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From KERRY MCCARTHY on Recovering from COVID-19: a Pacific pathway
I absolutely agree Richard Curtain, we need a plan for the amazing pacific labour workers to be able to travel to australia under both the SWP and PLS (and also for those currently stuck in Australia to return home to see their families). The economic cash benefits that these programs bring home to their pacific countries is such a huge benefit. Much needed cash is injected into the local communities to keep the schools and businesses operating. to quote the gorgeous Jacinda "a travel bubble" that includes Aus, NZ and the pacific is what we should be aiming for. lets develop a set of 'clear & strick guidelines now so that we can easily transition into the transferring workers within our Pacific bubble. My current solomon workers are wondering when they will be able to return home to their families but they are also weighing up the fact that they may not be able to return to australia for the next season which will impact the future of their families, villages and greater community they support by bringing their hard earned Aussie cash home.
From Ashlee Betteridge on Students at the Kumbareta School run by Oaktree and Baptist Union, 2015 (Oaktree)
Hi Ian, this photo was supplied to us by the Oaktree Foundation, it would be best to get in touch with them to ask if they have a contact. Their website is Oaktree.org.
From Ian Walsh on Students at the Kumbareta School run by Oaktree and Baptist Union, 2015 (Oaktree)
I taught in PNG from 1966 to 1978 at Kumbareta and also Lapalama (Enga Province). The site of the Kumbareta Primary School was the site of the Baiyer River Vocational School (formerly Baiyer River Junior Technical School). The principal of the Kumbareta High School is Mane Tambili. I taught Mane when he was in Standard 3 at Lapalama Primary T School where I was the principal. Are you in contact with Mane as a result of your research and if so are you able to put me in touch with him? Many thanks, Ian
From Joe on Time to end the hustle culture in international development
I agree with everything you wrote, but the reality is that we are in an extremely competitive industry, with particular pressure on the business development side. Donors don't make it easy, with procurement procedures that require a huge amount of work and resources to prepare a compliant proposal. In the U.S., some large international development consulting firms (and NGOs) have developed proposal factories and it takes tremendous resources and a lot of hard work to compete with them. The trick is how to achieve the right balance of being a successful organization, i.e., competitive with the factories, while slowing down to focus on how to help the poor and our other counterparts and beneficiaries and take care of our own mental and physical health. This requires excellent and enlightened management.
From Fritz Robinson on The Porgera mine in PNG: some background
Glenn and John,
Good backgrounder for people who are interested. Some of the problems (resettlement for example) might have been better addressed if the soft diplomacy/engagement through the use of experienced PNG people had continued as per Placers' time rather than hard security and a concentration of ex military and police in engagement roles. Others from that time have recently been in contact and I am partly quoting their thoughts which I endorse.
Without a long term engagement the problems in general will not be solved. If the hardline security remains unchanged these problems will never be solved.
From Catherine Lily Richardson on Fiji’s economic freefall, and the government’s response
I for one think that the present government will be out soon and that’s what we need isn’t it chuck. I mean to say they don’t do nowt.
From Terrence Laimo on Youth in PNG: challenges to building a positive future
Thank you for the issue which our youth people faced today. Much better ways that we can keep up to date and work on areas that need to keep them safe and do involve in activities that can
change their behaviours to become better citizens in the future.
From Peter Joseph on The Porgera mine in PNG: some background
Gentlemen, a very good history and analysis.
So many so called experts like yourself continue to end up painting negative pictures of decisions that have been made without offering solutions to assisting in anyway.
Such skepticism is a norm yet we have time and time again proven critics wrong.
Our government made the decision with a good intent and for us the 8+million population. Fyi ML had expired and they made that decision based on recommendations from the advisory team thereforeyour term snatching is not appropriate.
From Bron on Pivoting New Zealand’s Aid Programme to respond to COVID-19
Having spent a year in south Bougainville I know the community in Buin and was happy and relieved to hear the health centre staff were preparing well.
There is no connectivity at the health facility and any other comms relies on the use of limited personal data.
Good luck in supporting this often forgotten community at the end of a long road 😊
From sarah binsyowi on Addressing violence and sexual abuse against women in Papua New Guinea
Hi Moana Naura, it is a really great explanation.
From Glenn on The Porgera mine in PNG: some background