Comments

Thanks for this Carmen, I think you've raised some very important points, especially about the need to expand the conversation and research agenda. For a similar perspective that it is largely focused on the Vanuatu context, you may like to look at <a href="http://dailypost.vu/news/listen-carefully-or-risk-killing-the-golden-goose/article_da1d5352-e22b-56ef-955d-413e986b9018.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this item</a> I wrote earlier this year. Since then we have seen the governments of Fiji and Samoa move to restrict participation in SWP by 'punishing' villages further to misbehaviour (including overstaying) by members of their communities. The constitutionality of measures of this sort is questionable I would say but it does not seem likely that this will be tested in the courts of those countries. On receiving the bodies of 3 SWP workers killed in a RTA in Northern Queensland, the Minister of Internal Affairs in Vanuatu stated that if more workers were to die whilst working in Australia, he would put a stop to the scheme. All of which adds to what you have put forward here and should be alerting all concerned to the various strands of complexity that operate in this area and go way beyond economics.

I'll vote for you Jo.

The requirement for employers to sign off on the 88 days work was removed in Dec 2015. Acceptable evidence now includes payslips and other items that are non-discretionary

Absolutely agree, Stephen. Poor journalism from The Guardian.

The present government of PNG in its 2nd Alotau Accord has indicated something on Economic Empowerment through Agriculture. Please find out from the next Agriculture Minister

Thank you Gure. I have set up this concept for the sake of our people, the future of our children. Now I'm waiting for someone, a donor ageny or a visionary PNG govt to fund so we can take the necessary steps to provide real help as per village coffee website to millions of coffee growers.

Thanks Stephen – it sounds like this experience was a refreshing reality check. It was interesting (and wonderful) to hear their comment that the CARE-supported NGO club ‘gives them fun’. I often wonder about how happy people like these six Vietnamese women are. So, a bit like your comparative figures on incomes and poverty, I did a quick search of general national happiness indexes (... with all the qualifiers ...) and I found that Vietnam ranked way above Australia in one report (UK think tank the New Economics Foundation) and far less happy in other reports (e.g. UN).

Thomas, I am currently researching UNDP's Human Security - people-centred approach. I would like to be in contact with you to discuss the 'human-centred' approach.

Well said Richard, thank you.

Thanks so much for your comments Mini. Do please also share some of your amazing experiences, achievements and dreams ... encouraging each other is also key ... 🙂

Excellent concept, Village Coffee by Pana Wiya. I was with PNG ADB Microfinance Project providing microbanking and financial management training support services and now am back on the ground into coffee business. Some facts that made me move into coffee. 1. 97% of PNG's land ownership is customary. Over 60% of PNG coffee export volume is contributed by small holder coffee farmers mostly from organic farms. 2/3rds of our 7.5 million population is supported by coffee income. Coffee consumers prefer organically farmed coffee and further more health researchers continue to promote coffee consumption beneficial. Agriculture sector in particular coffee industry is a sleeping giant in PNG. In my recent past experience in coffee, the idea of putting together farmers in cooperative system is the way to go in order to increase export volume further. There are two things that are of crucial importance and have seriously been lacking. 1. Adequate financial and capital support for farmers. 2. Financial management training and banking support. I have noticed some support both from government and from donor agencies coming into the country for the coffee industry. In such funding, support, I notice one impeding factor: Corruption and self interest by officers that are put in there to manage. Finally, I like the concept established and I you all the best in marketing the concept to potential funding agencies and governments. I am keen also to provide moral support.

On a closely related note, I happened to see that there is a documentary film focused on the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre, called 'The Staging Post'. It's screening in Canberra tonight (27 July 2017) - details <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/return-canberra-screening-of-the-staging-post-tickets-36031654649?aff=efbeventtix" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.