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Donate nowOur Land, Our Future: Melanesian Land Speaking Tour
Date published: 19 Apr 10
In March 2010, AID/WATCH travelled around the country for two weeks with Steven Sukot (Bismarck Ramu Group, PNG) and Joel Simo (Vanuatu Cultural Centre). These leading campaigners for land rights in Melanesia spoke about the importance of land to Melanesian peoples and concerns about the impacts of land reforms on their cultures, economies and livelihoods. See here for media coverage and other resources from the speaking tour.
Speakers included:
Joel Simo, Land Desk, Vanuatu Cultural Centre
Joel Simo is the Director of the Land Desk at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Joel has published numerous works on Land in Vanuatu and has extensive experience leading grassroots community education and organising at a national level. He has played a key role in facilitating regional networks and collaborations on land.
Steven Sukot, Campaigns Manager, Bismarck Ramu Group, Papua New Guinea
Steven Sukot is the Campaigns Manager for the Bismarck Ramu Group, a local community development and conservation NGO based in Madang, Papua New Guinea. Protecting Melanesian customary land is a major focus of BRG’s campaigns at present. Steven has been instrumental in facilitating the formation of the Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA).
See below for links to media coverage of AID/WATCH's Melanesian Land Speaking Tour
Melanesians express anger about land reforms
‘The Wire’ – Australian Community Radio, 15 March 2010
Produced by Marcus Coombs
Concerns over land reform policies in Melanesia
Radio Australia – Pacific Beat, 19 March 2010
Presenters: Kate McPherson & Sam Seke
Interview with Joel Simo
3CR – Renegade Economist, 24 March 2010
Presenter Karl Fitzgerald
Melanesian activists: 'It's our land, not my land'
Green Left Weekly, 26 March 2010
By Peter Robson
Indigenous land rights in Melanesia
2SER - The 3rd Degree, 1 April 2010
By Eric Ireland
