Helen M Dalton
Dr Helen M Dalton believes in furthering intercultural thinking, assisting students connect theory to the real-world environment, and encouraging participatory and inclusive development.
Location Victoria, Australia
Activity
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Hello Jamilla, that is a nuisance. I will try and find a solution for you. In the meantime you might find out more about the certificate process here https://futurelearn.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001303868
You will be able to ask the future learn people what to do if the information is not sufficient. I will ask them too, regards, Helen -
Hi Jamilla, if you would like to access a digital certificate you will find the information by going to Your Learning > Achievements in your Profile (top right corner). All the best, Helen
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hello everyone, some thought provoking arguments for how technology may be the way sustainability is achieved. Given that the pre pandemic, approach has failed so miserably in keeping in check the assault on the earth's resources, then perhaps a new world order will result from the rethinking required of manufacturing and technology? Here are a couple of...
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@HughHarley Hi Hugh, the value of green space cannot be underestimated for the earth's health as well as recreation space for humans. Protecting the green spaces is becoming more important as climate change impacts the way they need to be managed. Many cities have protected parks and green zones from developers but the pressure is always on! Here in Victoria...
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HI Rachelle, like you I remember that event clearly. I think it was probably the first time the west had seen what conditions were like in the factories that were setting up as companies moved manufacturing offshore in order to build profits. Workers in developed countries would not stand for less than optimal working conditions but companies realised there...
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Hi John, coal is certainly a focus at the moment and policy around this, in all countries, is going to be the key. One thing out of COP26 is the expectation that wealthy countries contribute substantially to how alternatives are found and implemented. An interesting article from an Australian newspaper explored this. Deakin students can access this through the...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hello there! Some great insights being posted - education seems to be important to many. Perhaps it is the one likely to lead to all other goals being achieved, eventually? Although, clean water should perhaps come first? Without that, staying healthy enough to learn could be a challenge. A role for all our engineers whilst the schools are being built and...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hi everyone, have been reading the poll results. Very interesting and shows a diversity of priorities which is to be expected. I like the partnerships goal - in all my work and teaching I stress how important it is to build partnerships in advocacy, for funding applications, project design and evaluation and strategic planning. Without partners which think...
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HI Imogen, you will find the work of Vandana Shiva very enlightening on this matter. She has for decades been highly critical of the way farming practices have been manipulated by the big chemical companies. See here for a bit about her work. She is highly respected by the Development community, holding us to the task of implementing GOOD change! Regards,...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Good work all on your efforts to understand and discuss this important concept. The Planetary Boundaries idea is one that draws us back to the idea of The Commons and that it is the responsibility of everyone who benefits from the earth's resources to safeguard these. One of our later readings is based on the The Tragedy of the Commons, conceptualised by...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hello everyone, a great effort by those who have completed this first week. Thanks for all the stimulating posts. I know many of you have found it interesting and challenging and of course some of it rather confronting. Over the weekend and before you start Week 2, do read the newspapers and other media with an eye on how much attention is paid to...
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Hi all, innovation is certainly going to be the key, as Imogen points out. A question is though can we achieve any goal without simultaneously addressing others? Many of you have highlighted your priority, for you and your community but does there need to be a world priority for sustainability of the earth itself? Sustainability of the human race,...
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Helen M Dalton replied to MERA MERA
Hi Mera, it is intriguing and a challenging time to be considering priority goals for a sustainable future. Perhaps health is top of mind for most people around the world at the moment, but what a lot more needs to be in place for that to be attainable. Do we start with education? Clean water (always my preference!). Is hard to juggle needs in a crisis which...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hi to those who've considered priorities so far - will be interesting to see what the top priority is when everyone has logged theirs. Although the problems are, to some extent, universal, each country will have a different set of problematic urgency and therefore priorities. Although of course there could be significant discussion around equality in general,...
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Hello everyone, some very insightful comments , thank you. One thing we need to consider is how likely it is that current development goals (including the SDGs) will be relevant in our post pandemic world? That is assuming that there will come a post pandemic time. We may find that the new normal requires building in virus containment measures for all...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Peter Phillips
@PeterPhillips Hi Peter, yes, Australia's population is growing because we are fostering migration to meet demand in job vacancies. Interesting that there are simply not enough workers (taxpayers) to support the government's needs nor enough skilled workers for a number of fields. Much can be blamed on lack of support for skilled based learning...
