On Wednesday October 24th, PiPP held a leaders’ debate at Wan Smol Bag Theatre – the first of its kind in Vanuatu. This event differed from our MP Face to Face programme in that it was a moderated discussion focusing on three key policy areas – health, education and the economy – as opposed to an open question and answer forum. Moderator Kiery Manassah drove a frank and detailed discussion, pressing leaders for specifics and encouraging them to move beyond generalities. A capacity crowd attended the event, which was broadcast live on television and radio. It will also be re-broadcast on Saturday October 27th to mark the end of the 2012 political campaign period.
PiPP’s goal is to facilitate dialogue and promote greater understanding of important issues. We hope that this event provided voters with another opportunity to make a more informed decision on voting day.
The event raises an important question: What is the preferred method for politicians to get their message across and why? Vanuatu is culturally unique in many ways, and early feedback seems to suggest that community-level events (such as PiPP’s MP Face to Face series) had a greater impact on the voting public.
The debate did provide valuable insights into leaders’ political stances, however. While a few leaders spoke in detail about their policies, the majority stuck with generalities. For example, some candidates suggested that they want to improve the quality of doctors in the country and build new facilities but they declined to go into detail concerning the ‘What? When? Where? How? And Why?’ of the idea put forward.
Attendees:
- Jeff Joel Patunvanu (NAG)
- Wendy Himford (KDP)
- Reith Bule – Vanuatu Village People’s Party
- Silas Hakwa – (PAP)
- Williamson Obed Naros (VRDP)
- Daniel Molisa (VDALPC)
- Ati George Sokomanu (VPP)
- Barak Sope (MPP)
- Ralph Regenvanu (GJP)
- George Nipiku – Nasuman People’s Association.
It is unfortunate to have all Political Leaders on this face to face program discussion and it is also important to have more this program in future.