Snapshot of civil society in Solomon Islands: Questionnaire to AGNA members
SNAPSHOT OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN
SOLOMON ISLANDS
QUESTIONNAIRE TO MEMBERS OF THE AFFINITY GROUP
OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (AGNA)
June 2015
Snapshot of civil society in Solomon Islands: Questionnaire to AGNA members
The Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) brings together national
associations from around the world. Created in 2004, it aims at strengthening
national umbrella organisations, fostering greater co-operation across national
and regional boundaries to pursue mutual interests.
THE CONTENT OF THIS PAPER HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES EXCHANGE-SOLOMON ISLANDS
http://www.dse.org.sb/
Snapshot of civil society in Solomon Islands: Questionnaire to AGNA members
THE CONDITIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN SOLOMON ISLANDS
WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FACED BY CIVIL SOCIETY IN OUR COUNTRY
IN 2014/2015?
The biggest challenged undertaken by civil society in 2014 is the advocacy for corruption-free 2014
general elections. It was a failure as 75% MPs in last Parliament (labelled the worst Parliament)
retained their seats. This was attributed largely to the 11th hr release of terminal grants amounting
to approximately USD54’000 to each MP
Challenges:
Internal Organization Issues
•
Lack of referral system or information on how provincial NGOs can register their organization
•
Financial capacity provisions to run EU funded programs due to lack of quality trainings to
execute quality reporting and financial processes especially community based organizations
•
Wantok system is a biased form of help or assistance and the NGO sectors are facing this in
terms of dealing with development partners, private sectors and programs in the
communities.
•
Lack of capacity to perform to international standards due to the very little qualification or
experience when employing community helpers or focal points in the communities.
•
Lack of management skills to manage programs
•
There is no proper position of HR in smaller NGOs
National Issue
•
Change in culture and religion is changing the way people view civil societies
•
The current government of Solomon Islands is running the parliament with no taxed Salaries.
Efforts by citizens, NGOs in the peaceful red t-shirt protest and media campaigns against the
move was not considered as freedom to express and not taken in seriously by Government.
•
Lack of support from the government to share a common goal
•
There is very little consideration from the government to support West Papua to be part of
the Melanesian Spearhead group. Civil societies are either not making enough efforts or afraid
to go against Indonesia and Solomon Islands government.
•
1
Communications between staff, partners, Government and other CSOs is very limited.
Snapshot of civil society in Solomon Islands: Questionnaire to AGNA members
•
Duplication of NGOs is causing confusion in community programs
International Scope
•
There is very limited recognition of international gatherings for most established NGOs
•
Trust and relationship between NGOs and Donors is another form of challenge. NGOs need to
be sustainable and having a Donor with no future for any NGOs is a challenge.
WHAT WAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ACHIEVED BY CIVIL SOCIETY IN YOUR COUNTRY
IN 2014/2015?
The birth and rise of social media groups in the country adds a new dimension to civil society activism
and advocacy against chronic corruption in the country within this period. A classic example is the
exposure of the corrupt or improper dealing of the Board and CEO of the country’s national airline
which is now the subject of defamation proceedings in the country’s High Court.1
The establishment and shown commitment of the NGO Bill that is currently in place by the new DCC
government.
The annual DSE CSO Open Day gathered together NGOs that celebrated, shared and created strong
relations between CSOs, Government and the general public.
WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY OR CHALLENGE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN YOUR
COUNTRY THAT YOU FORSEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
Improved networking and coordination between and amongst civil society players presents a
significant opportunity for cooperation and collaboration in most future initiatives in the country. Each
class of challenges, for instance internal issues, needs cause and effect analysis for better
understanding of the root of problems and their respective solutions
1
The author is the solicitor of the defendant CSO in the defamation suit.
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Snapshot of civil society in Solomon Islands: Questionnaire to AGNA members
THE SITUATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY’S RESOURCING
ARE RESOURCING CONDITIONS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY GETTING BETTER OR WORSE?
Resourcing has since remained the same without much improvement. There is some improvement in
resourcing coming from both development partners, government and donors on sector base agenda.
IS CIVIL SOCIETY EXPLORING NEW STRATEGIES TO DIVERSIFY RESOURCING AND ARE ANY OF
THESE PROVING SUCCESSFUL?
The country’s socio-economic circumstances is such that room for new strategies is rather limited,
thus, efforts to date with better resourcing have been of little success. Yes some strategies have been
initiated through having dialogues with regional office like Pacific Islands Association of NGOs. DSE
had so far two short term partnership for resourcing in which the latest will soon phase out in end of
June 2015.
ARE YOU SEEING A MOVE AWAY FROM GRANT FUNDING (AS PROVIDED BY DONORS AND
GOVERNMENTS) TO OTHER METHODS OF SUPPORTING CIVIL SOCIETY?
It’s rather static with little or no changes recorded.
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Snapshot of civil society in Solomon Islands: Questionnaire to AGNA members
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