Models of Regional Governance for the Pacific

Arising from proceedings of a 2007 symposium organised by the University of Canterbury's School of Law, the National Centre for Research on Europe and the University of the South Pacific, this book explores the challenges facing the vulnerable small Pacific island countries in the 21st century and the models of regional governance available to them. It reviews the development of Pacific regionalism to date, surveys the 'state of the art' in other regions, especially the EU integration movement in Europe, and considers the merits of the contemporary Pacific Plan. Offering reflections of the nexus between the Pacific Way, based on traditional customs and values of indigenous peoples of the region, and the prevailing values and political methods of the dominant West, it concludes with some insights into how these separate and distinct cultural-political approaches to 21st century international politics might be synthesised for the common regional interest. It is hoped that this collaborative work will stimulate insightful discussion on the future of Pacific regionalism. The book will be a key resource for academic scholars, politicians, national policy-makers, international civil servants, and civil society (NGOs). Foreword by Helen Clark.