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Representatives
of a wide range of health, social justice and environmental organisations will
speak at the seminar to propose an alternative approach to the “business as
usual” proposals of mainstream politics.
We
are delighted to have two marvellous New Zealanders, Justice Advocate Julia
Whaipooti and 2020 New Zealander of the Year and President of Equity New
Zealand Jennifer Ward-Lealand, to Co-chair this day which will be a
defining moment in post-pandemic discussion in Aotearoa.
Keynote
speakers who will set the kaupapa for the day are the Director of Action Station Laura
O'Connell Rapira and Pasifika community activist and Auckland City
Councillor Efeso Collins.
Wellington
City Councillor Tamatha Paul and University of Auckland Law Professor Jane
Kelsey will record and collate the presentations into a final report which
will be available to the media and will be presented in person to each of the
main political parties.
We are
thrilled with the calibre and integrity of the organisations and presenters
throughout the various panels. These groups and individuals are the
change-agents New Zealand so desperately needs at this critical time.
The full agenda
here.
The event
will be live streamed in several places including thedailyblog.co.nz
Background:
Our main
political parties, heavily influenced by corporate priorities, are keen for New
Zealand to return to “business as usual” as soon as possible whereby a smaller
group of wealthier people can continue to enjoy the benefits of economic
development at the expense of the rest of the country.
It was clear
well before Covid 19 that “business as usual” had failed most of us. Despite
the existential threat of climate change, for example, New Zealand’s greenhouse
gas emissions have continued to rise as policy decisions have favoured
unsustainable economic growth over human welfare. Similar unacceptable failures
are evident in biodiversity, fresh water, rivers and streams, poverty and
inequality, health, education, housing, mental health, incarceration rates etc.
If
we go back to “business as usual” we will simply carry forward the myriad of
social and economic problems from the pre-pandemic era, in particular the
shocking levels of poverty and inequality which have disproportionately damaged
Maori and Pasifika whanau and entire low-income communities.
We
need a “new normal” in our economy which focuses on strengthening and
empowering local communities to work towards a more sustainable future. That
debate will be carried forward at the seminar.
