A Pacific leader has emphasized the need to perceive aid as an investment in people rather than mere charity, particularly for Pacific communities. This perspective was highlighted during a recent forum focused on New Zealand-funded projects, where community leaders from Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu convened in Aotearoa for ChildFund’s panel discussion entitled “Aid is Under Attack – Meet Pacific Community Leaders Implementing Kiwi-Funded Aid.”
The goal of the event was to showcase successful community-led development projects supported by New Zealand’s public donations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The forum also sought to address the changing dynamics of international aid and its geopolitical ramifications. Key speakers included notable figures such as Sharon Inone, CEO of Greenergy Pacific, and Joanna Bourke, CEO of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF).
Bourke told PMN Tonga that the event is crucial in promoting success stories and stimulating an important dialogue on the evolution of aid. She rejected the idea that aid is “under attack,” asserting instead that it should be considered an investment in the Pacific’s future. “It is about building stronger relationships with our community, who are the direct beneficiaries of aid,” she remarked, stressing the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes related to aid.
Furthermore, Bourke pointed to significant changes in international aid, particularly the impact of the United States reducing its funding by 80 percent, which affects around 100 projects in the Pacific. She highlighted the need for the Pacific to recognize who will fill the void left by U.S. reductions, especially as Pacific nations continue to face challenges like climate change.
Through collaboration and listening to the needs of the region, New Zealand and Australia can adapt their aid approaches. Recently, Australia committed AUD$2 billion (NZ$2.2 billion) to Pacific aid, emphasizing a shift towards prioritizing regional stability and security beyond military dimensions. Bourke underlined that economic prosperity, labor mobility, and climate security are essential aspects of achieving overall security in the Pacific.
“These initiatives deserve attention, not only for their outcomes but also for what they symbolize,” she stated. By framing aid as a matter of honor and investment in the vision of Pacific peoples, there is potential for a more sustainable and prosperous future. This approach promotes the idea that comprehensive support strategies can lead to resilience, enabling communities to forge ahead despite current global challenges.
In the face of geopolitical shifts and the complexities of international aid, there remains a hopeful outlook for the Pacific, as regional leaders embrace collaboration and strategic reaffirmation of their goals for a resilient future.
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