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Graham Hassall

Victoria University of Wellington, School of Government, Honorary Research Associate

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After completing a BA (Hons) majoring in Southeast Asian History at the University of Sydney and a B. Ed (Art) at the University of NSW, I completed a PhD in Pacific History at the Australian National University. I then taught at the University of Melbourne, the University of Papua New Guinea, Landegg Academy in Switzerland, the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. My principal areas of research are government and public policy in the Pacific Islands; United Nations Studies; and Baha'i Studies. I was academic director of Papua New Guinea's Foreign Service Training Program (2015-18), Chair of the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies (2019-2020), and a past-president and life-member of the United Nations Association of New Zealand. Now retired and resident on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Working on biographies of (1) Clara and Hyde Dunn; (2) Malietoa Tanumafili II; (3) Rowland and Elizabeth Hassall; (5) the Australian Bahai Community; (6) and the Papua New Guinea Bahai Community.
Phone: 0409711773
Address: 17 Scenic Avenue

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Papers by Graham Hassall

The United Nations and the Pacific Islands

United Nations University series on regionalism, Dec 31, 2022

this paper, presented at the United Nations Association of New Zealand 2017 National Conference: ... more

Passage of Change : Law, Society and Governance in the Pacific

was born in Denmark and grew up in Australia. She spent 17 years practising law in Vanuatu. She n... more was born in Denmark and grew up in Australia. She spent 17 years practising law in Vanuatu. She now works in the Aboriginal Legal Service in rural New South Wales. She obtained her Law degree from Melbourne University in 1973 and has recently completed her Master of Laws at QUT. Appointed a Commissioner on the first Legal Aid Commission in Victoria in 1979 she also served on the Law Council of Vanuatu in 1996. She was elected President of the Vanuatu Law Society in 1998. She has lectured at USP in the undergraduate law programme and written extensively on issues concerning indigenous peoples and the law.

Oxford University Press eBooks, Nov 15, 2001

Includes all relevant information on national elections and referendums held in the Federated Sta... more Includes all relevant information on national elections and referendums held in the Federated States of Micronesia since its establishment as a self‐governing entity in 1979. Part I gives a comprehensive overview of Micronesia's political history, outlines the evolution of electoral provisions, and presents the current electoral legislation in a standardized manner (suffrage, elected institutions, nomination of candidates, electoral system, organizational context of elections). Part II includes exhaustive electoral statistics in systematic tables (numbers of registered voters, votes cast in parliamentary elections and referendums etc.).

Law, Culture, and Corruption in the Pacific Islands

Brill | Nijhoff eBooks, Mar 29, 2019

Election watch III: 2006 general elections audit workshop: summary

Origins of the Bahá’í Faith in the Pacific Islands

The Journal of Baha'i Studies, Dec 1, 2006

“Modern religious history” in the Pacific Islands generally refers to the conversion of Pacific I... more “Modern religious history” in the Pacific Islands generally refers to the conversion of Pacific Islanders to Christianity by Catholic and Protestant missionaries. In the case of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (GEIC—today the independent states of Kiribati and Tuvalu), the introduction of the Bahá’í Teachings in the 1950s perplexed secular and religious authorities alike. This paper uses colonial records and other sources to examine the ways in which the arrival of a new and little-understood religion disturbed the delicate church-state relationship operating at that time. The possibility exists that these interactions were experienced in similar ways in other colonial environments that had comparable sociopolitical conditions.

Democracy in Asia revisited

Asian Studies Review, 1997

... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ...... more ... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ... to the formal legal and political framework commonly associated with democratic practice, and &amp;amp;quot;societal ... Council has proposed the establishment of a body similar to the Judicial Commission for ...

Social Equity in the Pacific Islands

Hassall provides a broad overview of the concept and practice of social equity in the independent... more Hassall provides a broad overview of the concept and practice of social equity in the independent Pacific Island states. Some disparities between social groups appeared during the colonial period, while others came with the process of “modernization”. Urban elites obtained education, health services, and government jobs, while those residing further from the urban and administrative centers transitioned from subsistence agriculturalists to “rural poor”. The chapter argues that whereas international development agencies partner with national governments and civil society to monitor the quality of governance and to craft national development plans and sectoral plans to promote social equity, the small island nations are struggling to deliver on the aspirations set out in their independence constitutions and political manifestos.

