[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
have you ever received an email from a
have you ever received an email from a monarch no I’m not speaking about the
monarch no I’m not speaking about the
monarch no I’m not speaking about the Nigerian prince trying to get your
Nigerian prince trying to get your
Nigerian prince trying to get your credit card number an actual one well I
credit card number an actual one well I
credit card number an actual one well I guess I can count myself lucky because
guess I can count myself lucky because
guess I can count myself lucky because on June 21st 2010 my email experienced
on June 21st 2010 my email experienced
on June 21st 2010 my email experienced historic moment the Prince of the hot
historic moment the Prince of the hot
historic moment the Prince of the hot river province sent me a brief email
river province sent me a brief email
river province sent me a brief email explaining how his small Dominion is run
explaining how his small Dominion is run
explaining how his small Dominion is run and what the objectives of his
and what the objectives of his
and what the objectives of his government are some of you may be
government are some of you may be
government are some of you may be zooming through a mind map right now
zooming through a mind map right now
zooming through a mind map right now trying to find where this hot river
trying to find where this hot river
trying to find where this hot river province is located what is that I’ve
province is located what is that I’ve
province is located what is that I’ve never heard of it before
never heard of it before
never heard of it before well search no longer the Hutt River
well search no longer the Hutt River
well search no longer the Hutt River province is a 75 square kilometre large
province is a 75 square kilometre large
province is a 75 square kilometre large territory in Western Australia that has
territory in Western Australia that has
territory in Western Australia that has a permanent population of 30 people it’s
a permanent population of 30 people it’s
a permanent population of 30 people it’s been claiming independence since 1970s
been claiming independence since 1970s
been claiming independence since 1970s but no country in the world has
but no country in the world has
but no country in the world has recognized that sovereignty it is one of
recognized that sovereignty it is one of
recognized that sovereignty it is one of over seventy micro nations around the
over seventy micro nations around the
over seventy micro nations around the world that bend the traditional
world that bend the traditional
world that bend the traditional perception of what the state is some
perception of what the state is some
perception of what the state is some like the Hutt River province has actual
like the Hutt River province has actual
like the Hutt River province has actual boundaries while others are more obscure
boundaries while others are more obscure
boundaries while others are more obscure they’re declared in platforms in the sea
they’re declared in platforms in the sea
they’re declared in platforms in the sea in somebody’s apartment or even online
in somebody’s apartment or even online
in somebody’s apartment or even online while their founding fathers like Prince
while their founding fathers like Prince
while their founding fathers like Prince Leonard may seem a little bit like
Leonard may seem a little bit like
Leonard may seem a little bit like jokesters or crazies they do challenge
jokesters or crazies they do challenge
jokesters or crazies they do challenge us to ask a fundamental question what is
us to ask a fundamental question what is
us to ask a fundamental question what is a state their countless international
a state their countless international
a state their countless international agreements in the world like the 1933
agreements in the world like the 1933
agreements in the world like the 1933 Montevideo convention that says that
Montevideo convention that says that
Montevideo convention that says that state should have four of the following
state should have four of the following
state should have four of the following ingredients it should have a territory a
ingredients it should have a territory a
ingredients it should have a territory a population a government and the ability
population a government and the ability
population a government and the ability to enter into international affairs
to enter into international affairs
to enter into international affairs seems quite straightforward right but is
seems quite straightforward right but is
seems quite straightforward right but is it really the
it really the
it really the simple and structured is that all what
simple and structured is that all what
simple and structured is that all what the state really is I like many of you
the state really is I like many of you
the state really is I like many of you here grew up in the midst of the
here grew up in the midst of the
here grew up in the midst of the creation of a new state and the Latvian
creation of a new state and the Latvian
creation of a new state and the Latvian countryside Latvia like many other
countryside Latvia like many other
countryside Latvia like many other former Soviet countries went through a
former Soviet countries went through a
former Soviet countries went through a very difficult process of moving away
very difficult process of moving away
very difficult process of moving away from the vestiges of the USSR occupation
from the vestiges of the USSR occupation
from the vestiges of the USSR occupation on building institutions and economic
on building institutions and economic
on building institutions and economic recovery that followed the fundamental
recovery that followed the fundamental
recovery that followed the fundamental decisions in the 1990s were made by
decisions in the 1990s were made by
decisions in the 1990s were made by worried looking politicians in Riga that
worried looking politicians in Riga that
worried looking politicians in Riga that had profound effects even on the
had profound effects even on the
had profound effects even on the smallest things of my personal life my
smallest things of my personal life my
smallest things of my personal life my sister who is just three years younger
sister who is just three years younger
sister who is just three years younger than me was born in a separate country
than me was born in a separate country
than me was born in a separate country the independent Republic of Latvia and
the independent Republic of Latvia and
the independent Republic of Latvia and grew up using Western imported pampers
grew up using Western imported pampers
grew up using Western imported pampers while I who was born in the crumbling
while I who was born in the crumbling
while I who was born in the crumbling Soviet Union was torturing my parents
Soviet Union was torturing my parents
Soviet Union was torturing my parents with cloth diapers my fascination with
with cloth diapers my fascination with
with cloth diapers my fascination with the state concept grew and resulted in
the state concept grew and resulted in
the state concept grew and resulted in my first nine-to-five job at the
my first nine-to-five job at the
my first nine-to-five job at the Ministry of Justice at the age of 19 the
Ministry of Justice at the age of 19 the
Ministry of Justice at the age of 19 the rough concrete exterior and the four
rough concrete exterior and the four
rough concrete exterior and the four roman looking pillars at the entrance
roman looking pillars at the entrance
roman looking pillars at the entrance represented what the state was in my
represented what the state was in my
represented what the state was in my mind I thought it’s this large machinery
mind I thought it’s this large machinery
mind I thought it’s this large machinery where a robot ik functionaries follow
where a robot ik functionaries follow
where a robot ik functionaries follow strict procedure that somehow manages to
strict procedure that somehow manages to
strict procedure that somehow manages to reproduce in logarithmic progression and
reproduce in logarithmic progression and
reproduce in logarithmic progression and operates everything around us my job at
operates everything around us my job at
operates everything around us my job at the Ministry was to read countless
the Ministry was to read countless
the Ministry was to read countless letters from prisoners and register them
letters from prisoners and register them
letters from prisoners and register them in a system so that somebody else
in a system so that somebody else
in a system so that somebody else sitting somewhere down the hallway of
sitting somewhere down the hallway of
sitting somewhere down the hallway of doors can read it and give it a proper
doors can read it and give it a proper
doors can read it and give it a proper response I did this for months on end
response I did this for months on end
response I did this for months on end reading about the violence that happens
reading about the violence that happens
reading about the violence that happens in prisons claims of human rights abuses
in prisons claims of human rights abuses
in prisons claims of human rights abuses and many other gruesome things once we
and many other gruesome things once we
and many other gruesome things once we even received a letter written in blood
even received a letter written in blood
even received a letter written in blood that sparked some moderate outcry in our
that sparked some moderate outcry in our
that sparked some moderate outcry in our small cell of the Ministry building when
small cell of the Ministry building when
small cell of the Ministry building when reading most of those letters it became
reading most of those letters it became
reading most of those letters it became blatantly obvious that what my
blatantly obvious that what my
blatantly obvious that what my experience of the state was is very
experience of the state was is very
experience of the state was is very different from somebody sitting in a
different from somebody sitting in a
