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The Characteristics of Locally Led Development in the Pacific

Author

Listed:
  • Chris Roche

    (Institute for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University, Australia)

  • John Cox

    (Institute for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University, Australia)

  • Mereani Rokotuibau

    (Balance of Power Program, Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development, Fiji)

  • Peni Tawake

    (Australia Pacific Training Coalition, Fiji)

  • Yeshe Smith

    (Institute for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University, Australia)

Abstract

There is a growing recognition of the effectiveness of locally led processes of social change and development. However, most of the case studies that have been discussed in the literature are focused on programs run by international development agencies. This article examines three locally led processes of change in the Pacific. These include the Simbo for Change Initiative in the Solomon Islands, the Voice in Papua New Guinea and a regional process led by the Green Growth Coalition. We explore how local understandings of leadership, preferences for informal ways of working, holistic ways of thinking, the importance placed upon maintaining good relationships and collective deliberation fundamentally shaped each of the cases. We note how these preferences and ways of working are often seen, or felt, to be at odds with western modes of thought and the practice of development agencies. Finally, we conclude by exploring how these initiatives were supported by external agencies, and suggest further research of this type might provide benchmarks by which Pacific citizens can hold their governments and development agencies to account.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Roche & John Cox & Mereani Rokotuibau & Peni Tawake & Yeshe Smith, 2020. "The Characteristics of Locally Led Development in the Pacific," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(4), pages 136-146.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v8:y:2020:i:4:p:136-146
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v8i4.3551
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aidan Craney & David Hudson, 2020. "Navigating the dilemmas of politically smart, locally led development: the Pacific-based Green Growth Leaders’ Coalition," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(10), pages 1653-1669, September.
    2. Roger Mac Ginty, 2015. "Where is the local? Critical localism and peacebuilding," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(5), pages 840-856, May.
    3. John Cox, 2009. "Active citizenship or passive clientelism? Accountability and development in Solomon Islands," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(8), pages 964-980, November.
    4. Neil McCulloch & Laure‐Hélène Piron, 2019. "Thinking and Working Politically: Learning from practice. Overview to Special Issue," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 37(S1), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Terence Wood, 2018. "The clientelism trap in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, and its impact on aid policy," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies 201835, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    6. Terence Wood, 2018. "The clientelism trap in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, and its impact on aid policy," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(3), pages 481-494, September.
    7. Kristina Roepstorff, 2020. "A call for critical reflection on the localisation agenda in humanitarian action," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 284-301, February.
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    Cited by:

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