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Pacific Islands Governance Portal

The Pacific Islands Governance Portal is a gateway to information about all aspects of governance in the Pacific region. It is maintained by a governance network that includes faculty at the University of the South Pacific as well as a range of partners committed to the provision of governance information and analysis. The portal includes a digital library, news of current governance projects and activities, and possibilities for connecting with forthcoming governance events.

http://www.governance.usp.ac.fj/

(Added: Mon Jun 26 2006   Hits: 384)

Basic proposal for an alternative structure of government for Tonga (Draft 4)

This proposal, created by the Human Rights & Democracy Movement in Tonga (30 August 2002) discusses the need to address three major structural weaknesses in Tonga's current system of government.

http://planet-tonga.com/HRDMT/Articles/HRDMT_Proposal/Proposal-English.shtml

(Added: Thu Sep 15 2005   Hits: 274)

Communiqué from the Pacific Commonwealth Meeting

Civil society representatives from eight Commonwealth countries of the Pacific (Aotearoa/New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Niue, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu) met in Wellington from 18-19 July to discuss issues affecting the region as well as obstacles and opportunities for resolving them.

http://www.dev-zone.org/downloads/PacificCWealth_Statement_WlgJul07_FINAL_.doc

(Added: Mon Jul 23 2007   Hits: 152)

Conflict, Violence and Development in the Southwest Pacific: Taking the Indigenous Context Seriously

This article addresses two main issues. The first of these issues is the ongoing conflation of conflict with violence, and the lack of recognition of conflict as a potentially positive force. The second of these issues is the continued push by donors in the region towards the reconstruction of the state in a stronger form, despite recognition that the structures of the state have played a critical role in the emergence of the recent and ongoing violence in the region. The article then looks at ways in which the state has acted to both catalyse and intensify destructive forms of conflict. Once these two issues have been addressed the article then moves on to explore the ways in which an awareness of these issues can be harnessed, by both donors and local communities working together in a form of constructive engagement, in the creation of more durable and effective forms of governance in the region. (Manuhuia Barcham, CIGAD, 2005)

http://cigad.massey.ac.nz/documents/wps_barcham_4_2005.pdf

(Added: Fri Feb 09 2007   Hits: 254)

Corruption and accountability in the Pacific Islands [PDF]

The paper investigates the relationship between corruption and accountability in the Pacific Islands, using evidence from surveys of 'national integrity systems' in 14 states. It identifies and assesses four international initiatives to improve accountability and reduce corruption: public sector reform; peer review of accountability systems; cleaning up offshore financial centres, and the intervention of Australian officials on the ground. The paper finds that the relationship between increased accountability and reduced corruption is not straightforward. Moves to improve financial accountability may increase the chances of corruption being detected, but greater political accountability may increase the incidence, or suspicion, of corruption. Comparison between the 14 suggests that accountability and levels of corruption vary independently of each other. By Peter Larmour, Australian National University, 2006.

http://hdl.handle.net/1885/43066

(Added: Thu Feb 09 2006   Modified: Tue Jan 30 2007   Hits: 325)

Curbing Corruption in Public Procurement in Asia and the Pacific

"Curbing Corruption in Public Procurement in Asia and the Pacific" presents the findings of the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific's 2005-2006 thematic review on curbing corruption in public procurement. It highlights trends, approaches, and achievements covering the Initiative's 25 member countries and jurisdictions in Asia and the Pacific in a comparative overview that provides details on existing policies and key elements of legal and institutional frameworks. (Asian Development Bank, December 2006)

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Public-Procurement-Asia-Pacific/default.asp

(Added: Wed Feb 14 2007   Hits: 167)

Electing women to Parliament: Fiji and the alternative vote electoral system

This article looks at the status of women in society and their poor representation in Parliament. One remedy for this situation that could be considered is for Fijian lawmakers to make amendments to the alternative vote electoral system, a variation on preferential voting. (Ray Nicholl, Pacific Journalism Review, April 2006)

http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2006/July/PJR12_1_06nicholl87-107.pdf