different from somebody sitting in a dark cell drawing blood from his finger
dark cell drawing blood from his finger
dark cell drawing blood from his finger to write up
to write up
to write up complained the perception that the state
complained the perception that the state
complained the perception that the state is a deeply personal experience rather
is a deeply personal experience rather
is a deeply personal experience rather than this monolithic listing of four
than this monolithic listing of four
than this monolithic listing of four characteristics grew after years of
characteristics grew after years of
characteristics grew after years of working in different corners of the
working in different corners of the
working in different corners of the world think about it the state affects
world think about it the state affects
world think about it the state affects how you see the world through education
how you see the world through education
how you see the world through education it affects how healthy or safe you feel
it affects how healthy or safe you feel
it affects how healthy or safe you feel it affects this feeling of being heard
it affects this feeling of being heard
it affects this feeling of being heard or the feeling of being ignored or even
or the feeling of being ignored or even
or the feeling of being ignored or even the tiniest things like the availability
the tiniest things like the availability
the tiniest things like the availability of Pampers but it’s not just because it
of Pampers but it’s not just because it
of Pampers but it’s not just because it affects us in so many different ways but
affects us in so many different ways but
affects us in so many different ways but also because States our representation
also because States our representation
also because States our representation of our society they’re an embodiment of
of our society they’re an embodiment of
of our society they’re an embodiment of our identity and they tell a story of we
our identity and they tell a story of we
our identity and they tell a story of we what we and generations before us have
what we and generations before us have
what we and generations before us have held dear or what has impacted them the
held dear or what has impacted them the
held dear or what has impacted them the most at the core of my home Latvia is
most at the core of my home Latvia is
most at the core of my home Latvia is the preservation of a unique culture
the preservation of a unique culture
the preservation of a unique culture language and ethnicity while having
language and ethnicity while having
language and ethnicity while having worked in East Timor that has over 32
worked in East Timor that has over 32
worked in East Timor that has over 32 different languages I grew to learn that
different languages I grew to learn that
different languages I grew to learn that the identity at the core of their state
the identity at the core of their state
the identity at the core of their state comes from a unique colonial history as
comes from a unique colonial history as
comes from a unique colonial history as it was the only region in the Indonesian
it was the only region in the Indonesian
it was the only region in the Indonesian archipelago to be colonized by the
archipelago to be colonized by the
archipelago to be colonized by the Portuguese and also from a bloody recent
Portuguese and also from a bloody recent
Portuguese and also from a bloody recent civil war that that has affected most of
civil war that that has affected most of
civil war that that has affected most of the people and where they share our
the people and where they share our
the people and where they share our common trauma when we zoom out and look
common trauma when we zoom out and look
common trauma when we zoom out and look at the world we see states that form
at the world we see states that form
at the world we see states that form around the religion with an Islamic
around the religion with an Islamic
around the religion with an Islamic Republic of Pakistan Iran and
Republic of Pakistan Iran and
Republic of Pakistan Iran and Afghanistan we also see that ideology
Afghanistan we also see that ideology
Afghanistan we also see that ideology can split people of the same ethnicity
can split people of the same ethnicity
can split people of the same ethnicity into two separate states with North and
into two separate states with North and
into two separate states with North and South Korea as an example but the Cold
South Korea as an example but the Cold
South Korea as an example but the Cold War showed us that an ideology can
War showed us that an ideology can
War showed us that an ideology can change the geopolitics of an entire
change the geopolitics of an entire
change the geopolitics of an entire planet think about how different your
planet think about how different your
planet think about how different your relationship with the state is if at the
relationship with the state is if at the
relationship with the state is if at the core of it is Holy Scripture how
core of it is Holy Scripture how
core of it is Holy Scripture how different does it feel if at the core of
different does it feel if at the core of
different does it feel if at the core of it is a strict ideological agenda what
it is a strict ideological agenda what
it is a strict ideological agenda what about a shared trauma this changes our
about a shared trauma this changes our
about a shared trauma this changes our experience with the
experience with the
experience with the State even further the world map is also
State even further the world map is also
State even further the world map is also ever-changing as just in my lifetime at
ever-changing as just in my lifetime at
ever-changing as just in my lifetime at least 31 new countries have emerged or
least 31 new countries have emerged or
least 31 new countries have emerged or re-emerged in the world stage some have
re-emerged in the world stage some have
re-emerged in the world stage some have changed their boundaries multiple times
changed their boundaries multiple times
changed their boundaries multiple times and many more have changed the way how
and many more have changed the way how
and many more have changed the way how they’re governed it is likely that we’re
they’re governed it is likely that we’re
they’re governed it is likely that we’re gonna continue seeing the emergence of
gonna continue seeing the emergence of
gonna continue seeing the emergence of even more new States despite the fact
even more new States despite the fact
even more new States despite the fact that the world is becoming more
that the world is becoming more
that the world is becoming more globalized because their ongoing
globalized because their ongoing
globalized because their ongoing independence movements from Scotland and
independence movements from Scotland and
independence movements from Scotland and Catalonia in the West to Tibet and West
Catalonia in the West to Tibet and West
Catalonia in the West to Tibet and West Papua to the East
Papua to the East
Papua to the East have you ever also noticed held the
have you ever also noticed held the
have you ever also noticed held the experience of the state changes between
experience of the state changes between
experience of the state changes between those who live at its center and those
those who live at its center and those
those who live at its center and those at the outskirts it’s not just through
at the outskirts it’s not just through
at the outskirts it’s not just through in Latvia but also in many other parts
in Latvia but also in many other parts
in Latvia but also in many other parts of the world developing countries offer
of the world developing countries offer
of the world developing countries offer us an interesting glimpse into the
us an interesting glimpse into the
us an interesting glimpse into the effects of this phenomenon the
effects of this phenomenon the
effects of this phenomenon the government is located in the capital but
government is located in the capital but
government is located in the capital but has considerable difficulties reaching
has considerable difficulties reaching
has considerable difficulties reaching people who live at far-flung parts of
people who live at far-flung parts of
people who live at far-flung parts of the country Afghanistan Pakistan and
the country Afghanistan Pakistan and
the country Afghanistan Pakistan and Somalia gives us the most extreme
Somalia gives us the most extreme
Somalia gives us the most extreme example of this case where powerful
example of this case where powerful
example of this case where powerful warlords have taken the void of
warlords have taken the void of
warlords have taken the void of government power and use force alliances
government power and use force alliances
government power and use force alliances of powerful clans and the control of
of powerful clans and the control of
of powerful clans and the control of resources to dominate their territories
resources to dominate their territories
resources to dominate their territories so people who might be just livin
so people who might be just livin
so people who might be just livin kilometers away from each other may
kilometers away from each other may
kilometers away from each other may experience the state in completely
experience the state in completely
experience the state in completely different ways while technically living
different ways while technically living
different ways while technically living in the same territory but it’s not just
in the same territory but it’s not just
in the same territory but it’s not just the security situation the changes
the security situation the changes
the security situation the changes recent elections in the u.s. showed us
recent elections in the u.s. showed us
recent elections in the u.s. showed us that people between large population
that people between large population
that people between large population centers can affect not just the
centers can affect not just the
centers can affect not just the political future of the United States
