WHAT: "Visions" give voice to networks and people who have exciting visions for New Zealand and ideas on ways in which these might be implemented.

WHY: To encourage envisioning and enable New Zealanders to know what others would like to see happen, enabling clusters of topics to be formed and providing a vehicle for collaboration and support. Through the clustering we will be able to see what shared visions are emerging across the country.

HOW: These will be posted on the Website and a few will be presented in the Newsletters. Two hundred word abstracts will highlight each vision/idea with an electronic, phone, fax, and/or address link given to the full description. . A full description is available upon request from the source person.

HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED: If a vision attracts you, contact the network or person involved and discuss your common links and how you might work together toward similar goals, or ……

We invite you to contribute to this compendium by

• Notifying us of existing visions which should be included and
• Writing 200 word abstracts and complete descriptions of your vision(s) of New Zealand. (You can submit more than one.) Also submit complete descriptions (that would be made available upon request). Information should include vision, purpose, objectives, methods used, etc.

FORMAT:

• Vision / project name
• Key words – 5 maximum
• Vision shortform description – 20 words maximum
• Abstracted description of project / vision – 200 words maximum
• Contact information – personal contact, email, web, address, phone, fax

CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE

• Coherence with values and principles of NNZ
• Agreement with the vision of NNZ.

A PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

Dave Marra

198 Youth Health Centre

Tel (03) 379-4800

Fax (03) 379-4847

Keys: Sustainability, Community, Communication, Democracy

Vision: Local solutions to local issues have the greatest potential to be durable, in terms of cost, social participation and effectiveness.

Project Idea:

Background

The aim of this proposal is to promote local debate – encourage local decision making by restoring public participation in democracy. Current levels of apathy are driven by people sensing that they have no power to influence local decision making circles. Many for given up!

Five stages of the Vision begin at community level:
 
 

Vision 1

To rekindle information sharing, debate and discussion in local communities using skilled individuals working with existing community networks and organisations, i.e., neighbourhood groups, Marae, churches, playcentres, schools, community centres, local pubs, clubs, sport groups, rotary clubs, etc.

The aims are to:

• Encourage participation
• Encourage local action to address local issues
• Assist local communities identify their natural leaders and support those leaders.
• For local advocacy groups to promote and debate local commmunity issues in local and national forums.
• Build on existing social capital.
• Promote local trade and enterprise.
• Celebrate and exploit local expertise.
• Grow "tall poppies"

Vision 2

To establish citizens’ committees, the infrastructure already exists through local community boards. Local citizens would elect citizens’ committees (as are community boards) on a ward by ward basis.

The citizens’ committees are the powerhouses of a new political order. This is where debate arises in response to local discussion. Citizens’ committees will fill much of the role currently filled by parliamentary select committees. Citizens’ committees hold budget to purchase expert technical support, research and policy development. (Accessed from current parliamentary budgets.)

Citizens’ committees set the agenda for and provide information and resource for local government debate.
 
 

Vision 3

Local government (the infrastructure already exists through city and district councils). The agenda for debate and decision making is set through submissions from citizens’ committees.

Local government holds responsibility for infrastructure, town - city planning, and resource management issues.

Local government holds budget allocation powers and is responsible for the delivery of economic development services, local policy, and welfare service.
 
 

Vision 4

Regional councils are made up from delegates from local government. Delegates are there to negotiate and advocate for their local citizenship and infrastructure. Regional councils will have a mediation role between local governments. When required independent arbitration would be available.

Health, education, transport, regional infrastructure, basic levels of service, are determined by stature planned and managed by regional councils.

The key policy role of regional councils is to set the agenda for national debate and to facilitate information dissemination back to local citizens’ communities.
 
 

Vision 5

Central government. The role of central government is considerably different from present Central government provides a national forum for local debate (similar to an upper house). In practice all decisions will be made and policy set by citizens’ committees and local government.

Key central government roles will include delivery of foreign policy, trade negotiation and maintenance of national infrastructure i.e., communications, roading, security, energy, in accordance with policy directors.

Central government will have a key role in the provision of national indicators in line with policy directives.

Central government would be reduced to 20 members representing regions. Members would be elected on a proportional basis.
 
 
 
 

LIFE HOUSES

Susie Kelt

susan.kelt@vodofone.co.nz

18B Mainston Rd., Remuera

Auckland

Hm Tel (09) 520-0269

Wk Tel (09) 357-4860

Cellphone 021-665-860

Keys: Children, Education, Spirituality, Parenting, Health

Vision: All schools have as standard, "Life Houses", where children will learn that they are unique and perfect, that they have a true self as pure and brilliant as a diamond.