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Hi Sarah, it is not something those of us lucky enough to live in a country for which population growth is not putting extra strain on already limited resources have to think about. For those in countries that are experiencing climate change induced droughts and rising sea levels, feeding the population is becoming more of a critical and immediate problem. Not...
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Hi Imogen , good point. Education offers ways of thinking about population size and its impacts on not only lives and families but on the environment itself. We'll talk soon about education within the SDG section. The results of universal education have been rewarding but now, the pandemic has played havoc with projected outcomes. Will be worth exploring what...
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Yes Emily, some insightful thinking here. We need too to think about how development has many guises and many aims. It is a western construct and carries with it some ideas that do not necessarily sit well in other cultures. Is it possible for all cultures to move into the modernisation phases of development such as the rights of all to participate? To...
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Helen M Dalton replied to John Lewis
True John..in development terms we might look at fostering climate adaptation strategies whilst waiting for policy changes and results of commitments to targets....development could play a part in holding governments to account?? Regards, Helen
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We have a lot to learn from Indigenous thinking - Jim Ife's work on this is enlightening. Helen
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HI Steve, great point here about maintaining livelihoods to get what we need. In development terms that would mean what is needed to live a strong and healthy and fulfilled life in which one is able to participate in shaping the future. However, does the overconsumption focus of the global north support that or is there a blurring of what is needed with what...
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HI Lei, can we do both - sustainable economic growth and protect the planet - that is the dilemma for many, all? countries, regards , Helen
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Hi Emily, is easy to become less optimistic as we watch the promises for some sort of plan that will be put into place at sometime...........down the track but there are some good projects achieving change. During the course we'll look at who is achieving positive results .......it is up to all of us to keep the pressure on! regards, Helen
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Hi Steve, perhaps the idea of Moral Development only arises after exposure of failure .............corporations are certainly being held more to account and shareholders are demanding better. This article is interesting - about green energy as a source of profit........does it matter the reason why it happens as long as it does happen? Hard question indeed!...
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HI Constanza.......it does seem true that the market rules........we must push back! Helen
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Hi Andrea, yes and there are moves in this direction. We discuss regenerative farming and reforestation and much else. All good ideas that need money behind them of course! Helen
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Hi Wei, it is hard not to feel let down by the talk fests.......the task is to keep them to their promises! Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to John Lewis
@SomanitTop Hi Somanit, good to have you with us for this interesting and challenging topic. It seems that Cambodia and countries in that region are experiencing much of the negative effects of not only climate change but urbanisation that impacts the environment and livelihoods so you will be able to explore some ways of addressing the challenges that lie...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hi all, some interesting numbers around populations. Based on the numbers for your country, how sustainable is the rate of population growth do you think? Worth considering. Should that rate be sustained is perhaps more to the point? If so, what are the impacts on sustainable development? The concept of development applies to all countries in the UN Department...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Ben Howells
Hi Ben, yes, whilst we've all been somewhat discomforted by delays in shipping of goods - farmers have told me that spare parts for machinery for impending harvest are in short supply and they are buying second hand machines to use for parts (! expensive).........it may result in countries having to become more self sufficient and decreasing freighting of...
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Hi Ally, it would be great to think we might arrive at a point where all business sectors and individuals are working towards achieving the same goal of sustainable growth. I mention growth because that is an element of the current model of development. It, like much of the wider world, is centred on providing for, not only survival, but thriving populations....
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@MERAMERA Hi Mera, one would think Australia will make some changes soon due to the obvious flaws in our current approach becoming rather public at COP26!!. Although a friend in the UK said Australia rarely rated a mention in the news over there, as usual, I guess. What is interesting though is that there are entrepreneurs who will take some risks and these...
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Hi Costanza, will be good to swap examples of good practice along the way. We'll be discussing who is doing well and who is suffering from the actions of others, regards, helen
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HI Yesy and it is something that we all need to consider - how we can help everyone understand the responsibility we all have to think globally. Is one thing to think about recycling our own rubbish in Australia each week when the bins are collected. What though of the big emissions our way of life cause that impact the lives of those on islands miles away?...
