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From Anura Widana on Displacing the displaced: Two-Mile Hill and Port Moresby’s housing crisis
Sporadic urban settlements are nothing but showing incapable governance. The government is forced to bear the cost in two ways. First, to evacuate "illegal" settlers to pave the way for a "development" project costing the government coffers. Second, the government has to bear a massive cost to relocate settlers if the land is taken for a development project funded internationally. The eviction has to be aligned with the resettlement guidelines, paying for illegal settlers. I worked on a internationally funded project in Lae when the port project (funded by a BIG Bank) had to evacuate thousands of families squatted on government land. This could have been avoided if that state land was well-protected. The government machinery failed to do so and now pays back the people from its own resources. Unlike other countries in the middle east and Central Asia, PNG's rural land is productive and rich in natural resources. Yet, we see an exodus of rural people migrating into cities. Surely, it is a problem of governance and unless this core issue is addressed, the exodus of rural masses into urban areas will remain unabated.
From Tamanikaiyaroi Uate on After midnight: what Fiji’s HIV crisis looks like from a mobile clinic
Thank you for the kind sentiments. Hopefully it reaches the policy makers and influences change.
From Anura Widana on Palm oil, poverty and the price of progress
Thank you, Ryan for making a well-crafted paper. I would like too raise two comments. One is about valuation of environmental benefits or costs under the crop. Specifically, palm oil simulates forest like conditions and of course far from a forest and has it increased soil and moisture loss, reduced fuelwood availability to community? How does it compare with rubber for instance? When intensive animal husbandry is introduced under palm oil like practised in PNG's New Britain Island, the situation could be more favorable to the crop. Second, is there any evidence on how the communities are spending their enhanced earnings apart from increased consumption? Are people investing on enterprises that generate other benefits? Kind regards.
From Michael Jimmy on Keeping it together, together: 2023 Pacific Urban Forum
I attended PUF7 at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby. One presentation I attended left a strong impression on me. Someone in the audience said that most times, when disaster strikes in the Pacific, support from developmental partners comes in late. If given to the government, some of this money is bled out on its way to the affected area.
From David Gonol on Pacific security agreements: lessons from the Iran–US–Israel conflict
Interesting article. Enjoyed reading it.
From Clyde Kaila on Most UPNG students oppose Bougainville independence
This article of a very sensitive ongoing issue, aspires to represent the "PNG elite" (whatever that is) from the basis of a survey of uninformed UPNG students. C'mon Devpolicy Blog. Do Better.
From Ilmu Komunikasi on How fiscal centralisation undermines Indonesia’s regional autonomy
Are there more information regarding about this topic for us to research for? Thank you, Regards, Ilmu Komunikasi.
From Anna Naupa on After midnight: what Fiji’s HIV crisis looks like from a mobile clinic
Vinaka for sharing about such important, needed work on HIV services and the deeply considered approach to finding a model that works to reach those who need the services the most.
From Danny on Solid waste management in Papua New Guinea
We started investigating the environment impact to the region from Wapu Gold mine and the township of Lae. After years of investigation it broke down because local interest parties did not have resources to get their ground proposal started. I am still prepared to continue the hard work already done.
From Godfrey Koya on What women leaders in the Pacific can teach us about how change happens
In Papua New Guinea, women are already leading in everyday life—through churches, markets, families, and community work. Their leadership is on trust, respect, and relationships within wantok systems.
Women are already leading in PNG, but what they need is recognition, support, and inclusion in decision-making.
From Elisabeth Jackson on What women leaders in the Pacific can teach us about how change happens
Hi Vincent, thanks so much for your comment - glad you liked the blog. There is definitely lots to say about how women navigate the challenges of male-dominated spaces and you're also absolutely right that there are so many people leading and influencing change in positive ways across the Pacific - we just looked at a small selection. Aidan Craney is doing some great work on youth leadership, which you might like to take a look at. Cheers, Lis
From Prasad Neelawala on Displacing the displaced: Two-Mile Hill and Port Moresby’s housing crisis