WelcomeKia ora and welcome to the summer issue of GlobalEyes, a newsletter produced by the Development Scholarships team at Victoria International. We hope that this newsletter will foster closer ties within our community at Victoria University, as well as share student stories and the New Zealand Aid Programme’s mission with a wider audience.

ContentsGraduation 2010! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Reflections on participation in YLNF 2010 . . . . . . 3

Student Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Conferences and Development scholars: More fun than you think . .4

A family affair…. Truphena Oduol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Student Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fieldwork report – Adella Campbell, PhD in Nursing Candidate . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Osana Liki – VUW Alumni 2009 . . 7

UG end of year fiesta! . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Season’s greetings! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Hello and goodbye! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Recipe: Christmas mince pies! . . . 8

Editorial TeamJulia Harrison - Editor

Julia Nicholson - Editor

GLOBALEYESIssue 8, Summer 2010

Well done, everyone!Kiet Ho

The Christmas party kicked off on December 16, 2010 to congratulate everyone on their high achievements for the year 2010. A fun quiz started for all participants in teams, who then enjoyed talking to one another over a great kiwi Xmas dinner with roast chicken, cranberry sauce and Pavlova cakes. Finally, Lolly Scramble and Craft competition attracted many excited kids. We left the party with tight hugs and warmest wishes to the big Development Scholar family for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We will miss Julia Nicholson, who is leaving for Latin America, and wished her all the best in her future endeavours.

Graduation 2010!A large number of our NZ Aid Programme scholars graduated in the December 2010 ceremony. It was great to see so many family members and friends supporting our students in this momentous achievement. Students walked with Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh and Wellington City Mayor Celia Wade-Brown among other dignitaries in the traditional march of Victoria Graduates from Law School through the city to Civic Square.

Congratulations to those of you who finished successfully this year!

L-R: Professor Warwick Murray with Graduate Dona RuruL-R: Undergrads Rosa Filoi, Yonita Tuia and friend

The Mayor of Wellington, Celia Wade-Brown congratulating graduates L-R: Kheuavanh Chanthaphouvong, Astrid Kartika, Salome Musa, Autumn Nguyen, Vilakone Somsanith, Socheata Touch

My name is Joseph Muchiri; I am Kenyan postgraduate student taking Applied Social Science Research. My interest has been on HIV/AIDS Epidemiology with special focus on East Africa. My current research project is on HIV Voluntary Testing

and Counselling (VCT), in which I am targeting users and non-users of the service to establish dynamics involved in the service provision. This is in an attempt to determine optimum conditions under which service providers can achieve the best results.

Studying and living in Wellington has been both exciting and challenging. Top on my list of exciting things are friendly Kiwis who are always ready to help, nice eating places and very helpful University staff. My challenges have been having to cope with changes in weather which occur within very short time, having to walk uphill to school and expensive accommodation.

All in all I am grateful to the NZ Aid Programme for granting this opportunity to sample Kiwi life, and most important, getting skills that will help me be effective in my work.

Student Profile

Reflections on participation in YLNF 2010Dang Quang Nguyen

Along with NZDS student Seik Nyan from Myanmar, I attended the annual meeting organised by the Asia:NZ foundation. Being a NZ Aid Programme Scholar gave me a great opportunity to join in this event and it has also stimulated me to share my cheerful emotions with you now.

More than thirty new members in the Young Leaders Network gathered from 20th -27th November, in Wellington. We all came from a wide variety of professions, but commitments for strengthening the next generation relationship between New Zealand and Asia are our identity.

Throughout the week participants were inspired by about twenty high-profile speakers - including Sir Peter Gluckman, the Prime Minister’s chief science advisor, Professor Roberto Rabel, Pro Vice-Chancellor, International at VUW and Mr. Hon Simon Power, Minister of Justice. There were challenges where we had to work together, and a photographic exhibition named “Once Upon a Time in Asia”. Moreover, we visited Asian embassies and built up our diplomacy skills.

One of the most fascinating things that I experienced in these unforgettable days was “Once Upon a Time in Asia”, a photo exhibition promoting Asia to New Zealanders as seen through the eyes of Asia:NZ Young Leaders Photos taken in countries from China to Mongolia, India to

Vietnam, and Japan to Cambodia tell stories of the connections Young Leaders have with Asia and how these links are shaping their futures, identities and career paths. The vision for the exhibition is to provoke interest in Asia and stimulate a deeper understanding of its culture and people. The exhibition is currently on at St James Theatre, 1st floor, until Thursday 23 December.