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Helen M Dalton replied to George Holloway
Hi George, certainly the talk is now making it impossible to ignore the need for change, for citizens to accept that they have to play a part. What cost are people likely to be prepared to wear? Not only financial cost but of lifestyle as well? Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Steven Brown
HI Steve, certainly it has been suggested the planet has gained a breather whilst we've all been in lockdown. Did it cause the pandemic in order to create some breathing time, a lessening of footprints? The vibration of the earth's crust has slowed (www.ecowatch.com/coronavirus-earth-shaking-less ) and pollution of the air and seas has lessened. What a great...
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Helen M Dalton replied to HOLLY SCHARKIE
Hi Holly, good to have you on board. You will be able to look very closely at these matters and choose a particular focus. It is often hard to have to choose one element of sustainable development over another but the tools you will learn to analyse will be very helpful for all manner of work scenarios! Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to zhengyang li
Hi Zhengyang, one of the topics we consider is how countries that are rapidly urbanising have to contend with doing so sustainably or risk, not only missing their sustainability targets but also risk the health of the population both human and animal. THere are many impacts from moving people out of rural areas and we will look closely at this and will be...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Juan Gaitan
Hi Juan, business and industry are key players in guiding the way forward, Will be interested in your comments as we explore this, regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Sajidah Gull
HI Sajidah, there will be many examples of what can be done to improve both these .....will be interesting to hear your comments, regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Yue Fang
HI Yue, you will certainly have the opportunity to investigate how the construction industry is able to adopt sustainable practices. The stumbling block seems to be the economic factors that impact how profitable or not the industry is and is to remain. Those involved may have all manner of good intentions but shareholders are the ones who call the shots. What...
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Hi Imogen, yes indeed, the idea of corporations being held accountable is so important. I've filed an article about Australia's top companies declaring to prioritise sustainability. Am hoping that the commitments will be honoured - will try and follow up. Stand by! The article was "Many of Australia’s top 150 companies claim they are prioritising...
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Hi Emily, great point here about solution finding. Certainly those facing the direct impacts, such as the islands facing inundation, know what is needed. Is it too late or could there be solutions that could be, should be, funded immediately? The commitments are fine regarding what each developed country will do or promises to do but there needs to be money,...
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Hi Peter, great point you make here about the expectations of the Global North (the Developed countries), that of asking others to forgo what the west enjoyed. The only way is perhaps for the west to fund the appropriate tools for sustainable and positive growth. The over-consumption of the west and the rising middle class around the world has been stated as a...
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Hi Jamilla, a great point to make. There are a couple of international institutions that were set up for what you suggest. However the World Bank’s current approach of lending money for projects via the poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) puts the decision making in the hands of the government of the day. This resulted from pressure to move away from the...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hi all, some interesting ideas here that I'll follow up on ...One thing that concerns many of us at the moment is the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. Not only on current conditions but the future and the welfare of generations to come. You might like to look here at what is happening in your country or a country which is of interest or importance to...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Thanks all here for some forward thinking on these matters. It seems that for each positive in reducing harm to the environment and building a more sustainable future, there are likely repercussions for a group (community or nation) in terms of economic loss. How can we, as development practitioners, balance the often competing interests? One question to...
