difference on the farm. At the moment this line of sight is more blurred than it should be.
The Queensland dairy industry needs sustainable farms and sustainable milk processors, and that future is not guaranteed when executive bonuses are based on selling unsustainably priced milk.
Ross McInnes,
QDO Vice-President