The Forum has inspired me to continue building the Viet Nam-New Zealand relationships in my study field and excellent friendships have been built among thirty-two talented people.

Therefore, I can’t find any reason not to encourage other development scholarship students to join in this Asia:NZ event next year, 2011.

Eugenia Mariño Cabella

Master and Phd students usually feel under a lot of pressure wanting to make the most of their time. Thus, they often do not think about attending some of the conferences that academic institutions offer. When we talk about conferences we used to think: “Again more boring talking, I prefer to keep going with my research”. Let me tell you something: Some conferences help you organize your ideas and receive valuable feedback about your research. You can attend conferences and also have the opportunity to present your topic.

A group of development scholars attended some interesting conferences in November. The first one was the Victoria University PGSA conference 2010 on November 14th at Rutherford House. It was a one-day event where postgraduate students showed their research and participated in interesting workshops. Mateus Almeida (Brazil) -who is finishing the Part 1 of the Master in Environmental Studies- and I presented our research. Maria Cerrato (Honduras) -who is finishing the Part 1 of the Master in Education- also participated in the conference. Mateus, Maria and I practiced together before the conference so we could exchange feedback and prepare for the event.

Mateus’ topic is “Have legal rules (both in Brazil and New Zealand) ensured the sustainability of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol? My topic is “Culture and ICT for Health: A case study in Peru”. There were fifteen minute-presentations for each one. We received good comments and very good feedback. Beyond showing a research proposal (as in the case of Mateus) or the results of research (like in my case); in only fifteen minutes is a very good way to “land” your ideas and transmit them to an academic auditorium.

Additionally we met new students who are conducting research related to ours, which is very good to network about our topics. We also participated in interesting workshops such as “Publishing strategies”

and “Coping with your Research”. The latter was very helpful, and I highly recommend meeting Sharon Renfro at the Counselling Service if you feel confused in some stage of your research.

I also attended the DevNet conference 2010, organized by Massey University, which took place in Palmerston North during 1-3 December. The topic for this year was “Making Development Sustainable”. This conference included various participants such as: development practitioners, policy-makers, academics, NGO and NZ Aid Programme staff, development consultants, researchers and students of Development Studies and related disciplines from New Zealand and other countries.

Amani Manyelezi (Tanzania), Hilda Tantingco (Philippines) and I are finishing the second year of the Masters in Development Studies. Each one of us presented our research in just 5 minutes! (the maximum time for student presentations). Some of our kiwi classmates also presented their topics and all together we practiced before the conference. It is so important to receive feedback from other students! Amani presented “Changing aid modality shifting local relationships in Tanzania” and Hilda presented “Alternative approaches to development: Social entrepreneurship in The Philippines”. It was very challenging to deal with the time and a big responsibility to present a topic in front of specialized people. But we did it!

As in the first conference we got valuable comments and feedback. We also shared experiences with students and lecturers from New Zealand and abroad, creating new networks, even with people from our home countries.

Do you still think that conferences are boring? There are many positive things about attending conferences and seminars, especially in a different country. However, even if we are not attending an event we could share our research sending an abstract to Julia and exchange feedback or useful information. We are doing that in our office with Amani and Matias Mastrangelo (from Argentina) who is finishing his second year of the Master in Environmental Studies. We are a network, so we should work as a network.

Good luck to everyone!

Conferences and Development Scholars: More fun than you think

We arrived in April, 2009 were greeted by strong chilly winds in Wellington. My daughter Wendy’s first comment was “Mum I think we should just go back home!” this was unexpected but I understood- we had just left a warm Kenya behind us.

I made the decision to take up the scholarship award and to carry along my three daughters to New Zealand so that it would be easier to undertake my studies without much worry and because this was an opportunity for a life changing experience for them travelling to the furthest continent in the world! At first it was a little difficult settling in because being alone I had to run all the errands - looking for schools, accommodation, buying the household stuff, but I was determined to settle down no matter what the circumstances! The support and encouragement from the Victoria International team and especially the scholarship’s provision for after school care for the girls was more than a relief to me. I have been able to plan my study time and household tasks and responsibilities with ease. The girls have had to each take on some responsibility for their wardrobes, doing dishes and tidying and they have grown to be more independent. With time we made friends in the and through them we were able to enjoy going for picnics over the weekend while either doing nature walks or just enjoying the scenic beauty of Wellington.

