Community Wealth – Community Power
With conventional jobs rapidly disappearing new mechanisms are needed to distribute wealth and provide for the needs of people. The future will require local people have access to investment earnings as a means of wealth transfer. Taxation and social handouts have proven a disaster in this interim period that we have been struggling with job […]
Acknowledging Roots – life’s web
The “search for roots”, has become a growing passion for many, especially in the western world. Some pursue family trees in often fragmented records, others search long lost relatives, and still others explore ancestral homelands. Most do not realise that these are superficial exercises, for our longings, even much of our anguish, and despair emanate […]
Community Development – out from the margins
The nineties brings us to another similar but, profound juncture, as in the thirties and sixties, once again, the impacts of technological advancement begins to impact those further up the chain in society. Local initiative and involvement are again being espoused as the route forward. Similarly, as in other times, I would suggest, it provides […]
The Challenge of Change – dependency and its origins
This was a presentation to a fisheries based conference in Aberdeen First of all I am delighted to be able to participate in this forum dealing with the opportunities and future for fishing communities. In particular, it is encouraging to discuss these issues with the knowledge that a human tragedy hasn’t happened or is in […]
Appreciating Rhythm – valuing relationships
When any rhythms are interrupted or altered, they tend to veer out of control until measures are taken to restore balance. The all too evident apprehension, stress and despair which can be seen everywhere today would indicate that this point of imbalance has been reached. Whether one considers the natural environment or human activities, these […]
Development and Culture – an inextricable link
The integration of economies, shifts in manufacturing bases, communications developments and technological developments are having impacts, causing stress and re-evaluation of institutions, programs and methodologies. These economic thrusts are shaping political agendas as well. The apparent inability of national governments to control either economic levers, interest rates or currency patterns exemplifies and heightens these shifts. […]
Attaining Peace – understanding trust
Trust (belief in oneself and others) is diminishing amid the flurry of news items portraying sadistic crimes, police brutality, and abuse of all sorts. Study after study produces statistics depicting evident ills inflicted on every segment of society. Political systems are under duress, justice systems are in chaos and most religions face challenges to tradition. […]
Achieving Harmony – cultivating respect
In today’s world, too often, respect becomes confused with envy, with empathy and with profile. Yet, respect (feelings and expressions of worth for oneself and others) is fundamental to the nurture and fulfilment of human existence and doesn’t evolve from societies built on borders, barriers and boundaries. It can’t be legislated nor regulated, can’t be […]