Sir Mason Durie continued

HUMAN FLOURISHING and HUMAN LANGUISHING

Continued from my last blog... 

  One slide per post from Professor Durie's presentation at the Conference.

'Professor Durie is one of New Zealand's most respected academics, and was knighted in 2010 for services to public and Maori Health.  I was captivated by his presentation and in particular the research questions he posed after each element of his expansive presentation.

Cultural Pathways was one such element and the emphasis on generational transfers that enable Human Flourishing for Maori. 

Other PATHWAYS presented:

• Family and Whanau Pathways
• Societal Pathways
• Environmental Pathways 

(1) Cultural Pathways - Native languages to be spoken in houses and communities.
Research Question
Language revitalization and social media?

(2)  Generational transfers.
Research Question
International transfers in a global world?'

When I launched my 2nd book in New Zealand May 2016 one of the common threads of conversation - as I traveled - was the disconnect Maori people can experience when they move away from their Iwi's for work opportunities in larger town, cities or overseas. Professor Durie raised the question how, do we ensure that those Whanau connections - so important - be sustained?

Just how important the Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference is in a Global Context became very evident by the end of the Conference. I highly recommended it for those who work in this space or have an interest in these areas.
 

Day 1 of the Conference

Keynote Speaker Professor Emeritus Sir Mason Durie's

presentation was on Mauri Ora - On Human Flourishing

[Maori Ora is about flourishing and Mauri Noho is about languishing] 

In respect to Sir Mason Durie I will be only uploading one image from his presentation. Sir Durie (my first opportunity to hear him speak] is a person who has spent a lifetime working towards Human Flourishing on so many levels. What an inspiring role model he is and duly awarded. I will share with you a snippet from one of his slide's presented on the day. Many questions were posed due to the context he was speaking in - International Indigenous Research Conference. Questions posed:

1. 'Is this to be the Indigenous Century - In which the term 'indigenous' is no longer routinely followed by the word 'problem'.
2. In which Kupe's values and laws thrive in the lives of his descendants and are adopted by Cook's people too.
3. The Indigenous research community - Provides the building blocks:

• By providing data, science, ideas : the tools for imaging a different beginning
• By being practical and relevant
• By being aware of the possibilities for true transformation
• By inspiring and holding us to account
• By helping to shape the audacious vision of a new generation of Kupe's.'

Friend, Piki and Kiri Diamond (Nieces) Viti

 

2016 International Indigenous Research Conference

What a fabulous 4 days this was - finished today.

Have made the decision to allow a few days to pass and write from a reflective position. Int he interim will share the following. What a wonderful opportunity to sit amongst international researchers sharing their knowledge and gained along a range of milestone of their academic journey. Including Many who work outside of the academic institutions which bought a different perspective on looking global issues from a local to global perspective. 'The key question for me from the first Keynote Speaker was, to reflect upon, 'What are we called to do - as Maori or Indigenous researchers?

Will share with you one of the performances that took place on Day 1. Trust you enjoy. There will be others to follow and images.

 

Language of the collective

Indigenous Early Career & Post Graduate Workshop - Pre-Conference Monday 14th

Many takeaways with this workshop which evolved throughout the day.  These are a few of the bullet points that I have noted to share in regards to research - from a range of speakers - that we are entering into or as practitioners of research:

•  What counts for OR what are we called to do as Maori or Indigenous.
• What are we trying to do with our work?
• Understanding the terrain in which we can move.
• Undertaking work that not just describes but is transforming.
• Understanding that a PhD is a platform for greater things.
• Understanding time zones in the context of: research, schedules and goals and how one can feel adrift in this space.
• In the Maori context it is the speed of the group that is important not the individual.
• Time behaves differently for Maori - how we time travel - who we take with us - histories - memories - often heavy and 
• so much more was learnt today.
• 
  Time for a break...
  
  I am looking forward to reflecting on the above commentary in the fullness of time. No doubt there will be more pieces that will land on this canvas over the coming days.
  
  My major takeaway today was an understanding of where I sit in the scheme of things in terms of being a research practitioner not in the academic environment - although my intent is similar. 
  
  The following comment was shared today and it resonated for me.
  
