2019-01-06
By Sean Bruce-Cullen, GIG WA Rep
The Global Issues Working Group (GIG) is a national working group of the Australian Greens that includes (ideally) representatives from all states and territories. This group acts as a reference group on a range of international issues and works to form links with Greens parties and movements internationally, and in particular those that are members of the Asia Pacific Greens Forum (APGF) that support the Global Greens Charter , which is consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Two representatives from Nepal Greens, Tika Dhoj Bhandari and Rachana Shrestha (see them here), visited WA during 10-17th December following a study tour in New South Wales and Queensland, supported by the Australian Greens through the International Development Committee. The WA leg of their visit was supported by GWA and included finding out more about how we reach consensus on policies, some campaigning strategies, a visit to the WA Parliament and meeting with Greens MPs, and Greens WA members. During their visit they presented an information evening on the status and activities of the Nepal Greens party.
There are massive challenges in Nepal, a country with very high rates of poverty and limited resources available for health and education to regional areas. Added to this is the emergence of the newly-created federal system of administration that has created additional layers of government and bureaucracy, draining government funds that may be better targeted at providing services to local communities. Eco-tourism (trekking, etc), and funds repatriated from overseas workers living in the middle-east and Malaysia, appear to be the major sources of foreign income. The income from these sources is, however, poorly distributed and benefits only a small percentage of the population.
The Nepal Greens party has been focussing primarily on environmental issues and has been building support at local community level by reaching out to farmers in regional locations around issues of sustainable agricultural practices and other local environmental issues. This environmental focus is the key point of differentiation from the policies of the ruling communist coalition, and the opposition Congress (social democratic) party. It is still early days for them to have developed a broader policy platform so as to be competitive in future elections.
It was delightful to listen to both Tika and Rachana, and their enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to progressing the Nepal Greens party was very inspiring. Many thanks for their contributions to this trip to Diane Evers MLC, Giz Watson, Vivienne Glance, Chris Johansen, Mark Cooper, Laurel Di Vietri, Lily Newbury-Freeman, Rowena Skinner, Ryan Quinn, Heather Lonsdale, and all of Administration Working Group, and in particular, Bhuwan Khadka, who is running as one of our Greens senate candidates.
Regarding GIG representation, I started as WA rep for GIG in October 2018. I participate in monthly meetings via internet (Teamspeak), and from time to time we are asked to provide input on international issues. Some states/territories have just a single rep (e.g. WA, although WA also has the GIG national convenor, Vivienne Glance, and APGF rep, Giz Watson) while others have rotating reps or local discussion groups/committees that meet from time to time to assist in determining their position and priorities. I would like at this stage to develop an email list of Greens WA members interested in acting as a local reference group for any global or regional issues that arise for which comment is sought, in particular those which may be contentious. For example, one of us may take a particular view on Australia’s position towards Palestine, or whether US troops should leave Darwin, or how to respond to a regional conflict. This may not, however, necessarily reflect the broader view of GWA members, so it could be useful to receive some input. I would like to start this as a small email group, so please contact if you are interested: sbrucecullen@gmail.com
Wishing you all an interesting and fulfilling year in 2019.
Header photo: Himalaya Mountains, Nepal. Creative Commons