The Solomon Islands: Conflict and Capacity

Abstract

Many aid programmes and development projects now focus on capacity building. The assumption underpinning these projects is often either a low level of capacity is present in the first place or that capacity may not be in existence at all. This negative perception has certainly driven capacity building projects within the Solomon Islands, particularly during a major period of crisis (1998–2003) and in the ensuing post-conflict setting. Such thinking about capacity building reflects attitudes prevalent in development policy associated with the Pacific Islands generally. These are couched in terms of the language of negativity (Fry, 1997, 2004; Hau’ofa, 1994). The Solomon Islands is one of a number of countries among others in the Pacific Islands region which has been subject to the labels of having ‘failed’, being in the process of failing or of being fragile. This subordinating language has been used to both frame and contain development, and in the process there has often been scant acknowledgement and understanding of inherent and longstanding strengths and capacities located clearly in these countries at village, community and government levels.