  

  There are, different forms of activism

  which

  looks for answers beyond the university.

  
  

  
  

   
   

A week like no other

14th - 18th November

The 7th Biennial 

International Indigenous Research Conference 2016

Hosted by The University of Auckland

New Zealand Maori Research Centre of Research Excellence.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 1: Monday 14th Pre-Conference Indigenous Early Career/Post-Graduate Workshop Programme.

'To provide opportunities for  networking and to discuss theory, methods, academic experiences, and good practices for publishing. The discussion will be a mix of informal, interactive and round-table sessions led by Indigenous academics.'

What I am looking forward to throughout the day is to gain an understanding if my research projects over the last 13 years have incorporated an Indigenous 'way of seeing things'. My cross-cultural back ground and departure from the New Zealand - which shaped my formative years has been replaced by a very different context over the last 4 decades spent in Australia. This in itself disrupts but does it change the way we interact with our new environments from an Indigenous perspective?  

Or do we retain those earlier influences in our approach to research projects immaterial of where we live or the influences that continue to shape and mold us over time. I look forward to building upon this knowing in the coming days. 

The second component of the day is to learn what Indigenous Academics view as good practice for publishing. 

Will this advise align with my own self-publishing with my approach to both resource book? The first book was self-published in 2013 and my second in 2016.

Copies will be available at the Conference - Mob: 0428 174 546

and Email: viti@bearfruit.com.au if interested.

I will be presenting at the Conference on Wednesday 16th November ARTS

206 Room 217 in the morning parallel Session A4 10:15am - 12:15pm.  

My presentation focuses on Microfinance empowering women, families and communities in rural Nepal.

 

Talk about synergy...

The following first edition of the e-magazine HONESTLY WOMAN went live and Bev Ryan the Co-founder of this magazine mentioned to all those profiled (of which I was one) that we should have a Launch and catch-up to celebrate. When I mentioned I would be in Brisbane for a couple of days on my way to NZ the Launch was organised to coincide with my visit.  And so it was that a number of us gathered for Bev's launch on the evening of Wednesday 9th November at the Paddington & Co. So special!

Bev Ryan 
Link for viewing the magazine below - Free subscription

https://joom.ag/fYGQ 

Below: Kim Jorgensen, Viti and Bev Ryan Founder

Below: Dolores, Simone, Lana and Jennifer Gael

 

 

 

Photos Below: Simone then

Sandra and Lana

 

 

 

Viti Simmons back blogging

It has been quite some time since I last blogged.

LIFE happens...

A new chapter begins
One of reconnecting to culture....

In the interim some of the activities that have taken place: -

(A)  SELF PUBLISHED my second non-fiction book available on the following links: -

Book 1 description   A tree needs water to bear fruit: Enterprising women creating reservoirs for poverty alleviation. 

Book 2 description   bearing fruit: MICROFINANCE Empowering women, families and communities. Also available online: - Amazon and e-book download

Order Form  Direct sales option from Viti for Australia and New Zealand.

(B)  Board Member for Linkwest Inc. Peak Body for micro and small community organisations across the  West Australian State. 

(C) Launched my 2nd book in Auckland New Zealand May 2016 with the support of the Auckland Councils - Manukau City Council. 

In 1973 I left New Zealand intending to return. That did not happen! Therefore, 4 decades later the choice to launch my 2nd book in NZ in May 2016 was due to circumstances and intuition. When I first arrived, I met Diane and Georgina who reconnected me to culture in a way I had not anticipated. Soon after my niece Kiri Diamond - who attended my book launch - at its conclusion recommended I submit an abstract to a conference being held in N.Z. in November. I thank them sincerely!

Niece Kiri Diamond and Viti 



Diane Tuari CEO Ngangaru,  NZ's leading Social Value Network Organisation and
Georgina Papa who provides support for the  Office of Kelvin Davis MP.

STEPPING STONES...

Viti - Honorary research across Australasia

FIRST STONE

In 2003 - 2005 I undertook research for the Centre for Women and Business, University of WA.  The scale of this research was made possible by integrating with personal travel across Australasia over an 18 month period.

