About

The Melanesian is an editorial news site and community of critics committed to a serious engagement with issues affecting peoples living in the Pacific. These issues may include, but are not limited to, the environment (mining, petroleum, logging, etc); health (HIV/AIDS, etc); politics (corruption and the criminalisation of the state, NGOs and civil society movements etc); rule of law and human rights; and issues of sovereignty (Free West Papua Campaign, etc).

The Melanesian adopts its motto from two sources. The first part, “a community of critics,” is inspired by Marilyn Strathern’s 2004 Huxley Lecture ¹ of the same name ², since it attempts to serve as a virtual space for discussion of issues in a constructive yet critical attitude to sensitize debate, and in the process, attempt to provide sound alternatives to the people and governments of the region. Traditional Melanesian examples of an agora would be the Vanuatu nakamal, the Tolai kibung and the Morobe tutumang.

The second part of the motto, “putting people first,” comes from the Suva Declaration of 1993 in which member states of the South Pacific Forum resolved “to take into account development approaches which are more consistent with the cherished values which make up the unique Pacific way of life”. The underlying reason behind this declaration stems from the recognition that people and the relationships of which they are composed are not only the region’s greatest resources but also form the measure of what might be called a Pacific way of life.

We would like to extend a warm invitation to you, the reader, to feel free to post relevant news and comments to the site.