Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname/Family Name : Ravuvu Given Name/s : Amerita Leilani Ana Abbreviation for degree as give in the University calendar : PhD Faculty : UNSW, Canberra School : School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences (PEMS) Governing rural development: Discourses and practices of State and Donor Thesis Title : sponsored programs for rural development in Fiji Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Amidst global aid debates about the effectiveness of aid and its impact on poverty reduction and achieving improved quality of life, the principle of 'country ownership' has been reiterated at several international conventions. It has committed development partners to the use of country systems as the default approach to the provision of development assistance. Drawing on 'country ownership', this thesis focussed on the country ownership process in Fiji's rural development machinery (rural development administration structure) from an analytics of government perspective. Development programmes with a rural community focus have acquired a major importance in Fiji. They involve a variety of institutional arrangements, programmes and projects for accelerating national development. Fiji's rural development strategies are based upon notions of integrated rural development, which encourage local contributions and empowering rural communities with access to development opportunities. It is argued that an integrated approach can minimise the heavy-handed backing of government. While integrated rural development is not entirely new to Fiji, it has been inadequately theorised to date, with the misconception that it encourages and maximises the participation of rural communities in driving their own development. Using Foucault's 'governmentality' perspective, this thesis explores government and 'expert' discourses of rural development in Fiji and suggests, instead, that the discourses inherent in the ideas and practices adopted for rural development perpetuate the misconception of empowering rural communities. Drawing on a Fiji case study using qualitative methods, the thesis shows how the centralised control of rural development shape the discourses of rural development and normalise the discursive conditions under which rural people operate. These wield very specific rationalities (specific ends) that define the parameters of rural development and the boundaries of action of rural communities and how they organise themselves for their own development. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: Governing rural development: Discourses and practices of State and Donor sponsored programs for rural development in Fiji Amerita Ravuvu A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences (PEMS) UNSW Canberra 2018 ORIGINALITY STATEMENT ‘I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ i COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT ‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’ ii Acknowledgements This thesis culminates the journey my research has taken me on over the past three and a half years. It therefore owes a great deal to the guidance and protection of my Heavenly Father who has granted good health and frame of mind being the source of all things. It has also been enabled by the support of many people with whom I have worked and lived during that time. In particular, I acknowledge the privilege I have experienced through association with my supervisors Dr Alec Thornton and Dr Scott Sharpe who encouraged me on this journey from the get-go and from whom I received much appreciated guidance, as well as valuable suggestions. This research was funded through a Tuition Fee Scholarship from the University and their avid support towards my scholarship application process must be particularly acknowledged. My special thanks to the individuals who gave their time and experience to assist me in this research. To protect key informants’ identities, I will not name the people who agreed to be interviewed but I thank them for their willingness to share experiences, understandings and ideas which provided a valued contribution to the development of knowledge about practices of governing rural development in Fiji. My fellow kinsmen of Nakorosule village in the province of Naitasiri in Fiji, who allowed me to interview them and disrupt their daily schedules deserve the greatest praise and appreciation. A big Vinaka Vakalevu to each of them for telling their stories, sharing their life experiences and extending their generous hospitality to ensure that my fieldwork was enjoyable and this thesis possible. My late grandfather, Professor Asesela Ravuvu, who paved the way for me and whose exemplary leadership, academic track record, values for hard work and determination has left behind a legacy from which I continually draw strength and motivation to go above and beyond. To my parents, Mr Josese and Mrs Asenaca Ravuvu, my fiancé Mr Jekope Qoro and my whole family thank you for the continual encouragement, periodic nudging and cheerful support in ensuring the completion of this thesis. Needless to say, responsibility for any shortcomings in this research remains mine alone. iii Publications and presentations by the candidate relevant to the thesis Ravuvu A; Thornton A, 2015, 'Beyond Aid Distribution: Aid Effectiveness, Neoliberal and Neostructural Reforms in Pacific Island Countries', in Assessing the Impact of Foreign Aid: Value for Money and Aid for Trade, pp. 79 - 93, 10.1016/B978-0-12- 803660-0.00006-4 Ravuvu, A, 2017, 'Rural Development in Fiji: A Governmentality Perspective', Conference Paper presented at the 16th East-West Center International Graduate Student Conference on the Asia-Pacific Region, Feb 16-18, 2017, Honolulu, Hawaii. Additional publications during candidature not based on thesis Ravuvu, A; Friel, S; Thow, A-M; Snowdon, W; Wate, J, 2017, 'Protocol to Monitor Trade Agreement Food-Related Aspects: The Fiji Case Study', Health Promotion International, vol.online, pp.1-14pp. Ravuvu, A; Friel, S; Thow, A-M; Snowdon, W; Wate, J, 2017, 'Monitoring the impact of trade agreements on national food environments: trade imports and population nutrition risks in Fiji', Globalization and Health, vol.13, no.33, pp.1-17pp. iv Abstract There is considered reflection in aid debates about alternatives that might remedy the shortcomings of past approaches to governing development aid and responding to particular circumstances and demands of the time, and indeed, entering the new millennium with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and now the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part