(Added: Mon Sep 11 2006   Hits: 227)

Governance for Livelihoods and Development (GOLD)

The Governance for Livelihoods and Development (GOLD) programme worked to strengthen governance systems in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) by encouraging transparency, accountability and participation in decision-making. The programme is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

http://rbaprp.apdip.net/progs/gold.htm

(Added: Thu May 23 2002   Modified: Fri Dec 08 2006   Hits: 425)

Influences in the Pacific

The Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks on New Zealand's role in the Pacific region. (Winston Peters, 16 August 2006)

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=26805

(Added: Mon Aug 21 2006   Hits: 232)

Internet Governance Priorities for Asia-Pacific [PDF]

UNDP Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme, April 2005. The regional survey on Internet governance is part of UNDP Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme's (UNDP-APDIP) efforts to carry out an Open Regional Dialogue on Internet Governance (ORDIG) in order to make Internet governance more inclusive, development-oriented and responsive to the specific needs of stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region.

http://igov.apdip.net/ORDIG.Survey.Report.pdf

(Added: Wed Jul 06 2005   Hits: 279)

Judges support a Pacific Regional Court

The rise in cross border crime, the need for the development of regional assets such as tuna fish and the small size of many Pacific island populations highlight the need for a collective response to the development of regional legal services. (Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT), December 2007)

http://www.dev-zone.org/downloads/Pacific%20regional.pdf

(Added: Mon Dec 10 2007   Hits: 61)

Law of the Pacific Islands: A Guide to Web Based Resources

By Ruth Bird. This Resource guide deals with internet sites providing Caselaw, Legislation and Government home pages for the Pacific Island region. There are also links to several relevant journals, and to academic sites providing dedicated Pacific Law web pages, or Centres dealing with Pacific Law.

http://www.llrx.com/features/pacific2.htm

(Added: Fri Mar 12 2004   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 364)

Mission Helpem Fren: A Review of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands [PDF]

Report of the Pacific Islands Forum Eminent Persons Group that visited the Solomon Islands from 10 - 17 May 2005 with the objective of assessing the impact of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and the challenges facing Solomon Islands in the future.

http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/special/Forum_RAMSI_review.pdf

(Added: Mon Nov 28 2005   Hits: 310)

National integrity systems in small Pacific island states [PDF]

Studies of 'national integrity systems' are part of the new international concern with corruption and its prevention. Alan Doig and Stephanie McIvor coordinated studies of 18 countries, and reflected on their method in Public Administration and Development (2003). This article compares their conclusions with an overview of a subsequent study of 12 small island states in the South Pacific using the same method. Though the sample was not chosen with scale in mind, smallness may explain some of the similarities between the Pacific Island cases, particularly the risks associated with offshore financial centres, trust funds and investments. Their relative size and weakness has also made them targets for direct intervention by Australian police and officials to rebuild anti corruption institutions. The article goes on to show how the evidence from the Pacific Island cases raises questions about some of the standard proposals for anti corruption reform: stronger parties, an ICAC, civil society coalitions and greater accountability and transparency. By Peter Larmour & Manuhuia Barcham, Australian National University, 2005.

http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN024517.pdf

(Added: Thu Feb 09 2006   Modified: Tue Jan 30 2007   Hits: 311)

