DOCSLIB.ORG

MEDIA RELEASE Vanuatu World Leader on Best Practice Deep Sea

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
MEDIA RELEASE Vanuatu World Leader on Best Practice Deep Sea MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 7 November 2013 Vanuatu world leader on best practice Deep Sea Mining decision-making Around the Pacific the feverish interest in deep sea mining has given rise to an equally intense opposition to this unprecedented extractive industry. Dr. Helen Rosenbaum, coordinator, Deep Sea Mining campaign said “With over 1.5 million square kilometres of Pacific Ocean floor under exploration leasehold around the Pacific, communities fear their governments will rush into granting licences before there has been open debate and before scientific studies have been able to assess the risks to livelihoods, health and ecosystems.”[1] The world’s first license to operate a deep sea mine has been granted in PNG by the former Somare Government to Canadian company Nautilus Inc for its Solwara 1 mine. “The fact that this license was granted without the Free Prior and Informed Consent[2] of the communities that will be affected has created a storm of public protest. This was undoubtedly a significant factor in Nautilus’ decision to suspend operations a year ago,” stated Ms Rosenbaum. Community leaders are now pressuring PNG PM O’Neill to not allow Nautilus to resume its operations or pay the company the money a recent arbitration hearing ruled it should.[3][4][5] Oigen Schultz, Director of Zero Inc, a community organisation in New Ireland Province said, “Local communities have NOT sanctioned the Solwara 1 project. No one knows what the impacts of this form of mining will be.” “We are calling for our PNG National Government to place a moratorium on sea bed mining until New Ireland Province communities have provided their consent to the mine’s go-ahead.” In stark contrast to the PNG Government, the Vanuatu Government is embarking on a national deep sea mining consultation process. Under the oversight of the Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Land and Natural Resources, the Vanuatu national consultations aim to model best practice Public Participation in Deep Sea Mining Decision-Making.” The process will draw on the principles and approaches embedded in Free Prior and Informed Consent and the Precautionary Principle[6]. It will be open and transparent and will ensure that if any licences are awarded it is with the consent of Vanuatu’s civil society and on the basis of independently verified science-based risk assessments. Wence Magun, National Coordinator for the Madang based Mas Kagin Tapani said “We call on PM O’Neil and the PNG Government to WAKE UP and to now commit to a National PNG consultation similar to Vanuatu’s.” “Vanuatu is showing PNG how a Government who truly respects the concerns of its citizens should go about decision making for this experimental form of mining.” FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Helen Rosenbaum (Australia), [email protected] +61 413 201 793 Oigen Schultz, (New Ireland Province PNG) [email protected] 675 7250 9562 Wences Magun (Madang, Papua New Guinea), [email protected] , +675 7195 9665 For comments from Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Lands and Environment, Vanuatu please contact: [email protected] ______________ Notes 1. Being a new form of mining there is a high level of uncertainty about the risks DSM poses to marine environments and communities. What is certain is that impacts will be associated with each step of the mining process. The DSM campaign’s two comprehensive reports highlight many errors and omissions in the Solwara 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This means that we don’t yet understand the risks posed to coastal communities. 2. Free Prior and Informed Consent FPIC is recognized in many international law instruments. Of these, the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007) provides one of the clearest articulations of FPIC. Its key elements are defined as: Free – Consent is free from force, intimidation, manipulation, coercion or pressure by any government or company. Prior - Consent is obtained prior to government authorisations, allocation of exploration permits, operating licences etc. Informed - all the relevant information must be presented to communities and civil society in an accurate, and accessible manner independent of vested interests Consent - requires that communities and civil society have the right to say “Yes” or “No” to the project in accordance with community decision-making processes and at each stage of a project. It means that civil society can withhold consent or can determine the conditions for consent if it is given 3. 