Village Connections is a virtual forum for all who want a world of creative, inclusive and sustainable localities where all can meet their needs (material and aspirational).  Your contribution is most welcome.

Structure for public participation: learning from what works

One lesson learnt was the unstoppable value of people power, armed with knowledge and purpose. Don and Rose Craig

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Tribute to Larry Ross (1927-2012) – From a nuclear-free New Zealand to a nuclear-free world

Larry created a structure that “reached and motivated ordinary grassroots people around the country to feel they could do something and to act together.” Jenny Lineham

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Could Wellington become an Antipodean Diplomatic Village?

Could New Zealand and Turkey build on their historically-grounded ANZAC relationship to help prevent (potentially nuclear) war breaking out in the present? Could they begin conversations in antipodean Wellington?

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China, the United States, Australia, New Zealand & Huawei

Feeling continually pressured to make choices between rival giants looks like a no win path for a small country

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New Iran talks – this time with some antipodean assistance?

BBC correspondent James Reynolds says Iran nuclear issue talks in Geneva in 2010, and Istanbul in January 2011 “were essentially parallel monologues.” Could antipodean New Zealand offer some low-key but effective communication-building?

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This is a spontaneous meeting space for Villagers - step onto the virtual Soap Box and share your top-of-brain notions and passions, opinions, knowledge or a story.
The brewing of ideas will help the whole Village to better understand itself and its possibilities.
It can also help generate everyday material and reality checks for academics and policymakers to collaborate in brokering robust solutions that the Villagers want.

The Soap Box

Tribute to Larry Ross (1927-2012) - From a nuclear-free New Zealand to a nuclear-free world

Three post-earthquake technology development ladders proposed for Christchurch projects

When the way out is through the door, why set up a Green Global Casino?

see more →

When down a hole, it is essential to distinguish a shovel from a ladder – one gets you out, one digs you in deeper. So too, with society’s opinion- and decision-makers. You are invited to nominate any of them for a Ladder or Shovel Award, explaining to fellow Villagers why they should endorse your Award.

Ladder and Shovel Awards

Christchurch Post Earthquake Developmental Ladder Award Three: “Campus Central” in the Draft Central City Plan

Christchurch Post-Earthquake Developmental Ladder Award Two: The Science Alive Educational Trust

Christchurch Post Earthquake Developmental Ladder Award One: The Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus (Epic) project

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Here the Antipodean Blogger draws on an eclectic mix of news and comment from around the world to clarify contexts which can support, or impede, people building local connections that enable them to better understand and (sustainably) fulfill their aspirations, both within their localities and in relation to the wider world beyond them.

AntipodeanBlogger

Could Wellington become an Antipodean Diplomatic Village?

China, the United States, Australia, New Zealand & Huawei

New Iran talks – this time with some antipodean assistance?

see more →
 

"To learn gives the liveliest of pleasure."
-Aristotle

 

Feature Projects - See

The Unworthy Tree – a creative filmed story of a successful local development project

Trailer of “The Silent Connectors” – a film-based methodology for the local co-exploration of desirable futures

Village Notices

quote to go with recent blog:

Obama praises New Zealand's nuclear efforts

US President Barack Obama said New Zealand had "well and truly" earned its place at the table for top level discussions on nuclear security, Prime Minister John Key said today.