Vanuatu: Bringing communities together for justice reform

Jastis Blong Evriwan is part of the World Bank’s Justice for the Poor program, a research and development program spanning numerous countries. The focus is on the challenges of justice reform and development in nations with plural legal systems. Jastis Blong Evriwan programming is built on a detailed understanding of the local context in Vanuatu and works closely with government and local communities.

In implementing the program, Jastis Blong Evriwan has recently set up an informal reference group involving civil society, academic institutions and relevant government agencies. The aim of the group is to provide advice on research design and implementation, monitor program results, and ensure that ongoing activities are relevant to the needs of local communities.

The first meeting of the reference group took place on 4 February. It was attended by 30 people, including representatives from key government departments such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Lands, Malvatumari (National Council of Chiefs), the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, Labor Union, Vanuatu Christian Council, VANGO (Association of NGOs), University of the South Pacific, as well as other civil society organisations and community members. An overview of the Jastis Blong Evriwan program was provided, as were preliminary findings of a case study on land issues in the traditional heritage site of Roi Mata Domain. Feedback was also requested from participants on a Jastis Blong Evriwan research program on leasing in Vanuatu.

The meeting resulted in a very useful dialogue about Jastis Blong Evriwan and its activities and on how it can usefully engage with land issues in Vanuatu. Key points that participants raised included the need to ensure that research is translated into outcomes on the ground, the need to take the diverse nature of kastom into account, and the need to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including government and civil society organisations.

The reference group will meet again in May to present the results of the leasing study, and to discuss strategies for acting on the findings of this study.