March 26, 2009 • 10:09 am
Over a year ago I joined twitter, posted a few tweets, and then abandoned it. I didn’t know anyone else using Twitter, and I was happy using Facebook as my social networking tool. But life online never stays still for long and after months of hearing about Twitter and seeing how others are using it I have returned. Doing research that is primarily Internet-based with participants in at least three different countries (none of which I am currently resident in!); and with family, friends and colleagues scattered all over the globe, it just makes sense to utilise all the networking tools I can. Even more so when a major theme of my research is networking!
So, I’m on Twitter, as Sharon_Mcl. I’ve put a badge in the sidebar on the left- a particularly ugly one but WordPress won’t allow flash widgets. I’m still very much a Twitter newbie, and don’t really know how this particular tool will work out but I’m enjoying it. Please feel free to ‘follow’!
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New Zealand’s National government would like to merge NZAid back into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT). This would be a major step backwards. The two were seperated by Labour in recognition that NZAid should remain independent of Government foreign policy (particularly trade), so that aid could be directly more effectively to poverty alleviation rather than to reinforce the interest of business elites.
Murray McCully’s statement that dropping money out of helicopters = poverty alleviation is evidence of the governments ignorance of aid and development issues. However it appears that the review of NZAid will be done without public consultation or advice from development experts. Being a grad student in development studies I know more than a few experts in the field whose advice on the merger would not be what the government would like to hear so I’m guessing there’s good reason why thier opinions are not being sought. Which is sad, but not entirely surprising for this government. Once again it seems that knowledge and expertise are being sacrificed on the altar of political philosophy.
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February 27, 2009 • 12:46 pm
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February 25, 2009 • 7:42 pm
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February 20, 2009 • 4:54 pm
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January 15, 2009 • 1:54 pm
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December 22, 2008 • 10:16 pm
We’re off to to join my family at the beach tomorrow for a few days of sun, surf and lots of food! I know not everyone is able to enjoy the season as we do. I wish they could. That would be my holiday wish. Peace, love and happy holidays to the world.
My first ever attempt at a gingerbread house!
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December 16, 2008 • 10:14 am
Ring the bells that can still ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
– Leonard Cohen, Anthem, 1992
Filed under: Uncategorized , Leonard Cohen
April 16, 2008 • 10:20 pm
Photo: Robert Sorbo/REUTERS
H/T Jodie Tonita
I don’t know much about the context of this photo except that it was taken during a dialogue on youth and spiritual connection in Seattle, Washington, but I love it. It gives me some hope for the world.
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January 14, 2008 • 9:40 pm
“I have enjoyed great satisfaction from my climb of Everest and my trips to the poles. But there is no doubt that my most worthwhile things have been the building of schools and medical clinics. That has given me more satisfaction than a footprint on a mountain.”
I hope New Zealand, Nepal and the world do not forget “Sir Ed’s” words and remember him the way he wanted to be remembered, by continuing the work of the Himalayan Trust. “For me to kick the bucket and then to know that that work is being continued would be a tremendous satisfaction.”(TVNZ)
Filed under: New Zealand, Thoughts, news, social justice , Himalaya, Nepal, Sir Edmund Hillary
