Glossary (Version 8.4)

A good or service that is desired in order to provide satisfaction to a user, but which is not necessary for survival or to meet the basic standard of living in a community.

A lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a place. It can result from an absolute shortage of water (physical water scarcity), lack of money to utilise an adequate source of water (economic water scarcity) or the unequal distribution of water resources due to political or ethnic conflict.

An overall measure of quality of life for individuals and society.

The countries of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Iran. Afghanistan is sometimes included in the region, or in Central Asia. ‘West Asia’ is also known as the ‘Middle East’.

A system of parliamentary government, also known as responsible government, which evolved in England and was adopted in its colonies, including Australia. It is based on the principle that the executive government is responsible to the people through the parliament. The executive government is formed by those who command the support of the lower House of Parliament. Ministers, including the Prime Minister, are members of a House of Parliament and are accountable to it. There is a separate, largely ceremonial, head of state, an independent public service and an independent judiciary that applies the rule oflaw.

Biophysical, geographical, economic or political regions larger than a nation, for example, the Sahara Desert, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Global North and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).