E-Government for Development in Pacific Island States: Achievements and Future Directions

Public administration and information technology, 2017

E-government can facilitate more efficient, transparent government and better communication betwe... more E-government can facilitate more efficient, transparent government and better communication between government and citizens; and in this volume we have been exploring the extent to which it has done so in Pacific Island countries. The chapter initially returns to the objectives of the volume and some of the questions posed in Chap. 1. It summarises the key findings of Chaps. 2– 13, accentuating the evidence of critical factors in e-government success that can be identified from these findings. This includes a discussion of the attributes of sustainability that are identified in the various chapters, and the five criteria of sustainability proposed in Chap. 1. The theoretical frameworks used in the study (Heeks ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto, his ‘design-reality gap’ and his work on E-Government for Development, and the ‘information ecology’ construct applied to e-government by Bekkers and Homberg) are revisited, and the extent to which these contribute to the analysis of e-government in the Pacific Islands examined. In the final sections of the chapter the focus shifts to e-government policy processes and the question of how well policy processes have contributed to some of the successful e-government initiatives outlined in various chapters in the book is addressed. The chapter, and the volume, conclude with some final reflections: acknowledging the achievements of PICs in ensuring that the basic technical, legislative, policy and regulatory infrastructure for e-government are in place; noting the challenges they have faced with their small economies, lack of resources, and the tensions created in balancing development with traditional lifestyles and forms of governance; emphasizing the need for PICs to build on their achievements to date by focusing on sustainable interactive e-government services that meet local contexts and needs, and using technology to enhance communication with citizens. The lessons learned in the study are applicable to all countries seeking to benefit from the application of ICT to make government more efficient, inclusive and accountable and enhance good governance.

E-Government Policy Processes at Regional and National Levels in the Pacific: Actors, Institutions and Networks

Public administration and information technology, 2017

This chapter explores how policy processes at regional and national levels assist Pacific Island ... more This chapter explores how policy processes at regional and national levels assist Pacific Island countries (PICs) and their various development partners translate the broader developments and possibilities advocated in global forums into workable solutions for each small states’ unique sets of circumstances. After first identifying and explaining the roles of the actors, institutions and networks engaged in e-government at regional level, it traces regional e-government policy dialogue over the past three decades. The chapter then examines policy processes at national level. Although policy dialogue at regional and national levels is related, it is only at national level that legislative frameworks are established, policies are implemented and major expenditure is incurred. Regional-level policy dialogue identifies needs and assists the coordination of capacity building and development assistance, but the roll-out of e-government in PICs depends to a great extent on the leadership and coordination capacity in individual countries.

The 1998 Cambodian Election: The Quest for Representative Democracy, Constitutionalism and Civil Society

The Australian Journal of Asian Law, Nov 1, 1999

Abstract: The election of a new legislature in Cambodia as a result of the 1998 elections involve... more

E-Government and Civil Society: Exploring New Relationships in Pacific SIDs

Public administration and information technology, 2017

This chapter examines the extent to which Pacific Island governments are using ICTs to engage wit... more This chapter examines the extent to which Pacific Island governments are using ICTs to engage with civil society, through the initiation of service provision, or some form of policy dialogue. It finds that whereas moderate progress has been made with the establishment of key websites, in only a few instances have these been designed as “portals” through which the public can link to any government department or agency, or through which these departments can communicate with citizens and civil society organizations online. There has been, on the other hand, considerable growth in government activity on social media sites, which are easy to initiate and manage. More active than government-initiated sites are the social media sites established by individuals, civil society groups, think tanks and academia, for the express purpose of commenting on government policies and activities. Communicative practices between state/civil society/citizenry are still being negotiated, particularly in states where government has traditionally been the voice of authority and government information has been protected by Official Information Acts. Government and civil society alike have to work more collaboratively to maximise citizen engagement in public governance. Whilst such situations do not fit neatly into the ‘transformative’ models of e-Public Services and e-Democracy articulated by the World Bank and the UN, they do constitute a beginning to online interaction between citizen and state.

Government and Public Policy in the Pacific Islands

Public policy and governance, Nov 11, 2020

This book is a comparative study of government and public policy in the twenty small states of th... more

Sovereignty and the future architecture of regionalism: reflections

Canterbury University Press eBooks, 2008

Arising from proceedings of a 2007 symposium organised by the University of Canterbury’s School o... more 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).

Reviewing principles of governance: branches of government at the global level

Policy quarterly, Feb 1, 2017

Local Government in the South Pacific Islands

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, Apr 28, 2008

Global sustainability: policy networks for the Sustainable Development Goals

Policy quarterly, Feb 1, 2017

This article focuses on public policy networks, but more particularly on those that are global in... more

Achieving Sustainable E-Government in Pacific Island States

Public administration and information technology, 2017

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more

Democracy in Asia revisited

Asian Studies Review, Nov 1, 1997

... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ...... more ... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ... to the formal legal and political framework commonly associated with democratic practice, and &amp;amp;quot;societal ... Council has proposed the establishment of a body similar to the Judicial Commission for ...

