Pacific Institute of Public Policy

30 March, 2016

The world is talking about migration – so should we!

We need to start a more nuanced discussion on migration in this part of the world given the global discourse on this topic. Here Giff Johnson considers the issues from a north Pacific perspective, highlighting the little considered role of veterans returning to serve their own countries after years in the US military.

Corruption undermining sustainable development

16 November, 2015

Giff Johnson

Corruption undermining sustainable development

Giff Johnson examines the Pacific islands Forum Secretariat's most recent assessment of progress by its 14 members on the Millennium Development Goals which most islands failed to meet. For the Pacific to succeed with the new Sustainable Development Goals, eliminating corruption has to be a priority.

10 November, 2015

Giff Johnson

Education you can eat

After a visit to an urban school in Japan, Giff Johnson asks whether a program that integrates gardening and nutrition in their education should be replicated across the Pacific. Observers have found the program improves academic results and emotional stability.

Donors reinvent the resilience ‘wheel’ for Pacific islands*

9 September, 2015

Giff Johnson

Donors reinvent the resilience ‘wheel’ for Pacific islands*

Giff Johnson argues that going along with the current aid strategies imposed by foreign donors is undermining the resilience that already exists in the Pacific islands.

11 August, 2015

Giff Johnson

The price tag for global engagement

As Pacific nations find themselves accused on various international watch lists, Giff Johnson explores the tension between the cultural approach of keeping disputes or problems muted and its use at the political level to avoid dealing with necessary issues.

3 August, 2015

Giff Johnson

Reinventing the wheel once more

Instead of continuing down the path of individual nations negotiating separate deep-sea mining deals, a Forum leaders declaration on the issue at the regional level, could ensure fairer returns for Pacific islands states, writes Giff Johnson.