Successful launch of new book “On the Brink: Reconnecting communities in age of division

Wellington author, Roger Ellis, launched his new book to an appreciative Johnsonville audience of 40 people at St Johns Church Hall. He spoke for around 25 minutes about the growing divisions in societies both in New Zealand and overseas. He covered some of the underlying causes including the intertwined international economic, social and environmental crises.

Roger Ellis has more than 30 years experience in government, telecommunications, and community not for profit work. In his prepared comments he discussed the role of new technologies in making social divisions worse. He also focused on economic inequalities as an underlying driver of polarisation since the 1980s and 1990s. Mr Ellis discussed the growing level of debt, low productivity and lack of long term strategy – particularly for infrastructure investment in New Zealand.

The new book proposes some solutions to the challenges facing the country. He advocates a localist or distributist perspective emphasising shared values based on human dignity, community, and subsidiarity. Roger Ellis called for a devolution of power and resources to regions and local communities allowing for regional and local variations but building more participatory democracy.

Mr Ellis’s speech was followed by a lively question and answer session covering local government, regional empowerment, and examples of local community initiatives in lower socio-economic areas of Wellington. “On the Brink: Reconnecting communities in an age of division” is available for purchase from Amazon Australia in both e-kindle and paperback editions.

For further information: 

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New book calls for new approach to overcome divisions.

Media statement

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

New book calls for new approach to overcome divisions.

Tonight, a new book will be launched by Wellington author, Roger Ellis.

“This book, “On the Brink”, discusses creating conditions to foster the reconnecting of communities in an age of division. Over the last three decades we have witnessed a growing centralisation of economic and political power, the erosion of communities, and growing polarisation. The book identifies the underlying causes and suggests some solutions to help local and regional communities regain their place in decision-making and participation in a renewal of flax roots democracy,” said Roger Ellis.

“We need to give power back to local communities and regions so that people can make decisions over matters that directly impact them. That means rediscovering shared values that have worked for us in the past – such as respect for human dignity, a sense of community, seeking the common good, and subsidiarity.” said Mr Ellis.

The book covers a wide range of issues including the intertwined economic, social and environmental crises, technological advances, and offers some solutions aimed at empowering individuals, families, local communities and regions.

The book is available through Amazon bookstores in Paperback (from tomorrow) and kindle e-book (from today) editions and can be ordered from https://www.amazon.com.au   at https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CV5W4VLV

The book launch is at 7.30pm tonight, at St Johns Church Hall, 18 Bassett Road, Johnsonville, Wellington.

ENDS

For further information

Roger Ellis

 rogerellis@outlook.com   +64 21 526 264

www.concisecomment.wordpress.com

Information about the Author:

Roger Ellis has 30 years professional experience in New Zealand government, business and community sectors having held a wide variety of management and governance roles in addition to community leadership positions. The book is based on reflections of the author’s discussions with a wide range of New Zealand and international leaders from business, government, indigenous and community groups.

ASB to close nine branches and move 25 others onto three-day weeks

Like a slow moving glacier customer service at the local bank seems to be melting away. I guess fewer bank customers use local branches when they are penalised for doing so. The overseas shareholders must be demanding larger profits.

But what happens to those people who don’t have a computer and are wary of online transactions? Are they to be excluded from society, from buying, selling or banking their own money, if they choose to not join the Internet?

Good job customers can switch to tsb, kiwibank or cooperative Bank. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/121998977/asb-to-close-nine-branches-and-move-25-others-onto-threeday-weeks?cid=app-android

Broadband Policy in The Age

Broadband Policy in The Age explores the high cost NBN network and its alternatives – well worth for those of us who want to see better broadband but want to minimise the risk around large State-led investment projects.

Global mobile connections surpass 5 billion milestone

The mobile industry just added 1 billion connections in 18 months; and is on track to reach 6 billion in 1H 2012 according to Wireless Intelligence http://now.eloqua.com/es.asp?s=667&e=97345&elq=974b9ded463a4865857254064306fe11

The number of global mobile connections surpassed the 5 billion mark this week, according to new Wireless Intelligence data. The milestone comes just 18 months after the 4 billion mark was reached at the end of 2008 and is in line with our earlier forecasts. We predict that the 6 billion global connections milestone will be achieved in the first half of 2012. According to our data, the mobile penetration rate on a global basis at the 5 billion mark was 74 percent, compared to 60 percent at 4 billion. The highest penetrated region is Western Europe on 130 percent, while the lowest is Africa on 52 percent. Eastern Europe (123 percent) is the only other global region to have passed 100 percent mobile penetration.

The main driver of growth continues to be the Asia-Pacific region, which accounted for 47 percent of global mobile connections at the end of 2Q10 (see table). This is up around 5 percent from 4Q08 when the 4 billion connections mark was reached. Growth in Asia-Pacific is due mainly to ongoing growth in China and India – the world’s two largest mobile markets – which offset slowing growth elsewhere in the region in markets such as Pakistan and the Philippines. Growth was slower in mature markets such as Europe and North America, which now account for around 27 percent of global connections, compared to over 30 percent 18 months ago.

Telstra fibre not enough: NBN Co – Telstra, nbn co, fibre – Computerworld

Computerworld recently published a report on Telstra’s fibre network and how it will not be sufficient for Australia’s National Broadband Network. Telstra fibre not enough: NBN Co – Telstra, nbn co, fibre – Computerworld

Fibre Broadband As A Human Right?

Labour’s Communications Spokesperson is asking whether Broadband should be viewed as a basic right like water or electricity? I am a huge supporter of the power of broadband to transform communities and economies. There is no doubt that good quality broadband can revolutionise education, health and help integrate communities. However, policy-makers will need to consider what the alternative uses are for between $2billion and $9billion of investment. More importantly they will need to consider exactly how the nation’s productivity will be raised through such investment.

There is no doubt that the risk of a new digital divide is significant. There is also little doubt in my mind that government leadership will be important. But we also need to make sure that NZ Inc does not squander this opportunity to build a high-productivity hi-tech economy. Our children’s generation will not thank us for bequeathing to them a large debt without commensurate returns from wise investments. Rather than debating whether we should make it a human right – perhaps we should just get on and do those basic things that most of us know will be required in any case – for example improved international connectivity, improved open-access fibre backhaul, abolition of the TSO Levy, and a national stocktake of existing ducting to identify gaps which can then aid in rapid fibre deployment?

Britain to unveil digital future – technology | Stuff.co.nz

Britain to unveil digital future – technology | Stuff.co.nz
UK getting in on Broadband act.

Vodafone: Let’s work together – Broadband – NZ Herald News

Vodafone: Let's work together – Broadband – NZ Herald News
Vodafone has contributed innovative solutions to the challenge of improving Broadband for NZ Inc.

disclaimer: the writer is employed by Vodafone NZ the opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily represent those of Vodafone.

Step Change Needed in Economic Performance

New Zealand needs a step change in economic performance if it is to raise the living standards of all its people and to afford the increasingly expensive healthcare treatments now available. In addition we also have a large number of baby-boomers coming through the system to retirement during the next two decades.

Productivity growth, adoption of hi-tech production methods and lower income tax rates are all part of the policy mix required. We also need to agree and implement a NZ Broadband Strategy and build links between our education system, job training and the global marketplace in a way that encourages kiwi companies to remain headquartered here and to be smart about retention of Intellectual Property rights here in New Zealand.

Whichever parties are involved in forming the next government should probably consider convening a NZ Summit of the type David Lange convened after the 1984 election. We need to debate and agree some key national goals and then set about achieving them.