political future of the United States
political future of the United States but of the world in general I had an
but of the world in general I had an
but of the world in general I had an opportunity to spend part of my life on
opportunity to spend part of my life on
opportunity to spend part of my life on the small island nation of East Timor I
the small island nation of East Timor I
the small island nation of East Timor I like that when living there I like to
like that when living there I like to
like that when living there I like to call it the edge of the world because
call it the edge of the world because
call it the edge of the world because after Papua New Guinea and Solomon
after Papua New Guinea and Solomon
after Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to the east lies the vast
Islands to the east lies the vast
Islands to the east lies the vast Pacific Ocean well from a bird’s eye
Pacific Ocean well from a bird’s eye
Pacific Ocean well from a bird’s eye view it might look like paradise it has
view it might look like paradise it has
view it might look like paradise it has a very challenging best it was under the
a very challenging best it was under the
a very challenging best it was under the Portuguese colonization for 500 years
Portuguese colonization for 500 years
Portuguese colonization for 500 years and managed to break free for just a few
and managed to break free for just a few
and managed to break free for just a few days when
days when
days when Indonesia its large neighbor stepped in
Indonesia its large neighbor stepped in
Indonesia its large neighbor stepped in and threw the country into a bloody
and threw the country into a bloody
and threw the country into a bloody civil war that lasted for 24 years and
civil war that lasted for 24 years and
civil war that lasted for 24 years and killed every third person on the island
killed every third person on the island
killed every third person on the island the capital Delhi fell in just two days
the capital Delhi fell in just two days
the capital Delhi fell in just two days and guerrilla fighters that were
and guerrilla fighters that were
and guerrilla fighters that were fighting for the independence flew to
fighting for the independence flew to
fighting for the independence flew to the mountainous outskirts where their
the mountainous outskirts where their
the mountainous outskirts where their continued their struggle their numbers
continued their struggle their numbers
continued their struggle their numbers were decimated from 15,000 to just 700
were decimated from 15,000 to just 700
were decimated from 15,000 to just 700 in five brief years but it was the
in five brief years but it was the
in five brief years but it was the villages that kept the struggle alive
villages that kept the struggle alive
villages that kept the struggle alive they gave them food they gave them
they gave them food they gave them
they gave them food they gave them shelter they gave them intelligence and
shelter they gave them intelligence and
shelter they gave them intelligence and were central in transforming the world
were central in transforming the world
were central in transforming the world map again team war became the first
map again team war became the first
map again team war became the first country to emerge on the global stage in
country to emerge on the global stage in
country to emerge on the global stage in the 21st century my work in East Timor
the 21st century my work in East Timor
the 21st century my work in East Timor had to do with talking to people
had to do with talking to people
had to do with talking to people together with my team of 10 researchers
together with my team of 10 researchers
together with my team of 10 researchers we traveled all across the country to
we traveled all across the country to
we traveled all across the country to gather data about the conditions there
gather data about the conditions there
gather data about the conditions there between before the government was about
between before the government was about
between before the government was about to introduce a large village development
to introduce a large village development
to introduce a large village development program and the idea of the program was
program and the idea of the program was
program and the idea of the program was to bring down power and resources to the
to bring down power and resources to the
to bring down power and resources to the local level the international community
local level the international community
local level the international community that had helped Timor to get back on its
that had helped Timor to get back on its
that had helped Timor to get back on its feet established a western-style
feet established a western-style
feet established a western-style government in the capital but forgot
government in the capital but forgot
government in the capital but forgot that a more complex and exciting local
that a more complex and exciting local
that a more complex and exciting local governance structure have existed there
governance structure have existed there
governance structure have existed there for centuries I remember speaking to a
for centuries I remember speaking to a
for centuries I remember speaking to a 14 year old boy in a village called
14 year old boy in a village called
14 year old boy in a village called Abani
Abani
Abani that some locals believed that he is the
that some locals believed that he is the
that some locals believed that he is the local king of rain and that together
local king of rain and that together
local king of rain and that together with the king of heat they could both
with the king of heat they could both
with the king of heat they could both control weather that is important for
control weather that is important for
control weather that is important for harvests just a few kilometers away from
harvests just a few kilometers away from
harvests just a few kilometers away from there we participated in the christening
there we participated in the christening
there we participated in the christening of a new road where traditional leaders
of a new road where traditional leaders
of a new road where traditional leaders called a leonine gathered slaughtered a
called a leonine gathered slaughtered a
called a leonine gathered slaughtered a goat mixed its blood with water and
goat mixed its blood with water and
goat mixed its blood with water and sprayed it on the new road so to give it
sprayed it on the new road so to give it
sprayed it on the new road so to give it good blessings in the future after
good blessings in the future after
good blessings in the future after speaking to many of the local leaders
speaking to many of the local leaders
speaking to many of the local leaders and hearing their stories it I came to
and hearing their stories it I came to
and hearing their stories it I came to the conclusion that their power
the conclusion that their power
the conclusion that their power structure and their importance on the
structure and their importance on the
structure and their importance on the local level was extremely large there
local level was extremely large there
local level was extremely large there were central at bringing together the
were central at bringing together the
were central at bringing together the perpetual
perpetual
perpetual writers of violence and victims after
writers of violence and victims after
writers of violence and victims after the war and performed a traditional
the war and performed a traditional
the war and performed a traditional conflict resolution mechanism called a
conflict resolution mechanism called a
conflict resolution mechanism called a Dada bundle where they try to find a
Dada bundle where they try to find a
Dada bundle where they try to find a consensus between those who have had
consensus between those who have had
consensus between those who have had perpetrated the violence and the
perpetrated the violence and the
perpetrated the violence and the weakness they cooperated with the state
weakness they cooperated with the state
weakness they cooperated with the state who helped organize in these sessions
who helped organize in these sessions
who helped organize in these sessions and gave them resources to buy pigs that
and gave them resources to buy pigs that
and gave them resources to buy pigs that were slaughtered once an agreement was
were slaughtered once an agreement was
were slaughtered once an agreement was reached they were very effective they
reached they were very effective they
reached they were very effective they settled over 1,300 cases while courts
settled over 1,300 cases while courts
settled over 1,300 cases while courts that were using largely Western and
that were using largely Western and
that were using largely Western and adversarial procedures settled just only
adversarial procedures settled just only
adversarial procedures settled just only 84 inspired by the idea of the village
84 inspired by the idea of the village
84 inspired by the idea of the village development program I took a job in Togo
development program I took a job in Togo
development program I took a job in Togo where I helped manage a similar project
where I helped manage a similar project
where I helped manage a similar project we used an approach called the community
we used an approach called the community
we used an approach called the community driven development where we gave
driven development where we gave
driven development where we gave resources to the local level to
resources to the local level to
resources to the local level to prioritize build and maintain
prioritize build and maintain
prioritize build and maintain infrastructure that villagers thought is
infrastructure that villagers thought is
infrastructure that villagers thought is important the government also stepped in
important the government also stepped in
important the government also stepped in they filled schools with teachers and
they filled schools with teachers and
they filled schools with teachers and clinics with doctors after visiting some
