SWSP7123: COMMUNITY PLANNING, ENGAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

WELCOME TO GEORGE's BLOG !! [ghughie.blogspot.com]

Welcome Friends!! Read my blog postings below and add your comments where appropriate!

This blog site generally relates to the stated topic above and as it is part of major environmental health and waste management issues, it would be appreciated if related constructive comments, contributions, reviews and advice are given.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Reflections

By now, you will notice that there has been no direct participation or 'community action' on blogging for my proposal. One reason is probably the lack of knowledge of people who can access the blogging site on the issue on hand and those who are knowledgeable do not have access or can not access the blog site due to either having not links to the internet or restricted to access other sites apart from the work homepage.
It does become frustrating when I am not able to get what is expected, and further marked poorly for non-participation in a 'community action' context. The blogging concept is very good, however if it was based on a specific topic where we can contribute to as a group project, it would have worked wonders.
Because it was not possible to get my 'contacts' replying or contributing on my blog directly, it has been a problematic case for me on my project. I did forward e-mail messages, however it produced poor response from the number of contacts I linked up with. This itself also raise the problem of 'oh! he should have prepared himself before he left for studies'; 'he knows better than I do'; sorry, I'm busy'; you're joking!!' or even just ignorance. Those who have replied pointed to the need of such and contributed some ideas (see postings below).
Blogging is the modern IT method of communication and expression views and comments on issues online. The whole concept has been a no-savvy for me..or my fellow workmates back in my country. We had never been exposed to such. With our slow-paced internet services at workplace, it has been no help to understand what is blogging and what is it about. I ONLY learnt how to blog whilst attempting to create this site.
One point I would like to stress is that I had never been involved or engaged in any community action project formally or directly so I only wish whatever I do when I get back to my country in terms of community action is hopefully not to be seen as an influence from 'an outsider'.

2 comments:

Nick Cassidy said...

Hello George,
I've just done a reading in my Asian Metropolis class regarding recycling in developing communities. I've pasted in the details below:

^C. Charuvichaipong and E. Sajor 2006 ‘Promoting waste separation for recycling and local governance in Thailand’, Habitat International 30: 579-594.

It's an interesting reading if you haven't come across it already. There are aspects that I would criticise, namely the reasons behind why people in the developed world seem more likely to recycle than those in the developing world. I don't really think it has a lot to do with understanding the environment. I think people in places like Brisbane recycle because they don't want to look bad.

I guess it is about forming habits. Good luck with your project George. Your blog looks great.

Nick Cassidy

Ashok said...

Hi Goerge

I also do not have much idea about recycling. So, I don't dare to make comments on this issue. However, you have done excellent. You have posted so many pics and other stuff on your blog. This is a good beginning. A good beginning is half-done. I hope, you will be successful to engage community people in your journey.

Good luck
Ashok