Program | Peacifica

The Regional Perspectives Research Project

In 2022 Peacifica was engaged by the University of Adelaide to undertake a new research project that is a spiritual successor to Pacific Perspectives on the World, our research project with the Whitlam Institute. The university's Stretton Institute engaged Peacifica, together with Development Services Exchange in Solomon Islands, and another team in Vanuatu to conduct this ambitious new research project.

The research sought to gather perspectives from the Pacific islands region about key issues related to security and stability, and resilience and vulnerability, defined broadly and framed within a local context. It was funded under a collaborative research agreement with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

Over two phases using unstructured 'tok stori' approaches, Solomon Islanders (and ni-Vanuatu in the companion research) shared their insights into what they were most proud of in their communities and into the challenges they face. They described how they use traditional leadership and social structures to make plans and resolve disputes, what forms of communication and information they found most effective and valuable, and what sort of role they felt that Solomon Islanders could play in the world - and how the world could best engage with Solomon Islands. With the research teams led and predominantly staffed by Solomon Islanders, these studies were underpinned by a deep understanding of local context, relevant political institutions, social structures, networks, norms, and interests.

The project acknowledged and reinforced local agency, including the framing of key topics/issues within local experiences and perspectives. It was co-created by the project team members from University of Adelaide, the two country research teams, and DSTG.

The project was guided by a jointly developed Cultural Protocol and Data Collection Plan and Communication Plan. The project's website captures a lot of the relevant information, while the Phase 1 report and Story Map offer more detailed insights.

The project was completed in May 2025. It is hoped that this project will help the Australian Department of Defence, and more broadly, the Government of Australia, better understand the Pacific Islands region, develop more sustainable and culturally-sensitive engagement strategies, and play its part in creating a safer, fairer, more stable, prosperous and peaceful Pacific.

Researching Pacific islander perspectives on the world

In 2019 Peacifica and the Whitlam Institute undertook a research project that aimed to lay a foundation for deeper long-term dialogue between Australia and the region. We listened to a diverse range of people in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as they told us what really matters to them on issues including where they see themselves in the world and how they feel about relationships between their countries and other countries, including Australia.

This work contributes to Peacifica’s wider goals to promote peace through dialogue and deepened mutual understanding. It contributes to the Whitlam Institute’s public policy theme Australia in the World,

which is focused on building long-term mutually respectful relationships between Australia and its partners in the region and beyond.

We were proud to work with teams of capable researchers from the region - Linda Kenni in Vanuatu, Citizens Constitutional Forum in Fiji and Development Services Exchange in Solomon Islands, and delighted to have Dr Tess Newton Cain as the lead researcher.

The research report was launched in February 2020 and can be downloaded here. Please contact us with any enquiries.

Solomon Islands program

Peacifica is currently developing its first programs with partner organisations in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands is enjoying relative stability after the crisis of the 1998-2003 Tensions. Concerted action by Solomon Islands people and supported by the institution building work of RAMSI has meant that the country has the chance for a peaceful and prosperous future.

But the way forward is not secure. There continue to be numerous inequalities and unresolved disagreements that in combination with factors like climate change and economic hardship raise the risk that violent conflict could recur. Gender based violence is a persistent problem.

Solomon Islanders remain committed to peace, and to peacebuilding, but they have told Peacifica that they could use some help. That is what we are working on. It is important that this work is done right, and that takes time.

Concepts currently under development include:

implementation of an inclusive context assessment
research into the effects of local climate changed migration on peace and security
capacity building of local CSOs to build stronger peace awareness into their governance and programs
implementation of a Solomon Islands peacebuilding policy bank.