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From Semi Meo on Day of judgement: PNG and the O’Neill Government
Would PM O'Neill now after one term be classified as a member of the elite "Old Guard"?..or is he still a first term PM desperately vying to stay on in power and may be afforded another chance by the voters who most may still view him as young kid on the block compared to other rivals from the "Old guard" contesting the PM position in election '17?
From Craig Mana on Devpolicy seeks casual Research Officer on labour mobility
I am concerned with the labour mobility issue for the Pacific Island countries being discussed and implemented while many of the Pacific Island countries do not have proper policies in place on to mainstream labour mobility into their overall development framework. The whole issue of migration-development nexus should promote a nuanced approach to development under which seasonal short term labour migration should be used for the benefit of the migrant, the sending community as well as for the destination country. I have just completed my research thesis on this topic with reference to PNG and my research shows that the Australia-Pacific Island Seasonal Workers Program - WAPSWP (2002) failed for Pacific Islanders because of institutional and political setbacks and they must be addressed before advancing such multilateral/regional programs to another level. I am ready to work with any one from this site wishing. Capacity building in the PICs remain a priority, that includes training, regime and policy updating and a whole of governments teamwork ready to work with IOM, ILO and other global organizations that could provide some technical assistance. The migration-development nexus needs to go beyond just labour mobility because without addressing the push and pull factor of migration labour flow is not feasible. Please contact me for further information if you gave any queries regarding the nuanced approach to a migration-development model that can work well for the Pacific Island community.
From Wesley Morgan on PACER Plus is not much to celebrate
I second the argument that PACER-Plus will do little to promote development in the Pacific, and the argument from Bob McMullan that PACER-Plus represents a 'waste of time and effort' and that it would have been better to pursue alternative arrangements for regional cooperation. Along with many others I have, for years, suggested alternative policy priorities that would do more to promote Pacific island trade. <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app5.34/full" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">See here</a> for example.
From Alice Oppen on Prioritising periods and preventing unwanted pregnancy: addressing menstrual and reproductive health in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea
Linking these aspects of girls' feminine health will make advances in both hygiene and family planning more effective. Girls' self-respect and education will benefit, and they will gain a better position in the community. This program is impressively thoughtful and sensitively articulated, and should provide convincing data for growth.
From James Batley on PACER Plus is not much to celebrate
Thank you for this sensible and sober analysis. It’s just what this overheated “debate” over PACER Plus needs. Some of the statements coming from Pacific-based NGOs – for instance that [PACER Plus] <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/331926/pacific-ngos-maintain-opposition-to-pacer-plus" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">“will be one of the biggest threats the Pacific’s people and environment have faced in a generation”</a> or that <a href="http://pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=14390929915937329d843dc9b0e39e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">“PACER Plus could seal Australia and New Zealand’s economic dominance in the region”</a> - seem rather sweeping and emotive in tone rather than reasoned. Your analysis only underlines this. Equally, to suggest that there is something inherently suspicious about a standard Most Favoured Nation clause in a trade agreement (as the second link quoted above suggests) doesn’t seem particularly constructive.
From Jose da Costa on Transitional livelihoods: Timorese migrant workers in the UK
I have a sister working in Oxford, UK. She sent remittances home (Dili, Timor-Leste) to pay for my tuition fee and build our house. She is just a brave sister I have. Really proud of her. Thanks Portugal, UK and North Ireland. Thank you.
From Sergio on Partnering agreements: Effective relationship management in complex development programs
It is great that you are doing this! Some of the most pervasive problems in development arise from pursuing "results" aggressively with little attention to "processes". The fact that it is not legally bidding is also important because it requires of the parties a lot of ownership and engagement. Checking assumptions and re-evaluating / re-negotiating is key. Good luck!
From Bob McMullan on PACER Plus is not much to celebrate
As one of those involved in negotiating Pacer Plus I agree with your remarks. There is nothing to be scared of in Pacer Plus, it is just a waste of time and effort. it would have been much better to negotiate an Economic Development Agreement with a Labour Mobility section.
From Alla Beesey on Transitional livelihoods: Timorese migrant workers in the UK
Hello Ann, this reads very well and captures the crucial ideas of improving well-being through remittances that provide for the family and raise their status. And the through knowledge, skills and improved capacity to improve or start businesses. It would be interesting to see comparison to other countries that send migrants to less industrialized countries and to the middle east, although outcomes might generally be similar. As this strategy of migration is so common in so many countries, and it is policy to encourage it is important have analyses like this to improve our understanding. But too many people around the world are suffering from exploitation, family dislocation, etc. as well, so there are two sides to the story.
From Velea on Corporate philanthropy in Papua New Guinea – in conversation with the Digicel Foundation
Interesting view. I kind of agree that when talking about project impact, it's better we give concrete evidence based data to support points of discussion. Manup Kulubob has a point while making reference to Digicel Foundation as the fabricated vehicle to drive a false campaign of its commitment to development in PNG. In the same token I'd like to know how much profit Digicel has so far made since its entry into PNG market versus the expenses incurred through its Foundation. I kind of agree when Mark Zukerberg, Facebook founder view on corporate social responsibility since he retains only 1% of the profit generated rather than listen to what Digicel try to tell me about #Corporate_Philanthropy
From Margie on Transitional livelihoods: Timorese migrant workers in the UK
Hi Ann, thank you for the beautifully written, logical and objective article on Timorese living overseas. The more others learn about the lives that Timorese live in order to survive, help their families and make a better life for themselves, the better
From Joy Butler on The New Guinea Diaries: remembering PNG’s first anthropologist