Expanded Vision / Project Idea:

My vision is that all schools have a standard, "Life Houses", where children will learn from day one that they are unique, they are perfect, that they have a true self as pure and brilliant as a diamond. With that learning, all children will view each other’s true self with love and respect. That a "Life House" university will be running with teachers for the "Life Houses" being trained by the world leaders in spirituality from all creeds. This by the year 2000. Then we will travel to other countries and use the United Nations to assist in setting up around the world. The "Life Houses" deliver superb support to other arenas of health, parenting, care giving, education, teaching people to honour themselves and other human beings.

This will contribute to a society utterly interracial with families being born and raised in their truth and working harmoniously to soothe the people of the planet to come to a place of mutual / self truth and understanding and peace. This will create a huge swell of ecological awareness and communities everywhere fiercely rebuilding and protecting their environments. This will enable the poorer ($$) nations to tackle their "leap to civilisation and progress" without compromising their environment and quality of life.

For further information, contact Susie Kelt, above.
 
 
 
 

NEW Zealand, A NATION OF SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

Dave Breuer

breuerd@iconz.co.nz

Box 32, Albany

Tel (09) 413-9146

Fax (09) 413-9211
 

Keys: Sustainability, Indicators, Community, Communication / Forums, Globalisation

Vision:

New Zealand’s strength, as a nation, is developed locally, at community level, by focusing on how to be resilient and sustainable in a global environment.

Project Idea:

By encouraging communities to

• Establish shared values and principles upon which they want to operate,
• Create shared visions of a future which focuses on social, economic and environmental excellence,
• Develop a cross-sectoral participatory decision making process and a
• Develop a set of quality of life / sustainability indicators to reflect goals and progress,

Economic rationalisation has reached its peak. It is time to bring the social and environmental needs of society and the local community into the decision making process and into balance. Forming an independent forum of decision makers from all sectors (community, public and business) fosters this to:

• Enter into a dialogue with community members to explore and understand their needs through direct communication, and
• Become more cognizant of the new thinking that is emerging across the world that will affect communities at large.

For further information, contact Dave Breuer, above.
 
 
 
 
 

SOCIAL HOUSING

Greg Liggins

32D Awatea Road

Parnell, Auckland

Tel/Fax (09) 358-5790

Keys: Housing, Community, Employment, Communication, Values

Vision:

Better housing for all beneficiaries – to improve the living conditions of those most in need, who do not have resources of their own.

Project Idea:

The living conditions of unemployed, sickness, health, mental, disability and old age beneficiaries can be improved by enabling them access to housing and community, through either using existing structures or creating new rural developments for present city dwellers. Plans would include a central building area used for community activities, work areas for the community, outdoor areas for food production, communal play and social activities, housing, work within the community, self help health care, etc. Common values of love of family, friendship and spirituality would be fostered.
 

Steps to Accomplish Vision:

Government –guarantee the interest on bank loans by beneficiaries.

Within Existing Structures – 1) purchase housing estates from government, 2) prepare overall development plan with central areas provided, and 3) sell and remodify those homes that are suitable to requirements, demolish those buildings that are not suitable and rebuild. Purchasers to use mortgage funds, plus their own labour and some form of benevolence as deposit to pay for their new homes.

Outside of Existing Structures – 1) locate land and create overall development plan, and 2) interested parties come in and with the guidance/advice of professional builders they work to build their homes.

Funding –banks will be educated and involved, in addition to government’s involvement. This may even lead to a "Peoples’ Bank. The purchasers deposit is from sweat equity and there may be some need of a small benevolent loan.

Communications setup – each development will have a full computer facility. In rural development this removes problems of being out of city structure.

For further information, contact Greg Liggins, above.
 
 
 
 
 

VOLUNTARY TRAINING SCHEME

John Williams

johnw@pec.co.nz.

Box 308, Marton

Tel (06) 372-8189

Fax (06) 327-6724.

Keys: Training, Employment, Voluntary

Vision: Provides opportunity for up to 75,000 currently employed people to enter the workforce for 12 months and prepare for possible long term employment.

Project Idea:

The scheme would enable any factory, farm, fishing vessel, etc. to employ two or more people (depending on the size of the existing staff) from the registered unemployed, for a period of twelve months. No payments would need to be made by the employer except to reimburse each for travel expenses to and from the workplace to ensure the workers are not financially disadvantaged.