Good governance and political developments in the Pacific: can existing concepts and institutions deliver security?

Canterbury University Press eBooks, 2008

This book and the symposium on which it is based, is the product of collboration between Dr Kenne... more

The United Nations and the Pacific Islands

United Nations University series on regionalism, Dec 31, 2022

this paper, presented at the United Nations Association of New Zealand 2017 National Conference: ... more

Passage of Change : Law, Society and Governance in the Pacific

was born in Denmark and grew up in Australia. She spent 17 years practising law in Vanuatu. She n... more was born in Denmark and grew up in Australia. She spent 17 years practising law in Vanuatu. She now works in the Aboriginal Legal Service in rural New South Wales. She obtained her Law degree from Melbourne University in 1973 and has recently completed her Master of Laws at QUT. Appointed a Commissioner on the first Legal Aid Commission in Victoria in 1979 she also served on the Law Council of Vanuatu in 1996. She was elected President of the Vanuatu Law Society in 1998. She has lectured at USP in the undergraduate law programme and written extensively on issues concerning indigenous peoples and the law.

Oxford University Press eBooks, Nov 15, 2001

Includes all relevant information on national elections and referendums held in the Federated Sta... more Includes all relevant information on national elections and referendums held in the Federated States of Micronesia since its establishment as a self‐governing entity in 1979. Part I gives a comprehensive overview of Micronesia's political history, outlines the evolution of electoral provisions, and presents the current electoral legislation in a standardized manner (suffrage, elected institutions, nomination of candidates, electoral system, organizational context of elections). Part II includes exhaustive electoral statistics in systematic tables (numbers of registered voters, votes cast in parliamentary elections and referendums etc.).

Law, Culture, and Corruption in the Pacific Islands

Brill | Nijhoff eBooks, Mar 29, 2019

Election watch III: 2006 general elections audit workshop: summary

Origins of the Bahá’í Faith in the Pacific Islands

The Journal of Baha'i Studies, Dec 1, 2006

“Modern religious history” in the Pacific Islands generally refers to the conversion of Pacific I... more “Modern religious history” in the Pacific Islands generally refers to the conversion of Pacific Islanders to Christianity by Catholic and Protestant missionaries. In the case of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (GEIC—today the independent states of Kiribati and Tuvalu), the introduction of the Bahá’í Teachings in the 1950s perplexed secular and religious authorities alike. This paper uses colonial records and other sources to examine the ways in which the arrival of a new and little-understood religion disturbed the delicate church-state relationship operating at that time. The possibility exists that these interactions were experienced in similar ways in other colonial environments that had comparable sociopolitical conditions.

Democracy in Asia revisited

Asian Studies Review, 1997

... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ...... more ... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ... to the formal legal and political framework commonly associated with democratic practice, and &amp;amp;quot;societal ... Council has proposed the establishment of a body similar to the Judicial Commission for ...

Social Equity in the Pacific Islands

Hassall provides a broad overview of the concept and practice of social equity in the independent... more Hassall provides a broad overview of the concept and practice of social equity in the independent Pacific Island states. Some disparities between social groups appeared during the colonial period, while others came with the process of “modernization”. Urban elites obtained education, health services, and government jobs, while those residing further from the urban and administrative centers transitioned from subsistence agriculturalists to “rural poor”. The chapter argues that whereas international development agencies partner with national governments and civil society to monitor the quality of governance and to craft national development plans and sectoral plans to promote social equity, the small island nations are struggling to deliver on the aspirations set out in their independence constitutions and political manifestos.

E-Government for Development in Pacific Island States: Achievements and Future Directions

