title: Indigenous Development and Self-Determination in West Papua: A Case Study of the Socio-Political and Economic Impacts of Mining upon the Amungme and Kamoro Communities of West Papua.

authors: Hisada, Toru

subjects: Amungme

abstract: Since West Papua was colonized by Indonesia in 1963, West Papuans have endured one of the most disastrous experiences of cultural and
environmental destruction, human rights abuses and mass killing of the twentieth century.  In the Western Highlands of West Papua, where
Freeport McMoRan, a mining company from
Louisiana, United States (U.S.), operates, there
have been long-standing disputes over environmental justice, human rights, the right
to control development, and wealth
distribution.  

   Substantial research has been done on the negative impacts of the Freeport's operation on the Amungme and Kamoro communities who reside in the company's operating area.  Yet, limited
research has been done regarding Freeport's social policies and the possible solutions to the issues which are crucial for the further development of Amungme and Kamoro.  Therefore, the thesis firstly examines Freeport's recent social policies which have attempted to address the two communities' concerns as well as the social problems the company has caused around its operating area.  The examination suggests that genuine reconciliation between Amungme and Kamoro communities and Freeport is a crucial next step in achieving successful community development in the area.  The thesis employs a case study of the South African reconciliation processes via Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to explore the prospects of achieving successful community development in Freeport's operating area of West Papua which might lead to prosperity for the Amungme and Kamoro peoples.

   In addition to this, the prospect of
preventing the human rights violations by the Indonesian Military (Tentera Nasional Indonesia-TNI) is considered.  The TNI, by carrying out the role of protecting the Freeport operation, has until today committed a large number of human rights violations against indigenous West Papuans around the mine thus preventing and inhibiting the future development of Amungme and Kamoro communities.  Since major countries, including the U.S., the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand and Australia, have until today,
supported the Indonesia state and the TNI, the attitude of Pacific Island states towards the issue is examined.  Finally, although the above processes are important, the study suggests the more important role of the Amungme and Kamoro themselves in taking responsibility for their plight and taking positive actions wherever possible to solve the issues surrounding them.  Although the conflict continues to the present day, the research contained in the thesis outlines the situation in West Papua only up until November 2006.

text: Indigenous Development and Self-Determination in West Papua: A Case Study of the Socio-Political and Economic Impacts of Mining upon the Amungme and Kamoro Communities of West Papua. Since West Papua was colonized by Indonesia in 1963, West Papuans have endured one of the most disastrous experiences of cultural and
environmental destruction, human rights abuses and mass killing of the twentieth century.  In the Western Highlands of West Papua, where
Freeport McMoRan, a mining company from
Louisiana, United States (U.S.), operates, there
have been long-standing disputes over environmental justice, human rights, the right
to control development, and wealth
distribution.  

   Substantial research has been done on the negative impacts of the Freeport's operation on the Amungme and Kamoro communities who reside in the company's operating area.  Yet, limited
research has been done regarding Freeport's social policies and the possible solutions to the issues which are crucial for the further development of Amungme and Kamoro.  Therefore, the thesis firstly examines Freeport's recent social policies which have attempted to address the two communities' concerns as well as the social problems the company has caused around its operating area.  The examination suggests that genuine reconciliation between Amungme and Kamoro communities and Freeport is a crucial next step in achieving successful community development in the area.  The thesis employs a case study of the South African reconciliation processes via Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to explore the prospects of achieving successful community development in Freeport's operating area of West Papua which might lead to prosperity for the Amungme and Kamoro peoples.

   In addition to this, the prospect of
preventing the human rights violations by the Indonesian Military (Tentera Nasional Indonesia-TNI) is considered.  The TNI, by carrying out the role of protecting the Freeport operation, has until today committed a large number of human rights violations against indigenous West Papuans around the mine thus preventing and inhibiting the future development of Amungme and Kamoro communities.  Since major countries, including the U.S., the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand and Australia, have until today,
supported the Indonesia state and the TNI, the attitude of Pacific Island states towards the issue is examined.  Finally, although the above processes are important, the study suggests the more important role of the Amungme and Kamoro themselves in taking responsibility for their plight and taking positive actions wherever possible to solve the issues surrounding them.  Although the conflict continues to the present day, the research contained in the thesis outlines the situation in West Papua only up until November 2006.

year: 2007

title: Effects of maize fertilizer subsidies on food security in Malawi

authors: Mkwara, Bentry

subjects: maize

abstract: This study employs spatial analysis to examine the impact of smallholder fertilizer subsidies on national and household food security in Malawi. It illustrates that at national level, food security is positively linked to fertilizer subsidies. However, at household level, maize production is heavily skewed with the south lagging behind the centre and the north. In the short-to-medium term, replacing the current countrywide subsidy program with a more targeted one is highly recommended. Furthermore, by diversifying into other crops or smallscale businesses, smallholders may be able to increase their income and hence food buying power.

text: Effects of maize fertilizer subsidies on food security in Malawi This study employs spatial analysis to examine the impact of smallholder fertilizer subsidies on national and household food security in Malawi. It illustrates that at national level, food security is positively linked to fertilizer subsidies. However, at household level, maize production is heavily skewed with the south lagging behind the centre and the north. In the short-to-medium term, replacing the current countrywide subsidy program with a more targeted one is highly recommended. Furthermore, by diversifying into other crops or smallscale businesses, smallholders may be able to increase their income and hence food buying power.

year: 2011-11

title: The southern initiative: How indigenous values inspire social innovation and impact

authors: Niu, Xiaoliang

abstract: Indigenous values are increasingly recognised in helping organisations contribute to wellbeing within and beyond the workplace. Adopting the theoretical lens of Māori economies of wellbeing, this case study examines how The Southern Initiative (TSI), a unit within Auckland Council, incorporates Māori values to co-create place-based solutions and foster whānau (family) wellbeing. Through kōrero (conversations) with three people, a wānanga (collaborative discussion) with TSI members, and analysis of organisational literature, we identified how TSI's organising approach synthesises social innovation and bureaucracy. We found that indigeneity-embedded intrapreneurship, distributed leadership, and whānau-centred design support TSI's innovations. Mana (prestige) emerged as a primary organising principle, sustaining TSI's approach to achieving systemic change. By bridging Indigenous paradigms and conventional managerial practice, this case study demonstrates how Māori values can transform public sector management, elevate social justice, and encourage community resilience. These findings highlight culturally grounded frameworks for delivering social impact and shaping equitable outcomes.

text: The southern initiative: How indigenous values inspire social innovation and impact Indigenous values are increasingly recognised in helping organisations contribute to wellbeing within and beyond the workplace. Adopting the theoretical lens of Māori economies of wellbeing, this case study examines how The Southern Initiative (TSI), a unit within Auckland Council, incorporates Māori values to co-create place-based solutions and foster whānau (family) wellbeing. Through kōrero (conversations) with three people, a wānanga (collaborative discussion) with TSI members, and analysis of organisational literature, we identified how TSI's organising approach synthesises social innovation and bureaucracy. We found that indigeneity-embedded intrapreneurship, distributed leadership, and whānau-centred design support TSI's innovations. Mana (prestige) emerged as a primary organising principle, sustaining TSI's approach to achieving systemic change. By bridging Indigenous paradigms and conventional managerial practice, this case study demonstrates how Māori values can transform public sector management, elevate social justice, and encourage community resilience. These findings highlight culturally grounded frameworks for delivering social impact and shaping equitable outcomes.

year: 2025