Written by Barbara Thomas It’s taken me some time to write a follow-up reflection after my last two pieces on LinkedIn, "Power & Decolonisation: Rethinking How We See Change" and "Seeing the Whole Picture: How Young People in PNG Navigate Power & Systems". Both articles explored how change is shaped by context, power, and the … Continue reading The Space Between Structure and Agency
Power and Decolonisation: Rethinking How We See Change
In my last article, Seeing the Whole Picture: How Young People in PNG Navigate Power and Systems to Drive Change I reflected on how young people are intuitively applying a Power and Systems lens in their leadership. Their work revealed how deeply relational and contextual power is in our setting, exercised not only through institutions … Continue reading Power and Decolonisation: Rethinking How We See Change
Seeing the Whole Picture: How Young People in PNG Navigate Power and Systems to Drive Change
Introduction When people talk about youth leadership in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the focus is often on energy, innovation, or representation. Less attention is given to how young leaders actually navigate the messy, interconnected systems of power that shape their lives and their communities. In 2020, as part of my postgraduate master's dissertation, I conducted … Continue reading Seeing the Whole Picture: How Young People in PNG Navigate Power and Systems to Drive Change
Poem: Love is
Love is the smile on your face,The glimmer in your eyes when inspiration strikes.It is the sweet aroma of cinnamon tea at dawn,The steady gaze of a soul watching and living for another. Love is the early morning prayers at the family altar,The breaking of bread and the sharing of God’s Word.It is the restless, … Continue reading Poem: Love is
The Politics of Change – A Power and Systems Approach
This essay is a condensed extract from a section in my Masters Dissertation written in 2020 Change is inevitable, but it is often a complex, messy, and deeply political process. This is especially true in Indigenous contexts like Melanesia, where individuals must navigate between cultural, religious, and state institutions to drive social change. The concept … Continue reading The Politics of Change – A Power and Systems Approach
Navigating the Complex Terrain of Social Justice Work
This is a section of an essay written as part of a boarder paper as part of my Master's Program in 2019, Brighton - UK Two years ago, I stepped down from leading a Civil Society Organization (CSO), burnt out and frustrated with the pace of change. This experience prompted me to reflect deeply on … Continue reading Navigating the Complex Terrain of Social Justice Work
Independence Reflection: Systems Thinking
View of Ela Beach from APEC House, Port Moresby This Independence Celebration has been difficult. Unlike previous years, I had a hard time finding inspiration for the future of my country. Instead, I think I felt frustrated at how deeply engrained our governance challenges are. I have, however, found meaning through reflection about the nature … Continue reading Independence Reflection: Systems Thinking
Poem: My love taken
My love was takenIn the cool of the dayHe was probably talking to God,He did that a lot The wind whistled gentlyUnder the shade of the Pummelo treeWhere I him found at peaceMy love resting My silent whisperAs I held youGod? my love?please send him back A peace settledIt’s okay my childHe has seen gloryBut … Continue reading Poem: My love taken
Reflections from the RDI Conference – Lessons for PNG
The theme of this year’s Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network conference was on Leadership for Inclusive Development. Before I attended the conference in June, I asked my peers to share their thoughts on what they thought leadership for inclusive development meant. It was an interesting conversation as we collectively reflected on the question, the nature of … Continue reading Reflections from the RDI Conference – Lessons for PNG
Documentary Review – Before the flood.
Before the Flood, a documentary about Earth's climate crisis. The film follows U.N. Messenger of Peace and movie actor Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels the world, looking into various problems caused by climate change and discusses possible solutions. Leo begins his film by making reference to Bosch's painting The Garden of Earthly Delights painted in the year 1515. I … Continue reading Documentary Review – Before the flood.
Mere-Ambu. 