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From Matt Andrews on Papua New Guinea is not Pasifika
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.
From James Aniau on Pacific workers in rural Victoria
I believe in SWP because it's good for economic development and thus maintain our bilateral relations.
From William Kep on Papua New Guinea is not Pasifika
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.
From Rowen Painap on Papua New Guinea is not Pasifika
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.
From Dr Sharman Stone on Escaping sorcery accusations
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.
From Warren Gama on Getting more tourists to Vanuatu’s outer islands
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/
From Cherylle Stone on Getting more tourists to Vanuatu’s outer islands
I made a comment on the FB post looking for guidance as to where to get local short course training for my friends who run a bungalow business on Tanna.
To date no one has provided a response telling me who I might contact or even whether what I requested is available. I would really appreciate some feedback.
From Grant Walton on The potential for anti-corruption reform in PNG’s public sector
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, lines of formal accountability are often weak, but the nature of this weakness varies across space. The research suggests responses in Eastern Highlands need to be different than Milne Bay, for example.
As I suggest in the discussion paper and elsewhere (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2993709), anti-corruption efforts in PNG have been hindered by a tendency for one-size fits all policies, that are suitable for some contexts but not others. Take the District Development Authorities Act (2014) for example. The accountability relationships in the DDA act might suit East New Britain, but they are not at all appropriate for Gulf province - where patronage politics often inhibits possibilities for good governance. In addition, while subnational governments now receive more money through DSIP/PSIP, sub-national anti-corruption efforts remain weak.
And yes, many respondents were concerned about working across 'two worlds'. As a junior male employee in New Ireland said (see report):
"I am unable to complete my tasks when wantoks show up and are waiting outside the office... That leaves me in an unstable mental situation because I am caught between …serving them and my colleagues not being happy with me, and the fear of my wantoks not accepting me if I do not attend to their requests".
Happy to compare notes - feel free to email me: grant.walton@anu.edu.au. Good luck with the PhD!
Best,
Grant
From Sachini Muller on Governance, ethics and leadership in Papua New Guinea – a personal perspective: part one
Hi Medley, you can find part two here: https://devpolicy.org/governance-ethics-and-leadership-in-papua-new-guinea-a-personal-perspective-part-two-20190322/.
From Raimundos Oki on Foreign aid to the Pacific: an overview
Very interesting. It's shows that most of the foreign aid from powerful and the rich countries in the world seems like as a "foreign disaster" for the recipient countries. I hope that the rich countries may evaluate their foreign aid system to aligned with the real condition of the recipient country.
From Danny on Papua New Guinea is not Pasifika