Victor Komarovsky: Responsibility

OK, hear me out. I know this sounds like the dullest blog topic, like, ever. And you may yet be correct. But I wanna talk about about responsibility - my responsibility, our collective responsibility - in the context of climate change and action.

I’m en route to COP24 - the 24th conference of country representatives to discuss international treaties for tackling climate change. It’s a privilege to attend, to go to Poland where it’s held, to meet like-minded climate activists, to advocate for the rights of youth and future generations to a safe, thriving future.

And the millstone of Privilege is Responsibility.

I’m told that my responsibility is limited to learning and growing personally from the experience of COP24. “Surviving COP is an achievement,” has been the common advice of past attendees.  With all of the intensity of being surrounded by 30,000 people, negotiating the future of humanity, I guess they’re probably right. But I feel a nagging sense of responsibility to do more with my privilege while there. I’m yet to work out what that will be.

But let’s examine this with a broader lens. Whose responsibility is activism? Is it right that a small subset of the population, conducted by their rigid principles, dedicate their life and emotional energy to making change for the benefit of the hoi polloi? Viewed differently, are these same activists consuming the collective, quiet actions taken by most people every day, relegating those actions to the frame of apathy? Rather than a changemaker, am I (being a badge-wearing activist) actually a barrier to change? What is my responsibility in speaking on behalf of many? And what is the responsibility of the many in giving me the platform to speak?

And am I even the right person to be doing this mahi? My privilege suggests I’ll be one of the least affected by climate change. Is it right for me to go, and take the place of someone whose voice has been missing from the conversation?

I’m left with more questions than answers. And I’ve left for COP24 feeling deeply uncomfortable.

Thankfully I’m joined by a delegation of smart, compassionate, brave, young people. They’ll be my whānau for the trip, and we’ll be responsible for looking after one another. And in that I can find purpose.

Joanna Tao: Anxious and Excited at the same time - On my way to Geneva!

Before I could take a break, 2018 has already come to an end. In just less than 2 hours, I will be hopping on a 24-hour flight to Geneva, transitioning at Doha. It has been a rather tough year, transitioning into first year university and officially moving out of home, plus constant travelling around the country and the globe.  Since attending the 9th University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) this August in Bangkok Thailand, I have been anticipating attending the UN BHR – United Nations forum on Business and Human Rights conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Although it is not my first time in Europe, it will be my first time flying alone to one of the world’s diplomatic capital since I turn 18.

My very first UN experience occurred earlier this year in Bangkok Thailand, where I was selected as one of the two young journalists in the southern hemisphere on behalf of YRE (Young Reporters for the Environment) global to attend the conference. The experience I have gained from this conference was rather eye opening, as it made me realized that climate change affects all aspects and it is interconnected with all parts of the SDGs. Unlike my two-other amazing delegates Katrine and Libby, I am someone who comes from a strong background of environmentalism, I have focused my activism work around climate actions and environment protection rather than human rights. In saying so, I do have high expectations for this conference as I am going in with an open mind, hoping to hear about some of the world’s most complex problems in person and network with other youth delegates in a global scale.

Leading up to my departure from Auckland, I had some time to reflect on how I would maximise my time in Europe. One particular thing that has crossed my mind is what is the one thing I would like to learn more about, from attending a conference that is in a field that I am unfamiliar with. Just as I was typing away on my laptop and reading upon recent articles, a NZ herald article with the title of “Air New Zealand scraps single use plastic from flights” caught my attention. With the biggest New Zealand airline removing a further of 14 single-use plastic products from its flights over the next year, this sure is good news on reducing anymore single use plastic heading into landfill. Just like that, a thought occurred to me – heading into a UN forum based on business and human rights, I could possibly research into how more NZ business can become more sustainable and contribute to reducing carbon footprints locally. The forum is a perfect opportunity for me to ask the question of how local business in NZ can to be more sustainable; how can we help small enterprise to learn the impact climate change has on them and reduce importing plastic packaging from overseas; lastly, how can we as consumers create a difference in the supply-chain process?

And just like that, anxious and excited at the same time, I am on my way to Geneva. In a year filled with ups and downs, I cannot be readier to expand my horizons furthermore and get to know my other two delegates on our 11-day journey in Europe.

Beryl Matete: NZ public servants are thought leaders

The IMF/World Bank Annual meeting in Bali, Indonesia had a strong focus on Human Capital; promoting national spending on health and education programmes, to accelerate investments in people for greater equity and economic growth.  Interestingly, the New Zealand government is developing, for the first time, a ‘wellbeing’ budget, featuring Human Capital (among other capitals) as a dimension to focus analysis. With New Zealand prepared to expand the application of this tool well beyond current international thinking, to cover all other sectors from justice to international trade, it would appear that New Zealand public servants can be counted among global thought leaders.