Source: AID WATCH

Throughout Melanesia, community land is being threatened. Foreign land grabs, land privatisation and foreign direct investment are pursued as a means to accelerate economic growth in the region. With an economic growth imperative as central, little space remains to defend alternative pathways to development or resolve the inherent negative impacts of these policies on the environment, culture, livelihoods and communities. 

Australia plays a significant role in supporting and financing a development and trade agenda that sees customary land tenure as an impediment to development in both Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. 

In Papua New Guinea over 5 million hectares of customary owned land has been taken from local people in an unprecedented land grab. Using Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs), foreign companies have fraudulently obtained rights to an astonishing 12% of Papua New Guinea's total landmass under the guise of development. 

In Vanuatu the Australian aid program has funded the Vanuatu Land Program that until last year, focused on titling and leasing land to pave the way for further customary land alienation. On the island of Efate alone, 80% of coastal land has been bought for tourism purposes. 

In the face of these threats to land, local people are struggling to retain Melanesian control over Melanesia land. Join us in hearing their stories and learn how you can support their struggle. 

Our speakers:

Effrey Dademo is a lawyer and the founding program manager of Act Now! PNG, a local grassroots organisation campaigning to protect land, economic independence, and natural resources. 

Lester Seri is a Maisin landowner in Collingwood Bay, PNG. He is a Coordinator for Oro Communities Environmental Advocacy Network (OCEAN) Inc., which campaigns against illegal land, logging and oil palm issues and was a Plaintiff in Collingwood Bay communities’ SABL court case 

Joel Simo is the Director of the Lands Desk at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre that leads grassroots community education and organising in Vanuatu and has been the driving force of the Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA). 

ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE BUT PLEASE RSVP AS SEATING IS LIMITED

Sydney

Thursday 13th November 6pm - 7:30pm
Brand X. Level 3, Central. 28 Broadway, Chippendale
(next to Central Station, opposite UTS)
Nibbles and drinks will be served at this event
RSVP: http://idlm13nov.eventbrite.com.au/

Friday 14th November 12pm-1pm
Sydney 
RSVP: http://idlm12nov.eventbrite.com.au/

Brisbane

Saturday 15th November, Musgrave Park. Cnr Russel and Cordelia, West End, Brisbane - as part of the Global First Nations Conference 

Sunday 16th November 2 - 3:30pm
The Swarm 90 Ryan Street, West End
As part of the Global First Nations Conference. 
Drinks and nibbles provided at this event. 
RSVP: http://idlm16nov.eventbrite.com.au/

Melbourne 

Monday 17th November 6 - 7:30pm Venue TBC
Monday 17th November 12:30 - 2pm Venue TBC

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