Lessons from COVID-19 Dr. Barry Law, RCE Otago 13th Asia-Pacific Regional RCE Meeting 2nd Online Session, 24 September, 2020

1. Whaiao: RCE Otago
Dr Barry Law: RCE Otago Director
Lessons from COVID19

2. Our RCE name, Whaiao – the world of light –
was gifted by mana whenua, the local
Indigenous people who hold the ‘mana’ in the
tribal regions of Otago.
RCE working in partnership with Kāi Tahu

3. A Provincial Approach to
Sustainable Development

4. COVID 19 Response
3 Important outcomes for RCE Otago
1. We must educate for change
2. Leadership for change requires empathy, good communication and
compassion
3. We must communicate and demonstrate how the SDGs relate
to our daily lives

5.  Educate for change
 Build capability through
transferable skills
 Build resilience to shift
direction and focus quickly

6. What have we learnt about Leadership for Change
● Empathy and compassion that is
authentic is critical for change.
● Communicating effectively about the
change you want, why and that you care
direction-giving", "meaning-making"
and "empathy"
Major Earthquake, Mosque Shooting & COVID19
These images
went viral

7. “We go hard, we go early.”
The COVID19 Leadership Message – our PM
Disruption has resulted in people having to think and act differently
People our now talking about a new normal ….and that includes
Sustainability – HOW DO WE APPLY THE COVID19 CHANGE
PROCESS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
“Stay home to save lives“
“We will do everything to protect you; I’m asking you to do all you
can to protect all of us.”
(New Zealand locked a whole country down in 72 hours, 5 Million people)

8. Environment
Social
Partnerships
Economic/
Business
Aligned and
interconnected
to our daily
lives