University of the South Pacific seminar highlights indigenous resilience

The University of the South Pacific (USP) hosted a seminar titled ‘Rural, Urban, and Policy Adaptation: Experiences from Papua New Guinea’ to discuss how Pacific communities respond to environmental, social, and economic changes. Organized through the School of Law and Social Sciences and the U.S.–Pacific Resilience and Adaptation Fellowship Programme (U.S.–PRAFP), the event emphasized that resilience requires more than technical solutions.

Dr. Jamon Alex Halvaksz of Georgetown University presented research on the political ecology of agriculture, conservation, and gold mining along the Upper Bulolo River in Morobe Province, as well as urban experiences in Port Moresby, Kavieng, Lae, and Wau. He noted that adaptation is shaped by history, politics, livelihoods, and relationships, highlighting that resilience is grounded in everyday practices and collective responses.

Alfred Tuikoro Tora, a PhD candidate at USP, discussed Indigenous Fijian worldviews in community-owned businesses. He highlighted concepts such as ‘vanua’, ‘lotu’, ‘veiwekani’, and ‘talanoa’ as foundations for leadership and cooperation. Tora stated that resilience involves maintaining relationships and ensuring development reflects community values.