Telecommunications Research
The flagship research project for 2008 was a detailed study into how people in urban and rural Vanuatu exploit access to telecommunications, and how the use of telephony impacts on household livelihoods. Undertaken in the backdrop of a newly deregulated market, the study also considered the implications of telecommunications for gender dynamics, small and medium enterprises, and rural-urban linkages. The study draws on recent research conducted by the British Government Department for International Development (DFID), assessing the impact of telecommunications on poverty reduction and rural livelihoods in India, Mozambique and Tanzania. The underlying conceptual framework of the DFID study uses the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The research methodology was presented at the regional telecommunications conference held at the University of Samoa, and has received wide acclaim for its approach. A series of media articles accompany the main research findings report, a briefing note and a paper that submitted to the Pacific Economic Bulletin.
Trade policy briefing series
A series of five trade briefing papers have been prepared and disseminated covering the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations, the Melanesian Spearhead Group trade arrangements, the trade pacts in place that affect the Pacific island countries, the special needs of small island states, and PACER Plus agreements and the emerging trade facilitation programs being negotiated to assist the Pacific island countries. The briefing papers have been well received and have led to the institute working closely with the Department of Trade in Vanuatu and being selected as one of six preferred suppliers for the AusAID Pacific Trade Research initiative announced at the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in July 2008. Each Forum island country has been allocated grant funding to spend on national research priorities at on of the six pre approved regional research institutions.
Research into political parties and groupings of Vanuatu
In partnership with the Australian Labor Party International Projects Unit, PiPP published a concise booklet profiling the political parties contesting the 2008 Vanuatu general election including an overview of each party/grouping policy platform. A first of its kind in Vanuatu, this publication was supported by a series of workshops for young leaders and party officials as well as ongoing engagement with political parties, civil society groups and media organisations.
Human rights training module
In association with the Vanuatu Rural Development Training Centres Association, PiPP published a basic human rights training module that included trainers’ manual and participants’ handbook. The module covers topics such as introduction to human rights, culture and human rights, human rights and development as well as sections on rights of women, children, people living with disabilities and HIV/AIDS.
Road infrastructure in Samoa and Vanuatu
A research project that examines, compares and contrasts the governance and administration practices in Vanuatu and Samoa in relation to land transport. The findings identify the public sector governance and administration arrangements in Samoa and Vanuatu and how they impact on new road infrastructure projects, and contributes to the retention of institutional knowledge of reform processes in both countries.
Drivers of Change
Drivers of Change is a tool used by development agencies to identify and study the linkages between a country’s political framework and the factors that support or block development. It considers the interaction between economic, social and cultural systems and the goals, behaviours and actions of the development actors. PiPP personnel were part of the Drivers of Change team that mapped out possible development scenarios for Vanuatu over the coming 10-15 years, based on different assumptions around political governance. PiPP was later commissioned to distil the key messages of the report into a series of briefing papers to inform a nation wide dissemination program.
Pacific Economic Survey
The Pacific Economic Survey (AusAID 2008) is the first of a series of annual surveys that provide an overview and update of economic developments in the Pacific island region and Timor-Leste. Each Survey also includes separate chapters on particular issues of importance to the region. The 2008 survey examined the challenges of better connecting the Pacific through improved telecommunication, aviation and shipping services. PiPP was engaged to facilitate a number of round table discussions to accompany the launch of the Pacific Economic Survey in both Vanuatu and Solomon Islands and ongoing media engagement on the survey themes.
Network mapping & building
A key activity of the start up period was network building, which included network mapping exercises in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Marshall Islands to further develop the PiPP network and understanding of the local political context. Additionally, we have forged strong links with a number of local, regional and international institutions (see Appendix 2) and attended/presented at a number of regional seminars in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Australia.
Media Engagement
PiPP has developed a close collaboration with local and regional media agencies including the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). In particular we have developed strong ties with the Media Association of Vanuatu and individual media outlets in the preparation and delivery of a series of media forums that were undertaken throughout the 2008 Vanuatu national election campaign. Additionally, we have a working partnership with the media unit at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology, providing mentoring support to media students and places in the internship programme (see below). Through its media engagement, PiPP has been regular contributor to local and regional media and now has a reputation for credible commentary on policy issues in the region.
Internships
An agreement is in place with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Vanuatu to develop a public service fellowship/internship program that would see PSC approval to grant leave without pay for a period of up to 3 months for approved applicants to join PiPP to undertake a specific piece of research. PiPP will fund applicants (i.e. cover PSC salary) and provide research mentoring support through its Advisory Council. We are currently undertaking an awareness program across the public service and will soon call for applicants. It is envisaged that up to three such placements will be funded through 2009. If successful it is expected that the arrangement be replicated in other Pacific island countries. We also encourage interested individuals to apply to undertake an internship with the institute to carry out a specific piece of research.
Website
The PiPP website (pacificpolicy.org) was re-launched in July, 2008 to include an overview of the organisation and details of activities. The site is being further developed to encourage user interaction (including submission of articles and use of media such as audio and video podcasts) as well as member blogs and links to other relevant information sources.
