title: The evaluation of conservation planning policy effectiveness in the Solomon Islands: A case study of the Solomon Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

authors: Sisiolo, Jointly

subjects: Conservation plannning

abstract: This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and donors. This study found that human behaviour and attitudes are real obstacles to conservation practices in the Solomon Islands, coupled with factors such as increasing economic demand, population growth and climate related effects. The study further found that networks of the actors involved, and integration of the NBSAP policy, which can be horizontal and vertical in structure, are needed. Strong leadership was also found to be lacking among the conservation stakeholders and specifically in the MECDM as a coordinating agency for the NBSAP policy. To conclude, it was found that NBSAP policy was not effectively playing a role in influencing the decision and implementation of other related policies.

text: The evaluation of conservation planning policy effectiveness in the Solomon Islands: A case study of the Solomon Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the This research evaluates the effectiveness of conservation planning policy in the Solomon Islands and specifically examines the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP is a requirement under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)1 which the Solomon Islands ratified in 1995. The NBSAP outlines a framework to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the Solomon Islands and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The practice of conservation or environmental policy evaluation is rarely undertaken in the Solomon Islands due to the lack of baseline data, inadequate monitoring of implementation, and unclear goals and objectives. In brief, effectiveness evaluation involves comparison of the actual result to the expected result at a given time in order to isolate the influence of a specific policy. However, because of unavailability of data and to avoid the complicated and lengthy process of evaluation, this research focussed instead on the performance principle2 of evaluation and considered the overall performance of the NBSAP policy to determine whether it is effective or not.
This research was qualitative and thus focussed on words with the intention to examine the NBSAP and its problems. Interviewing was the main data collection method and was conducted in two parts: semi-structured interviews involving eight participants, and two focus group interviews with four and six participants each. Research questions were prepared to guide the discussion but flexibility was allowed for explanations and asking of further questions.
The study found that biodiversity is of paramount importance in the Solomon Islands in that large proportion of the population lives in rural village settings and depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods and subsistence purposes. To the government, biodiversity forms a big portion of its export and revenue. This research noted that biodiversity continues to be destroyed and lost despite various interventions including the NBSAP, involving conservation partners such as the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and donors. This study found that human behaviour and attitudes are real obstacles to conservation practices in the Solomon Islands, coupled with factors such as increasing economic demand, population growth and climate related effects. The study further found that networks of the actors involved, and integration of the NBSAP policy, which can be horizontal and vertical in structure, are needed. Strong leadership was also found to be lacking among the conservation stakeholders and specifically in the MECDM as a coordinating agency for the NBSAP policy. To conclude, it was found that NBSAP policy was not effectively playing a role in influencing the decision and implementation of other related policies.

year: 2013

title: Regional and industry cycles in Australasia: Implications for a common currency

authors: Grimes, Arthur

subjects: common currency

abstract: If two countries experience similar cycles, loss in monetary sovereignty following currency union may not be severe. Analysis of cyclical similarity is frequently carried out at the overall industry level, then interpreted with reference to regional industrial structures. By contrast, this paper explicitly incorporates regional industry structure into an examination of Australasian cycles. Since 1991, NZ and Australasian cycles have been highly correlated, but there is little evidence that the NZ cycle has been “caused” by Australian regional or industry cycles. We test whether the NZDAUD exchange rate has insulated NZ from Australian shocks, but find it has not played a major buffering role in response to Australian industry shocks (including mining shocks). Instead, the strongest impacts on the NZDAUD stem from the NZ cycle. An important loss of monetary sovereignty under currency union may therefore arise in response to NZ-specific shocks.

text: Regional and industry cycles in Australasia: Implications for a common currency If two countries experience similar cycles, loss in monetary sovereignty following currency union may not be severe. Analysis of cyclical similarity is frequently carried out at the overall industry level, then interpreted with reference to regional industrial structures. By contrast, this paper explicitly incorporates regional industry structure into an examination of Australasian cycles. Since 1991, NZ and Australasian cycles have been highly correlated, but there is little evidence that the NZ cycle has been “caused” by Australian regional or industry cycles. We test whether the NZDAUD exchange rate has insulated NZ from Australian shocks, but find it has not played a major buffering role in response to Australian industry shocks (including mining shocks). Instead, the strongest impacts on the NZDAUD stem from the NZ cycle. An important loss of monetary sovereignty under currency union may therefore arise in response to NZ-specific shocks.

year: 2005

title: Ngōku whakaaro – hei maumaharatanga. Maori women facial adornment: A mark of remembrance

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

abstract: To honour the life and memory of the late Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, and the elevation of her son King Tuheitia, a group of women from Tainui iwi under took the process of taking moko kauae - of colouring their chins with traditional patterns. The adornment process took place at Turangawaewae marae with family, friends, elders, and grandchildren. In this presentation we will talk about the journey of these women to prepare themselves for their transformations, the process they went through, and their lives since. We will also consider how their decision also meant exposure to outside opinion, the associated risks of objectification, “image-snatching”, and cultural and intellectual property issues.

text: Ngōku whakaaro – hei maumaharatanga. Maori women facial adornment: A mark of remembrance To honour the life and memory of the late Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, and the elevation of her son King Tuheitia, a group of women from Tainui iwi under took the process of taking moko kauae - of colouring their chins with traditional patterns. The adornment process took place at Turangawaewae marae with family, friends, elders, and grandchildren. In this presentation we will talk about the journey of these women to prepare themselves for their transformations, the process they went through, and their lives since. We will also consider how their decision also meant exposure to outside opinion, the associated risks of objectification, “image-snatching”, and cultural and intellectual property issues.

year: 2008