Comments

Thanks for this, it is a very clear explanation for us non-economists. As you say, the real questions are around how this money will be spent - we will all be watching that with interest

I would like To comment you and your org. for helping betteŕ train teachers. In Haïti, this is often lacking as well as teaching materials. With a little creativity, one can manage and add To the participation of students in thé leasing process. I am quite interested in How you do it. Thanks Monique Haggar Éducation Volunteer in Haiti

Thanks for this comment. Moyo's book is very weak, and I don't think she can be described as an economist. But Helen Hughes had a point. Whether or not aid is bad for the Pacific, it doesn't seem to be that good. New approaches are needed, which is why it is so good that the Australian government is now giving much more emphasis to labour mobility, including starting to use the aid program to promote labour mobility. A lot more could should be said in response to your important comment, but I'll conclude for now by saying that we welcome all quality submissions related to aid - positive or negative - and especially from those in recipient countries.

Thank you for the good paper. Finally, we are there... Some comments based on my years of work with rural farmers in remote PNG: Under capacity building, it is suggested that department staff work directly to up-skill farmers. Capacity building of graduates is fine but the staff should work to improve capacity of primary producers as some communities with whom I have worked have never never received any training from DAL! Department should develop proactive links with research centres both local and overseas and assimilate appropriate information useful to PNG producers A key-focus of the department should be not only to promote "new" technologies but also to create an awareness on indigenous technologies, practices and materials. This link I found is missing from DAL but yet an important function given the high bio-diversity of the agricultural sector. Department should examine and disseminate information to reduce the use of agro-chemicals (pesticides, fungicides, nematocides, weedicides and chemical fertilizer). The environment in PNG is fine, unpolluted and organic which should be preserved whilst increasing production. Popularize the use of compost, manures and animal wastes. Department should also supply quality planting materials and seeds to growers. The revamped Department should have a vision and a mission, in addition to the proposed work plan and of course adequate budget. Good luck!

Thanks for the article, Cameron. You don't mention though that on a per capita basis the Pacific gets more aid than any other region. Given this, I really doubt that the Pacific can be regarded as "the poor cousin of international development".

Re the idea of supporting women's rights organisations, that reminded me of Stephen Howes's excellent previous post on the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre and challenging aid orthodoxy - worth a read as a good example of thinking in a different direction to the standard 3 year "gender project" (see https://devpolicy.org/challenging-aid-orthodoxies-20171020/)

Great post indeed and absolutely agree with Mere Vadei's comment.

Great post Cameron. The Pacific also matters because it is the heritage of its indigenous peoples with their unique cultures and ways of thinking. There is no other home or existence for them - it is either this or none.

This is a very important piece of research Michelle and team and a great contribution to understanding how to respond in PNG. I am wondering whether there has been any follow up on the reported local 'mediation' and whether it is Village Courts they are referring to - if so they are not allowed to charge 'table fees'. The Village Court's Secretariat in DJAG has been trying to address this for years. It would be worth exploring this with DJAG through the Secretariat and the Provincial Village Court Officer as there is immediate action which could be taken on this, including investigating the practice, training on F&SV and the role of VCs (issues are legislative and related to the regulations) and working with female magistrates. Happy to talk more about this and hope this research is used widely.

Thank you CARE, IWDA and ACFID for this insightful analysis. It is really helpful to see how the Australian Aid program is meeting its gender equality commitments. The recommendation to introduce funding targets to support women’s rights organisations is strategic and could be an agenda for INGO's to collectively take forward. However these targets would also need to be met with capacity support, to ensure groups are not over-burdened. Please continue sharing this type of analysis, it is great.

Thank you for this uplifting story Kerry. My husband and I are connected with some of them mainly from Vanuatu and Samoa. We teach them English and get them involved in church on weekends and feasts with them occasionally during the weeks. Now with your story it encourages us to look into deeper and get insight on how to bless them, their families and communities. Keep up the good work

Great story Kerry, I was deployed to the Solomon's in 2003/4 with the ADF to stabilise the country from civil war and it changed my life. We were mainly patrolling the weathercoast where militia had caused many atrocities. The people there were fantastic, especially the kids. Unbelievably positive and industrious. These are the people we should be helping. Keep up the great work mate. #lostmemories