Remittances: an informal but indispensable form of income for seafarer families in Kiribati

This paper discusses the distribution of remittances to Kiribati by looking at the socio-cultural elements of people and how these are linked to strategic-economic decision-making when remittances are received by families. Being employed on foreign merchant or tuna vessels has great economic advantages for Kiribati. One of the main advantages is that overseas employment is one of few employment alternatives for the working age population in Kiribati. Remittances sent back serve not only as safety nets for seafarer families, but people benefit through informal channels of distribution. It will be shown in this paper that and how remittances have led to better living conditions for families in Kiribati, increased cash flow and some investment. On the outer islands, however, remittances are often the only cash contribution for some families and are mainly used for basic needs and community contributions

The effects of exports, aid and remittances on output: The case of Kiribati

Country specific time series models of the determinants of output for the small developing island countries in the Pacific region are relatively few. This paper explores the applicability of the framework underlying Solow (1956) to analyze the determinants output in Kiribati for the period 1970-2005. It is found that technical progress in Kiribati has been negative virtually offsetting the positive effects of factor accumulation. Aid and remittances have negative effects and exports have only a small positive effect in the short run.Kiribati; Growth; Aid; Exports and Remittances

Sustainable tourism: a valid remedy against climate change impact in every context. The Svalbard and Kiribati archipelagos

: Climate change, with relevant global warming, has a deep and global impact on environment but the consequences on local populations and respective economic activity may differ in a significant way depending on the dissimilar socio-economic conditions. This study compares the conspicuous effect that this change of natural conditions has on two archipelagos placed in extreme latitudes. Regardless of latitude, the impact on the environment is important, conditioning significantly the landscape and the usual natural life of animals and human being. The possibility to cope with those consequences are dramatically limited for the underdeveloped population of Kiribati. Due to its coral nature this archipelago risks to be flooded and disappear with few meters of increase in sea level together with the very basic activities that the population has adopted as a mean of subsistence (fishing and agriculture). Because of this situation, the Kiribati population is seriously facing the disappearing of his Country together with his cultural identity and is considering the mass exodus in other safer areas to survive. The wealthier population of Svalbard has the possibility to defend themselves and their archipelago with the substantial help of the international community but, at the same time, they risk having their historical landscape and culture deeply influenced by the economic interests that the warmer climate can offer. For both populations the sustainable tourism has been in the last period an alternative activity to traditional economy. This study proposes to adopt the sustainable tourism as a valid instrument to help local populations defending themselves, their culture, and their country against the disruptive effects of climate changes

Hydrology of conflicts over shallow groundwater use and management in low coral islands

Groundwater is the major freshwater source in coral islands. Its availability, quality, and management are central to sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Increasing populations, growing per capita demand and restricted land areas limit water availability and generate conflicts. Shallow groundwater in the Pacific is vulnerable in ENSO-related droughts and over-extraction causes seawater intrusion. Human settlements, animal production, and agro-chemicals coupled to very permeable soils, with limited water-holding capacity, result in rapid impacts on groundwater quality and human health. Coconuts, breadfruit, papaws, bananas and crops such as swamp taro, decrease groundwater supplies through direct evapotranspiration from the watertable. The trade-off between maximising and protecting groundwater resources and maximising overlying crop production presents a dilemma for island communities as does the tensions between the demands of an urbanised society and traditional cultural practices. This paper describes an UNESCO IHP project on the hydrology and hydrodynamics of shallow groundwater and the socio-cultural aspects of groundwater use in coral islands. The study was in Tarawa atoll, Kiribati in the central Pacific. A simple daily water balance model was used to suggest groundwater extraction strategies and management options. The lack of comprehensive water legislation and legal agreements between the government and landowners, combined with confusion over the responsibilities of government agencies and community vandalism to water supply infrastructure, are indicators of the tensions between the subsistence past and the urban future faced by many small island communities. The potential for using multi-agent systems to reduce conflicts is discussed. (Résumé d'auteur

Climatic and human influences on water resources in low atolls

Low, small islands have water supply problems amongst the most critical in the world. Fresh groundwater, the major source of water in many atolls, is vulnerable to natural and human-induced changes. Storm surges, droughts and over-extraction cause seawater intrusion. Settlements and agricultural activities can rapidly pollute shallow groundwaters. Limited land areas restrict freshwater quantities, which are especially vulnerable during frequent ENSO-related droughts. Demand for freshwater is increasing due to population growth and urbanisation. Water use for traditional crops often competes with water supplies for communities. This paper analyses the impact of frequent severe droughts on the quality and quantity of fresh groundwater in a low, atoll, Tarawa, in the Republic of Kiribati. We also examine the impacts of groundwater harvesting on traditional subsistence crops such as coconuts and of landuse on water quality. Strategies for reducing risks from climate variations and human impacts and increasing resilience are discussed. (Résumé d'auteur

Culture Moves? The Festival of Pacific Arts and Dance Remix in Oceania

This reflective essay is a journey through my dance studies work with a discussion on the role of the Festival of Pacific Arts in shaping dance in Oceania, and particularly its impact on Banaban dance from Rabi in Fiji. I encourage future discussion and development of a field of �Pacific Dance Studies,� with preliminary thoughts on the role of �remix� in Pacific dance practices, especially as they are shaped by and reflected in this important regional festival

Pacific Island food security: situation, challenges and opportunities

In recent years, there have been large and rapid increases in the prices of basic foods worldwide. Pacific island countries have not been isolated from the global food 'crisis'. This article shows that there are substantial differences in the impacts within and between Pacific island countries. To be effective and not counterproductive, policy and donor responses need to be tailored accordingly. This article recommends a combination of measures directed at mitigating the threats and empowering rural people to take advantage of the opportunities

International migration in a sea of islands: Challenges and opportunities for insular Pacific spaces

Our contribution to the International Conference “Connecting Worlds: Emigration, Immigration and Development in Insular Spaces”, held in the Azores between 28 and 30 May 2008, examines contemporary mobility of Pacific peoples in a transnational context with reference to processes of out-migration, return, re-migration and the complex systems of circular mobility between island countries as well as to and from countries on the Pacific rim. There are some significant differences between parts of the Pacific region in terms of the access their peoples have to work and residence opportunities outside their island countries. These are reviewed with reference to some major challenges for development in the region: rapid growth of youthful populations; high levels of unemployment; limited markets for local produce; unsustainable levels of extraction of timber, fish and mineral resources; changing climates; and unstable governance systems in some countries