Vanuatu

Conversations with a strong female leader...

While working for CUSO, I had this really amazing opportunity of being able to get to know and hear from an amazing woman, Hilda Lini, who is also the sister of current PM and the deceased "Father of Nation". She is also the woman who is heading off the entire traditional-economy movement for Vanuatu. There were a few things I was *really* keen on discussing with her, however, unfortuntaley, due to lack of time on both of our ends the conversation never took place. However, still posting a list of the questions I had in mind for her, in case posting it here might trigger similar conversations with readers...

• Female leaders / strong women: do they “loose” on something, when contrasting with the required or preferred female attributes.
• Militant image of Muslims / Palestinians: how to balance image politics with independence struggles? How do you draw the line between forwarding your aims and caring about your image in the community
• Making decisions for others’ betterments vs. individual / free choice?
• Censorship: not translating certain parts of the speech
• Cultural / kustom is always changing and made b man: how do you make sure then that this culture or kustom is not oppressive?
• Internal peace vs. doubting others’ intentions; latter is necessary to not fail in cause but former is preferred. How do you find the balance?
• Kustom is not stagnant: how do you make sure that the “full package” is passed down and practiced rather than only certain points?
• Kustom, culture, and religion are not stagnant: and if it its man-made, how do you justify the over-the-top struggle to retain it?
• I’ve been blamed of being racist, intense during my work with the anti-discrimination movement: how do you respond to such claims or insults/
• What do you think about others coming to MIPST / Pentecost to learn so that peace models and peace culture can be replicated in other countries and cultures? Is privileged information given to outsiders if they promise to use it for good?
• How do you explain working against he white man’s system but using the white man’s invention and discoveries such as facilitation skills, mics, lights and conference breakdown
• How can is how solidarity to the people of West Paua and help to show that Muslims support their struggles for self-determination and independenceChief said okay to me for not wearing dress but still taking part in the community dance: where do you draw the line of making compromises for minorities following different belief system?

posted by faa-T @ 3:33 AM