Melanesia is characterised by complex interactions among land and natural resource uses, legal and political institutions, and interest groups. These interactions play out at the national level, where institutions have been profoundly shaped by an interplay of ‘local’ and ‘global’ orders and by the political...

Melanesia currently experiences many food and water security challenges that will be further exacerbated by the effects of climate change and evolving regional demographics. Australia remains the most influential actor in the region and contributes millions of dollars towards foreign aid, development and humanitarian assistance.

The concept of an emerging middle class provides a useful entry point for understanding significant developmental and political transformations in Timor-Leste and Melanesia and is important for informing development policies. Overview The emergence of a middle class has been identified as an important factor driving...

Provides insights both into how sorcery and witchcraft practices and beliefs are playing out in contemporary Melanesia, and also the types of interventions that are being trialled or debated to address the problems associated with them. Introduction

This paper investigates an appropriate choice of anchor currency for a proposed Melanesian currency union under various hypothetical currency union arrangements. Drawing from the optimal currency area (OCA) theory and related extensions, the analysis focuses on the effects of a currency union on exchange rate...

This review of the pilot project is for accountability and learning purposes and to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of project activities. The specific objectives are to: (a) build knowledge and understanding of the project to date, including outcomes and impacts (b) assess whether the...

Violence against women is a serious global problem, affecting all countries of the world, including Australia. It has significant human rights dimensions, causing trauma to women, families and communities. It is both a symptom and a cause of gender inequality and discrimination. Violence against women...