Meet Amelia Siamomua | Development Economist & Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amelia Siamomua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amelia, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Actions speak louder than words”

Far too often politicians will say one thing and do another simply because it is easy to lie with words than with your actions. As a first-timer politician, stepping into the political arena, I don’t have a legislative scorecard, but I have professional records of my professional actions and performances throughout a career of 39 years that are a better indication of my character and performance than what I may say. Separate, but related to this idiom, I was raised by hard-working parents, and the youngest of eight children, I always remember how my parents led by examples at home by practicing values of respect, love, compassionate, caring and sharing with others (neighbors and relatives) while living within their means, and forging positive behavior and actions that built strong family and community relationships for our family and for community projects in our small island village communities.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my twenties, I aspired and made a determined decision that I will work hard and build a career that will contribute to making a difference to people’s lives, at the same time see the world through the work that I do. From being a development economist for our local development finance institution in a small island country, Tonga in the South Pacific, I took that next step with faith that God will provide, and the rest is history of a journey of serving the public for almost forty years. I devoted my working life to issues of development cooperation and assistance, sustainable development of developing countries/states, good governance, human rights, equality, justice, rule of law and I was blessed to have worked with selected governments and civil society, and with other actors and development partners in all regions of the world through providing technical assistance in regional and international development finance institutions, international NGO and international multilateral organizations.

Challenges
Looking more closely inside international organizations (IOs), trying to understand administrative structures, internal processes, available resources, staff composition as well as organizational cultures that define our work as IOs with the ultimate goal to make lasting impacts on the lives of people, the challenge is often the fine balance of “whose priorities” are you trying to fulfil or achieve at the end of the day, in other words the politics of development assistance and cooperation. More often these challenges influence the IOs’ performance and how international bureaucracies respond to challenges their organizations face from the external influencers in the outside world. This also impacts on how do IOs and their administrations react to international crises, for example the COVID-19. Key factors that affects an IOs’ performance are limited budgets, doubts over their effectiveness and legitimacy, or by leadership change. We see during this pandemic and how the increasing politicization of international politics affect the work of IOs and international civil servants.

Coordination to avoid overlapping portfolios, fostering cooperation and not competition between IOs and other development agencies and partners, and commitment to implementation with high ethical standards and empathy, care for the end goal, care for people. In short, the Internal dynamics and of the outside world globally shapes the policy-making and development cooperation and assistance. As international civil servants, you are an important asset of the IOs and your performance is no doubt a result of these dynamics and how you navigate the system, processes, relationships and the tasks at hand.

How did you overcome the challenges?
I was blessed to have a very supporting husband, a husband who respects my career. My husband has been my number one fan and counsellor. He has consistently been with me in my career journey and been a conscientious spouse and supporter. He provides invaluable insights into my working life. He provides me with thoughtful analysis and honest feedback that no other person would do.

Being conscientious goes beyond borders. We started off both having jobs, had comparable degrees, and he saw the need to support me to grow with a classically successful career, that opting to stay home and be with me in the countries where my jobs took me was a clear path for our family. He opted to support me by scaling back his ambitions for his career to join and support me, by managing the home front where my job took us and spending time to oversee our family and write our story which has kept him engaged with readings, research and writing.

Even though I reached the pinnacle of my career I still have dreams and aspirations. Every day is a new day, a new opportunity and as long as God grants you life and your heart is beating, there’s still time for your dreams. I believe that one could take small steps each day as every small step counts. I am grateful to reach 64 years old, and I have a desire to keep going and determined to finish one more dream for my grandchildren.

Ahead of me are more opportunities than challenges. Opportunities to pursue a vision of bringing positive change to humanity, and the best part is, I am not alone, I am not weak, but I am supported, empowered, inspired to live and work hard each day and make this moment count. In saying that, I mean that the forces of the power of understanding, and the courage to care and be committed to serve and help others in an authentic and human way is pushing me into that moment and beyond myself that I can and will make this moment count. Dare to search and live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Get started, keep going, never give up, be determined to be who you want to be and can be. Be simple, be caring, be loving and write your life story in the most truthful way possible and be authentic. Be yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Doraville, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Brookhaven have got some great choices to eat, drink and hang out and has food from all over the world, I am a fan of Asian food and at Buford Highway, I am a frequent at this Filipino Kamayan at the Asian Square for some of their Filipino delights.
There’s lots of small, cozy, and upcoming coffee and beer places too – in Chamblee – Sidecar Coffee, Zen’s Tea, Bagel Place, ++

A little quick tour to see Stone Mountain; then bring to Downtown to visit the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca Cola, and Martin Luther King Jr National History Park. Get some food and sights of Downtown Atlanta from the Sun Dial Restaurant.

Walk at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and end up with fine dining in one of the eateries at Dunwoody Market Place, maybe at Carbonara Trattoria, a favorite!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband was my best friend, love of my life and my number one fan. He was my advisor and biggest support and comfort, and my pillar of strength to fight on with God’s grace, in all circumstances. I cherish beautiful memories and priceless moments and with the Almighty God’s grace, that is all I need for a happy life as I pursue this journey.

Choosing to invest in the political arena, at this stage in my life, was a God-given opportunity. As a Christian, I believe that God opened this opportunity, and has given me the strength and courage to pursue my aspirations. As the Bible scripture says, “For a great and effectual door is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:9 It is a leap of faith as I step through this door with many adversaries, but I believe that God is with me every step of the way to exercise common sense, the courage and perseverance.

Website: https://ameliaforgeorgia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameliasforgeorgia?igsh=dzE5cWFhd3I2MWVu

Twitter: @AmeliaForSenate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556827891724

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@AmeliaForGeorgia

Other: https://ameliakspasefika.com/a-new-voice

Image Credits
Photos are my collection.