clinics with doctors after visiting some
clinics with doctors after visiting some of the hundreds of projects that had
of the hundreds of projects that had
of the hundreds of projects that had built all across Togo I remember meeting
built all across Togo I remember meeting
built all across Togo I remember meeting a woman called ma she told her story
a woman called ma she told her story
a woman called ma she told her story that she had been pregnant and once
that she had been pregnant and once
that she had been pregnant and once contractions started she had to rush to
contractions started she had to rush to
contractions started she had to rush to the hospital that was a few kilometers
the hospital that was a few kilometers
the hospital that was a few kilometers away the road conditions were very poor
away the road conditions were very poor
away the road conditions were very poor and when descending down a ravine she
and when descending down a ravine she
and when descending down a ravine she tripped and lost her child
it’s horrible to imagine what sort of a
it’s horrible to imagine what sort of a suffering this experience has brought
suffering this experience has brought
suffering this experience has brought her and her family her story inspired
her and her family her story inspired
her and her family her story inspired other villagers to prioritize the
other villagers to prioritize the
other villagers to prioritize the construction of a road that will help
construction of a road that will help
construction of a road that will help accessing the village better as many of
accessing the village better as many of
accessing the village better as many of you know having set in government
you know having set in government
you know having set in government offices or donor agencies which you
offices or donor agencies which you
offices or donor agencies which you mostly see in front of you are numbers
mostly see in front of you are numbers
mostly see in front of you are numbers reports and statistics but it does not
reports and statistics but it does not
reports and statistics but it does not tell you much about stories such as the
tell you much about stories such as the
tell you much about stories such as the one of a maze or thousands of others of
one of a maze or thousands of others of
one of a maze or thousands of others of people who are living hundreds of
people who are living hundreds of
people who are living hundreds of kilometres away
kilometres away
kilometres away community-driven development programs
community-driven development programs
community-driven development programs are now used all around the world even
are now used all around the world even
are now used all around the world even in such Giants as Indonesia that has the
in such Giants as Indonesia that has the
in such Giants as Indonesia that has the world’s largest program the government
world’s largest program the government
world’s largest program the government provides overall guidance of where he
provides overall guidance of where he
provides overall guidance of where he wants to go and leaves it to the local
wants to go and leaves it to the local
wants to go and leaves it to the local level to decide what their specific path
level to decide what their specific path
level to decide what their specific path should be but it’s not just only
should be but it’s not just only
should be but it’s not just only developing countries that try to link
developing countries that try to link
developing countries that try to link the local state experience with the
the local state experience with the
the local state experience with the central government Portugal just
central government Portugal just
central government Portugal just recently introduced the world’s first
recently introduced the world’s first
recently introduced the world’s first participatory budget where regular
participatory budget where regular
participatory budget where regular citizens like you and I if we both would
citizens like you and I if we both would
citizens like you and I if we both would be Portuguese would have the opportunity
be Portuguese would have the opportunity
be Portuguese would have the opportunity to vote on budget amendments by using
to vote on budget amendments by using
to vote on budget amendments by using their ATMs also other other countries
their ATMs also other other countries
their ATMs also other other countries have the same system Estonia France
have the same system Estonia France
have the same system Estonia France Iceland and Brazil have a similar system
Iceland and Brazil have a similar system
Iceland and Brazil have a similar system on the municipal level technology gives
on the municipal level technology gives
on the municipal level technology gives us more opportunities than ever before
us more opportunities than ever before
us more opportunities than ever before to test new forms of citizen engagement
to test new forms of citizen engagement
to test new forms of citizen engagement and tap into the collective intelligence
and tap into the collective intelligence
and tap into the collective intelligence of thousands of people to develop such a
of thousands of people to develop such a
of thousands of people to develop such a country that best reflects the
country that best reflects the
country that best reflects the experiences of people after travelling
experiences of people after travelling
experiences of people after travelling to different corners of the world and
to different corners of the world and
to different corners of the world and seeing all these new forms of community
seeing all these new forms of community
seeing all these new forms of community engagement I returned to my small
engagement I returned to my small
engagement I returned to my small peripheral town of souls to work
peripheral town of souls to work
peripheral town of souls to work together with a group of like-minded
together with a group of like-minded
together with a group of like-minded individuals we created a civil society
individuals we created a civil society
individuals we created a civil society organization that’s trying to change the
organization that’s trying to change the
organization that’s trying to change the way how development planning happens in
way how development planning happens in
way how development planning happens in our region we’ve constantly remind
our region we’ve constantly remind
our region we’ve constantly remind councillors about the interests of
councillors about the interests of
councillors about the interests of people and have managed to make the lack
people and have managed to make the lack
people and have managed to make the lack of citizen engagement into one of the
of citizen engagement into one of the
of citizen engagement into one of the central themes of pre-election
central themes of pre-election
central themes of pre-election discussions we organize conferences we
discussions we organize conferences we
discussions we organize conferences we organize social media campaigns we
organize social media campaigns we
organize social media campaigns we actively protested the construction of a
actively protested the construction of a
actively protested the construction of a new facility that would burn hazardous
new facility that would burn hazardous
new facility that would burn hazardous materials just metres away from where
materials just metres away from where
materials just metres away from where people lived despite the fact that over
people lived despite the fact that over
people lived despite the fact that over 3,000 people had protested this activity
3,000 people had protested this activity
3,000 people had protested this activity we were quite successful elections were
we were quite successful elections were
we were quite successful elections were held just a few weeks ago in June all
held just a few weeks ago in June all
held just a few weeks ago in June all the new 8 elected political parties have
the new 8 elected political parties have
the new 8 elected political parties have promised to establish a consultation
promised to establish a consultation
promised to establish a consultation council that will change the way how
council that will change the way how
council that will change the way how development planning happy
development planning happy
development planning happy in our village thank you and they’re now
in our village thank you and they’re now
in our village thank you and they’re now more open also to new forms of citizen
more open also to new forms of citizen
more open also to new forms of citizen engagement some of our activists have
engagement some of our activists have
engagement some of our activists have been even elected into the assembly I’m
been even elected into the assembly I’m
been even elected into the assembly I’m proud of our achievements I believe that
proud of our achievements I believe that
proud of our achievements I believe that what we did in our region will have a
what we did in our region will have a
what we did in our region will have a profound effect of how a few people
profound effect of how a few people
profound effect of how a few people experience the state it will build trust
experience the state it will build trust
experience the state it will build trust that is much needed at the moment right
that is much needed at the moment right
that is much needed at the moment right now and it will also transform the way
now and it will also transform the way
now and it will also transform the way how development planning happens to a
how development planning happens to a
how development planning happens to a little extent so don’t underestimate the
little extent so don’t underestimate the
little extent so don’t underestimate the periphery it has the potential to change
periphery it has the potential to change
periphery it has the potential to change the world and remember if we could do it
the world and remember if we could do it
the world and remember if we could do it so can you
so can you
so can you thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