Public administration and information technology, 2017

E-government can facilitate more efficient, transparent government and better communication betwe... more E-government can facilitate more efficient, transparent government and better communication between government and citizens; and in this volume we have been exploring the extent to which it has done so in Pacific Island countries. The chapter initially returns to the objectives of the volume and some of the questions posed in Chap. 1. It summarises the key findings of Chaps. 2– 13, accentuating the evidence of critical factors in e-government success that can be identified from these findings. This includes a discussion of the attributes of sustainability that are identified in the various chapters, and the five criteria of sustainability proposed in Chap. 1. The theoretical frameworks used in the study (Heeks ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto, his ‘design-reality gap’ and his work on E-Government for Development, and the ‘information ecology’ construct applied to e-government by Bekkers and Homberg) are revisited, and the extent to which these contribute to the analysis of e-government in the Pacific Islands examined. In the final sections of the chapter the focus shifts to e-government policy processes and the question of how well policy processes have contributed to some of the successful e-government initiatives outlined in various chapters in the book is addressed. The chapter, and the volume, conclude with some final reflections: acknowledging the achievements of PICs in ensuring that the basic technical, legislative, policy and regulatory infrastructure for e-government are in place; noting the challenges they have faced with their small economies, lack of resources, and the tensions created in balancing development with traditional lifestyles and forms of governance; emphasizing the need for PICs to build on their achievements to date by focusing on sustainable interactive e-government services that meet local contexts and needs, and using technology to enhance communication with citizens. The lessons learned in the study are applicable to all countries seeking to benefit from the application of ICT to make government more efficient, inclusive and accountable and enhance good governance.

E-Government Policy Processes at Regional and National Levels in the Pacific: Actors, Institutions and Networks

Public administration and information technology, 2017

This chapter explores how policy processes at regional and national levels assist Pacific Island ... more This chapter explores how policy processes at regional and national levels assist Pacific Island countries (PICs) and their various development partners translate the broader developments and possibilities advocated in global forums into workable solutions for each small states’ unique sets of circumstances. After first identifying and explaining the roles of the actors, institutions and networks engaged in e-government at regional level, it traces regional e-government policy dialogue over the past three decades. The chapter then examines policy processes at national level. Although policy dialogue at regional and national levels is related, it is only at national level that legislative frameworks are established, policies are implemented and major expenditure is incurred. Regional-level policy dialogue identifies needs and assists the coordination of capacity building and development assistance, but the roll-out of e-government in PICs depends to a great extent on the leadership and coordination capacity in individual countries.

The 1998 Cambodian Election: The Quest for Representative Democracy, Constitutionalism and Civil Society

The Australian Journal of Asian Law, Nov 1, 1999

Abstract: The election of a new legislature in Cambodia as a result of the 1998 elections involve... more

E-Government and Civil Society: Exploring New Relationships in Pacific SIDs

Public administration and information technology, 2017

This chapter examines the extent to which Pacific Island governments are using ICTs to engage wit... more This chapter examines the extent to which Pacific Island governments are using ICTs to engage with civil society, through the initiation of service provision, or some form of policy dialogue. It finds that whereas moderate progress has been made with the establishment of key websites, in only a few instances have these been designed as “portals” through which the public can link to any government department or agency, or through which these departments can communicate with citizens and civil society organizations online. There has been, on the other hand, considerable growth in government activity on social media sites, which are easy to initiate and manage. More active than government-initiated sites are the social media sites established by individuals, civil society groups, think tanks and academia, for the express purpose of commenting on government policies and activities. Communicative practices between state/civil society/citizenry are still being negotiated, particularly in states where government has traditionally been the voice of authority and government information has been protected by Official Information Acts. Government and civil society alike have to work more collaboratively to maximise citizen engagement in public governance. Whilst such situations do not fit neatly into the ‘transformative’ models of e-Public Services and e-Democracy articulated by the World Bank and the UN, they do constitute a beginning to online interaction between citizen and state.

Government and Public Policy in the Pacific Islands

Public policy and governance, Nov 11, 2020

This book is a comparative study of government and public policy in the twenty small states of th... more

Sovereignty and the future architecture of regionalism: reflections

Canterbury University Press eBooks, 2008

Arising from proceedings of a 2007 symposium organised by the University of Canterbury’s School o... more 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).

Reviewing principles of governance: branches of government at the global level

Policy quarterly, Feb 1, 2017

Local Government in the South Pacific Islands

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, Apr 28, 2008

Global sustainability: policy networks for the Sustainable Development Goals

Policy quarterly, Feb 1, 2017

This article focuses on public policy networks, but more particularly on those that are global in... more

Achieving Sustainable E-Government in Pacific Island States

Public administration and information technology, 2017

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more

Democracy in Asia revisited

Asian Studies Review, Nov 1, 1997

... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ...... more ... this literature is all useful, since the problems associated with the theory and practice ... to the formal legal and political framework commonly associated with democratic practice, and &amp;amp;quot;societal ... Council has proposed the establishment of a body similar to the Judicial Commission for ...

Good governance and political developments in the Pacific: can existing concepts and institutions deliver security?

