In light of the Australian led intervention
into the Solomon Islands, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad draws attention to
the underlying causes of the violence there and fears that these problems
will resurface if not addressed by long term development programs.
In a report released today, Beyond
Operation Helpem Fren - An Agenda for Development in the Solomon Islands,
Oxfam Community Aid Abroad describes the Australian led intervention as
a circuit breaker that has brought a measure of stability. However, Solomon
Islanders will face ongoing upheaval if they are not directly involved
in tackling the combination of local and global issues that affect them.
"A successful long term strategy will need to tackle issues like the lack of jobs in rural areas, internal migration, customary land ownership issues, rapid population growth, an increasing culture of violence and overall economic decline," says Andrew Hewett, Executive Director of Oxfam Community Aid Abroad. "As yet, we know little about what the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) proposes as a long term package of assistance."
The agency recommends the following interventions for sustainable long term change:
- Create rural opportunities, especially for rural youth who are vulnerable to militarisation.
- Explore options for formalising customary land ownership and registration that are culture and gender sensitive.
- Support community-based organisations that work to end family and community violence.
- Draw on Solomon Island and other Pacific Island technical experts, consultants and volunteers in establishing governance systems.
- Prioritise support for basic services that recognise the important contribution of civil society organisations.
- Involve customary leaders, women's, youth, church and other civil society groups in peace building initiatives.
- Work with the Solomon Islands Government on sentencing and justice issues that explore integrating customary systems of justice and indigenous counselling services.
"The building blocks for a more positive future for the Solomon Islands have been put in place with the improvement in law and order," says Andrew Hewett. "Tackling the underlying causes of conflict and maximising community participation will help to ensure that this investment pays off."
For further information or to arrange an interview with Andrew Hewett, please contact:
Marlene McIntyre on (03) 9819 9413 or 0425 709 085.