Betsan MARTIN

My name is Betsan Martin, an English name, although my ancestors are from Scotland and they immigrated to Aotearoa-New Zealand in the 1860’s, so after 150 years my European traditions are acquiring a sense of belonging to the South Pacific, or more broadly the Liquid Continent, or even more largely, the Pacific Rim of Fire.
Participation in the Charter for Human Responsibility has opened a dynamic and creative journey that is both local and world wide. It is exciting to be a representative from the Aotearoa-NZ Pacific region, on the international facilitation committee for the Charter of Human Responsibility. Previous to the initiation of the Responsibility Charter we implemented an Alliance21 project on responsibility for Water.
A team, made up of Maori, Pacific Island and ’Pakeha (European) are working on the Charter in this region, with a theme of ethical governance. we are planning a regional symposium in 2005. Our method is to integrate the concept of responsibility, and ultimately the Charter into existing networks. We have initiated work with the Human Rights Commission, the Greens, Educational sectors, Academic faculties -Education, Environmental and Management depts. and local projects. One priority is to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, as represented in the personnel on our team.
My professional training is in educational philosophy. Philosophy is an intellectual joy. The philosophy and science of ecology has become increasingly important as a basis for environmental responsibility, spirituality and ethics in many spheres, including water management, governance, collaborative research and education. As an educator I am seeking methodologies that reflect an ecological world view, and that have ecological outcomes.
For a long time my work has included working in solidarity with indigenous people and building collaborative partnerships in project work. There is a national organization of ’Treaty people’ who have taken responsibility to educate our people in the history of European settlement and to generate respect for indigenous people and implementation of agreements that were made between Maori leaders and the British Crown by the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

You can reach me at: betsan FjW response.org.nz
RESPONSE Trust
Ethics & Earth-Responsibility
Wellington