The community grieves together

The first eight months of National's new term in office have been interesting, albeit very trying times for members of New Zealand's left-leaning community. The government's use of the economic recession as a justification for cutting funding to numerous sustainable, forward thinking, futures forming projects has left, amongst others, the environment, education, social welfare, health and youth work sectors in tatters.

Having met and spoken with a number of people working in the affected areas, it has got me thinking about how such cuts impact these people on a personal level. Sure, what is of greater importance is the effect such changes will have on society as a whole in the many years to come. But for now, it seems as though it is the individuals that have worked for years on these issues that are feeling it the hardest.

I think of the Education for Sustainability (EfS) advisors that will, as of the end of this year, be out of their jobs. Most of these people have been working for many, many years to get EfS into our schools. I think of the Enviroschools Foundation National team that have had their funding cut. In ten years the Enviroschools team have managed to transform what was a pilot project in the Waikato to a nationwide network of over 600 schools. I think of the youth workers involved with New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development who coordinate youth week and who have three months to 'prove their worth' to the Ministry of Health. I think of the hundreds, if not thousands, of tutors involved in Adult and Community Education who have lost 80% of their funding. I could go on for the cuts have been far and wide.

But I wonder, how have these people responded?

In many ways I think the reaction is most similar to grief. There is the initial shock at the news of cuts, then denial that this can be true. Then comes the anger and hatred, followed by bargaining in an attempt to patch it all back together. After this depression sets in as the reality of the situation hits home.

Eventually, a sense of acceptance comes through and with it the desire to work anew within the setting.

While I cannot speak for all of those affected by the government's funding cuts, I can speak as one who has been impacted.

My initial response to the government's various funding cuts and reallocations was one of disbelief and anger, indeed it was this that led to my starting this blog. Then there was the letter writing stage - I sent off letters to newspapers and ministers pleading that this was not true. I hoped that my bargaining would gain some traction, but of course the cuts rolled on.

Then came the full hit of reality and with it a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. I definitely felt that our efforts were in vain and I took a turn inwards to reassess my own position within it all. My idealistic bubble had well and truly been popped!

However, I can now say that I am on a new page. While it may just be a renewed sense of energy and urgency, or else perhaps its that I've been reading the websites of Fonterra, Federated Farmers, Holcim, RioTinto/Alcan and the like, but I have come to accept that National will do what they do. What that means is that we must do what we do. And that is mobilise. But this does not have to be in an antagonistic way.

What National have effectively done is change the rules of the game. We can make a choice to play that game, get angry and lose, or create our own game, with its own rules.

It's time to create the future that we want, rather than accept the future that we are being given. As consumers and voters we have ultimate power. We must regain the knowledge of this fact and actively support businesses, politicians and ways of living that encompass what it is that we want to see. Unfortunately Gandhi's famous quote has become a bit of a cliche, but it still seems fitting: "Be the change that you want to see in the world".