Widening gaps between the rich and poor indicate unequal access to increased options. Some civil society groups insist that development is for the people and has to be defined by them. An increasing number of Pacific communities are becoming more aware of the need to nurture their cultural heritage. Culture is borne out of adaptation to the natural environment, secured through people s rights to its resources. For them, development embodies the continuing recognition of these rights and their democratic freedom to make decisions associated with them.
Development is a change to something better .
To confine this decision to a few risks a change to something worse for all.