Introduction: The Prospects for Sustainable Development in Papua New Guinea
Sustainability is a balancing act with a triple bottom line. Now that
Papua New Guinea is experiencing a resource boom, this is even
more of a juggling act. As the world experiences food shortages,
and Australia’s economy remains buoyant by a stream of Chinese
mineral investment, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is caught
somewhere between being mineral rich and rice poor. Now is
exactly the right time to talk about sustainability in development.
God's Brideprice: laissez faire religion, and the fear of being left behind in Papua New Guinea
Contemporary PNG Studies: DWU Reserach Journal, Vol. 6, May 2007.
"Everywhere you turn in Papua New Guinea (PNG) these days there are conflicting messages about money. It is not so much earned anymore, as it is prayed for, bestowed upon and ‘planted’ in Savings and Loan Societies, microcredit societies, U-Vistract, Money Rain, televangelical missions, and even the private account of the widow of a Cote d’Ivoire Minister. A letter from the ‘Central Bank of Madrid’ tells me I have won 385,510 Euros in a Coca-Cola Promotion, which I can redeem by sending back a form with my bank details. A friend who works in fundraising for DWU has been selected and invited to a women’s conference that will be entirely free of charge once she pays for a hotel room in Switzerland...."
Cargo and condescension
‘Cargoism’ is the widely used derivative of what used to be the great insult in colonial Melanesia, ‘cargo cultism.’ Now, however, it refers to all kinds of social, economic and institutional behavior that results from inflated expectations and a naiveté of market economics. Development economists and anthropologists have long abandoned linear ideas of growth that make LDC’s look ‘backward’, and yet the local meaning of capitalism (and cargo) remains ignored in big picture discussions of politicoeconomic growth. This essay remembers Madang’s legendary ‘cargoist’ Yali Singina for what he meant then, and means now, and looks at his global reputation through a personal lens.
Introduction to Governance Challenges
for PNG and the Pacific Islands
It may still be possible for elected officials to face the challenges of governance without planting their snout in the public trough, but there is no lack evidence to the contrary. The authors in this collection all argue for change, or more importantly, for the political will to effect it. But as they describe, there is no fine line to cross, no correct posture to assume that can mark one as observing good rather than faulty, weak, failing or failed governance.
How media become the message in
Papua New Guinea: A coda
It’s now ten years since I wrote a paper called “Film and Television Production in Papua New Guinea: How Media Become the Message” (Sullivan 1993 and reprinted recently as Sullivan 2003). My intention was to explain and exemplify how indigenous production, in a climate that virtually precludes anything but low budget production, have come to serve very unexpected ends.
Ali island
Ali island: Tail end of the Bismark Archipelago in the West Sepik
Christian's Story
A young man from the Karawari River village of Yimas comes to America for a cornea transplant in Indianapolis, and regains the sight he'd lost ten years before.
Conservation and Community in The Managalas Plateau
A tranquil and beautiful plateau area north of Port Moresby, home to the enormous Queen Alexandra butterfly and lots of friendly villagers, is an excellent site for ecotourism treks.
Christmas at Siomormoro
Father Graham Bradshaw visits his parish outside of Goroka, and distributes toys to the kids like a latter-day Santa Claus.
Kula and Clay Pots in Kapukapuna
In the extensive ring of Kula throughout the Milne Bay Province, it is the little Amphlett islands, far away and hard to visit, that hold much of the history and myth of Kula.
Siassi Islands
This cluster of different islands includes everything from the South Pacific's Hong Kong, to shell markets and a beautiful little school.
The Murik Lakes Mixture
At the confluence of sea and Sepik River, the Murik Lakes people have a 'half-half' culture that includes male and female chiefs, great woven funeral baskets, and an excellent drama troupe.
A Treasure-Trove Of Storyboards In Chimondo
On the Kambot River of the Lower Sepik, one village, Haus Tambaran, is filled to the brim with brilliant storyboards and figure carvings.
Fighting With Food On Goodenough
The wind-swept villages of Goodenough, in Milne Bay, have a tradition of competing for authority by presenting ever-greater gifts of food.
The Irresistable Charms of Dobu Island
Like a floating botanical garden, Dobu's lush and friendly villages belie its history as the seat of sorcery for the region.
Independence Day in Margarima
National Geographic photographer Jodi Cobb and I catch a celebration on a mountaintop in the Southern Highlands that brings together traditional dress and dance from all the surrounding areas.
Day Trip to Tami
This island idyll is a brilliant place for a snorkel and village visit, only a short trip from Lae.
The Awim Caves
In the foothills of the Karawari River system are a series of limestone caves that were once homes, wartime hideaways, and spirit houses for male initiation.
Walkabout in Irian Jaya
One of the most beautiful places on the entire island of New Guinea is the Baliem Valley gorge, where visitors can trek through 'taim bifo' villages.
The Trobriands Art of Persuasion
Young people in the Trobriand Islands use their sex appeal as a political tool to establish connections that will be important for Kula trade later on.
Conservation at Work in Crater Mountain
Research and Conservation Foundation has created consensus for preserving the bush in this vast and beautiful area of high and low montane rainforest.
Beautiful Baluan Beckons
In one of the most remote islands of PNG's most remote province, the system of paramount and lower chiefs, and of the landed and seafaring populations, continues. |
