Comments

Very useful analysis, thank you.

Thank you for the great recommendations. The story from Afghanistan to Rwanda offers everlasting optimism for global development.

Thanks for the reply, Evie. We'll keep you informed of developments relating to visa-waiver discussions. Our current Minister of Foreign Affairs is an active engager with the region and has recently been in Australia talking about matters of mutual interest.

Your lament is truly heartfelt. Amongst those "further studies" you are recommending, it would be useful to discover how and where Afghan girls ARE being educated. One place is in Rwanda, through the School of Leadership Afghanistan (SOLA). As it sets out: "SOLA evacuated Kabul upon the Taliban’s return in 2021, resuming operations in Rwanda. Here, we continue to do what no one else does: we draw Afghan girls to us from around the world, providing a rigorous education promoting critical thinking, a sense of purpose, and respect for self and others." From Afghanistan to Rwanda: the SOLA story does provide some hope. Another is "Code to Inspire". Through the school's comprehensive coding curriculum, it not only imparts technical skills but also fosters inspiration and empowerment. In Herat, Afghanistan.

The Vanuatu Political Parties Registration Bill claims in its 'explanatory note' that it 'ensures a strong and sustainable party system', but that is simply not true. It does almost nothing beyond granting a Principal Elections Officer powers to vet parties including assessing whether ‘the policy platform of the proposed political party is of national scope’ (S. 9 (1) b). It does not require candidates to be members of political parties (ie independents are allowed) and it allows groups to style themselves as 'custom movements' as long as they are confined to a single island. In Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, much more ambitious laws were introduced, but in neither country did they achieve their stated purpose. For coverage of the PNG and Solomon Islands experience, see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajph.12931, and http://hdl.handle.net/1885/311668.

Thank you for your comment Richard, which provides a lot of helpful context on what to expect from New Zealand.

I find it generally worrying when interpretations on certain human social/cultural behavior is heavily reliant on statistics. For a more nuanced presentation I'd rather that a few cases as narratives might suffice to help show the dynamics of how a polygamous (gynous/androus incl.) situation unfolds. And while on statistics, the PngNSO (2019 ) figures presents a relatively innocuous picture picture on 'polgynous' relationships in PNG [PNG National Statistics Office, (2019). Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey 2016 – 2018: Port Moresby: NSO.]. In fact and aside from Morobe, Hela, EHP and SHP, most provinces reported instances below 20% of polygamous relationships. And by region, polygynous verses monogamous relationships ratio respectively show Momase at 24%, Highlands at 36% (over a third), Southern at 18%, and NG Islands at 22%. Monogamous relationships are therefore still dominant and household issues remain the same as with polygamous relations. Another worrying thing about the authors' presentation is that it inherently and unfortunately carries moral undertones in that monogamous relations are seen in the 'light' whilst polygamous is in the 'dark'. I do not think figures used by the authors suggest so however, they inadvertently imply so. I've come across enough offsprings that have done well through their polygamous upbringing and remain proud of their polygamous parents' astute guidance as well. Generally speaking, global household issues are still dominated by monogamous relationships.

Very interesting reflections, Stephen and Evie. Visa-waiver for visitors from the Pacific was an outcome of the 1986 Immigration Policy Review in New Zealand. Provisions were implemented very quickly for citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and Tuvalu late in 1986 and withdrawn for citizens of the first three countries after the first Fiji military coups in March 1987. Citizens of Kiribati and Tuvalu retained visa-waiver status for visitors until 2003 when they lost this privilege and their existing temporary work schemes (also a product of the 1986 Policy Review) in a trade-off for the introduction of their current small PAC quotas. I'd be surprised if the Coalition Government gave serious consideration to re-introducing visa waiver status for visitors from these countries this year given the range of other challenging issues they have to deal with. But they do have some experience of visa-waiver for citizens of Pacific countries. The changes that the National Party indicated they would like to make to the RSE are not part of the Coalition Government's first 100 day agenda. As Charlotte noted in a blog on this matter late last year, the changes, if pursued, will take time to implement and are likely to involve further consultation with industry, ideally after the 2024 harvest and packing seasons are over around the middle of the year. We are currently seeking further information on this matter.

James Marape was appointed by God to do important role. Only Adventist had implement and killing Jesus Christ because the Adventist are keeping law of God so they have right to play last role. we have huge program PNG for Christ, PM JM will actively involved so God will favor to him.

Hi Rogers, Glad to hear of your great initiatives and support to send reading books and teaching guides to Samoa. I'd be happy to learn more of your self-published literacy program. I am a former teacher and parent in the Solomon Islands. Thank you

This is an interesting article that hit the nails on its head and I applaud the author for recognizing a need for all disciplines to work together and acknowledge the complexities of the socio-economic and political structures in each country.

Good observation. Thank you, Tom Manggal.