have you ever received an email from a
have you ever received an email from a monarch no I’m not speaking about the
monarch no I’m not speaking about the
monarch no I’m not speaking about the Nigerian prince trying to get your
Nigerian prince trying to get your
Nigerian prince trying to get your credit card number an actual one well I
credit card number an actual one well I
credit card number an actual one well I guess I can count myself lucky because
guess I can count myself lucky because
guess I can count myself lucky because on June 21st 2010 my email experienced
on June 21st 2010 my email experienced
on June 21st 2010 my email experienced historic moment the Prince of the hot
historic moment the Prince of the hot
historic moment the Prince of the hot river province sent me a brief email
river province sent me a brief email
river province sent me a brief email explaining how his small Dominion is run
explaining how his small Dominion is run
explaining how his small Dominion is run and what the objectives of his
and what the objectives of his
and what the objectives of his government are some of you may be
government are some of you may be
government are some of you may be zooming through a mind map right now
zooming through a mind map right now
zooming through a mind map right now trying to find where this hot river
trying to find where this hot river
trying to find where this hot river province is located what is that I’ve
province is located what is that I’ve
province is located what is that I’ve never heard of it before
never heard of it before
never heard of it before well search no longer the Hutt River
well search no longer the Hutt River
well search no longer the Hutt River province is a 75 square kilometre large
province is a 75 square kilometre large
province is a 75 square kilometre large territory in Western Australia that has
territory in Western Australia that has
territory in Western Australia that has a permanent population of 30 people it’s
a permanent population of 30 people it’s
a permanent population of 30 people it’s been claiming independence since 1970s
been claiming independence since 1970s
been claiming independence since 1970s but no country in the world has
but no country in the world has
but no country in the world has recognized that sovereignty it is one of
recognized that sovereignty it is one of
recognized that sovereignty it is one of over seventy micro nations around the
over seventy micro nations around the
over seventy micro nations around the world that bend the traditional
world that bend the traditional
world that bend the traditional perception of what the state is some
perception of what the state is some
perception of what the state is some like the Hutt River province has actual
like the Hutt River province has actual
like the Hutt River province has actual boundaries while others are more obscure
boundaries while others are more obscure
boundaries while others are more obscure they’re declared in platforms in the sea
they’re declared in platforms in the sea
they’re declared in platforms in the sea in somebody’s apartment or even online
in somebody’s apartment or even online
in somebody’s apartment or even online while their founding fathers like Prince
while their founding fathers like Prince
while their founding fathers like Prince Leonard may seem a little bit like
Leonard may seem a little bit like
Leonard may seem a little bit like jokesters or crazies they do challenge
jokesters or crazies they do challenge
jokesters or crazies they do challenge us to ask a fundamental question what is
us to ask a fundamental question what is
us to ask a fundamental question what is a state their countless international
a state their countless international
a state their countless international agreements in the world like the 1933
agreements in the world like the 1933
agreements in the world like the 1933 Montevideo convention that says that
Montevideo convention that says that
Montevideo convention that says that state should have four of the following
state should have four of the following
state should have four of the following ingredients it should have a territory a
ingredients it should have a territory a
ingredients it should have a territory a population a government and the ability
population a government and the ability
population a government and the ability to enter into international affairs
to enter into international affairs
to enter into international affairs seems quite straightforward right but is
seems quite straightforward right but is
seems quite straightforward right but is it really the
it really the
it really the simple and structured is that all what
simple and structured is that all what
simple and structured is that all what the state really is I like many of you
the state really is I like many of you
the state really is I like many of you here grew up in the midst of the
here grew up in the midst of the
here grew up in the midst of the creation of a new state and the Latvian
creation of a new state and the Latvian
creation of a new state and the Latvian countryside Latvia like many other
countryside Latvia like many other
countryside Latvia like many other former Soviet countries went through a
former Soviet countries went through a
former Soviet countries went through a very difficult process of moving away
very difficult process of moving away
very difficult process of moving away from the vestiges of the USSR occupation
from the vestiges of the USSR occupation
from the vestiges of the USSR occupation on building institutions and economic
on building institutions and economic
on building institutions and economic recovery that followed the fundamental
recovery that followed the fundamental
recovery that followed the fundamental decisions in the 1990s were made by
decisions in the 1990s were made by
decisions in the 1990s were made by worried looking politicians in Riga that
worried looking politicians in Riga that
worried looking politicians in Riga that had profound effects even on the
had profound effects even on the
had profound effects even on the smallest things of my personal life my
smallest things of my personal life my
smallest things of my personal life my sister who is just three years younger
sister who is just three years younger
sister who is just three years younger than me was born in a separate country
than me was born in a separate country
than me was born in a separate country the independent Republic of Latvia and
the independent Republic of Latvia and
the independent Republic of Latvia and grew up using Western imported pampers
grew up using Western imported pampers
grew up using Western imported pampers while I who was born in the crumbling
while I who was born in the crumbling
while I who was born in the crumbling Soviet Union was torturing my parents
Soviet Union was torturing my parents
Soviet Union was torturing my parents with cloth diapers my fascination with
with cloth diapers my fascination with
with cloth diapers my fascination with the state concept grew and resulted in
the state concept grew and resulted in
the state concept grew and resulted in my first nine-to-five job at the
my first nine-to-five job at the
my first nine-to-five job at the Ministry of Justice at the age of 19 the
Ministry of Justice at the age of 19 the
Ministry of Justice at the age of 19 the rough concrete exterior and the four
rough concrete exterior and the four
rough concrete exterior and the four roman looking pillars at the entrance
roman looking pillars at the entrance
roman looking pillars at the entrance represented what the state was in my
represented what the state was in my
represented what the state was in my mind I thought it’s this large machinery
mind I thought it’s this large machinery
mind I thought it’s this large machinery where a robot ik functionaries follow
where a robot ik functionaries follow
where a robot ik functionaries follow strict procedure that somehow manages to
strict procedure that somehow manages to
strict procedure that somehow manages to reproduce in logarithmic progression and
reproduce in logarithmic progression and
reproduce in logarithmic progression and operates everything around us my job at
operates everything around us my job at
operates everything around us my job at the Ministry was to read countless
the Ministry was to read countless
the Ministry was to read countless letters from prisoners and register them
letters from prisoners and register them
letters from prisoners and register them in a system so that somebody else
in a system so that somebody else
in a system so that somebody else sitting somewhere down the hallway of
sitting somewhere down the hallway of
sitting somewhere down the hallway of doors can read it and give it a proper
doors can read it and give it a proper
doors can read it and give it a proper response I did this for months on end
response I did this for months on end
response I did this for months on end reading about the violence that happens
reading about the violence that happens
reading about the violence that happens in prisons claims of human rights abuses
in prisons claims of human rights abuses
in prisons claims of human rights abuses and many other gruesome things once we
and many other gruesome things once we
and many other gruesome things once we even received a letter written in blood
even received a letter written in blood
even received a letter written in blood that sparked some moderate outcry in our
that sparked some moderate outcry in our
that sparked some moderate outcry in our small cell of the Ministry building when
small cell of the Ministry building when
small cell of the Ministry building when reading most of those letters it became
reading most of those letters it became
reading most of those letters it became blatantly obvious that what my
blatantly obvious that what my
blatantly obvious that what my experience of the state was is very
experience of the state was is very
experience of the state was is very different from somebody sitting in a
different from somebody sitting in a
different from somebody sitting in a dark cell drawing blood from his finger