Interviewing women operating small businesses in rural, regional, remote and provincial areas accumulated in 75 women participating. At the conclusion an academic article was published,. Enterprising Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Australasia was initially presented at the SEAANZ conference in Armidale, N.S.W (Leonie V. Still and Viti Simmons 2005, Vol. 14, Number 1 - 2006) and was the recipient of a best paper award.

SECOND STONE

In 2009 I received a scholarship to attend the 10 month Leadership W.A. Signature Experiential Leadership programme. One of the guest speakers was Kira Kay who spoke on Grass Roots Leadership and her work with Hands with Hands (HwH) a small N.G.O in Nepal.

In the above published article's introduction it refers to the majority of previous research into women's businesses has concentrated on examining Microcredit and the Grameen Banking System. Kira's presentation and the organisations philosophy of, 'Give the net not the fish' was the hook for me.

Kira Kay International President HwH

THIRD STONE

By 2010 I had graduated from the leadership programme - contacted Kira Kay based in Germany and commenced discussions about a visit to their Micocredit projects in Nepal. Kira asked that while I was visiting would I be interested in undertaking research with their Microfinance Cooperative with the assistance of translators. This was undertaken pro bono and viewed this request as a gift!

In 2011, on behalf of HwH and with the guidance of Shila and Ram conducted interviews and attended activities associated with these projects in rural Chitwan District, Nepal to gain an outsiders perspectives. A report was produced for the organisation.

Shila and Ramchandra KC translators and
employees of HwH in Chitwan Nepal.

FOURTH STONE

As an Ambassador for HwH within Australia my contribution has evolved into one of raising awareness of the wonderful work undertaken by this organisation and its international network. My first self-published book was a by-product from the above research. 

                 *20% percent of book sales go direct to Hands with Hands projects.*

FIFTH STONE

Further studies were undertaken at the University of Western Australia in 2011 (Post Graduate Certificate in Social Impact) as part of the first cohort. Microcredit and Grameen Bank was central to one of the units of this course of study.

* An informative read for those not familiar with Professor Muhammad Yunus, considered the father of Microcredit. Yunus M with Jolis A, Banker to the poor: the story of the Grameen Bank, Arum Press Ltd 1998.*

SIXTH STONE

I returned to Nepal (2014) and gathered further data from HwH Microfinance Cooperatives and an additional data from HwH Annapurna Self-Sustaining Children's Orphan Home in Pokhara. This research provided the bases for my second self-published book which has other contributors including two local Nepali women. The final chapter has been included as a platform to explore the possibilities in developed world economies - Microcredit success and learnings re-framed.

Sarada Basnet Volunteer Manager of Annapurna Children's Home
with crops planted on their land which are crucial to their
self-sustaining business model.

SEVENTH STONE

The decision to return to New Zealand to launch my 2nd book was intuitive  as so much of this journey has been. Diane and Georgina have reconnected me to culture by inviting me to their symposium hosted by Ngangaru NZ's leading Social Value Network Organisation who hosted a Health Symposium in Pt Chevalier in May 2016 and niece Kiri who was at the launch of my second book recommended that I submit an abstract to the following: -

7th Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference 
hosted by Nga Pae o te Maramatanga on the 15-18 November 2016

in Auckland, New Zealand.
*Registrations are open until  31 October 2016.*

EIGHT STONE

I am about to step onto the eight stone with a framework that has emerged as I have walked from one stone to another with the motto, tread carefully and respectfully.  

Since the publication of my first book the following question has gathered momentum...

'How to take the microcredit concept that has been successful in developing world contexts and apply it elsewhere.' It is sobering to realise the level of exclusion from financial markets that exist even in developed economies.

My starting point will come from theory in practice qualitative research linked to microfinance cooperatives a decade on in rural villages in Chitwan District, Nepal.

Example 1: Women' economic empowerment sets a path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic empowerment.

Example 2: HwH model for the establishment of microfinance cooperatives and Annapurna Self-Sustaining Orphan Children's Home.

Example 3: Local leadership drives action in community development.

My intent moving forward will be to integrate the learnings from the forthcoming conference around the above framework while in New Zealand which will provide the nucleus 

for my future blogging activity. 

Look forward to sharing it with you.

Viti

Director Bear Fruit

Social Business

http://www.bearfruit.com.au