Speech: Hon Tariana Turia - ANGOA
I was really pleased to come here today to the Centre for Global Development. When I had a look at the vision of this Centre to create a just world, there were five key principles that they live by.
· Human rights and development;
· Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
· People-centred development;
· An holistic and sustainable approach to development;
· Transparency.
Their focus is about collaboration; diversity; creative solutions; participation.
They seemed to me values that would be entirely consistent with the goals of ANGOA and yet when I looked through the list of 66 affiliate members, I could not see Global Development within the ranks.
It made me curious.
How does the association of non-governmental organisations in Aotearoa reach out to groups within the community and voluntary sector?
What commitment has ANGOA made towards encouraging co-operation and collaboration across the sector?
What priority has ANGOA made towards creating new ways of working; new relationships and alliances; new allegiances?
I am asking these questions of all communities, of public servants; of government agencies. Our relationships between and with each other are of the utmost importance.
I was interested to read in the review of the Statement of Government intentions, that “the full potential of managing for outcomes has yet to be realized because of the fragmented responsibilities of agencies”.
It is an observation that I would share – but I would extend the net further to ensure that the sector itself – the complex web of relationships between community and voluntary sector organizations –also places ongoing emphasis on collaboration and engagement.
This was a key theme which emerged from the workshop held last month, ‘Managing the Downturn’, which the Office of the Community and Voluntary Sector co-hosted with Philanthropy New Zealand and the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations.
I was impressed by the proactive initiative these organizations undertook, in calling the sector together to address the impact of the economic downturn.
Over the last few months the predominant focus has been on job losses, line by line cost savings; committees scrapped; conferences cancelled. It is an emphasis on doing without, tightening the belt.
But one can also use this moment in time, to create opportunities to take a fresh look. We are either forced – or willingly finding – new ways of working; using the recession as a catalyst for change.
I really appreciated the opportunity to spend some time at this workshop, listening to the varied perspectives put forward from across the sector.
There were seven themes which reverberated throughout the day:
1. the importance of doing things differently – understanding the impact of the downtown on the sector over the next decade;
2. understanding the downturn’s impact on iwi/Maori organizations and how these organizations can remain true to their kaupapa;
3. making use of relationships across the whole sector – to work collaboratively, to merge or share resources;
4. responding to the sector’s infrastructure needs, including social capital;
5. publishing more and better evidence on effectiveness;
6. maximizing funding opportunities and diversifying revenue streams;
7. and maintaining the quality and training of the non-profit sector workforce.
Added to this list, I know that ANGOA will be keen for Government to respond fully to ‘Good intentions’ - the assessment of the Statement of Government Intentions for an improved community government relationship.
I have just received a copy of the report and have not yet had the opportunity to read it right through nor to have a debrief with its main authors. This will come. I have, however, looked over the draft recommendations and I am very interested in learning more.
There are some ideas which are very much part of the breath of new air –the fresh energy - ideas which I welcome as part of a new era.
The recommendation to establish a Treaty of Waitangi Commission is timely in the context of the constitutional review we will be participating in alongside the National Party.
The emphasis on making best practice even better clearly shines through in the proposals around an evaluation process; and an annual survey of Government agencies.
And of course, I’m sure there will be a lot of comment around the possibilities of shifting the location of the Office of the Community and Voluntary Sector to achieve maximum effectiveness.
What I’m saying is that the fifteen recommendations from the review of the Statement of Government Intentions, are a vital part of the pathway forwards.
The engagement between Government and the community at national and policy level, as well as the regional and local interface; is of ongoing and increasing importance if we are to achieve the goals we set for ourselves.
If everything around us crumbles; if the global financial outlook remains grim; we cannot give up.
We must be resilient; we need strong relationships; and we need to understand each other’s world views.
We are the ones that will be demonstrating leadership in our communities as times become threatened. It is up to us all, to know that the solutions lie within us; that we can be responsible for setting our own direction forward.
We can do it, and we will.
All of our composite parts - be it at the level of marae; at the level of community ownership; the level of national and central government; at agency levels, at individual level – we can take ownership of our direction and find our own shared goals.
Some of you may be aware of the line from Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, “a community is like a ship, everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm”.
Whether that vessel is a waka; an outrigger canoe, an Ocean liner or a dinghy the key is in setting a course onwards that plots out a journey to meet all of our needs. It is about determining our destiny, valuing everyone’s perspectives and then setting forth and sailing.
I look forward to joining with you on this journey; and seeing what we can achieve together.