Financial systems are those that facilitate monetary exchange, they are what govern our financial services and include instruments for everyday finance to large scale investments. All systems play a very important role in managing and developing economies in both ‘developed’ and ‘emerging’ economies. For this edition, our team looked closely at evaluating the effectiveness of ESG frameworks for investments to uncovering monetary policy differences in China and the shortcomings of emerging financial services such as Buy Now Pay Later. We hope you enjoy reading this edition’s articles, learn something new from our research and help us question: ‘Are our financial systems working to support our endeavours for economic equality, social change and environmental management?’

We continue to explore issues in global health and global inequality, with many of our writers covering relevant content up for discussion. Around the world from India, the United States and Australia, health and equity system-based challenges continue to arise and persist. We continue to question healthcare systems, particularly in building awareness of mental health services and how it fails many, we explore the tragedy and loss of racial hate crimes and we voice our concerns on what needs to be considered for a fairer world. We hope you enjoy and ponder upon similar thoughts we have had.

The shocks of COVID-19 have raised questions about the resilience of our global health systems and highlighted some of the cracks of the system that have failed to account for the losers of the pandemic. Following on the struggles of the pandemic and its impact across the world, our team of this edition’s writers explore existing forms of injustices currently present in the global system, ranging from issues such as sexual health, drug innovation and climate injustices. We delve into how global inequalities will continue to rise if we don’t stop to think and respond with much needed attention and change for better global public health and development.

Have you ever: paused in front of a bin, coffee cup in hand, frustrated you can’t recycle it? Wormed around saying the word ‘period’ aloud, embarrassed? Wondered how sustainable meat consumption really is? Questioned the education system’s ability to truly support Aussies with a disability? If you’ve answered yes to any of these, we have an article for you. As always, our MMI writers continue to grapple with complex social, environmental and political issues. A warm welcome to Edition 10, featuring guest writers from social enterprise Swap Cup!

What is technology leapfrogging and how can it empower millions? Why should we favour a people-centred approach to education in developing countries? With 153 million climate refugees anticipated by 2050, which policies are going to be most powerful and relevant to pursue a safe future for all? Click through to Edition 9 of the Impact Review, where our curious and critical authors explore the answers to these tough questions.

Is GDP growth a means of achieving prosperity? How impactful is your superannuation as an investment pathway? How can chasing the sensation of pure awe catalyse our journeys towards creating meaningful, sustainable impact? Welcome to Edition 8 of the Impact Update: click through to join our writers in exploring the depths of these questions and understanding how each impacts your own life.

How do we approach the rather terrifying question of our life’s purpose? Why should we talk about social housing? How are businesses responding to a desire for impact amongst young people? In Edition 7 our writers explore the complex answers to these consuming questions: click through to read!

Is the environmental impact of what we eat really that important? Why should we be actively investing in the mental health of Australians? What does justice have to do with climate change? Click through to join our writers as they take a critical look at these questions in our 6th edition of the Impact Update.

In light of the indiscriminate COVID-19 pandemic, our 5th edition takes a look at the consequences. Yaoying stresses the importance and vulnerability of mental health in these trying times, while Connie analyses the staggered global response we’ve seen so far. Meanwhile, on the ever-present issue of climate change, Ben and Shamak take a deep dive into economic policy responses to climate change, while taking into account a vast array of critical factors for just policy.

Our 4th edition of the Impact Update features an exciting chance to hear from Same Skies, a humanitarian organisation partnering with refugees, also featuring two testimonials from partnering refugees. We take a deeper look into climate strategy: what are adaptation and mitigation, and is one more important? We also hear from two of our Initiatives consultants, sharing insight into the nature of microinsurance in the Philippines, from their 2019 project trip to Manila.