In order to prevent paid staff members being replaced by unpaid scheme participants, the total number of permanent and part time staff members employed at the workplace, would have to be advised to the Department of Employment. If that number of staff members ever dropped, either a new staff member would have to be employed within 6 weeks, or the Voluntary Training Scheme participant would have to be dismissed.

If New Zealand’s economic situation was positive and the business concerned was progressing well, there would be every likelihood that scheme participants would gain permanent employment at the end of the period.

This is not a "make work" scheme, but could employ around 75,000 currently unemployed people, in the most needed positions in New Zealand, and the extra tax paid by the employers would assist in meeting the costs of the unemployment benefits paid to the scheme participants period would be

For further information, contact John Williams, above.
 
 
 
 
 

YOUTH HEALTH – WHICH WAY FOR THE FUTURE

Dr. Sue Bagshaw

Medical Officer and Chairperson of Youth Health Trust

Box 2137, Christchurch

Tel (03) 379-0514

TOPICAL LINKS: Youth, Health, Social Service, Community, Learning, Sports/Recreation, Arts

VISION

Our children and youth need a healthy environment to develop into healthy adults. We can create this environment at the family, school and community levels.

PROJECT IDEA

Developmental Needs of Young People include:

• Learn how to exchange ideas
• Learn how to provide for themselves
• Find and give emotional nurturing
• Establish "who am I? And Where do I fit?".

Way These Needs Can Be Met

Family - The ideal place here these needs are met it within the family. The family could provide a safe place to try out ideas, compare behaviours, meet new people with new ideas, learn jobs in the house, find education and training, and support for these, and be given a sense of stability and safety from which to explore the questions of identity. (However, many families are not safe places – what could be an alternative?)
 

Schools – Schools may be an alternative place. They need to be set up so that the environment is totally accepting of young people as people who are allowed to learn from their mistakes, who can say anything and learn from the reaction, and be connected with other people – peers and adults. This can happen in some schools – sadly not many. The health curriculum may help in that it provides some time when students are thought of as people rather than outputs of work who have to achieve certain grades, etc. (If schools and families don’t deliver what else could help?)
 

One Stop Youth Centres – With health, recreation, sport and arts programmes alongside each other in every town in New Zealand. The most important thing about the one stop shops is the involvement of youth in the setting up, development, service delivery, and evaluation of every part of the service. I believe that one of the most important parts of the programme is a creative arts programme. This could include anything from rock bands to poetry and painting. The important thing about the programme is the creativity which can lead on to a sense of identity, spirituality, confidence and connectedness. This can also come through sport and recreation and it is important to have all sorts of ways available to suit the different needs of the different sorts of young people. For some, the most important thing may be learning and "doing" their cultural practices e.g. dance, song, protocol etc.
 

One Stop Parent Centres – are needed, as a separate development, to provide the support, education, and nurturing. Parent of young people need heaps of support to keep up with the pace, and also to keep firm with the boundaries as they are continuously being pushed.
 

Summary – Children need support and a healthy environment to develop into healthy adults. Young people need the support of adults who are going to completely accept them for who they are, and who can give them guidance and advice as they learn how to make choices. I believe the role of Society is to create environment where this can happen at the family, school and community levels.
 
 
 
 
 

YOUTH NEWSPAPER / MAGAZINE

Louise Belcher

louisebelchernz@hotmail.com

Box 32, Albany

Tel (09) 413-9146

Fax (09) 413-9211
 

Keys: Youth, Community, Communications, Media

Vision: Ensure youth throughout New Zealand have an alternative source of news. Initially this will be through the medium of a Youth Newspaper and later will include a National Youth radio show programme. Emphasis on a youth driven, adult supported initiative.

Project Idea:

In the context of it being youth driven, the following are offered as suggestions.

The emphasis will be on what is going on of a positive nature in local communities. There will be articles and information on health issues, moral, economic, social, environmental, ethical and spiritual issues. Debate and letters to the editor will be a feature. Regular articles on music and the arts will be featured. Recreation and the outdoors will provide a strong focus.

The following is a pilot project proposal that has been submitted to a local college.
 

Local Youth Newspaper

The purpose of the project is to:

• Provide some positive, purposeful projects that will raise self esteem and encourage the learning of life skills.

• Provide a newspaper that is educational and of high interest and values to youth.

• Raise awareness on subjects such as; values, ethics, ecology, environment, health, community and personal issues.

• Involve students in their community through learning what is going on in social, business and other areas.

• Involve students in project that will extend and further enhance literacy and numeracy skills by showing them the practical application of these skills.

• Teach skills of Project and Time Management.

• Enhance and / or teach journalism, media skills.