| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
The challenges facing the Pacific’s small island countries in the 21st century, and the alternative models of governance that may help them meet those challenges, are explored in a new book from Canterbury University Press.
Models of Regional Governance for the Pacific: Sovereignty and the future architecture of regionalism has been edited by former diplomat Dr Kennedy Graham, a Senior Adjunct Fellow in the School of Law at the University of Canterbury. It features contributions from 10 experts on the Pacific region who delivered papers during a symposium held at the University in May 2007.
Dr Graham, who also contributed a chapter to the book, said Pacific states faced distinctive challenges in the 21st century – the threat of climate change and rising sea levels, economic globalisation and wealth disparities, cultural predation and trans-national crime.
“The question we were asking ourselves throughout the conference, and which is reflected in this book, was is it feasible for the small, vulnerable Pacific Island countries to meet these incredible challenges and, if it is feasible, how can it be done?
“The answer postulated is through greater regional unity, which is a reflection on the increase in regionalisation happening all over the world, particularly in Europe with the EU integration movement.”
Models of Regional Governance for the Pacific reviews the development of Pacific regionalism to date, surveys the movement in other regions, and considers the merits of the Pacific Plan, drawn up by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to progress development in the region through cooperation and integration.
It also reflects on how the traditional customs and values of the Pacific and Western political thought and practice can be brought together and used in the best interests of the region.
“What we hope to do is to get some discussion going on the future of regionalism in the Pacific through some creative thinking.”
Contributors to the book include Dr Roberto Ridolfi, head of the European Commission Delegation for the Pacific; Dr Tapio Kanninen, a senior UN official; Professor Anthony Angelo from Victoria University of Wellington; Sheenia Spillane, legal advisor in the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum; and Dr Yves-Louis Sage, Maitre de Conferences of the University of French Polynesia in Papeete. The foreword is by New Zealand Member of Parliament Charles Chauvel.
As well as being on staff in UC’s School of Law, Dr Graham is also a senior lecturer in the School of Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington, and visiting professor in the International Relations Department of the College of Europe, in Bruges, Belgium.
The symposium which generated the book, “Models of Regional Governance for Pacific Island States: The future architecture of Pacific regionalism”, was organised by the University of Canterbury and the University of the South Pacific.
For further information please contact:
Dr Kennedy Graham
Adjunct Senior Fellow
School of Law
University of Canterbury
Tel: +63 3 364 2987 ext 8784
kennedy.graham@canterbury.ac.nz
Or:
Stacey Doornenbal
Publicist
Canterbury University Press
Ph: (03) 364 2987 ext 3809
stacey.doornenbal@canterbury.ac.nz