Canterbury University Press eBooks, 2008

This book and the symposium on which it is based, is the product of collboration between Dr Kenne... more

Oceania - Chapter in "The World of the Bahai Faith" (Routledge"

The World of the Bahai Faith, 2022

This chapter provides an account of the Bahá’í Faith in Oceania, a region that includes Australia... more This chapter provides an account of the Bahá’í Faith in Oceania, a region that includes Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The period to 1953 focuses on the efforts of early travellers and pioneers in Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand and the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand in 1934. The second period, 1953 to 1963, focuses on the systematic spread of the Bahá’í teachings through the Pacific Islands during the ‘World Crusade’, commencing with pioneers, early adherents, and the establishment of the Fiji-based regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific in 1959, from which at least ten additional National Assemblies emerged as their communities expanded and matured. Differences in cultural context have shaped the patterns of growth in Bahá’í communities across the region. The Australian and New Zealand communities have experienced slow growth in societies that are becoming increasingly secular and in which religious belief is regarded as a private matter of little concern to society or the state, unless it threatens the liberal order. In the Pacific Islands, in contrast, religious adherence was viewed in the late twentieth century as a matter for the community as much as for the individual. Due to the small size of most island populations, coupled with more communal ways of life, the presence of Bahá’í communities and their activities have high visibility. Where a majority in a village or district have chosen to become Bahá’ís, their ability to integrate Bahá’í consultation and the calendar into community life has moved forward more rapidly than has been possible in Western towns and cities. Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs have been established in Sydney (1961) and Apia (1984) and others are nearing completion in Tanna (Vanuatu) and Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea). Bahá’í social and economic development projects are steadily expanding in the region, notably the Ocean of Light School in Tonga and the annual Race Unity Speech contest in New Zealand.

Northeast Asia - chapter in "The World of the Bahai Faith" (Routledge)

The World of the Bahai Faith, 2022

This chapter provides an account of the Bahá’í Faith in the countries of Northeast Asia (China, J... more This chapter provides an account of the Bahá’í Faith in the countries of Northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Sakhalin Island, and Taiwan). Against a backdrop of warfare, revolution, and intense ideological and territorial contest, the histories of the Bahá’í communities in most of these countries have slowly but surely progressed through at least three distinct phases: the first comprising the arrival of individual Bahá’ís in the nineteenth century; the second comprising systematic efforts under the Ten Year Plan (1953–63), during which the Tokyo-based regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North East Asia was established in 1957; and the third comprising the emergence from this regional body of separate national Spiritual Assemblies in Japan and Korea (1964), Taiwan (1967), and Hong Kong (1974). Political circumstances in China, Mongolia, and Sakhalin resulted in slower emergence, with organized Bahá’í activities in China halted since 1949. The first entry by Bahá’ís to the Russian territory of Sakhalin Island occurred in the 1990s, and the national Assembly of Mongolia was first elected in 1994.

Governance - chapter in "The World of the Bahai Faith" (Routledge)

The World of the Bahai Faith, 2022

This chapter reviews how ‘governance’ is conceived in Bahá’í thought and articulates the Bahá’í c... more This chapter reviews how ‘governance’ is conceived in Bahá’í thought and articulates the Bahá’í critique of current conceptions and practices as well as Bahá’í perspectives on transformation. These views are expressed in assessments of how such concepts as leadership, ethics, power, authority, agency, and justice have been expressed from the nineteenth century to the present in the operation of empires, national governments, and such international bodies as the United Nations and the World Bank. Bahá’í scripture is optimistic about future governance arrangements from local to global levels and offers precise innovations for transformation.

E-Government for Development in Pacific Island States: Achievements and Future Directions

This is the concluding chapter to the book

E-Government Policy Processes at Regional and National Levels in the Pacific: Actors, Institutions and Networks

This is chapter 3 in the book

Global Policies and Initiatives for E-Government in SIDS

by Graham Hassall and Gisa Futai Purcell

this is chapter 2 in the book

Introduction: E-Government in Pacific Island Countries

this is the introductory chapter for Cullen, R., & Hassall, G. (Eds.). (2017). Achieving sustaina... more

The Kitab-i-Aqdas: Five Paper Exploring the Most Holy Book, Vol. 2

In 1994 the Australian Association for Baha'i Studies convened a conference in Sydney on the Kita... more In 1994 the Australian Association for Baha'i Studies convened a conference in Sydney on the Kitab-i-Aqdas. The papers were published in two slim volumes, of which this is the second. "Huququ'llah: the Socio-Economic and Spiritual Law of the Kltab-1-Aqdas" by Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ali-Muhammad Varqa is an add in. Papers presented were by
Dr. Sirus Naraqi; "The concept of liberty In the Baha'i Faith" and "The concept of Justice In the Baha'i Faith" by Dr. Houshang Khazrai; and "Reflections on the Baha'i parallels to the Sunnah and ljtlhad In Islam" by Afshin A-Khavari. I think I edited the book - I can't remember. am not claiming authorship of this work, only editorship, which academia.edu doesn't offer as a category