dark cell drawing blood from his finger
dark cell drawing blood from his finger to write up
to write up
to write up complained the perception that the state
complained the perception that the state
complained the perception that the state is a deeply personal experience rather
is a deeply personal experience rather
is a deeply personal experience rather than this monolithic listing of four
than this monolithic listing of four
than this monolithic listing of four characteristics grew after years of
characteristics grew after years of
characteristics grew after years of working in different corners of the
working in different corners of the
working in different corners of the world think about it the state affects
world think about it the state affects
world think about it the state affects how you see the world through education
how you see the world through education
how you see the world through education it affects how healthy or safe you feel
it affects how healthy or safe you feel
it affects how healthy or safe you feel it affects this feeling of being heard
it affects this feeling of being heard
it affects this feeling of being heard or the feeling of being ignored or even
or the feeling of being ignored or even
or the feeling of being ignored or even the tiniest things like the availability
the tiniest things like the availability
the tiniest things like the availability of Pampers but it’s not just because it
of Pampers but it’s not just because it
of Pampers but it’s not just because it affects us in so many different ways but
affects us in so many different ways but
affects us in so many different ways but also because States our representation
also because States our representation
also because States our representation of our society they’re an embodiment of
of our society they’re an embodiment of
of our society they’re an embodiment of our identity and they tell a story of we
our identity and they tell a story of we
our identity and they tell a story of we what we and generations before us have
what we and generations before us have
what we and generations before us have held dear or what has impacted them the
held dear or what has impacted them the
held dear or what has impacted them the most at the core of my home Latvia is
most at the core of my home Latvia is
most at the core of my home Latvia is the preservation of a unique culture
the preservation of a unique culture
the preservation of a unique culture language and ethnicity while having
language and ethnicity while having
language and ethnicity while having worked in East Timor that has over 32
worked in East Timor that has over 32
worked in East Timor that has over 32 different languages I grew to learn that
different languages I grew to learn that
different languages I grew to learn that the identity at the core of their state
the identity at the core of their state
the identity at the core of their state comes from a unique colonial history as
comes from a unique colonial history as
comes from a unique colonial history as it was the only region in the Indonesian
it was the only region in the Indonesian
it was the only region in the Indonesian archipelago to be colonized by the
archipelago to be colonized by the
archipelago to be colonized by the Portuguese and also from a bloody recent
Portuguese and also from a bloody recent
Portuguese and also from a bloody recent civil war that that has affected most of
civil war that that has affected most of
civil war that that has affected most of the people and where they share our
the people and where they share our
the people and where they share our common trauma when we zoom out and look
common trauma when we zoom out and look
common trauma when we zoom out and look at the world we see states that form
at the world we see states that form
at the world we see states that form around the religion with an Islamic
around the religion with an Islamic
around the religion with an Islamic Republic of Pakistan Iran and
Republic of Pakistan Iran and
Republic of Pakistan Iran and Afghanistan we also see that ideology
Afghanistan we also see that ideology
Afghanistan we also see that ideology can split people of the same ethnicity
can split people of the same ethnicity
can split people of the same ethnicity into two separate states with North and
into two separate states with North and
into two separate states with North and South Korea as an example but the Cold
South Korea as an example but the Cold
South Korea as an example but the Cold War showed us that an ideology can
War showed us that an ideology can
War showed us that an ideology can change the geopolitics of an entire
change the geopolitics of an entire
change the geopolitics of an entire planet think about how different your
planet think about how different your
planet think about how different your relationship with the state is if at the
relationship with the state is if at the
relationship with the state is if at the core of it is Holy Scripture how
core of it is Holy Scripture how
core of it is Holy Scripture how different does it feel if at the core of
different does it feel if at the core of
different does it feel if at the core of it is a strict ideological agenda what
it is a strict ideological agenda what
it is a strict ideological agenda what about a shared trauma this changes our
about a shared trauma this changes our
about a shared trauma this changes our experience with the
experience with the
experience with the State even further the world map is also
State even further the world map is also
State even further the world map is also ever-changing as just in my lifetime at
ever-changing as just in my lifetime at
ever-changing as just in my lifetime at least 31 new countries have emerged or
least 31 new countries have emerged or
least 31 new countries have emerged or re-emerged in the world stage some have
re-emerged in the world stage some have
re-emerged in the world stage some have changed their boundaries multiple times
changed their boundaries multiple times
changed their boundaries multiple times and many more have changed the way how
and many more have changed the way how
and many more have changed the way how they’re governed it is likely that we’re
they’re governed it is likely that we’re
they’re governed it is likely that we’re gonna continue seeing the emergence of
gonna continue seeing the emergence of
gonna continue seeing the emergence of even more new States despite the fact
even more new States despite the fact
even more new States despite the fact that the world is becoming more
that the world is becoming more
that the world is becoming more globalized because their ongoing
globalized because their ongoing
globalized because their ongoing independence movements from Scotland and
independence movements from Scotland and
independence movements from Scotland and Catalonia in the West to Tibet and West
Catalonia in the West to Tibet and West
Catalonia in the West to Tibet and West Papua to the East
Papua to the East
Papua to the East have you ever also noticed held the
have you ever also noticed held the
have you ever also noticed held the experience of the state changes between
experience of the state changes between
experience of the state changes between those who live at its center and those
those who live at its center and those
those who live at its center and those at the outskirts it’s not just through
at the outskirts it’s not just through
at the outskirts it’s not just through in Latvia but also in many other parts
in Latvia but also in many other parts
in Latvia but also in many other parts of the world developing countries offer
of the world developing countries offer
of the world developing countries offer us an interesting glimpse into the
us an interesting glimpse into the
us an interesting glimpse into the effects of this phenomenon the
effects of this phenomenon the
effects of this phenomenon the government is located in the capital but
government is located in the capital but
government is located in the capital but has considerable difficulties reaching
has considerable difficulties reaching
has considerable difficulties reaching people who live at far-flung parts of
people who live at far-flung parts of
people who live at far-flung parts of the country Afghanistan Pakistan and
the country Afghanistan Pakistan and
the country Afghanistan Pakistan and Somalia gives us the most extreme
Somalia gives us the most extreme
Somalia gives us the most extreme example of this case where powerful
example of this case where powerful
example of this case where powerful warlords have taken the void of
warlords have taken the void of
warlords have taken the void of government power and use force alliances
government power and use force alliances
government power and use force alliances of powerful clans and the control of
of powerful clans and the control of
of powerful clans and the control of resources to dominate their territories
resources to dominate their territories
resources to dominate their territories so people who might be just livin
so people who might be just livin
so people who might be just livin kilometers away from each other may
kilometers away from each other may
kilometers away from each other may experience the state in completely
experience the state in completely
experience the state in completely different ways while technically living
different ways while technically living
different ways while technically living in the same territory but it’s not just
in the same territory but it’s not just
in the same territory but it’s not just the security situation the changes
the security situation the changes
the security situation the changes recent elections in the u.s. showed us
recent elections in the u.s. showed us
recent elections in the u.s. showed us that people between large population
that people between large population
that people between large population centers can affect not just the
centers can affect not just the
centers can affect not just the political future of the United States
political future of the United States
