The Mama Graon Vanuatu Land Program

The Mama Graon Vanuatu Land Program, led by Program Director Chris Lunnay, made tremendous advances in strengthening customary governance in 2011. Actively working through program partners has been one of the key modalities towards effective progress.

In September 2011, a Customary Land Workshop was held by the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs during which, 19 resolutions were presented to the Minister of Justice. The resolutions are in line with wide spread beliefs to improve Kastom Governance. Resolutions were taken further afield to Tafea Province for a Provincial Workshop on Tana, and then on to the Islands for discussion with Chiefs and the people of each island. Four resolutions have been integrated into the 2012 work plans of the Island Councils for Tafea Province.

Hurdles still need to be overcome during the year to ensure there is continued program momentum. These involve adequately resourcing the Customary Land Tribunal Unit, providing further capacity development to manage land conflicts, and establishing a sustainable and effective communication strategy through the Communication Working Group. Already, working in a consultative and collaborative manner with key Program partners is proving to be of utmost importance in the effective delivery of land development in Vanuatu. The program focuses on responding to local needs and demands. It also focuses on and ownership of the objectives by partners is demonstrating success as shown by the adoption of resolutions by island council work plans. The key enabling partners of the Mama Groan Program are: Malvatumauri, National Council of Chiefs, Department of Lands, Customary Land Tribunal Unit, Vanuatu Cultural Centre, among others and donors AusAID and the New Zealand Government.

For more information, AusAID have recently published program information, and encourage you to read the Mama Graon Annual Plan: visit AusAID – Mama Graon Vanuatu Land Program.