On a global scale, Papua New Guinea is very much the periphery, and thus of course Lavongai more so still. The fluctuation of world market prices for copra or cocoa indeed affect the Lavongais, but it seems fair to say that the island community is far more touched by matters at a national level. Nevertheless the outside world is felt, mostly flowing in through foreign media and people. The flow out is all but non-existent, save perhaps for some exotic imagery of cultists and an island paradise. Papua New Guinea is still very much bullied by the IMF, the Worldbank, and most of all by Australia.
Australian dominance is felt, even at a local level.
The atmosphere is still awkwardly colonial and there is a very high barrier for a Lavongai to ever get his foot in the door. Sadly there is also a belief in black inferiority. Based on time and observations, the white man is seen to be superior in thought, action and discipline. The lowest of slaves will be he to his brothers. However the Lavongais consider themselves very lucky, not like the unfortunate Africans, with whom they feel a certain similarity.