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Hello there, some great development visions. You have highlighted some ideal versions of development and if we agree that development is about good change for all, not simply those who are able to engage and hold some form of power, then elements of the material life and the cultural life need to be addressed to include a better life for all. Perhaps a life...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Gail van Heerden
Hi Gail, good to have you on board. There is much that we could and should all do regarding positive contributions .........we need to be mindful of having choices and remember these in amongst all the hurly burly of day to day living!! ? The SDGs are a set of ideas that help shape the aims of governments and include concepts that could require a shift of...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Tayla Johnston
Hi Tayla, do you think perhaps the earth has told us what it needs? A reset? One has to question the timing of the pandemic ...........slow down, stop travelling, think about what is meaningful .........looking at how clean the air became when so much stopped perhaps the message had to be put in front of us? Many people say they have taken a new and different...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Ben Howells
Hi Ben, some thought about impacts is so important and your industry would consider these ............We do though need to get all tourism people on board too and ensure that post-pandemic tourism is more environmentally sustainable. Perhaps the pandemic has been a way of causing a rethink? regards, Helen
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HI Jamilla, certainly we will be looking at the economic matters because without the market getting behind any innovations or change there will not be enough motivation or support. Unfortunately the market rules! As much as we might like to think otherwise, the market is the way the world works and so it is where the idea of partnerships for action can be most...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Becky Haruna
Hi Becky, this will give you a great overview of a very complicated and multi faceted topic. You might use this time to think of what issue you might focus on when you get underway with your degree, regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Emily Cannell
@HeshamAlbakry Hisham, not sure what you mean here? We'll be posting up lots of tips along the way, regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Emily Cannell
@EmilyCannell Hi Emily, there are a number of good readings that will point you in the direction of sustainable practice at both the local and global level. The hard thing is knowing where to focus one's attention .......certainly Europe has its own set of constraints and I wonder if the UK, having exited the EU, is feeling more in control of how it tackles...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Hesham Albakry
Hi Hisham, you will find many of the discussions will prompt new ideas and new ways of tackling the problem of how to create change - will be good to discuss what's going on in Egypt in this matter of sustainability? We'll be helping you towards a certificate along the way, regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Yilin Tang
Hi Yilin, you will have many opportunities to look at these matters in some depth. Where though should we focus, as individuals, do you think? There is a saying "Think globally, act locally" ............perhaps that is a good start? Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to ZINASOUF ZF
Hi Sofiane, you raise a good point regarding individuals........certainly unless individuals act then governments and businesses are unlikely to do so ..........we individuals need to keep the pressure on them to justify their activities. Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Bell Lourie
Hi Bell, certainly the Humanitarian responses that are required should consider sustainability and there are many examples of where this has occurred and it is heartening to know that this is in place. The UN are quite committed to this approach and given the urgency that often surrounds the need for humanitarian action is to be commended. This is something...
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Helen M Dalton replied to SARAH K
Hi Sarah, getting that balance right is the key would you suggest? Maybe we need to rethink what development means, brings, offers? We'll be talking about what development is and should be and that there are ways it can be sustainable, with commitment and purpose. It seems that for each positive in reducing harm to the environment and building a more...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Rachelle Quiggin
Hi Rachelle, there is certainly a BIG role for development and development practitioners in any environmental or sustainability action. We'll need to discuss what is appropriate development too.........industrialisation, seen as one way for countries to develop has certainly brought its own set of problems. How we can work around this is something we'll tackle...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Bronte Chaperon
Hi Bronte, yes, if we all band together...........a worthy aim and one that should be achievable given the groundswell of interest and good intentions. A consideration though is how likely the market economy would support any change to the way construction, transport, food production, travel and manufacturing are undertaken. The market rules, more so than...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Bethany Kracke
HI Bethany, certainly those living in Jakarta suffer the effects of poor air quality and it seems that perhaps that may be a good enough reason for the government to address the problems of burnings of waste and fossil fuels? Committing to address these matters in terms of climate change may not be the hook that is needed - voter health more likely to prompt...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hi all, thanks to those who have posted their thoughts. Sometimes students mention that they are unsure or shy and of course that is natural. One thing to remember is that all those in the course are here because they have an interest, often a passion, for the topic. They are not here to judge other people's contributions, rather, to learn about the topic and...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Peter Phillips
Hi Peter, good to have you coming back for more!! You'll love this unit and will be really able to engage with some of the great sites Max has included. We'll talk more about the ways in which the world of fashion is (finally) addressing the bad practices of disposable fashion .......and what good things are occurring. There are some really heartening stories...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Michelle B
Hi Michelle, I think this course will really help keep your enthusiasm ad interest going until you can get going in earnest. You'll be able to bookmark some sites and keep abreast of progress (hopefully) towards positive changes. The new corporate responsibility commitments to sustainability are interesting and worthwhile but I wonder if it is just another...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Patricia Tanyag
HI Pat, welcome and we'll have many opportunities to discuss best practice, here on the board and in our Zoom sessions in a few weeks. Certainly there are success stories but many more about what could be, should be, must be, done better and more equitably. The problems associated with urbanisation make for some interesting discussion and solution...