'Govt must defend sovereignty over seabed mining', media release, from ACT NOW! and Bismarck Ramu Group, 17 October 2013, http://ramumine.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/govt-must-defend-sovereignty-over-seabed-mining/ 4. 'Nautilus Minerals deal benefits only investors', The National, Papua New Guinea, 16 October 2013 http://www.deepseaminingoutofourdepth.org/nautilsu-minerals-deal-benefits-only-investors/ 5. 'Government wrong to alow Nautilus leader says', The National, Papua New Guinea, 10 October 2013 http://ramumine.wordpress.com/2013/10/10/govt-wrong-to-allow-nautilus-leader-says/ 6. The Precautionary Principle The United Nations World Charter For Nature (1982) states that: activities which are likely to pose a significant risk to nature shall be preceded by an exhaustive examination; their proponents shall demonstrate that expected benefits outweigh potential damage to nature, and where potential adverse effects are not fully understood, the activities should not proceed. Unlike later interpretations, this definition of the PP prioritises the protection of the well being of communities and the environment. It clearly identifies that the developer bears responsibility for proving that a development it is not harmful. Implicit in this principle is the social responsibility to protect the public from exposure to harm, when scientific investigation has found a plausible risk. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pol I T Ical Reviews • Melanesia 467 References Vanuatu
    pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 467 References controlling prisoners. Issues of eco- nomic policy also created challenges Fraenkel, Jonathan, Anthony Reagan, and with Vanuatu’s financial services David Hegarty. 2008. The Dangers of sector coming under increasing pres- Political Party Strengthening Legislation in Solomon Islands. State Society and Society sure, the rising cost of living being felt in Melanesia Working Paper (ssgm) quite strongly, and a proposed increase 2008/2. Canberra: ssgm, The Australian to employment conditions creating National University. uncertainty within the private sector. Ham Lini’s National United Party ISN, Island Sun News. Daily newspaper, Honiara. (nup)–led coalition had taken over in December 2004, following a success- mehrd, Ministry of Education and ful vote of no confidence against the Human Resources Development. 2009. government coalition led by Serge Semi-annual Report, January–July. Vohor’s Union of Moderate Parties mehrd: Honiara. (ump), which had been elected only NEN, National Express News. Tri-weekly five months earlier. Although several newspaper, Honiara. reshuffles took place in the intervening sibc, Solomon Islands Broadcasting years, Lini’s ability to survive to the Corporation. Daily Internet news service, end of Parliament’s four-year term was Honiara. http://www.sibconline.com remarkable. The previous decade had SSN, Solomon Star News. Daily news - seen regular votes of no confidence paper, Honiara. Online at and numerous threats of such votes http://solomonstarnews.com / leading to nine different coalition sto, Solomon Times Online. Daily governments and two snap elections. Internet news service, Honiara. Lini was able to stay in power mainly http://www.solomontimes.com because he refused to take action (ie, hold accountable politicians who were members of the coalition accused of mismanagement, corruption, or misbehavior) or make decisions that Vanuatu could jeopardize the coalition.
    [Show full text]
  • Ralph Regenvanu
    http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/ Research Commons at the University of Waikato Copyright Statement: The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. Authors control the copyright of their thesis. You will recognise the author’s right to be identified as the author of the thesis, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate. You will obtain the author’s permission before publishing any material from the thesis. Reconciling Kastom and Modernity in Contemporary Vanuatu A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Sciences at The University of Waikato by Lavinia Gael Lea Mahit 2016 Abstract Drawing on fieldwork data and relevant anthropological literature, this thesis examines how potential tensions between the categories of modernity and kastom are reconciled in contemporary Vanuatu. Following an outline of how the category of kastom emerged through colonial encounters, the contemporary ‘mix’ between the indigenous and non-indigenous categories is considered. This research further considers the breakdown of an ‘indigenous/exogenous’, ‘old/new’, or ‘past/present’ dichotomy, and shows how the juxtaposition of these concepts offers a new way of understanding the world - not necessarily in opposition, but not always in agreement. The analysis is presented in four stages.
