Comments

Really enjoyed reading this Issabelle!

Thank you Robyn for this constructive argument. It is a dismay how the COVID-19 turbulence will derail efforts to ensure adequate, safe and nutritious foods for all, particularly to already vulnerable food systems in low income countries. I commend you highlighting the concept of One Health/Planetary Health realizing the potential pitfall of intensifying food animal rearing on the environment and the possibility of forming a source of infection and spread of deadly pathogens with further linkage to livestock/wildlife interface and the practice of handling and consuming game animals, without forgetting the impact of agricultural expansion on the environment.

Update as of 02/04/2020 SOE: SOE extended for two months, but lockdown to be relaxed, meaning domestic travel restrictions to be lifted. International travel ban continues. Schools, government offices and businesses to operate as normal. Cases: No new cases. Some tests waiting results. PNG-Indonesian Border: A platoon of 30 to be deployed to support existing personnel at the borders. According to ESP Governor Alan Bird, all 24 persons of interest in Wewak came from Indonesia. He claims people crossing on daily basis. China: China gave K1 million, plus a promise of 2000 test kits. It raises concern though, as Dutch government stopped using the 600,000 test kits from China because some were defective. More European countries rejecting Chinese test kits for the same reason. Stimulus package: Government passed more than K5 billion stimulus package. Details of how it will be used is not yet released.

Who is doing the testings and how is it being done? Initial case was reported as negative – however report from overseas later confirmed the initial case as positive, thus I am unsure if reports of recent negative cases are actuals. Can we have an insight on Labs facilitating the tests in PNG and how equipped and knowledgeable the facilitators are.

I'm wondering if a corporate structure might be more practical.

Can't disagree with any of your points. Your essay did not say the people failed only that the leadership did. I'm not sure "starting from scratch" is even necessary. You will have observed that refugee camps are quickly served by ad-hoc arrangements springing up from the entrepreneurial spirit of the people themselves: "see a need= meet the need". Unfortunately such places are vulnerable to criminals who thrive in desperate situations. A city's charter will specify what the rules are and how those rules will be guaranteed. Paul Romer rightly points out that it is the rules that create the economic circumstances within which people live. The arbitration of the high court in a successful economy with a compatible judiciary at the local level will offer confidence that these rules are enforceable. If it fails people will move away. People hate nepotism.

Thanks so much Kay for your comments. Let us hope that going forward we can, as Julie Garnier said below, build resilience through the regeneration of nature, gender equity and social justice.

Immigrants also start businesses at higher rates than native-born though. You don't just get more workers, you also get more jobs. Nearly half of the Fortune 500 are immigrant-founded companies. Even refugees start companies at higher rates than other immigrants. For as much as social scientists know, nobody truly knows how to truly start from scratch. I agree that the challenge is pressing. But working within pre-existing institutions rather than creating new ones seems like a better bet. Just consider how long it's taken to build the ones we already have.

Your vision is enlightening Robyn! Many thanks for exposing the real situation.

Thank you Matt, That's a great comment. I really appreciate your additional insights. The points about culture and the "normal raft of vulnerabilities" are very well made. Thanks again, and I hope all is well with you. Terence

Correct me if I misread you but the upshot of why you see Charter Cities as failing is because of corruption: sponsors to date seek personal gain by bending the project towards the very crony capitalism at the root of the problem CCs are supposed to solve. This would be why a totally clean slate is required. Design a new city from scratch with a template of laws and independent judiciary so that any future designs will be benchmarked against the ideal and any future decent into corruption breaks the charter. The international Capitheticals competition might be a good place to start This is an illustration of what they currently do https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6170215/bright-minds-picture-a-new-look-canberra/

Thank you for the informative post on COVID-19. Keep up the good work.