Passage of Change: Law, Society and Governance in the Pacific

by Tess Newton Cain, Anita Jowitt, and Graham Hassall

Co-edited with Anita Jowitt. Numerous issues face Pacific states trying to find their way in the ... more Co-edited with Anita Jowitt. Numerous issues face Pacific states trying to find their way in the early 21st century. Countries are striving to secure the benefits of modernisation. Governance, law and order are needed to reach this goal, but development cannot be at the price of culture or the environment. The question of how to develop and maintain sound legal systems and rules while maintaining the unique cultural heritages within the Pacific is a challenge with no easy answer. This interdisciplinary collection locates issues of law and governance within the particular sociopolitical context of the Pacific island region, presenting sociological, anthropological and political insights alongside jurisprudential analysis. Key issues including corruption, the role of customary law in modern legal systems, the place of human rights in the Pacific, environmental issues and the structure of the state are explored from a variety of perspectives.

Government and Public Policy in the Pacific Islands: small island developing states in the global era

this it part 2 of the book on "government and public policy in the Pacific Islands. the focus is... more

Government and Public Policy in the Pacific Islands: small island developing states in the global era

I am currently working on a book entitled "Government and Public Policy in the Pacific Islands", ... more I am currently working on a book entitled "Government and Public Policy in the Pacific Islands", which is due for completion by the end of October 2019. this file is part one, "Pacific Islands Life Worlds". should anyone have time and interest to read it and provide constructive feedback i'd be most appreciative

Climate Change Governance in Pacific Island Countries: the case of Papua New Guinea

The challenge of climate change galvanised the voice of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in global... more The challenge of climate change galvanised the voice of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in global forums, particularly those associated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Indeed, most PICs have submitted INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution) reports to the UNFCCC as required. This paper examines the extent to which Pacific Island governments – using PNG as a case study-from national to local levels are " owning " processes, and moving beyond oversight of awareness campaigns and distribution of funds to NGOs and community groups, to a concern for specific projects that implement adaptation measures.

Religion and the Colonial State in Melanesia.docx

This is a study of relations between religious bodies and the administrators of three colonial st... more This is a study of relations between religious bodies and the administrators of three colonial states in the South West Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the New Hebrides) from 1945 until independence. It explores the attitudes toward Melanesian values and culture that missionaries and secular officials advocated as they sought to influence the emergence of these new nations.

Traditional authority - Blackwell.docx

This chapter provides an overview of traditional leadership and local government in Pacific Islan... more

Corruption in the Pacific Islands.docx

this paper is an initial survey of corruption in Pacific Island states. key questions in the lite... more this paper is an initial survey of corruption in Pacific Island states. key questions in the literature include: what constitutes corruption? how can corruption be countered? what measures are proving effective? how can we know that corruption levels are decreasing? Who is responsible for corruption? and who should be responsible for eradicating it? my own view is that the problem is one of values as much as of law, but of course values cannot be legislated for. the next best remedies are transparency, strengthning of justice systems, and ensuring that the public is so onside that those who hold public office think twice before transgressing the law. of course, this last statement presumes that the law and legal institutions are in place, and operating effectively.

Corruption in the Pacific ok.docx

This draft is for presentation at the "Comparing Transnational Integration Across Regions" sympos... more

Ethnic Accommodation in Oceania: instances from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands

This is an attempt at a concise description of ethnic accommodation in the constitutions and poli... more

Ethnic Accommodation in Oceania: case studies from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands

The editors of the Polish journal Acta Asiatica Varsoviensia invited me to submit a paper on "eth... more The editors of the Polish journal Acta Asiatica Varsoviensia invited me to submit a paper on "ethnic accommodation in Oceania". in this paper i attempt a concise account of ethnic accommodation in PNG, Fiji and Solomon Islands. obviously there is much more to say, but the attempt here is to note the essential features.

