We need to think about whether development brings any benefits to those who are largely self-sufficient – like many of the world's 150 million tribal people including many Papua New Guineans

By Stephen Corry*

Diabetes, obesity and heart disease rates are soaring in developing countries, as multinationals find new ways of selling processed food to the poor

By Felicity Lawrence (Guardian UK)

Lawyer Alois Jerewai is familiar with the buzz of mosquitoes and the sweet aroma and taste of ‘saksak’, the staple of every sago loving ‘saki’ in PNG, reports the Post Courier.

Mr Jerewai, from Sepik, has also heard that famous folksy ‘saki’ tune made famous by the Hollie Maea band many times.

So when it finally lured him to Kerema, the little ‘yu yet kam na lukim’ river port west of Port Moresby, Mr Jerewai thought the Gulf provincial capital deserves better.

The Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and MiningWatch Canada and have released a new report called “Out of Our Depth”. It details serious environmental and social impacts expected as a result of unprecedented mining of the ocean floor in PNG.

By Deborah Moses

The Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agricultural and Business Leases (SABL) in the Western Province has heard more damning evidence of local landowners losing their land to conniving loggers without their knowledge, reports the Post Courier.

Commissioner Nicholas Mirou is hearing into SABLs granted for land portions 27c, 1c and 14c in the North Fly District where tragic tales of land loss similar to cases recorded in West Pomio and New Hanover are emerging.

Papua New Guinea's land grab is part of a global phenomina that is being resisted by indigenous people across the planet. The fight against land-grabbing is a fight against capitalism, neoliberalism and a destructive economic model. 

Nyeleni, November 19, 2011

By the Critic

Another story about our wrong model of development

Everyday I meet interesting people.

Two months ago, it was  a doctor - the Director of Medical Services at a provincial hospital. During our discussion, he  said  we – the PNG government – are putting money into areas that won’t improve the nation’s health.

The Commission of Inquiry (“the Commission”) hearing on SABL in Kiunga, Western Province which commenced on Wednesday (16/11/2011) has already revealed some very disturbing information.

We are all Occupiers

People the world over salute the Occupy movement for standing up to injustice and fighting for equality at the heart of empire

By Arundhati Roy*