Abstract
New Zealand's Living Standards Framework (LSF) represents an opportunity to transform the way policy advice is provided to Government. This presentation examines the LSF in light of the Global Ecological Crisis (GEC), and what some commentators have called 'governing at a time of unsustainability'. Three angles are taken to explore the LSF, the first of which is the LSF's limited acknowledgement of the ecological crisis. This is followed by a creative critique of the LSF, focused on the potential of ecological thinking. Examples are given from ecological economics and ecological citizenship to show something of an ecological approach to policy. Finally this presentation returns to the constructiveness of the LSF, arguing that the addition of eco-pragmatic dimension to the LSF would support its role in developing New Zealand as a Green Entrepreneurial Democracy.
Robert Stratford
Robert Stratford is a doctoral scholarship student at the University of Waikato. He is also the recipient of one of two international scholarships presented by the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA) in 2015. His doctoral studies focus on developing an ecological policy framework for tertiary education in New Zealand. Robert has previously worked as a policy manager and senior evaluator at Te Puni Kōkiri and the Education Review Office respectively. He has a Master's degree from Massey University and degrees in English Literature and Chemistry from Victoria University (VUW). When not carrying out academic work, Robert publishes a few poems each year and enjoys tramping and cycling in New Zealand's outdoors.
Note: Papers, presentation slides and any other material provided by the Guest Lecturer will be made available some time after the lecture at Publications > Media & Speeches > Guest Lectures by Visiting Academics.