    [Show full text]
  • Working Together in Vanuatu: Research Histories
    19. Olfala Histri Wea i Stap Andanit long Graon. Archaeological Training Workshops in Vanuatu: A Profile, the Benefits, Spin-offs and Extraordinary Discoveries Stuart Bedford, Matthew Spriggs, Ralph Regenvanu and Salkon Yona Archaeological research was included in the Vanuatu governmental moratorium on humanities-based research in Vanuatu from 1984 to 1994 (Bolton 1999: 1) and consequently it languished very much in a pioneering phase, reliant on interpretations from the results of a handful of influential projects that had been carried out through the 1960s and 70s. Right up to the mid-1990s fundamental questions relating to the initial colonisation and settlement of the archipelago and the succeeding cultural transformations which took place were still largely unanswered. Much of the country remained an archaeological terra incognita (Bedford et al. 1998; Bedford 2006a). However, the establishment of the Vanuatu Cultural and Historic Sites Survey (VCHSS) in 1990, a separate but associated entity to the Vanuatu Cultural Centre (VCC) and funded primarily by the European Union, was a major positive boost to archaeology. It started with a team of professional archaeologists, David Roe and Jean-Christophe Galipaud, and a less experienced but energetic group of ni-Vanuatu, some of whom would later go on to play influential roles in the long-term future of the VCC. The VCHSS initially comprised the manager Martha Yamsiu (later Kaltal) and field officers, Peter Kolmas, Ralph Regenvanu, Nicolas Vanusoksok, François Wadra and Fidel Yoringmal. Its aims were to build and maintain a database of sites of cultural, archaeological and historic significance; to conduct surveys to identify and document these sites; train ni-Vanuatu staff in techniques of survey, research planning and execution; consider and establish procedures for determining, assessing and responding to threats to sites; encourage and develop the study of archaeology and history of Vanuatu and promote an awareness of its importance as part of the country’s cultural heritage (Regenvanu et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Commonwealth Parliamentary Forums on Climate Change
    Commonwealth Parliamentary Forums on Climate Change Official Report March 2021 1 The Forums at a Glance In March 2021, CPA UK partnered with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), to host two virtual Commonwealth Parliamentary Forums on Climate Change. To factor for varying time zones across the Commonwealth, CPA UK delivered a tailored Asia-Pacific Regional Forum in conjunction with a pan-Commonwealth Forum. Cumulatively, the Forums we attended by 270 delegates from 38 countries who heard from over 50 speakers. With the UK hosting the 26th UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26) in November 2021, the Forums aimed to: o Engage a pan-Commonwealth parliamentary audience in discussions on the role of parliamentarians in holding governments to account, setting ambitious climate commitments and complying with international agreements. o Showcase positive climate action stories across the Commonwealth and allow for parliamentarians to share their key learning obstacles. o Provide participating parliamentarians with a unique opportunity to increase their knowledge about effective oversight and scrutiny of climate policies. o Provide panellists and delegates with the opportunity to network internationally, exchange ideas with a wide range of experts in the field and key regional COP26 stakeholders. o Build a community of practice and develop a Commonwealth climate action plan by electing a working group to coordinate efforts and maximise impact in the lead up to the COP26 summit. - Towards Climate Security - To begin the Forums, Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion, introduced delegates to the priorities of the UK Presidency. Commonwealth parliamentarians then shared good practice as well as the challenges faced in achieving these objectives within their remit.
    [Show full text]
  • Republique Republic De of Vanuatu Vanuatu
    REPUBLIQUE REPUBLIC DE OF VANUATU VANUATU JOURNAL OFFICIEL OFFICIAL GAZETTE 14 FEVRIER 2011 NO.7 14 FEBRUARY 2011 NOTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION ORDER CO-OPERATIVES SOCIETIES ACT [CAP 152] • INSTRUMENT OF REMOVAL ORDER NO. 11 OF 2011 BUSINESS LICENCE ACT NO. 19 OF 1998 • BUSINESS LICENCE RULE NO.2 OF 2002 (AMENDMENT) ORDER NO. 12 OF 2011 EMPLOYMENT ACT [CAP 160] • EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES PRESCRIBED FORM AND FEE ORDER NO. 13 OF 2011 GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND TENDERS ACT [CAP 245] • INSTRUMENT OF APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND TENDERS BOARD ORDER NO. 14 OF 2011 COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT [CAP 85] APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ORDER NO. 15 OF 2011 OATHS ACT [CAP 37] JUDICIAL OATH • MOSES PETER • ANNA LALOYER-BOLLEN • WAL TERSAI AHELMHALAHLAH OATH OF ALLEGIANCE • HANNALINE NALAU ILO LEGAL NOTICES BY WORLD DESTINATIONS LTD (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) (COMPANY NUMBER 25975) • NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY LlQUITATION AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR BY JERBOURG PTY LTD (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) (COMPANY NUMBER 31805) • NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY LlQUITATION AND APPOINTMENT OF LlQUITATOR REPUBLIC OF VANUATU CO - OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT [CAl) 152] Instrument of Removal Order No.&l of 2011 In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 2 of the Co-operatives Societies Act [CAP 152] and section 21 of the Interpretation Act [CAP 132], I, the Honourable Ralph REGENVANU Minister of Co-operative and Ni-Vanuatu Business Development, remove Mr. Willie ROY as Registrar of Co-operative Societies. This Order commences on the day on which it is made. Made at Port Vila this ~'1.1f,.. day of'Jl/1tIlJl'frlt , 2011 REPUBLIC OF VANUATU BUSINESS LICENCE ACT NO.19 OF 1998 Business Licence Rule No.2 Of 2002 (Amendment) Order No.
