Honiara, Friday 12 September 2025 – Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele today spoke at the “Netweaving the Soul of Pasifika Development” symposium, a joint initiative of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Pasifika Communities University (PCU), held at the Aquatic Centre.
In his address, Prime Minister Manele reflected on the 60-year development journey of Pacific Island countries. He said much of Pasifika’s leadership and development has followed Western models, with ideas of governance, economic growth, and social progress shaped by Western ways of thinking.
“These Western frameworks have guided our leaders and institutions for decades, but today they are showing signs of strain,” Prime Minister Manele said. “We must ask ourselves whether these models are helping our people thrive—or merely survive.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the important role universities play in shaping new ways of thinking for the region. He encouraged SINU and PCU to explore Pasifika philosophies, ethical traditions, and spiritual worldviews as the foundation for fresh development ideas. He cited the late Bernard Narokobi, noting the importance of seeing the human person as part of an interdependent world with plants, animals, and the spirit world.
Prime Minister Manele also pointed to regional challenges such as climate change, the rise of AI, political instability, and social issues including gender-based violence and the spread of drugs. To help address these complex issues, he said there is a proposal for a regional Thought Leaders Network to support leaders in interpreting challenges through Pasifika lenses rather than imported models.
“The question we must ask is: Where is our Pasifika Development Soul? This is about understanding who we are, what development means for our people, and shaping narratives that truly reflect our values and context,” he said.
Prime Minister Manele expressed hope that the ideas generated would strengthen the link between academia and Pacific Island leaders.
Ends///.
[PM Press Secretariat]