political future of the United States but of the world in general I had an
but of the world in general I had an
but of the world in general I had an opportunity to spend part of my life on
opportunity to spend part of my life on
opportunity to spend part of my life on the small island nation of East Timor I
the small island nation of East Timor I
the small island nation of East Timor I like that when living there I like to
like that when living there I like to
like that when living there I like to call it the edge of the world because
call it the edge of the world because
call it the edge of the world because after Papua New Guinea and Solomon
after Papua New Guinea and Solomon
after Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to the east lies the vast
Islands to the east lies the vast
Islands to the east lies the vast Pacific Ocean well from a bird’s eye
Pacific Ocean well from a bird’s eye
Pacific Ocean well from a bird’s eye view it might look like paradise it has
view it might look like paradise it has
view it might look like paradise it has a very challenging best it was under the
a very challenging best it was under the
a very challenging best it was under the Portuguese colonization for 500 years
Portuguese colonization for 500 years
Portuguese colonization for 500 years and managed to break free for just a few
and managed to break free for just a few
and managed to break free for just a few days when
days when
days when Indonesia its large neighbor stepped in
Indonesia its large neighbor stepped in
Indonesia its large neighbor stepped in and threw the country into a bloody
and threw the country into a bloody
and threw the country into a bloody civil war that lasted for 24 years and
civil war that lasted for 24 years and
civil war that lasted for 24 years and killed every third person on the island
killed every third person on the island
killed every third person on the island the capital Delhi fell in just two days
the capital Delhi fell in just two days
the capital Delhi fell in just two days and guerrilla fighters that were
and guerrilla fighters that were
and guerrilla fighters that were fighting for the independence flew to
fighting for the independence flew to
fighting for the independence flew to the mountainous outskirts where their
the mountainous outskirts where their
the mountainous outskirts where their continued their struggle their numbers
continued their struggle their numbers
continued their struggle their numbers were decimated from 15,000 to just 700
were decimated from 15,000 to just 700
were decimated from 15,000 to just 700 in five brief years but it was the
in five brief years but it was the
in five brief years but it was the villages that kept the struggle alive
villages that kept the struggle alive
villages that kept the struggle alive they gave them food they gave them
they gave them food they gave them
they gave them food they gave them shelter they gave them intelligence and
shelter they gave them intelligence and
shelter they gave them intelligence and were central in transforming the world
were central in transforming the world
were central in transforming the world map again team war became the first
map again team war became the first
map again team war became the first country to emerge on the global stage in
country to emerge on the global stage in
country to emerge on the global stage in the 21st century my work in East Timor
the 21st century my work in East Timor
the 21st century my work in East Timor had to do with talking to people
had to do with talking to people
had to do with talking to people together with my team of 10 researchers
together with my team of 10 researchers
together with my team of 10 researchers we traveled all across the country to
we traveled all across the country to
we traveled all across the country to gather data about the conditions there
gather data about the conditions there
gather data about the conditions there between before the government was about
between before the government was about
between before the government was about to introduce a large village development
to introduce a large village development
to introduce a large village development program and the idea of the program was
program and the idea of the program was
program and the idea of the program was to bring down power and resources to the
to bring down power and resources to the
to bring down power and resources to the local level the international community
local level the international community
local level the international community that had helped Timor to get back on its
that had helped Timor to get back on its
that had helped Timor to get back on its feet established a western-style
feet established a western-style
feet established a western-style government in the capital but forgot
government in the capital but forgot
government in the capital but forgot that a more complex and exciting local
that a more complex and exciting local
that a more complex and exciting local governance structure have existed there
governance structure have existed there
governance structure have existed there for centuries I remember speaking to a
for centuries I remember speaking to a
for centuries I remember speaking to a 14 year old boy in a village called
14 year old boy in a village called
14 year old boy in a village called Abani
Abani
Abani that some locals believed that he is the
that some locals believed that he is the
that some locals believed that he is the local king of rain and that together
local king of rain and that together
local king of rain and that together with the king of heat they could both
with the king of heat they could both
with the king of heat they could both control weather that is important for
control weather that is important for
control weather that is important for harvests just a few kilometers away from
harvests just a few kilometers away from
harvests just a few kilometers away from there we participated in the christening
there we participated in the christening
there we participated in the christening of a new road where traditional leaders
of a new road where traditional leaders
of a new road where traditional leaders called a leonine gathered slaughtered a
called a leonine gathered slaughtered a
called a leonine gathered slaughtered a goat mixed its blood with water and
goat mixed its blood with water and
goat mixed its blood with water and sprayed it on the new road so to give it
sprayed it on the new road so to give it
sprayed it on the new road so to give it good blessings in the future after
good blessings in the future after
good blessings in the future after speaking to many of the local leaders
speaking to many of the local leaders
speaking to many of the local leaders and hearing their stories it I came to
and hearing their stories it I came to
and hearing their stories it I came to the conclusion that their power
the conclusion that their power
the conclusion that their power structure and their importance on the
structure and their importance on the
structure and their importance on the local level was extremely large there
local level was extremely large there
local level was extremely large there were central at bringing together the
were central at bringing together the
were central at bringing together the perpetual
perpetual
perpetual writers of violence and victims after
writers of violence and victims after
writers of violence and victims after the war and performed a traditional
the war and performed a traditional
the war and performed a traditional conflict resolution mechanism called a
conflict resolution mechanism called a
conflict resolution mechanism called a Dada bundle where they try to find a
Dada bundle where they try to find a
Dada bundle where they try to find a consensus between those who have had
consensus between those who have had
consensus between those who have had perpetrated the violence and the
perpetrated the violence and the
perpetrated the violence and the weakness they cooperated with the state
weakness they cooperated with the state
weakness they cooperated with the state who helped organize in these sessions
who helped organize in these sessions
who helped organize in these sessions and gave them resources to buy pigs that
and gave them resources to buy pigs that
and gave them resources to buy pigs that were slaughtered once an agreement was
were slaughtered once an agreement was
were slaughtered once an agreement was reached they were very effective they
reached they were very effective they
reached they were very effective they settled over 1,300 cases while courts
settled over 1,300 cases while courts
settled over 1,300 cases while courts that were using largely Western and
that were using largely Western and
that were using largely Western and adversarial procedures settled just only
adversarial procedures settled just only
adversarial procedures settled just only 84 inspired by the idea of the village
84 inspired by the idea of the village
84 inspired by the idea of the village development program I took a job in Togo
development program I took a job in Togo
development program I took a job in Togo where I helped manage a similar project
where I helped manage a similar project
where I helped manage a similar project we used an approach called the community
we used an approach called the community
we used an approach called the community driven development where we gave
driven development where we gave
driven development where we gave resources to the local level to
resources to the local level to
resources to the local level to prioritize build and maintain
prioritize build and maintain
prioritize build and maintain infrastructure that villagers thought is
infrastructure that villagers thought is
infrastructure that villagers thought is important the government also stepped in
important the government also stepped in
important the government also stepped in they filled schools with teachers and
they filled schools with teachers and
they filled schools with teachers and clinics with doctors after visiting some
clinics with doctors after visiting some