Outcomes from the Pacific Leadership Development Forum, Suva, July 2005

In early July the University of the South Pacific's Institute for Advanced Studies in Development & Governance (PIAS-DG) governance program convened a workshop on Leadership Development in the Pacific region that attracted more than 80 participants from some 20 countries. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together delegates to confer on the condition of leadership in a range of sectors - including the private and public sectors, local and national political leadership, the security sector, civil society, women, youth, and religious communities. The workshop was designed with the assistance of Sue Fitzmaurice of Te Kaihau (www.windeaters.co.nz) and facilitated by Dr Dai Gilbertson, Associate Professor at the Victoria Management School (Victoria University of Wellington). Noteable among the outcomes was an agreed statement on leadership: We the delegates of the Pacific Regional Workshop on Leadership Development held July 7-9, 2005 in Suva, have listened to the many 'Voices from the Pacific' and discussed many leadership issues in various sectors. We acknowledge and applaud many good leaders who seek to serve the people in all aspects of our societies. Equally, the detrimental effects of poor leadership are of concern to all of us. Recalling the Pacific Vision adopted by the Pacific Leaders in Auckland on 6th April 2004, we firmly believe: that good leadership is vital in all of our sectors and will greatly impact the lives of our people and the well being of our nations; that investing in and developing leaders is vital for our survival and future happiness; that leadership development opportunities must be widely and equally available to all irrespective of race, colour, creed, political beliefs or gender; and, we the delegates personally accept the challenge to support leadership development activities in our own countries. Further, we respectfully ask the Pacific Forum Leaders to hear our support for the 'Pacific Vision' and our call for their endorsement by supporting and investing in culturally appropriate leadership development initiatives that will help make the 'Pacific Vision' a reality. (Kiribati, FSM, Samoa, Nauru, PNG, Fiji, Solomons, Tonga, Vanuatu, Palau, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands,Tuvalu, Niue, Tokelau.) Other presentations can be seen at www.windeaters.co.nz/kete/kete.asp

http://www.windeaters.co.nz/kete/kete.asp

(Added: Thu Aug 11 2005   Modified: Wed Aug 17 2005   Hits: 284)

Pacific 2020: Challenges and opportunities for growth

Pacific 2020 highlights major challenges facing the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and East Timor in the next 15 years. It emphasises the importance of economic growth to surmount these problems and provides practical policy options in nine key sectors to maximise growth. The report was produced as part of the Pacific 2020 project in collaboration with numerous individuals and organisations from throughout the Pacific islands region and further a field. (AusAid, May 2006)

http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?Id=219_173_9143_7522_6433

(Added: Tue May 23 2006   Hits: 294)

Pacific Centre for Participatory Democracy

Based in Gisbourne, Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific Centre for Participatory Democracy: - Facilitates events and promotes dialogue on issues pertaining to good governance and democratic participation in decision-making by people from cultural, linguistic and ethnic minority groups; - Conducts, collates and promotes empirically-based research on good-practice in public policy decision-making processes; - Provides training and technical assistance to governmental, private and non-governmental organisations in areas related to the Centre's expertise; - Facilitates access to and exchange of ideas and experiences with individuals and organisations within and outside the Pacific region; and - Accesses, develops and promotes a range of initiatives, resources and tools for stakeholders to use in their organisational structures and systems.

http://www.pcpd.org.nz/

(Added: Wed Jan 31 2007   Hits: 242)

Privatising Land in the Pacific: A defence of customary tenures

The Australia Institute, edited by Jim Fingleton, June 2005. This paper reflects the growing concern of a number of scholars about the influence of free market ideology on proposals to change land use and land ownership in the Pacific. In a series of papers published by the libertarian think tank, the Centre for Independent Studies, Professor Helen Hughes, an influential figure in the aid debate, has proposed that Australia's aid to Papua New Guinea be made contingent on a farreaching transformation of customary forms of land tenure. These 'reforms' would require land owned and used by traditional groups to be divided up and allocated to individuals who could then buy and sell land in the market. The diverse group of scholars whose views are collected together in this paper argue that such a prescription, far from solving PNG's development problems, would be highly detrimental to the social and economic welfare of that country. When people heard that land reforms along these lines were being proposed in 2001, there were riots in Port Moresby and four people were killed. The authors - who between them have more than 100 years of practical and research experience in the Pacific - argue that Hughes' opinions are informed by an ideological approach rather than an understanding of how land is actually owned and used in PNG and other Pacific countries. They challenge those calling for radical change to land tenure systems in the Pacific to respond to the facts laid out in this paper rather than retreating to free market dogma.

http://www.dev-zone.org/downloads/PrivatisingLandPacific.pdf

(Added: Tue Sep 13 2005   Modified: Thu Jan 12 2006   Hits: 394)

Proposal for constitutional changes to provide for a democratically elected government for the people of Tonga