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Helen M Dalton replied to John Lewis
Hi John, good to have you with us and will be interesting to hear more about the projects and how you might find some ideas of how to hone them to be more sustainably suitable - the course offers some strong alternatives worth considering. You mention partnerships - one of my core beliefs in terms of development - they are a key to success ......... you might...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hi all, the CoP26 mentioned the goals a number of times but the question is, still, is there enough commitment to sustainability? In Australia, many of us are a bit embarrassed by our lack of commitment. What is your country offering?
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hello and welcome - what a great time for us to be considering this topic - CoP26 has just concluded. Tell us, firstly, what your exploration of the map revealed, what you understand sustainable development to mean and then what you think the Glasgow event achieved? Are you excited about the possibilities arising from the discussions there? Or perhaps that...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Stephanie L
HI Stephanie, will be good to hear examples of how well your project is going. Sounds very positive. One of the assessment tasks for the unit is around exactly that topic and we see some very interesting approaches. Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Hannah Collins
HI Hannah, one reason women became a focus was because development projects, even those for agriculture, focussed on men and men as heads of households when in fact in many societies, many countries, women were as involved in agriculture as men and were often the heads of households because men were away labouring in other regions or countries or fighting or...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Kushmin Perera
HI Kushmini, the contrasts between the (UN documented) developed and developing countries in regard to gender is an interesting discussion in itself. We will discuss whose definitions are involved, their basis for relevance and is a western view necessarily the most appropriate for all cultures? This is a good site for those wanting to know more of how gender...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Jennifer Adiku
Hi Jennifer, for those of us who live in societies in which the fight for women's equality with men has been largely successful although ongoing (but has achieved much in the 100 years of focus and action) it is hard to understand just how much women in other societies experience. It will be good to hear your views when we come to talking about the burden of...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Zainab Yunusa
Hi Zainab, that is a nicely framed understanding of gender justice. You identified it could be a state where individuals are free from every form of ...........discrimination and oppression...............we will discuss this further on in the course because these can be overt but often invisible or hard to detect for those not on the receiving end. We will...
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Helen M Dalton replied to ABIGAIL KARGBO
HI Abigail, Sierra Leone has certainly shown how gender equality can be done and to achieve peace............the women who demanded change made a big difference to life there and went on to build strong government and institutional accountability. How do you rate their efforts at being seen as equal partners in setting the agenda? Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to JESS THOMAS
HI Jess, yes the idea that economic growth results from development, a more holistic development perhaps is and has been driving many development interventions (programs and projects). However, the task is, as the SDGs (the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for those unsure of this concept) suggest, setting priorities that enable much else to be in place...
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HI Roberto, good to hear from you, welcome to the course. Your focus on wide ranging elements of development thinking and practice will have built a great bank of examples of good and perhaps not so good practice? Will be great to hear from you as we move through the various topics around equity and justice. Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Kirsty Skinner
HI Kirsty, it is interesting isn't it how once aware of a matter, how often one can see it in unexpected areas. This is of course, one of the reasons for a course such as this. That of highlighting how we all need to be alert to the ways in which some people can be marginalised, disadvantaged and even discriminated against in small, almost invisible ways. We...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Belinda Aldridge
Hi to you too Roberto, let's hear from you, your focus and interest in this topic? Regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Belinda Aldridge
Hello Belinda, welcome to the unit. It will be good to hear of your experiences in PNG regarding the gender factor. The women there have certainly made it clear they have a role to play in countering some of the excesses of the Big man traditional way of governing. The PNG women have established strong voices although it seems there is still some backlash....
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HI Helen, good to point to raise, regarding the hierarchy of needs. At the moment, with the pandemic, the availability of a safe space to live is becoming less possible for many. Governments housing the homeless is available in some countries but not all and the outcomes of lack of safe living environments are manifold. Here in Australia there has been enough...
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Hi all, Liberia is another good example. Women have held important positions for years now. A study of how this occurred and how accepted this was and is could provide a good model for states emerging from conflict or authoritarism. Of course, now, with the pandemic taking much focus of policy makers, it remains to be seen if gender slips back down the level...
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Hi Shannon, yes, safe spaces are important and so too, an awareness of generational differences. In cultures in which open discussion is fostered it is often the case that generations in a family new to that culture find it challenging to engage with different approaches to gender and rights. We will explore this, a particularly important topic in our...