Local Government in the Pacific Islands

by Graham Hassall and Feue Tipu

This is a draft chapter on Local Government in the Pacific Islands being completed for a Blackwel... more

Effie Baker - Manuscript.docx

The life-story of Effie Baker, artist and photographer, first women to join the Baahi Faith in Au... more

New Zealand, the League of Nations, and the Mandate over Western Samoa: the early years

At the commencement of the First World War, New Zealand military forces took control of Western S... more At the commencement of the First World War, New Zealand military forces took control of Western Samoa, which had been under German colonial administration since 1900. From December 1920, in accordance with the provisions of the charter of the League of Nations established post-war to foster international security, New Zealand administered Western Samoa as a “Class C Mandate”. This paper draws on records in the League of Nations Archive in Geneva to examine interactions between the League’s Permanent Mandates Commission (PMC) and the New Zealand government concerning the administration of these islands. Far from delivering perfunctory oversight of annual reports submitted by the “Mandatory Power” (ie, New Zealand), the Commission scrutinized all aspects of New Zealand’s administration of Western Samoa’s government and society. Indeed, under this close scrutiny New Zealand’s attitude toward its responsibilities under the Mandate seems to have become increasingly diligent. The accountability mechanisms developed by the Permanent Mandates Commission can be regarded as an early step in the emergence of international governance.

United Nations and the Pacific Islands

this paper, presented at the United Nations Association of New Zealand 2017 National Conference: ... more

Justice and Global Governance: A View from Oceania

This is a work in progress rather than a completed paper. it was delivered on line to a conferenc... more

Governance, SDGs, Development and Religion in the Pacific Region

This was a keynote address at the "G20 interfaith Summit, Pacific pre-conference" held at the Pac... more This was a keynote address at the "G20 interfaith Summit, Pacific pre-conference" held at the Pacific Theological College, Suva, Fiji
2-4 May 2016.

It suggests that the SDGs provide an opportunity for more effective and comprehensive dialogue between Faith communities and government on all aspects of development policy and implementation. more effective dialogue will be required if the region expects better development outcomes than have been achieved in the past

Global policy networks for sustainability - with Marjan.docx

This is a draft essay to appear in Policy Quarterly. It focuses on public policy networks, but mo... more This is a draft essay to appear in Policy Quarterly. It focuses on public policy networks, but more particularly those that are global in scope and intent. It examines how such networks are being deployed to advance the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda, and how the New Zealand government and non-government actors might be involved.

Political Governance in the Pacific Islands

Building effective state institutions and promoting national unity were among Pacific Island lead... more Building effective state institutions and promoting national unity were among Pacific Island leaders' top priorities in the post-independence decades of the second half of the twentieth century. The twenty-first century, however, is presenting the challenges of a more globalized world: climate change is foremost among these, as well as the influences of global finance, global commerce and telecommunications, new geo-strategic alignments, and the rising expectations of ever-more educated, youthful, and informed populations. Other issues causing concern across the region include corruption in public life, the conduct of parliaments, under-representation of women in public life, resource exploitation that trades long-term environmental degradation for only short-term economic gain, and ongoing public sector challenges in delivering basic public services. Pacific societies have some of the highest rates of NCDs for any part of the world, and Human Development Indicators for the Pacific Island Countries have deteriorated over the past decade rather than improved (of the Commonwealth countries in this study, only Fiji has risen in rank in the past five years). This is the context in which leaders of the Pacific states seek, in the coming decades, to advance the well-being of their peoples. The tools at their disposal to accomplish this are the political and legal institutions introduced at the time of independence, as modified in the light of experience. There are also many strategic and sectoral plans at national and regional levels; there is the Sustainable Development Agenda (2015-2030), agreed on by all countries at the United Nations, which provides a comprehensive set of targets for the coming decade and a half, and there are the resilient Pacific people, who live in some 90 cities and towns, 25,000 villages, and an unrecorded number of informal settlements – scattered throughout the islands.

eGovernment and Civil Society: exploring new relationships in Pacific SIDS

This is chapter 13 of the book on eGovernment in the Pacific islands. any comments are welcome

Chapter 3 eGovernment policy processes at Regional and National levels in the Pacific: Actors, institutions, and networks