clinics with doctors after visiting some of the hundreds of projects that had
of the hundreds of projects that had
of the hundreds of projects that had built all across Togo I remember meeting
built all across Togo I remember meeting
built all across Togo I remember meeting a woman called ma she told her story
a woman called ma she told her story
a woman called ma she told her story that she had been pregnant and once
that she had been pregnant and once
that she had been pregnant and once contractions started she had to rush to
contractions started she had to rush to
contractions started she had to rush to the hospital that was a few kilometers
the hospital that was a few kilometers
the hospital that was a few kilometers away the road conditions were very poor
away the road conditions were very poor
away the road conditions were very poor and when descending down a ravine she
and when descending down a ravine she
and when descending down a ravine she tripped and lost her child
it’s horrible to imagine what sort of a
it’s horrible to imagine what sort of a suffering this experience has brought
suffering this experience has brought
suffering this experience has brought her and her family her story inspired
her and her family her story inspired
her and her family her story inspired other villagers to prioritize the
other villagers to prioritize the
other villagers to prioritize the construction of a road that will help
construction of a road that will help
construction of a road that will help accessing the village better as many of
accessing the village better as many of
accessing the village better as many of you know having set in government
you know having set in government
you know having set in government offices or donor agencies which you
offices or donor agencies which you
offices or donor agencies which you mostly see in front of you are numbers
mostly see in front of you are numbers
mostly see in front of you are numbers reports and statistics but it does not
reports and statistics but it does not
reports and statistics but it does not tell you much about stories such as the
tell you much about stories such as the
tell you much about stories such as the one of a maze or thousands of others of
one of a maze or thousands of others of
one of a maze or thousands of others of people who are living hundreds of
people who are living hundreds of
people who are living hundreds of kilometres away
kilometres away
kilometres away community-driven development programs
community-driven development programs
community-driven development programs are now used all around the world even
are now used all around the world even
are now used all around the world even in such Giants as Indonesia that has the
in such Giants as Indonesia that has the
in such Giants as Indonesia that has the world’s largest program the government
world’s largest program the government
world’s largest program the government provides overall guidance of where he
provides overall guidance of where he
provides overall guidance of where he wants to go and leaves it to the local
wants to go and leaves it to the local
wants to go and leaves it to the local level to decide what their specific path
level to decide what their specific path
level to decide what their specific path should be but it’s not just only
should be but it’s not just only
should be but it’s not just only developing countries that try to link
developing countries that try to link
developing countries that try to link the local state experience with the
the local state experience with the
the local state experience with the central government Portugal just
central government Portugal just
central government Portugal just recently introduced the world’s first
recently introduced the world’s first
recently introduced the world’s first participatory budget where regular
participatory budget where regular
participatory budget where regular citizens like you and I if we both would
citizens like you and I if we both would
citizens like you and I if we both would be Portuguese would have the opportunity
be Portuguese would have the opportunity
be Portuguese would have the opportunity to vote on budget amendments by using
to vote on budget amendments by using
to vote on budget amendments by using their ATMs also other other countries
their ATMs also other other countries
their ATMs also other other countries have the same system Estonia France
have the same system Estonia France
have the same system Estonia France Iceland and Brazil have a similar system
Iceland and Brazil have a similar system
Iceland and Brazil have a similar system on the municipal level technology gives
on the municipal level technology gives
on the municipal level technology gives us more opportunities than ever before
us more opportunities than ever before
us more opportunities than ever before to test new forms of citizen engagement
to test new forms of citizen engagement
to test new forms of citizen engagement and tap into the collective intelligence
and tap into the collective intelligence
and tap into the collective intelligence of thousands of people to develop such a
of thousands of people to develop such a
of thousands of people to develop such a country that best reflects the
country that best reflects the
country that best reflects the experiences of people after travelling
experiences of people after travelling
experiences of people after travelling to different corners of the world and
to different corners of the world and
to different corners of the world and seeing all these new forms of community
seeing all these new forms of community
seeing all these new forms of community engagement I returned to my small
engagement I returned to my small
engagement I returned to my small peripheral town of souls to work
peripheral town of souls to work
peripheral town of souls to work together with a group of like-minded
together with a group of like-minded
together with a group of like-minded individuals we created a civil society
individuals we created a civil society
individuals we created a civil society organization that’s trying to change the
organization that’s trying to change the
organization that’s trying to change the way how development planning happens in
way how development planning happens in
way how development planning happens in our region we’ve constantly remind
our region we’ve constantly remind
our region we’ve constantly remind councillors about the interests of
councillors about the interests of
councillors about the interests of people and have managed to make the lack
people and have managed to make the lack
people and have managed to make the lack of citizen engagement into one of the
of citizen engagement into one of the
of citizen engagement into one of the central themes of pre-election
central themes of pre-election
central themes of pre-election discussions we organize conferences we
discussions we organize conferences we
discussions we organize conferences we organize social media campaigns we
organize social media campaigns we
organize social media campaigns we actively protested the construction of a
actively protested the construction of a
actively protested the construction of a new facility that would burn hazardous
new facility that would burn hazardous
new facility that would burn hazardous materials just metres away from where
materials just metres away from where
materials just metres away from where people lived despite the fact that over
people lived despite the fact that over
people lived despite the fact that over 3,000 people had protested this activity
3,000 people had protested this activity
3,000 people had protested this activity we were quite successful elections were
we were quite successful elections were
we were quite successful elections were held just a few weeks ago in June all
held just a few weeks ago in June all
held just a few weeks ago in June all the new 8 elected political parties have
the new 8 elected political parties have
the new 8 elected political parties have promised to establish a consultation
promised to establish a consultation
promised to establish a consultation council that will change the way how
council that will change the way how
council that will change the way how development planning happy
development planning happy
development planning happy in our village thank you and they’re now
in our village thank you and they’re now
in our village thank you and they’re now more open also to new forms of citizen
more open also to new forms of citizen
more open also to new forms of citizen engagement some of our activists have
engagement some of our activists have
engagement some of our activists have been even elected into the assembly I’m
been even elected into the assembly I’m
been even elected into the assembly I’m proud of our achievements I believe that
proud of our achievements I believe that
proud of our achievements I believe that what we did in our region will have a
what we did in our region will have a
what we did in our region will have a profound effect of how a few people
profound effect of how a few people
profound effect of how a few people experience the state it will build trust
experience the state it will build trust
experience the state it will build trust that is much needed at the moment right
that is much needed at the moment right
that is much needed at the moment right now and it will also transform the way
now and it will also transform the way
now and it will also transform the way how development planning happens to a
how development planning happens to a
how development planning happens to a little extent so don’t underestimate the
little extent so don’t underestimate the
little extent so don’t underestimate the periphery it has the potential to change
periphery it has the potential to change
periphery it has the potential to change the world and remember if we could do it
the world and remember if we could do it
the world and remember if we could do it so can you
so can you
so can you thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
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