title: Reconciling Kastom and Modernity in Contemporary Vanuatu

authors: Mahit, Lavinia Gael Lea

subjects: Vanuatu

abstract: Drawing on fieldwork data and relevant anthropological literature, this thesis examines how potential tensions between the categories of modernity and kastom are reconciled in contemporary Vanuatu. Following an outline of how the category of kastom emerged through colonial encounters, the contemporary ‘mix’ between the indigenous and non-indigenous categories is considered. This research further considers the breakdown of an ‘indigenous/exogenous’, ‘old/new’, or ‘past/present’ dichotomy, and shows how the juxtaposition of these concepts offers a new way of understanding the world - not necessarily in opposition, but not always in agreement.
The analysis is presented in four stages. First is the use of kastom in Vanuatu’s governance systems, highlighting its origin in traditional leadership systems, to its repression in the colonial Condominium era, followed by its integration into the new state at independence (Lini, 1980). Second is the investigation of the use of kastom today, highlighting the ‘wrong’ and ‘unacceptable’ ‘mixing’ in Port Vila. This leads to the third, involving a demonstration of a sort of ‘mixing’ of indigenous and non-indigenous practices in parliamentary politics. The case study of MP Ralph Regenvanu and his recent land reform package is presented and discussed in terms of ‘indigenous cosmopolitanism’ (Goodale 2006), and as an exemplar of a ‘Janus-faced’ approach to modernity in Vanuatu (Taylor 2010). In the Conclusion, the research is considered in relation to the analysis of kastom by White (1993) and Lindstrom (1992) to show the multiple ways in which kastom can be tied together with things ‘not-kastom’ in contemporary Vanuatu.

text: Reconciling Kastom and Modernity in Contemporary Vanuatu Drawing on fieldwork data and relevant anthropological literature, this thesis examines how potential tensions between the categories of modernity and kastom are reconciled in contemporary Vanuatu. Following an outline of how the category of kastom emerged through colonial encounters, the contemporary ‘mix’ between the indigenous and non-indigenous categories is considered. This research further considers the breakdown of an ‘indigenous/exogenous’, ‘old/new’, or ‘past/present’ dichotomy, and shows how the juxtaposition of these concepts offers a new way of understanding the world - not necessarily in opposition, but not always in agreement.
The analysis is presented in four stages. First is the use of kastom in Vanuatu’s governance systems, highlighting its origin in traditional leadership systems, to its repression in the colonial Condominium era, followed by its integration into the new state at independence (Lini, 1980). Second is the investigation of the use of kastom today, highlighting the ‘wrong’ and ‘unacceptable’ ‘mixing’ in Port Vila. This leads to the third, involving a demonstration of a sort of ‘mixing’ of indigenous and non-indigenous practices in parliamentary politics. The case study of MP Ralph Regenvanu and his recent land reform package is presented and discussed in terms of ‘indigenous cosmopolitanism’ (Goodale 2006), and as an exemplar of a ‘Janus-faced’ approach to modernity in Vanuatu (Taylor 2010). In the Conclusion, the research is considered in relation to the analysis of kastom by White (1993) and Lindstrom (1992) to show the multiple ways in which kastom can be tied together with things ‘not-kastom’ in contemporary Vanuatu.

year: 2016

title: Genetic Resources, Equity and International Law

authors: Guneratne, Camena Erica

subjects: Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

abstract: This thesis examines the application of international law to the uses of agricultural crop plants termed plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. In particular, it asks the question,  does international law regulate the use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture so as to enable equity among nations in accessing these resources and sharing the benefits which arise from them? 

In answering this question this thesis will also consider several related issues which have arisen in the course of the international debate on this topic. These resources are closely entwined with the lives and livelihoods of certain categories of peoples such as indigenous peoples and farmers and local communities. In addition, they are critical for the economies, agricultural systems and food security of nations. The thesis question will not be considered in the abstract, but will rather be placed against the background of these issues, which will be continuously used to put the legal discourse into perspective.

The legal analysis will focus on five international agreements which directly or indirectly regulate the use of crop plants. These five agreements are placed in two broad categories, i.e. environmental/conservation agreements and trade and property related agreements. The first category includes the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992 and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of 2001. The second category includes the Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants of 1991, the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of 1994, and several treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. In addition, since the topic raises issues of rights, certain human rights treaties and documents will also be used in the analysis.

The current international conflict over plant genetic resources can be condensed into one of rights, human rights and property rights. The international treaties cited above have all contextualized the issue within a framework of property rights, setting out mechanisms for different forms of legal control of these resources. This thesis will argue that whatever the form and nature of such property rights, they cannot achieve equity in the use of crop plants. Rather the use of such rights results in violations of human rights.

text: Genetic Resources, Equity and International Law This thesis examines the application of international law to the uses of agricultural crop plants termed plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. In particular, it asks the question,  does international law regulate the use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture so as to enable equity among nations in accessing these resources and sharing the benefits which arise from them? 

In answering this question this thesis will also consider several related issues which have arisen in the course of the international debate on this topic. These resources are closely entwined with the lives and livelihoods of certain categories of peoples such as indigenous peoples and farmers and local communities. In addition, they are critical for the economies, agricultural systems and food security of nations. The thesis question will not be considered in the abstract, but will rather be placed against the background of these issues, which will be continuously used to put the legal discourse into perspective.

The legal analysis will focus on five international agreements which directly or indirectly regulate the use of crop plants. These five agreements are placed in two broad categories, i.e. environmental/conservation agreements and trade and property related agreements. The first category includes the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992 and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of 2001. The second category includes the Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants of 1991, the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of 1994, and several treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. In addition, since the topic raises issues of rights, certain human rights treaties and documents will also be used in the analysis.

The current international conflict over plant genetic resources can be condensed into one of rights, human rights and property rights. The international treaties cited above have all contextualized the issue within a framework of property rights, setting out mechanisms for different forms of legal control of these resources. This thesis will argue that whatever the form and nature of such property rights, they cannot achieve equity in the use of crop plants. Rather the use of such rights results in violations of human rights.

year: 2009

title: WERO: A pānui for tauira Māori in psychology

authors: Waitoki, Waikaremoana

abstract: The first WERO pānui was edited in 1991 by the first Māori in psychology at Waikato University, Stephanie Palmer and Linda Waimarie Nikora. This pānui is the third in the WERO series, aiming to continue the legacy of the first publication in 1991 (edited by Stephanie Palmer) and the second in 1992 (edited by Hikitapua). The pānui continues to center diverse Māori perspectives with relevance for those affected by racial oppression in psychology.

text: WERO: A pānui for tauira Māori in psychology The first WERO pānui was edited in 1991 by the first Māori in psychology at Waikato University, Stephanie Palmer and Linda Waimarie Nikora. This pānui is the third in the WERO series, aiming to continue the legacy of the first publication in 1991 (edited by Stephanie Palmer) and the second in 1992 (edited by Hikitapua). The pānui continues to center diverse Māori perspectives with relevance for those affected by racial oppression in psychology.

year: 2024-06-03