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HI Dirk, great to have you with us in this unit. Will be valuable for all to hear of your first hand experience of how gender as a rights issue is addressed in Somalia. Certainly recognition of rights is needed in many countries but there are often cultural norms that prevent first steps. We will look at this in some depth, regards, Helen
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HI Emily, India is an interesting case. Having had a female prime minister at one stage and much acceptance of the rights of women there are also many obstacles and entrenched prejudices against women's equality. Will be good to hear from those with first hand experience? regards, Helen
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HI Jess, interesting that you raise the point of worldview. That is a matter that engages development practitioners, or should, because it is very much what guides the thinking involved in planning of programs or interventions. What needs to be particularly considered is a euro centric or western approach and its marked difference to that of many cultures. We...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Emily Reeves
Hi Emily, a good point here regarding understanding development itself. The concept is broad ranging and there are many elements to it and the United Nations Development Program page is a good one to bookmark and watch for news. Within there though is much about development activities. Theory though ranges from Amaryta Sen's Capabilities Approach and Paulo...
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Helen M Dalton replied to JESS THOMAS
Good work Jess, yes, unconscious bias is something of which we can all be guilty, or, have to tackle. Keep that as one of your points of focus because you might want to build a bank of evidence that shows how this occurs and what are likely impacts of such, regards, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Shannon Kay
Hi Shannon, yes, a big challenge for many when studying and one good thing to do is write up at the end of each day three or four key ideas you want to investigate further or incorporate into your thinking and writing. A great piece of advice I received early on was to, when completed a reading, shut the book or whatever and then write a couple of paragraphs...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
HI everyone, here we are (in Australia) at late Friday afternoon. I'd like to congratulate you on getting well underway with this so important unit. Many of you have been thoroughly engaged and some good discussion points have been raised. Well done. For those of you who have not yet posted, do dive in and comment on something that struck you as interesting or...
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Helen M Dalton replied to JESS THOMAS
HI Jess, great to have you with us. Will be interesting to talk about the way in which assumptions about gendered roles have played out in your various workplaces. Nannying for example? We see changes in expectations of who can and should perform such a role, similarly to housekeepers or butlers or concierges. For those in developing countries much of the...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Rhiannon Lloyd
Hi Rhiannon, this unit is one taken by many educationalists because it discusses expectations and how they inform the role of teachers, parents and others involved with children. Will be good to hear your take on some of the readings around role play and particularly in early stages for children's interactions with others, cheers, Helen
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Helen M Dalton replied to Shannon Kay
HI Shannon, an experience of working closely with those leaving home cultures and having to mix with other cultures that perhaps have different beliefs around matters such as rights and gender could be, would be, fraught with opportunities for difficult situations. It will be interesting to hear your experiences as we address the matters of clash of cultural...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Josh Madgwick
Hi Josh, welcome to the unit and will be good to hear some of your experiences. Certainly the women of PNG , particularly those involved in the Bougainville fight, have displayed great determination to assert their rights. Perhaps and of course the matrilineal society grants certain rights but the bigmen still hold the power. I think? Will be great to hear...
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Helen M Dalton replied to Melissa Y
Hi Melissa, certainly the pandemic is changing many lives dramatically and unfortunately we have a long way to go before we see the full extent of the damage. The UNDP projections around how many will slip back into poverty are very worrying and of course it may well mean the inroads made around gender rights will slip down the radar whilst much else is being...
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Helen M Dalton replied to TRACEY REID
HI Tracey, great to have you with us. The focus of local government can often be varied depending on the level of interest shown by a community. Is always worth, as you undoubtably know, to understand the set priorities of that council's budget and focus for a term and then work within these. It can often be an uphill battle to obtain any change of direction....
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Helen M Dalton replied to Rachelle Quiggin
HI Rachelle, great to have you with us. The notion of rights is something that we will discuss in depth because although there is a Declaration of Human Rights that many countries signed up to many years ago there are still violations of those rights. These violations often stem from cultural norms that are held tightly but seem to those from other cultures to...
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Helen M Dalton made a comment
Hello everyone, a few have mentioned that online learning can be difficult for those who are unsure or shy and of course that is natural. One thing to remember is that all those who are here have an interest, often a passion, for the topic. They are not there to judge other people's contributions, rather, to learn about the topic and in this instance, that of...
