Comments

Thanks to Richard for bringing out the very truth of this issue. My name is Helen Paul and I live in Madang PNG. I am a volunteer working with Catholic youth. When the seasonal workers scheme started I started helping register their applications. About 115 youths from Madang. Six of my youths went in the pioneer year of the scheme. This how it happened the first time: the farm wants 20 labourers; the office chooses 6 each from 4 provinces for a year only; after that all the people living Moresby have excess, not other provinces. From my group only 6 took part. I am still waiting for the rest to have their turn but their passports expired. So my question is - can the government allow all registered youths from Churches to participate? Set up an office in the mission office, do proper coordination, and there must be follow ups after return from work. He or she must start doing small projects in village. I want to help them have a second chance in life that they will never forget.

Hi Brian, you make a good and important point, no one working in development should forget about who it is we work to support. Some things to consider, SIRF employed a large number of Solomon Islanders including as senior managers and program experts who led day to day work and knew a lot about their country. The facility was required to take a back seat in its profile, ensuring that the relationship was between Australia and the Solomon Islands. The facilities profile was intentionally very low so as to not distract from that relationship and dialogue

I have to agree with the comments by Matt Andrews and William Tondopan...we are Melanesian and The vast majority of the population of New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Manus and most of the coastal provinces live right on the coast, not up in the mountains..one thing I can say is the article is thought provoking but clearly lacks any substance. for instance you state "The other reason why I don’t think PNG is Pasifika is about the nature of the relationship the state has with society in PNG, as opposed to other Pasifika countries"..almost all Pacific Island Nations are comprised of one group..eg Fiji local population is Itaukei and so the Nature of relationship is uniformed..PNG has over 8 Million People with and a variety of Cultures...you cant expect the State to have a distinct relationship with its people..there is no such thing as one common uniformed approach government can have with society in PNG....People in Hagen are different from people in Milne Bay... and as for the Ocean...we have the largest coastline in the Pacific.. when my family comes from Fiji to PNG..they say its just like fiji..but bigger take the NGI region...traditional cooking such as Lovo is very similar to mumu done in ENB and NGI.... The tradition of placing gifts to people while they dance in Tonga and Fiji same in the Central Province..and finally the True Traditional Central Province Greeting of Rubbing ones nose when welcoming a guest is done by maori people...(find extacts from early missionaries in Central to confirm this) PNG will always be PASIFIKA

I totally disagree to your conclusion that PNG is not a member of Pasifika family of nations. It is absurd and disturbing. Our identity is Melanesian and therefore we are part of the larger Melanesian race of people and grouping of islands. We share the same body of waters. Only major difference being our landmass and topography. If we are not Pasifika then who are we? Asians?

Namorong. Your article is somewhat thought-provoking. I sometimes question where we could place Papua New Guinea. Are we really a Pacific nation. Do we look like one or claim to be one? How about our brothers in Western New Guinea? Are they Pasifika. Maybe one day. Do you know if PNG tops the world in anything, it is the number of languages. You may write about this in your next article. If the govt properly promotes an area we top the world, it is fertile soil for tourism and foreign reserves.

Martyn, I cannot agree that PNG "can afford to" increase emissions "because much of our land mass is 1,000 meters above sea level (even on the other major islands – Manus, New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville.)" Is this a joke? If not, it's an incredibly uninformed view of climate change - and the islands. Climate change has many, many impacts across all environments, not just the coast. The recent droughts and wildfires across the Highlands, for instance. Potentially devastating effects on wildlife and ecosystems at all altitudes (and ocean depths). With respect, I suggest you learn some more about climate change! And since when do the Highlands define PNG? The vast majority of the population of New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Manus and most of the coastal provinces live right on the coast, not up in the mountains. This kind of thoughtless comment simply fuels the fire of island provinces wanting to secede. Of course PNG should take care of its 8 million people. The old, tired view that that has to mean "industrialisation", as in emissions-heavy industry, is not the only way. PNG should use its comparative advantages: its extraordinary cultural diversity, the brilliance and creativity of its people, its natural wonders. Post-industrial is the way to go.

Thank you FPNG for your work.

I believe in SWP because it's good for economic development and thus maintain our bilateral relations.

Mr. Namorong. You are damn right. So true, PNG must not be in the Pacific. We cannot be included in the Pacific but rather in the Southeast Asia region and the Asia region. Commercially makes a lot of sense. We are now stuck in a no man's land or sea in the Pacific. We have to reclassify ourselves.

What is the definition of Pasifika? What are PNG's similarities to other island countries vs the differences? The article has a certain selective bias choosing evidence that only represents the author's beliefs making it somewhat one sided. A fair representation to the other side of the story would have given weight to his arguments.

This is a good summary of the impacts on individuals but particularly women who are accused of witchcraft and who subsequently suffer from violence and abuse. PNG’s Sorcery National Action Plan puts an emphasis on teaching communities about the real causes of disease and death. This work can be very important along with immediate interventions to save the accused and her daughters.

Thank you very much Cherylle for your comment. I am sorry that we did not provide any guidance to you following your comment on FB. We will be more than happy to assist you and your friend on Tanna and we can provide this assistance through our Tafea Skills Centre office located on Tanna. Could you please contact us on the following email addresses so we can discuss the short course training need you requested: Erinah Kalo - erinah@vanuatutvet.org.vu (Skills for Tourism Officer) Jacqueline Jerry - Jacqueline@vanuatutvet.org.vu (Tafea Provincial Training Coordinator) Warren Gama - warren@vanuatutvet.org.vu (Productive Sector Manager) Please see below link to our website for your perusal : http://www.vanuatutvet.org.vu/