    [Show full text]
  • Re-Imagining the Economy in Vanuatu an Interview with Ralph Regenvanu ! R R  H G
    C HAPTER Re-imagining the economy in Vanuatu An interview with Ralph Regenvanu ! R R H G The following is an interview that took place during the conference ‘Pacific Alternatives: Cultural Heritage and Political Innovation in Oceania’ at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, March 2009. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Year of Traditional Economy in Vanuatu and the ways in which it has provided an avenue for rethinking the role of government in villages and for reconceptualizing the basis of economic sovereignty in Vanuatu. The introduction and conclusion contextualize this project both in the context of cultural and economic initiatives in Vanuatu and within the broader theoretical framework of Pacific Alternatives, which have been rearticulated in this volume as ‘Made in Oceania’. Background to the ‘Traditional Money Banks Project’ and the ‘Year of Traditional Economy’1 In June 2004 a project emerged that originated with a ni-Vanuatu fieldworker of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, James Teslo. James recognized that there were not enough pigs to do traditional ceremonies, which meant these ceremonies were not being done, which again meant that transmission of kastom, viewed as a form of intangible cultural heritage, was not occurring. The vitality of his culture was therefore being threatened, and he suggested the establishment of a pig ‘bank’ which could provide the required pigs. With the assistance of Tim Curtis, an anthropologist doing fieldwork in the area at the time and who later went to work for UNESCO, the project documentation was produced. The name of the resulting project, the ‘Traditional Money Banks Project’, reflected a wider focus on all traditional wealth items needed for use in ceremonies, such as red-dyed pandanus mats, shell money and yams.
    [Show full text]
  • Pacific Civil Society Assembly on Mdgs /Ldcs
    pacific_proceedings_final.qxp 12/29/2010 1:23 PM Page i PACIFIC CIVIL SOCIETY ASSEMBLY ON MDGS /LDCS Reviewing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Brussels Programme of Action (BPoA) towards the MDG Summit and the Fourth UN Conference on LDCs (LDC IV) 3-6 August 2010 pacific_proceedings_final.qxp 12/29/2010 1:23 PM Page ii ii | Page PACIFIC CIVIL SOCIETY ASSEMBLY ON MDGS/LDCS Reviewing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Brussels Programme of Action (BPoA) towards the MDG Summit and the Fourth UN Conference on LDCs (LDC IV) 3-6 August 2010 Port Vila, Vanuatu Published by: LDC Watch International Secretariat B.O. Box: 8130, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977 1 4004976, 4004985 Fax: +977-1-4004508, 4443494 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ldcwatch.org Publication supported by: United Nations Democracy Fund Date of Publication: November 2010 Cover Photo: Pacific Civil Society Representatives adopting the Port Vila Declaration pacific_proceedings_final.qxp 12/29/2010 1:23 PM Page iii iii | Page Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Context 1 1.2 Pacific Civil Society Assembly on LDCs/MDGs 1 1.3 Specific Objectives 1 1.4 Outcomes 2 1.5 Assembly Process 2 2. Summary of Welcoming Remarks and Opening Statements 3 3. Country Presentations and Thematic Issues 7 3.1 Kiribati 7 3.2 Tuvalu 9 3.3 Vanuatu 11 3.4 Samoa 15 3.5 Solomon Islands 15 4. Way Forward: Summary of Discussion on Country Papers 17 5. Moving Forward through Regional Cooperation 19 Annex I - Final Programme 23 Annex II – List of Participants 25 pacific_proceedings_final.qxp
    [Show full text]
  • Vanuatu's 2008 Election
    Number 1/2009 Briefing Note Vanuatu’s 2008 Election - Difficulties of Government Formation in a Fractionalized Setting Three months after the 2nd September 2008 Vohor, leader of the opposition Union of Moderate election, Vanuatu was still without a stable Parties (UMP), switched allegiance and joined government. In the wake of the September polls, the VP/NUP alliance, backing Natapei as Prime there was intense manoeuvring by the major parties Minister. That accommodation, however, contained involving accusations of ‘member stealing’ and the seeds of its own undoing. To accommodate Vohor allegations of the exchange of large sums of money to secure support. A government led by Edward Natapei was formed