2 Monday August 2010
Top Stories
Helping to facilitate conversations during Kia Tutahi Standing Together consultations
In 2009, the Association of NGOs of Aotearoa (ANGOA) completed a report "Good Intentions" an Assessment of the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship". The Statement of Government Intent is a unilateral document that seeks to outline some core principles for the relationship between Government and the Sector.
The ANGOA report clearly defined some of the issues that existed in the way the Statement of Government Intent was operating and urged the Government to review the Statement with a view to getting greater accountability and transparency in the relationship between the Sector and Government. That includes contracts, and engagement in policy decisions.
The Steering Group is now conducting workshops throughout the country. To help community groups with consultation, ComVoices has put together a paper that outlines some key questions and areas for discussion. We encourage you to use this in your meetings with The Steering Group and to circulate it widely among your members.
Please read ComVoices discussion prompt attached
Sector News
YMCA Tauranga Board of Directors Approves an Unprecedented Policy
At a recent YMCA Tauranga Board meeting a resolution was passed that established the first formal Board Giving Policy in the YMCA New Zealand movement and possibly in New Zealand. Kevin Kerr, Board President, explains "This Board has already left an incredible legacy for the YMCA Tauranga by way of our building. But I would argue that our job is not yet done in this arena. We believe it is our role to be innovative and to set the standard for leadership not only among the National Council of YMCAs but also among non-profit organisations in New Zealand."
See full media release attached
Many New Zealanders want a job that makes a positive contribution to society; a job that makes them feel good about what they do. But it's often difficult to find this type of work. That's why we developed realchangejobs - a social enterprise and a central, niche job-site for people who want to make a real difference.
Realchangejobs is a NZ job board who caters for Non Profits and Sustainable practice organisations and people wanting an ethical career. Subscribers to the ComVoices newsletter are invited to trial the site for free. Simply look us up and make contact and we will take it from there.
Thirty one Maori health, disability and social service providers have successfully gained contracts through Te Ao Auahatanga Hauora Maori, the Maori Health Innovation Fund, says Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia.
Last year Mrs Turia announced that Te Ao Auahatanga Hauora Maori would invest up to $20 million over the next four years in the design, development, promotion and delivery of innovative whanau ora driven health services.
Youth
A team of young Kiwis will return home from a global digital technology summit for youth in Boston on Tuesday morning.
"Attending and participating in the Intel Global Teen Summit has been a life changing experience and a dream come true. I've developed new technology skills and at the same time developed as a person", reports Veisinia Peteli a 15-year-old school student from Otara.
Health
New Zealanders who experience mental illness in early adulthood face a range of negative economic outcomes at the age of 30, latest University of Otago, Christchurch, research shows.
The study, published in the August issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, found that people who had episodes of psychiatric disorder between the ages of 18 and 25 were - by the age of 30 - less likely to be in full-time employment, were earning less money, and had a lower standard of living than people who had not experienced mental health problems.
The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) has announced $1.5M funding for seven exciting projects through its newest funding stream for Māori health research. Developing Māori capability and knowledge is the prime focus of Nga Kanohi Kitea Māori Knowledge and Development Research grants. The funding provides an opportunity for iwi, hapu and community groups to investigate a well-defined community identified area of Māori health need or gain and is targeted at groups who have not had significant research funding but want to build their capability in this area.
Campaigns and Fundraising
Oxfam has launched an emergency response for the victims of the worst floods in Pakistan in 35 years. More than 1 million people are reportedly affected with more monsoon rains expected.
Oxfam's country programme manager, Iftikhar Khalid, visited the worst hit district in the province of Punjab: "This flood is of an overwhelming size and its impact is only slowly emerging. The water has swept away everything. Families are desperate about the loss of their loved ones, their belongings and their livelihoods. Water sources and crops are destroyed. People are in need of food, clean drinking water, shelter and toilets to avoid a public health crisis."
Save the Children is mobilising supplies and personnel to begin providing emergency assistance to the children and families who have been affected by the unusually heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan, Save the Children New Zealand's CEO, Liz Gibbs, said today. 'More than 400 people have died since the rains began 10 days ago, many in parts of Swat Valley and the districts of Shangla and Tank, where floodwaters have swept away hundreds of mud houses. Rushing water has also washed away thousands of acres of crops and dozens of government buildings, local businesses and schools, according our reports from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,' she said.
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