I HAVE heard people lamenting about how Tasmania is a small island, has a small population, small economy of scale and how there are a lot of roadblocks to a flourishing state.
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Ironically, I have also heard people being content about how things are and not seeing the need to make changes individually.
There is a clear gap here. On the one hand, Tasmanians want a better state, better economy, and better opportunities.
On the other hand, Tasmanians do not want to make much changes in their lives.
These two things cannot happen at the same time. Actions need to be taken for good change to happen.
To make Tasmania a better place, it takes both individual and communal efforts, and government strategies.
There are a lot of discussions about what government can and should do to help Tasmanians. Those are important discussions.
At the same time, Tasmanian residents should also take a bottom-up approach to help make things happen for ourselves.
There are three aspects that I think both the government and residents can consider: good infrastructure, quality education and strong global connection.
Tasmania is full of resources like no other places around the world.
It bears enormous potential to grow and flourish. Because of its unique geographical location, efforts need to be put into attracting talents and investors.
Infrastructure and policy need to be established to facilitate global trading, e-commerce, and the arrival of quality immigrants.
The shipping cost for coming in and going out of Tasmania needs to be reduced. The entire logistic industry in Tasmania needs to come together and strategise.
How productive is each of the ports? Can technology help cut down costs in any way?
Policies and schemes to foster and encourage entrepreneurship and global investors need to be in place. Launceston does not need to become another overly populated city like Melbourne or Sydney. It can still be the lovely town as we like it and economically successful.
To retain the natural resources Tasmania has and to boost economy, e-commerce, interactive and digital media, technology driven and leisure agriculture and aquaculture, eco- and cultural-tourism may be the ways to go.
The market is the global market, not just Tasmania or Australia.
Immigration policies need to be reviewed to encourage foreign talents to work and live in Tasmania.
Tasmania does not need just an influx of foreigners; it needs people with certain skills and qualifications that complement existing talents in the state.
Quality education is important in general, but critical in a developing state.
Only when we have quality human resources working in every public and private sector can we become competent in all services and products we provide. It is of utmost importance that the children, teenagers and adults in Tasmania receive education that not only increases their knowledge and skill, but also nurtures their potential and talents.
Most crimes committed in Tasmania were done by teenagers. It broke my heart, as youth is our future. Many parents need support and help to look after their teenagers.
What can we do as a community to help each other nurture outstanding youths? After school programs? Can internship opportunities be provided for teenagers?
Lastly, I believe to connect globally is the solution to many challenges Tasmania faces.
The story of a small country with only 1.3 million people named Estonia sets an example.
That's the country where Skype was invented. It was a poor and underdeveloped country when it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Today, Estonia is considered as a high income and high-tech country within EU. Its capital Tallinn is mentioned in the same breath as London and Silicon Valley. The secret to success lies in its ICT and entrepreneurship policy as well as the Estonians determination to rise up.
The recent increase of Asian tourists visiting Bridestowe Lavender Estate is a good example of the power of global connection and technology.
The farm's business has been rapidly boosted by tourists and customers from China.
A famous Chinese celebrity posted a photo of Bobby the lavender bear on social media in August 2013.
The sale has gone wild and the farm could not keep up with orders of bears from Asia.
The farm owners just pointed out one of the weeks in this holiday season that 80 per cent of the visitors were from China during the flowering season. This is an encouraging story for local businesses.
Professor HENRY DUH is the director of Human Interface Technology Lab, at UTAS and a fellow of both British Computer Society and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK. He has worked in Singapore, Taiwan and the US.
