Helping create peace in the Pacific

Professor Kevin Clements

The Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPACS) is contributing to conflict prevention in Vanuatu by enhancing links between community governance, which is largely the provenance of customary leaders, and the state of Vanuatu.

ACPACS is partnering the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the National Council of Chiefs of Vanuatu (the Malvatumauri) in the project, which has both applied and research dimensions.

The project aims to assist Vanuatu’s customary leaders to engage in social dialogue on the direction and pace of development, particularly at the local level, and to work constructively with the national government. The National Council of Chiefs initiated the project, with AusAID funding much of the pilot program. After the initial success of the pilot program, AusAID is funding the project for a further 18 months as part of an expected long-term partnership.

Professor Kevin Clements, Director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies said the project was a good example of the University’s research being put to practical use and described the partnership as an “exciting collaboration”.

“This partnership offers a great opportunity for the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs and the University to learn from each other and for the University to support the Chiefs in enhancing their strengths and capacities to engage collaboratively with the government,” Professor Clements said. “We see this as another example of the Centre putting research to practical use and at the same time drawing important research value from applied projects.”

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