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Pacific leadership needs a Pasifika-centred approach, says Vaai
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea /Culture & Society

Pacific leadership needs a Pasifika-centred approach, says Vaai

From Post-Courier · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pacific leadership and development must adopt a Pasifika-centered approach, according to Professor Upolu Luma Vaai.
  • Current Western frameworks often create a "logic of deficiency," overlooking the region's strengths.
  • A "logic of enoughness" and "whole of life" philosophy are proposed to foster resilience and self-determination.

Pacific countries should re-evaluate leadership and development models, moving away from Western philosophies to embrace approaches grounded in Pasifika values, knowledge, and lived experiences. This call comes from Dr. Upolu Luma Vaai, a professor at the Pasifika Communities University Manu Folau.

The Pacific is often viewed through the lens of deficit and deficiency.

— Professor VaaiDescribing the common perception of Pacific communities within Western development frameworks.

Speaking at the 2nd Pasifika Philosophies, Leadership, Weaving Futures Conference, Professor Vaai highlighted how Pacific development continues to be shaped by Western frameworks that do not always align with the region's realities. This often results in a "logic of deficiency," where Pacific communities are viewed primarily through their needs and shortcomings rather than their inherent strengths and potential.

Professor Vaai proposed an alternative: a "logic of enoughness." This perspective begins by recognizing the existing resources, strengths, and gifts within Pacific communities, fostering resilience and self-determination. She also advocated for an "ethics of restraint" in leadership, encouraging leaders to pause, reflect, and consider their relationships with people, land, and the environment before making decisions.

It is about finding time to pause. To slow down. To wait.

— Professor VaaiExplaining the principle of 'ethics of restraint' in leadership.

Furthermore, Professor Vaai stressed the importance of retaining "ethical memory" alongside institutional governance systems. She suggested that education and leadership training, often based on Western models, should be complemented by Pasifika-centered initiatives. These should embody a "whole of life" philosophy, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life and moving beyond competing interests to focus on "weaving and blending the best of worlds."

The ‘whole of life’ is a philosophy that centres life for everyone and everything.

— Professor VaaiDefining the Pasifika-centered 'whole of life' philosophy.

Drawing on the Samoan concept of Tautala Aso, meaning "the days speak," Professor Vaai emphasized the responsibility of Pacific societies to preserve and transmit knowledge and memories across generations. This holistic approach aims to strengthen the foundation for sustainable Pacific development.

the days speak” or “the days tell

— Professor VaaiExplaining the Samoan concept of Tautala Aso.
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Originally published by Post-Courier. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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