I went back to Kenya recently to undertake my field study and left my children with a wonderful Kiwi family. They had the most amazing experience! They are so fond of each other and continue to maintain ties. While there, they were able to traverse parts of Wellington and others such as a visit to the

bubbling mud pools in Rotorua, Taupo, Tokaanu, Napier, Hastings, Mt Ruapehu and the Agrodome sheep show. Daisy describes the Tepuia; a Maori Arts and Crafts centre was a highlight! Their experiences in school have been enjoyable. For Aileen; the visit to the Tangariro National park where she took to rock climbing, white water rafting, and caving is memorable. Wendy’s most memorable one was going to South Island on a ferry and she says “I had never imagined that a ferry could be so big and have a playground, a cinema and shops!”

We are most thankful for the opportunity the NZ Aid Programme- Commonwealth scholarship has provided!

A family affair …. Truphena Oduol

Hello, everyone! I’m Mom Pheng from Cambodia, doing a Master of Education at Victoria University of Wellington. My life and study are now better than before. I remember being worried about everything like a new place and new culture. I wouldn’t have known what to do without the support of the Victoria International and uni staff and friends. I live with a generous family. We share the rent and the cooking. I’m now quite used to the place and weather because I often go sightseeing and work out in my free time. About my study, I didn’t perform well in the first trimester. You know? I didn’t participate in the study group, seek help from SLSS, or get a tutor. I read a lot from one journal to another, but I didn’t write up any parts which I had read. Gladly, I was more successful in the second tri because I did all those things. I’ve also attended many seminars in order to learn more things and know more people. It’s so nice sharing my experience with you. All the best!

Student Profile

Fieldwork report – Adella Campbell, PhD in Nursing Candidate

In February 2010 I realised yet another milestone in my PhD journey, that of fieldwork in Jamaica. A brief glimpse of Jamaica reveals that it is a British colony and the largest English-speaking Caribbean country. Kingston is the capital and Jamaica is categorised as a developing country, with a population of approximately 2.8 million people.

Jamaica boasts a two tiered health care system – public and private. The public health care system is delivered through a network of primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities which are subsumed under four Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). The RHAs are accountable to the Ministry of Health which has the overarching responsibility for the country’s health care and services. Formerly, health care was funded by the government, user fees (fees charged for services) as well as gifts. In 2008, however, in order to honour their election manifesto, the new government abolished user fees for health care services for all users of the public health system. This initiative was undertaken largely to create equity in the health care industry.

My task then, is to evaluate the impact of this policy change on the user’s ability to access the care they need, the type of care being provided as well as its impact on the work of the professional nurse. Methodologically, I designed a multilayered, mixed methods study to facilitate my understanding of the dynamics as they currently exist in the Jamaican public health system. The study has the following

four objectives: (1) To examine the utilisation of services in the public health facilities from 2006 – 2010; (2) To analyse the effects of the abolition of user fees on the work of the professional nurse; (3) To establish whether access to health care services by the consumers of health care remains a barrier since the abolition of user fees; (4) To identify the lessons learnt for Jamaica and developing countries regarding the abolition of user fees.

Utilising the objectives above as a guide, I embarked on the data collection process in March 2010. This involved individual interviews with eight policymakers and four providers; focus group discussions with doctors, pharmacists and three categories of nurses; document reviews of the Annual Reports for the Ministry of Health and the RHAs and 200 patient questionnaire surveys.

Early insights into the data, though inconclusive, suggest disparate views among policy makers, providers and patients regarding the policy change. The policymakers and the patients are very optimistic about the usefulness of this policy change; however, the providers continue to paint a gloomy picture about the extent to which the policy is effective.

Fieldwork was not a smooth terrain throughout. . Firstly, there was delay in obtaining ethical approval from the Ministry of Health even though they were engaged in the process prior to my arrival. Secondly, there was the declaration of a State of Emergency due to civil unrest. I had to re-strategise in order to complete fieldwork on schedule. I am indeed grateful that I was able to collect some well needed data considering the setback and generally delighted to have had this opportunity to return home to conduct fieldwork. It enhanced my ability to better understand the experience of individuals as they participate in the delivery of health care services. I also seized the opportunity to develop important networks with people who have given me their assurance to support my work and who will continue to assist me along this PhD journey.

Thanks to New Zealand Aid/Commonwealth Scholarship Fund and the Victoria University of Wellington who endowed me with the requisite resources to make this fieldwork a reality.

