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South Pacific Independent News Network · 06-13-2021, 05:13 PM

Year 18 | 13 June 2021

JUNE 2021 CABINET ELECTION
MINISTER OF CULTURE INTERVIEW
Moderator: James D. Halpert | Participant: Tin the Free

Welcome to the June 2021 Minister of Culture Interview!

I am James Halpert and I will be the moderator of this interview with Tin the Free, candidate for Minister of Culture. This interview is sponsored by the South Pacific Independent News Network.

The format of this interview will consist of a single section:

• The only section will feature questions on the candidate’s qualifications, intended policies and their vision for the coming term.

The candidate is asked to clearly mark the end of their answers so that I may know when to move on to the next question and to answer no later than 3 minutes after a question has been asked.
Opening Remarks

[Tin the Free] I would like to thank SPINN for organizing this interview and Mr.Halpert for moderating.

I'm Tin the Free a.k.a. Holy Free on Nationstates. I'm a Roleplayer and have worked in the MoC's Roplay department.

Currently the MoC needed repair. While my vision is to plan more events, I want to include past events that's been left out too.

How would you assess the current state of the Ministry of Culture?

[Tin the Free] First is having the need of motivation, my time as a Roleplayer in TSP have shown me that constant motivation is needed to finish something to the end. Currently, there're only weekly events and the big events while planned, motivation for finishing it.

Second is communication, few messages are sent in the channels of the MoC. We need to effectively communicate to plan events and I'm not sure if that is happening.

Lastly time planning, there's no place where the staff could see when and what events are planning which leads to delays.

This is what I currently see that the MoC is needed right now.

You raise an interesting point, and at least in part this leads to the role that the ministry should have. Should it be a reactive institution that organises events to support other ministries, or should it be proactive, set its own agenda and organize its own events?

[Tin the Free] I think we should have a little of both. I would look to the laws of TSP, if I were to decide which action should I take to plan any event. As every event is different. Like for example, my take on the RP community would be the former. As the minister don't always have to be a roleplayer, I think it's best if we help support them in things that they wanted to do. On the other hand my take on the official holidays would be the latter.

How would you address the issue of recruitment and retention so that citizens not only join the ministry, but also actually contribute to it and grow into future generations of leaders? Are there any ideas that you have in terms of guiding staff members or ensuring that they know what to do and are comfortable with it?

[Tin the Free] I think that the current system of recruting is fine on it's own but if I'm a newcomer, I would probably got lost trying to find the form for applying. I could only hope that the dispatch project of the MoE may be launched in the near future. There're also cons in using a google form as the method of applying, as we would have to check everyday if someone has applied. Moonfungus' campaign says they would change the method to discord which I think is a good idea and might find a way to implement it too.

As like many other ministers, I can't guarantee that the ministry would be active. We can only try to make this the best environment for event planning as possible and hope for fruition.

Would you detail some of the events and activities that you intend to do if elected? What can the region expect under a ministry led by you?

[Tin the Free] Most of this is laid out in my campaign. There're weekly events such as Phone Phridays. Holidays events such as Independence day 2021, celebration of independence 18 years in a row. Roleplay events like NSCW. Also, if possible International events like Pacific-Con. And don't forget Pride month!

You can expect a re-organization of the ministry, as stated in the first question. I hope for the Culture Calendar to be the planning schedule that everyone could see. And more planning!

You have said in your campaign that you may not be able to dedicate so much time to the ministry and that you may delegate work to a deputy. How would you assure voters who might be concerned that this will lead to a leaderless term?

[Tin the Free] Life is of course uncertain but it does come before NS. I see the pressure since the recent happenings of the MoC. But I can say for certainty is that if I'm passionate on something even if I can't be there, I would see it through to the end and if I'm really unable to do it I would end it as fast as I can.

Desserts are a contentious issue in the region. Do you prefer cake or pie?

[Tin the Free] Now this is the real question! While I prefer pie I only love it when it's not a dessert. So emotionally pie, technically cake. But I also like ice cream more than both in this condition, so rationally ice cream?

Closing Remarks

[Tin the Free] Lastly, it you have any questions ask me in the campaign thead. I would like to thank SPINN again for this opportunity. See you at the polls everyone!

The South Pacific Independent News Network (SPINN) is an independent news organisation established in 2003 with the goal of providing good, insightful and timely commentary on regional events for the citizens of the South Pacific. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board. Content is published via pseudonyms. The SPINN is not associated with the Government of the South Pacific.