EU aid policy towards the Pacific ACPs

This paper reviews the EU's development policy in relation to the Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group (ACP). It considers the particular characteristics and challenges faced by these island economies before turning to their trade relations with the EU and the Community's aid programme. It considers both the regional assistance programme and the particular experience of Fiji, the largest economy of the South Pacific. Finally, it attempts to draw some more general conclusions as to the effectiveness of EU aid administration and to identify those issues that remain to be addressed including monitoring, performance criteria, deconcentration and policy coherence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Participation in sustainability appraisal planning policy

UK spatial planning guidance now recognises the importance of engaging stakeholders in appraisal processes at an early stage in the plan-making process. Regional planning authorities are required to consult with a wide range of stakeholders on the development of planning policy and the sustainability appraisal of that policy. However, there is no clear indication as to how they might go about this process, other than to confront the various stakeholders with a sustainability appraisal report. Participation in sustainability appraisal therefore still relies on reaction to a technical appraisal of an existing plan – and in this situation stakeholders might lack the incentive to participate. More thoughtful ways need to be devised to involve people in the sustainability debate so that spatial policy more accurately reflects their knowledge and aspirations. The focus of this paper is to investigate ways in which sustainability appraisal of spatial plans can be made more accessible and transparent within the context of wider governance mechanisms. Of particular interest is the public examination of a regional spatial strategy. A number of questions arise as to how engagement with stakeholders can be achieved and their knowledge elicited in a proactive manner

Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Pacific Islands: Why Europe should listen in

Pacific Island countries (PICs) are developing countries representing one of the culturally richest and most diverse regions worldwide. A decade ago, the realization evolved at international level that intangible cultural heritage (ICH) represents a development tool with an inherent commercial value. Regional initiatives are currently trying to balance objectives of development and protection of ICH with the need for commercial exploitation and effects of commodification. Yet, the same cannot be said about the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between PICs and the EU. The article advocates that current EU efforts in supporting regional and national processes meant to establish a preliminary level of legal protection for Pacific ICH are insufficient and inappropriate to the ‘living’ character of ICH. It promotes a more context-oriented design of intellectual property rights (IPR) provisions in EU policy instruments aimed at sustainable development of the Pacific region