The alumni column is written by students who have graduated and returned home to contribute their skills to home communities. This column will seek to explore the heart of the scholarship and its legacy for each student and their country. Our third column has been prepared by Osana Liki from Samoa. Osana studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Relations, and graduated in December 2009..

I planned on becoming a Historian when I was thirteen. At the age of fifteen, I wanted to become a Geographer; I wanted to work with maps, but a sudden realization of my weakness in Mathematics closed this era of my ever expanding dreams. At seventeen, I settled on becoming a Political Scientist and an International Relations Specialist. The various professions within my family are a determining factor for my unusual aspirations; hence you’ll find a Marine Engineer, a Pharmacist, a Statistician, and a strong, courageous mother that holds our family together.

Studying at Victoria’s School of Government, under the supervision of Dr. Russell Harding, Dr. Bob Gregory and Professor Jonathon Boston, amongst others, opened

my eyes to the influence of Public Policy in all sectors within a country.

Since graduating from Victoria, I have attended a number of workshops and training opportunities overseas. Public Policy and Training Institutions was one of the main issues discussed at a Workshop I attended in Torino, Italy in July. Public Policy in relation to Intellectual Property Rights was also discussed at a Regional Workshop I attended in Fiji in December.

I’m now collaborating closely with my Executive Council with regards to Policy positions that the Samoan Chamber of Commerce, as the National Private Sector Organization, can put forward to Government. Graduating with a Public Policy and IR degree has surely equipped me with the knowledge I’m now utilising while working for the Chamber.

So thank you New Zealand Aid Programme, for without your generosity, I would not have made it this far.

Happy Holidays all!

Warm Regards, Sana

Osana Liki – VUW Alumni 2009

Undergrads celebrate the end of year with Julia Nicholson

UG end of year fiesta!The NZ Aid Programme undergraduates have had a very successful 2010. Over ten new students were welcomed in January and June from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu and have eased into their University careers very well. Furthermore, three of our third year students have graduated this December. In order to celebrate these journeys and achievements an end of year fiesta was organised. Some team quizzes were held to test everyone’s knowledge of 2010 events, and many home made beef tortillas were consumed while fireworks erupted outside for Guy Fawkes. A big thanks to Ema Sanga from SLSS for taking part in the

Hello and goodbye!We’ve had a couple of arrivals over the past few months. Welcome to Thi Huynh Loc Nguyen and Thi Thanh Ha Nguyen. A lot of our students are also graduating, so farewell and congratulations to the following departing members of our family: Silipa Burgess, Yonita Tuia, Rosa Filoi, Asim Ahmed, Hong Hue Minh Truong, Rahmadi Murwanto, Astrid Kartika, Isaia Taape, Thi Hai Minh Vo, Ma Teresa Ancheta, Kheuavanh Chanthaphouvong, Ethel Dignadice-Villaflor, Oudone Maniboun, Salome Musa, Thi Lan Nguyen, Trang Thu Nguyen, Vilakone Somsanith, Socheata Touch, Diego Gonnet Ibarra, Alejandro Milanesi Camejo and Raymund Tan.

The Christmas and New Year period is a joyful one where you’ll find most people relaxing with family and friends. Most New Zealanders take the opportunity to share tasty food with friends and family, explore the outdoors and attend a few of the many events local councils organise over the summer. In Wellington alone there are many festivals, concerts, events and activities open to the public. These should not be missed! You can find more info on the following websites:

www.wotzon.co.nz www.feelinggreat.co.nz www.wellingtonnz.com

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and the Happiest of New Years.

Best wishes, Julia and Julia

Season’s greetings!

Recipe: Christmas mince pies!Fruit mince pies are a favourite among New Zealanders during the Christmas period. Depending on how much time you have they can be very easy or time intensive!

This recipe is for the time conscious however alternative recipes are all over the internet and show you how to make your own pastry and fruit mince from scratch.

Ingredients:Sweet short pastry Pre-made fruit mince Milk or 1 egg Icing sugar

Directions: 1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius 2. Grease muffin tray (with butter, margarine or vegetable oil) 3. Line muffin tray with pastry, creating small pies 4. Spoon fruit mince into each pie 5. Cut out pie lids from pastry, fit lids on top of each

pie. Press edges together gently to seal. Some people prefer to make tops in the shape of stars or Christmas trees – you can do this too!

6. Brush the tops of each pie with egg or milk7. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden8. Leave to cool then lightly dust with icing sugar