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From Emmanuel Peni on Climate change: a sign of the ‘End Times’
Devpolicy. "Just 14 people" interviewed and you have the time to write this report. Someone John Conroy@informaleconomy just labled "some Christians in PNG" on Twitter. A great conclusion indeed from this sport. What is your message to your readers? What do you want to say and how will this change the world by sensationalizing a 14 people interviewed survey. This is the reason, I have been calling Papua New Guineans to write and challenge outsiders trying to paint a usually blurred picture of PNG. This is not report, its gossip. Its pseudo science.
From Carys Chan on Vale Dr James Scambary
This was a lovely tribute to James, thank you Gordon. James only joined RMIT less than 2 years ago, and that's when I got to know him as a fellow lecturer in the School of Management. Even in this short span of time, I've known him to be an erudite and passionate scholar, and always so well-spoken and kind. There is so much that I have yet to learn from and about him, and your post has let me learn a little bit more about James. Thank you.
From Edward Rees on Vale Dr James Scambary
Vale James Scambary.
A friend that I did not know half as well as I would have liked.
And did not share with him half of the friendship as I should have.
Arguably the best mind on community conflict dynamics in post independence Timor.
A real gentlemen. He passed away two days ago in Melbourne.
His writings: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=q9TttCUAAAAJ&hl=en
Thank you to Gordon for the wonderful write up on James and much of his contribution to all of our lives.
From Richard Curtain on Vale Dr James Scambary
Gordon many thanks - A great tribute to a most impressive scholar and highly approachable person. I first became aware of James' forensic and analytical skills when I read his analysis of the role of gangs in the 2006 conflict, which stood apart for its depth and understanding of the issues. In late 2017, his paper 'The road to nowhere: the rise of a neo-patrimonialist state in East Timor', which he gave me as a gallery proof, was a great help to me in trying to understand why a multi-faceted aid program I was reviewing was having limited impact, despite elements operating for many years.
I hope we can organise a free online version of his recent political economy publications through ANU Press as a tribute and to give his work wider circulation in Timor-Leste and elsewhere.
From Steve Pollard on Pacific aid ineffectiveness: lessons unlearned
Dave.
For your audit. Have a look at the Independent Evaluation Department's validation of ADB's project completion reports, such as this one:
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/evaluation-document/177174/files/pvr-404a.pdf
Steve
From Adrian Winnie on Climate change: a sign of the ‘End Times’
Perhaps the Judeo-Christian Churches need to preach the ’stewardship’ aspects of the Genesis Story rather than the doomsday message of the ’Last Days’. Helping to deconstruct those biblical concepts by speaking in terms of themes that reflect and mirror people's lived realities and experiences of climate change. And bearing in mind that unless they have reached a Secondary High School education, these are ordinary people far removed from the complexities of climate science and data.
From James Cox on Eating the meat but keeping the bones – aid from Timor-Leste
One of the most interesting examples of Timor Leste's south-south solidarity over the last decade has been its leading role in the g7plus group of fragile and conflict affected states. Active south-south collaboration and mutual assistance has been central to that group, and it marked the first time that fragile and conflict affected states were recognised as a distinctive interest group in global policy-making. Perhaps its crowning achievement was its central role in including what became Goal 16 in the Sustainable Development Goals. As with the other examples in this article Timor's investment in the g7plus has received some of the criticism for diverting resources from domestic concerns. It remains an underappreciated part of the global development landscape, and Timor Leste was essential to its story.
From Sarah Niner on Vale Dr James Scambary
That was lovely Gordon. Another thing I remember him saying was about International NGO Reports about Timor and being able to smell the air-conditioning coming off the pages because they were all written in offices and cafes in Dili rather than from visiting the districts.
From Ingvar Anda on Vale Dr James Scambary
Nice piece Gordon. James was the only person I knew that could discuss the political economy of Timor-Leste as well as the technical intricacies of welding a 45' 10" pipe join in an oil refinery. I will miss him dearly.
From Marie Quinn on Vale Dr James Scambary
Erudite as always, Gordon, you matched him parry for parry. Thanks for reminding us of James’ humanity in action. Shocked and unbelievably sad this week.
From Bernard Yegiora on Climate change: a sign of the ‘End Times’
Seems like the participants in the market have no knowledge of the 30 by 30 Actions (https://www.ccda.gov.pg/?q=news/papua-new-guineas-sustainable-development-goal-13-roadmap-30-actions-2030). Secular or scientific knowledge about climate change is clouded by religious views, not only in PNG but in the region as well.
From michael Doogan on Vale Dr James Scambary