Spy backlash

Indonesia is revisiting its security information exchanges with Australia following last week’s bombshell by whistleblower Edward Snowden. Such exchanges of information—vital in the two countries fight against terrorism and people smuggling, have been especially critical following the 2002 Bali bombings. Since Snowden leaked the information on US-led spy network, US Secretary of State John Kerry has admitted NSA’s clandestine intelligence gathering activities had been allowed to go “too far”.

This article was written by

Kiery Manassah

Kiery Manassah is a journalist and holds a Master of Communication for Social Change from the University of Queensland. He is a former editor of the Vanuatu Daily Post and has worked at the Pacific Institute of Public Policy. Most recently he held the position of Public Relations Officer for the government led by Joe Natuman.

A deeper look at the Vanuatu election

On 22 January 2016 the people of Vanuatu went to the polls to elect the eleventh and most diverse national Parliament. In this post we look more closely at the results, which reveals democracy in Vanuatu is seemingly delivering a kind of micro federalisation. While this is reflective of the reality on the ground, it does not bode well for nation building, and presents a significant challenge for political parties to consolidate or grow their share of the popular vote.
YOUR SAY: The new Global Goals

This short survey, undertaken in partnership with RMIT University, explains the new ‎Global Goals and gives people across the Pacific the chance to rate their relevance and help track progress. The more we know about the goals, the more we can hold our leaders to account to implement them.
Coalition builder

Frustrated with the status quo? Think you can do better? Have you always wanted to build your own parliamentary coalition government? Now you can with our new coalition builder web app!

CLIMATE COUNTDOWN

DP12 – The sirens have sounded on climate change. Pacific islands are on the frontline and some are facing an existential threat to their very existence.
URBAN HYMNS

DP18 – Urbanisation needs to be seen and managed as a national priority, while a new mindset is required that can look positively at the urban process.
VANUATU’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

DP10 – Little noticed, economic growth in Vanuatu has accelerated in recent years dispelling the myth that Pacific economies cannot grow.