In contrast, development agents and government planners see self reliance as including the introduction of imported technology, necessitating years of training and establishment of systems that integrate the Pacific nations to a global system of interdependency. Such a concept sees self reliance as the ability of a nation to adapt to the modern world. This risks marginalising the majority of our people to whom self reliance equates with learning and adapting the skills of old. Other agencies define development as a process of increasing people s choices. Many young people, prodded by concerned parents, equate education with development.
Formal education means increased options.
Too many, however, leave school unskilled and unemployable. Their choice is to resort to petty crime to earn a living. 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.