This paper outlines proposed changes to the present system of governance in Tonga made by Clive Edwards, People's Representative for the District of Tongatapu (July 2005). They aim towards a fair, accountable and fully democratic style of government for the Tongan people, while at the same time recognizing Tonga's more traditional hierarchical political and social traditions.

http://planet-tonga.com/articles/political_reform/constitutional_changes.pdf

(Added: Thu Sep 15 2005   Hits: 263)

State, Society and Governance in Melanesia (SSGM) Project

The State, Society and Governance in Melanesia (SSGM) Project was launched in January 1996 in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. Funded with the assistance of AusAID, the key objectives of the SSGM Project are to increase awareness and understanding of governance and state/society relations, to encourage scholarship on these issues and strengthen the linkages between academic and policy communities.

http://rspas.anu.edu.au/melanesia/

(Added: Tue Dec 11 2001   Modified: Fri Aug 25 2006   Hits: 383)

Tighter focus for governance in the Pacific

Friday, 15 August 2003, 11:02 am. Press Release: New Zealand Government. A dedicated programme to target the unique governance needs of the Pacific was launched today by Aid Minister Marian Hobbs. She made the announcement from the Pacific Islands Forum, which is being held in Auckland this week and attended by Pacific leaders. The NZAID, Pacific Programme for Strengthening Governance (PPSG) brings different regional governance programmes under one coherent scheme. NZAID is the agency in charge of New Zealand's overseas development assistance. "The new programme allows us to focus on the unique needs of the Pacific, which are inevitably different to the governance needs of other regions in the world," Marian Hobbs said.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0308/S00314.htm

(Added: Mon Aug 18 2003   Modified: Fri Oct 22 2004   Hits: 355)

Timor-Leste: Candidates Should Prioritize Human Rights

Strong Leadership on Rights Needed After Major Setbacks in Past Year. Human Rights Watch urged all eight candidates in the Presidential Election in East Timor to address the ongoing security crisis that has resulted in the killings of at least 38 people since April in the capital Dili and to publicly commit to implementing the United Nations recommendations, made in October, to pursue criminal prosecutions of and administrative sanctions against those responsible for last year's violence, as appropriate. (Human Rights Watch, 4 April 2007)

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/04/04/eastti15639.htm

(Added: Tue Apr 10 2007   Hits: 180)

Transnational crime in the Pacific Islands : real or apparent danger?

Transnational crime constitutes a challenge for even the most advanced industrial nations. The Pacific Islands are culturally, educationally and socially diverse, geographically isolated and sparsely populated. There is a degree of heterogeneity in their respective levels of governance, corruption and law enforcement capacity. Economic weaknesses and their impact upon infrastructure, poverty and general instability may increase the attractiveness of the islands to transnational crime. This paper explores the nature and quality of the available evidence concerning the issues of trafficking in drugs, people, arms and wildlife, corruption, money laundering, identity and electronic crime and terrorism. It concludes that the development of effective law enforcement and criminal justice infrastructure must be achieved within the broader context of continued improvements in economic, social and governance issues. To be able to respond in a timely and informed manner, it remains crucial for further research on transnational crime in the region to be undertaken. (Rob McCusker, Australian Institute of Crinology, March 2006) Toni Makkai

http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi308t.html

(Added: Thu Sep 14 2006   Hits: 183)

Transparency International Fiji

This website serves as a forum to find and exchange information on the fight against corruption, bribery, extortion etc in Fiji, regionally and internationally. This site has links to reports, research, and surveys that have been done around the world by the ninety chapters of Transparency International including news and events in Fiji and across the world.

http://www.transparencyfiji.org/

(Added: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 214)

Transparency International Papua New Guinea

With its vision to protect the integrity of the nation, the Papua New Guinea chapter of Transparency International (TI) is raising public awareness of the adverse effects on society of dishonesty and mismanagement. With the support of its coalition partners, TI PNG aims to curtail corruption and build a just society.

http://www.transparencypng.org.pg/

(Added: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 189)

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