The current chapter explores how policy processes at regional and national levels assist Pacific ... more The current chapter explores how policy processes at regional and national levels assist Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and their various development partners translate the broader developments and possibilities advocated in global fora into workable solutions for each small states' unique sets of circumstances. After first identifying and explaining the roles of the actors, institutions, and networks engaged in eGovernment at regional level, it traces regional eGovernment policy dialogue over the past three decades. The chapter then examines policy processes at national level. In assessing the results of this " multi-level governance " , one finding is that weak authority at regional level has resulted in individual countries working bilaterally with international partners to build ICT infrastructure and policy environments, and to develop eGovernment capacity. Regional ICT policy processes: actors, institutions and networks Chapters One and Two introduced the global context of small island states. The current chapter explores how policy processes at regional level assist Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and their various development partners translate the broad developments and possibilities advocated in global fora into workable solutions for each small state's unique sets of circumstances. PICs cooperate on a wide range of policy issues through regional institutions and policy networks formed at a number levels. These institutions and organizations include: • Those established by the PICs themselves to cover a wide range of policy domains; • Those established by Asia-Pacific organizations to specifically service the PICs, such as the Asian Development Bank, and other organizations/programmes formed by international bodies to reach the Pacific region, such as the multi-stakeholder Pacific Region Infrastructure Faculty; and • Those stakeholders specifically focused on telecommunications, such as Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific The activities of a considerable number of intergovernmental working groups, professional bodies, private sector associations, and regional and international development agencies combine to achieve greater or lesser coordination of policy in the Pacific region. Nine of the major actors are designated as members of the " Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific " (CROP). Other bodies, whilst not CROP members, are not necessarily less important or influential. The most prominent of these are set out in the following table.

Political Governance - Pacific Vision 2050

This is a draft chapter on Political Governance for a book project of the Commonwealth Secretaria... more This is a draft chapter on Political Governance for a book project of the Commonwealth Secretariat called "Pacific Vision 2050". I am posting it here to seek your feedback as we work toward a final consultation in Suva in October.

Political governance refers to how power is acquired, and the structure and operation of a state's political, legal and other governmental institutions as they seek to lead and manage a nation's growth and development. It also refers to the extent to which this growth and development is experienced equitably by the people, and implies participation of the private and voluntary sectors in policy debate. In addition to good leadership at the political level, effective governance demands adequate functioning of parliaments, courts, government departments, and other agencies, as well as acceptance of the roles of media, civil society, academia, traditional leaders, and business leaders, in putting forward views about how governments should lead.

Religion and Nation-State Formation in Melanesia: 1945 to Independence

This is my PhD thesis, submitted in October 1989. Since ANU made it available online in 2011 at h... more This is my PhD thesis, submitted in October 1989. Since ANU made it available online in 2011 at https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/10663 it has had, by August 2016, 387 views and 1920 downloads (between 1990 and 2000 it may have had 20 reads; by 2016 it is averaging 2 downloads per day!)

The intent of the thesis was to explore the concept of state promoted by Christian missions in post-war Melanesia. their goal was to establish "Christian nations" free of the secularism and materialism that was sweeping the West. I found surprisingly little evidence of conceptions of state, but did find a strong desire to be influential in it. The Baha'i Communities that emerged in the Melanesian states during this period are only considered in brief in this thesis.

Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World: Building global secuity

ABS Journal (Australia) vol 2 2000.pdf

This is the final volume I edited before departing Australia in 2000. the papers are "Creativity ... more This is the final volume I edited before departing Australia in 2000. the papers are "Creativity and Spirituality - are they related?" by Negin Sanaei"; "The Beautiful Flight toward the Light: Reflections on an Artist’s Life", by Robin M. Chandler: "The Creative Inspiration: Symbolism and Seeing" by Karel Fontaine; "Of Paramount Importance - Addressing the Paucity of Music in Bahá’í Devotional Practice" by Michael Knopf; "The Passionate Artist" by Ron Price; "Building Creative Communities: approaching the arts as social & economic development through
professionalizing, training, and networking internationally" by
Robin M. Chandler; "Arts Can Move the Youth" by Mahyar Amjadi; "Letters inscribed upon His sacred scroll : An anthology of poetry by Australian Bahá’ís 1999: by Belinda Belton; "Remembrance of Clara & Hyde Dunn" by Hooshang Eshraq-Khavari; "The Bot. Series" by Vahid Payman; "Something Regal: Uncle Fred Murray. A compilation of tributes, photographs and stories" by June Perkins; "A lonely road to native title determination" by Walter Waia; "Mr Faizi and Mr Furútan in Australia: the Yerrinbool tapes"; "Women and Religious Change: a case study in the colonial migrant experience", by Miriam Dixson; " The Practice of Taqiyyih (Dissimulation) in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions", by
Sepehr Manuchehri; "A “Phoenix Schedule” for the Dewey “200s” –
Suggested in particular for Bahá’í Libraries" by Paul Gerard; and "Report on scholarship" by Graham Hassall. by putting this file on academia.edu I am not claiming authorship of these papers, just editorship. those were wonderful years.