on September 22 based upon a coalition between the Vanua’aku Pati (VP) and the National United Party (NUP). With a slim 27 to 25 majority in the country’s 52 seat Parliament, the new government immediately faced a succession of ‘no confidence’ challenges, each moved by frustrated opposition MPs who had missed out on positions in cabinet. Maxime Carlot Korman - Leader of the Opposition (VRP) and the UMP with offers of ministerial portfolios, the government dropped some members of the VP and NUP from cabinet. Four rebelled, and joined with the opposition to table another ‘no-confidence’ motion. By 26th of November, when the consequent vote was held, three had returned to the governing coalition. Together with several independents, they enabled Natapei’s government to survive its second Ham Lini on the left (NUP - Deputy PM) and Edward Natapei on the right (VP - Prime Minister) challenge. Two days later, a third ‘no confidence’ motion was tabled.
    [Show full text]
  • Facts & Figures
    As of October 2015 KEY FACTS AND FIGURES ON VANUATU / UNESCO COOPERATION 1. Membership in UNESCO: 10 February 1994 2. Membership of the Executive Board: not currently a Member; has served on one previous term from 2001 to 2005 (163rd -172nd sessions). 3. Membership of the Intergovernmental Committees, Commissions, etc.: . Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Note: Vanuatu submitted its candidature for membership of the World Heritage Committee during the elections held at the WHC General Assembly in October 2007, but it was not elected. 4. The Director-General’s visits to Vanuatu: none 5. Permanent Delegation to UNESCO: . H. E. Mr Mickey Joy, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate (since 19/07/2012) . Mr Lionel Warimavute, Deputy Permanent Delegate 6. UNESCO Cluster Office in Apia: . Date of establishment: 1983 . Member States served: Today, the Office operates as a Cluster Office in charge of 16 countries plus 1 associate member: Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia (the Federated States of), Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tokelau (Associate Member) . Director: Mr Etienne Clement (since 01/112013 D-1, Belgium) 7. National Commission of Vanuatu for UNESCO: . Date of establishment: August 1999 . Chairperson: Mr Alfred Carlot (since June 2015) . UNESCO Officer: Mr Hilaire Sese (since January 2014) 8. Personalities linked to UNESCO’s activities: none Mr Ralph Regenvanu, former Director of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, was a Member of the International Jury for the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. 9. UNESCO Chairs & UNITWIN Networks: none 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Notice of Motion of No Confidence
    Notice of Motion of No Confidence This Notice of Motion of No Confidence in the leadership of The Honourable Sato Kilman Livtunvanu as Prime Minister of The Republic of Vanuatu is to be dealt with in the current Ordinary Session of Parliament of The Republic of Vanuatu on 21st March 2013. This Notice of Motion of No Confidence is signed by more than one sixth of the Members of Parliament. DATED Tuesday 12th March 2013. SIGNED by more than one sixth of the Members of Parliament: 1. Hon. Edward Nipake NATAPEI, MP for Port Vila Tr 2. Hon. Serge VOHOR, MP for Santo_. 3. Hon. Ralph REGENVANU, MP for Port Vila 4. Hon. Willie Jimmy TAPANGARARUA, MP for Pott Vila ./ 5. Hon. Joe NATUMAN, MPforTanna 6. Hon. Philip BOEDORO, MP for Maew 7. Hon. Kaltalio SIMEON, MP for Malekula .... 8. Hon. John TESEI, MP for Tafea Outer Islands . 9. Hon. Peter VUTA, MPforAmbae 10. Hon. Gillion WILLIAM, MP for Efate 11. Hon. Alfred MAOH, MP for Santo 12. Hon. Daniel NALET, MP for Malekula 13. Hon. Nato TAIWIA, MP for Efate 14. Hon. Esmon SAI, MP for Malekula 15. Hon. David TOSUL, MP for PentecgskrT^ 16. Hon. Jerome LUVAUNE, MP for Malekula 1 ' i MOTION NUMBER..... .1.......... OF 2013 Moved by: Hon. NIPAKE EDWARD NATAPEI - Member for Port Vila Seconded by: Hon. RALPH REGENVANU - Member for Port Vila PURPOSE: That the absolute majority of the Members of Parliament no longer has confidence in the leadership of the Honorable Sato Kilman Livtunvanu as Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, and we are therefore moving this Motion of No-Confidence to remove him as Prime Minister, pursuant to Article 43(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu.
