An introduction to Poverty

If we are to get involved in helping people in poverty we must start with a good understanding of their situation. This series of articles that I wrote for GMP provides a foundation to begin from.  Read them here.

An Introduction to Development

What are the key ideas underpinning International and Community Development?  Helping the poor overseas or at home requires a thoughtful ethical and strategic foundation.  This series of articles I wrote for GMP provides this foundation.

Changing the world without leaving home

Globalisation means that we are connected with the rest of the world.  Sending money overseas can certainly help poor people.  Changing our habits at home if often overlooked but can have a potentially greater impact on the poor, and on us.  This series of articles that I wrote for GMP explores this idea.

Helping can be tricky

Mostly helping can be tricky in terms of attitudes.  Read this series of articles that I wrote for GMP to  check that you are on the road to helping rather than hurting.

Chicken Shed

Dear Mr Morrison, I spent this Saturday afternoon protesting. I should have been repairing my chicken shed. But I have to get out on a Saturday afternoon to protest just to restrain my own government. They are torturing and killing people who are seeking asylum. Mr Morrison, go to Nauru, spend a few nights there, pray with people there. Act in love. If you do that I am pretty sure I won't need to protest any more, and I can get back to the chicken shed. Yours Sincerely Colin Scott

Australians' Day

There are three waves of Australians. The first Australians were here from the beginning, as far as anyone can tell. They lived with the land, understanding custodianship like no one before or since. They preserved the richness of the land and thrived amongst its harshness. And they survived the coming of the second Australians.  But they still long thrive again.

The second Australians arrived much later, initially with some good intentions toward those who were already here, but the desire to conquer and control soon took over and there was robbery, as Sir Henry said. Even when they decided not to be English, at the beginning of last century, they left the first Australians out.

The second Australians made a policy to try to keep any third Australians out. Bit by bit the White Australia Policy became more multicoloured.  The third wave contributed all over the place - business, politics .. But the still long to be recognised fully.

It's not a great history. There is a lot to do to make things right. But the only way to move forward is a Australians. We must stop thinking of when we arrived as our key identity and the other guys as the problem. One nation means all of us together giving each other the respect that we want for ourselves. Make that shift and it will he easy to find a date for Australians' Day.