Lack of Public Awareness Stifles Political Account

Lack of Public Awareness Stifles Political Accountability in Samoa

Research by Samoan academic Dr Iati Iati has found that long term rule by its one-party state has raised governance issues in Samoa, despite it being labelled the Pacific’s ‘pinup star’ by many international donors.

The relatively easy passage of Samoa’s Land Titles Registration Act 2008, which in Iati’s view threatens to undermine traditional land tenure rights, is a case in point.

The research is the subject of a new booklet published by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation entitled – Civil Society, Political Accountability and Foreign Aid: A Samoan Case Study, being launched today at the Centre for Pacific Studies’ Fale Pasifika, at the University of Auckland. A seminar explaining the findings of this research will follow the launch which starts at 6.00PM NZ time.

“An important indicator of good governance is the existence of clear and effective processes to enable the public to readily engage in policy issues affecting their lives,” said Dr Iati.

“Equally important is confidence in the state, so that the public can rely on clear courses of action. It is questionable whether this is the case in Samoa,” he said.

Dr Iati has an interest in research on governance in the Pacific, particularly on civil society, political accountability and land issues in Samoa. He was awarded a Samoa Treaty of Friendship Fellowship by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation in 2008 and holds a chiefly ‘matai’ title from the village of Falelatai, in Samoa.

The Pacific Cooperation Foundation is a public/private sector partnership focussed on fostering understanding of the Pacific within New Zealand.

ENDS

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