    [Show full text]
  • The Traditional Economy As Source of Resilience in Vanuatu
    The traditional economy as source of resilience in Vanuatu By Ralph Regenvanu A survey undertaken by Oxfam in 2009 found that the impacts of the global economic crisis on families in Vanuatu had been negligible (Feeny 2010). The Ralph Regenvanu is a Vanuatu Member biggest impact reported by families was in fact from the global food crisis of of Parliament and Director of the Vanuatu late 2007 and 2008, which affected urban families reliant on imported rice and National Cultural Council. This article is an flour for daily sustenance, and rising transport costs resulting from the global edited version of a speech presented at “Pacific Islands and the World” Conference fuel crisis of 2008. Generally, however, the global economic crisis has had in Brisbane, 3 August 2009. The full little impact in Vanuatu compared to the massive impacts it has had in more speech is available at: http://aidwatch.org. industrialised countries. As the Oxfam report notes, one of the principal reasons au/publications/the-traditional-economy- for this is the very low level of integration of the great majority of our population as-the-source-of-resilience-in-melanesia. into the cash economy. Photo by David Becker Vanuatu, along with our two immediate neighbours, Papua New Guinea and the An exchange ceremony on Tanna. Solomon Islands, is among the last places in the world where the “subsistence economy” – which I prefer to call the “traditional economy” – still outweighs the cash economy in terms of providing livelihoods for the population. While today even the most isolated rural dweller needs cash to pay for tea, sugar, kerosene, metal implements, boat, ship or truck transport, and school fees, the participation of the great majority of people in the traditional economy is far more important and pervasive than their involvement with the cash economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Ralph Regenvanu
    About the Artist: Ralph Regenvanu Ralph Regenvanu’s fi rst public art was unveiled at the time of Vanuatu’s inde- pendence in 1980, when he painted the country’s new coat of arms on the wall of Central Primary School, in the capi- tal city of Port Vila. He painted his most famous piece, Las kakae (The Final Feast), when he was taking formal art classes in grade twelve in Australia. Among several Photo by Geoff White inspirations for his art is the storyboard style popular in neighboring Papua New Guinea. From this style he has created a number of drawings, including those in this volume, that high- light custom stories from his family’s home island of Uripiv, off the north- east coast of Malakula. The Melanesia Project, featured on this issue’s cover, is the result of Regenvanu’s time as an artist-in-residence at the British Museum in 2006. Regenvanu states, “The painting is about aspects of my cultural heritage that are no longer available in my own community but are available over- seas, particularly in London (where this painting was produced) at the British Museum and the Royal Anthropological Institute. I have called the painting The Melanesia Project because it is through this project’s activi- ties to try to create more contemporary ‘connections’ between the Mela- nesian collections of the British Museum and people in Melanesia that I have been able to produce this artwork.” The piece includes a nasara, or ceremonial ground, from his family’s home island, as well as artifacts from Vanuatu that currently reside at the British Museum.
    [Show full text]