PIFS Launches Publication On Leadership Practices

PIFS Launches Publication On Leadership Practices In The Region

PRESS RELEASE (105/10)
22nd October 2010

Leaders in Forum island countries by and large respect and abide by their laws and systems of government, but there are also troubling features including the growing dominance of the Executive over the Legislature and a disconnect between policy and its actual application.

This was among the findings of a study, the “Country Reports on Actual Leadership Practice against the Forum Principles of Good Leadership – Baseline Survey for the Year 2008.” The study was coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Political Governance and Security Programme with 16 contributors reporting the situation in 13 Forum island countries. It was supported by the Government of Australia through the AusAID Pacific Leadership Programme.

When launching the publication in Suva, Fiji on Tuesday 19 October, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade described it as the first of its kind to survey and report on the quality of actual leadership practice throughout 2008 measured against the Forum Principles of Good Leadership in 13 FICs.

The Principles were endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2003 and have become firmly established as part of the good governance pillar of the Pacific Plan. The Forum Principles of Good Leadership comprise nine principles with respect for the law and system of government, respect for human rights and respect for office high among the principles.

“The survey on the quality of performance on actual leadership practice through 2008 found that by and large, Leaders in Forum islands countries respect and abide by their laws and systems of government. It also found that Leaders showed respect for people on whose behalf they exercise power, and that Leaders in the region showed respect for authority and have been open and transparent, participatory and decisive, and also fair and equitable in their interactions with their citizens,” said Forum Secretariat Secretary General Mr Slade.

“But there are also troubling features, including the growing dominance of the Executive over the Legislature; the disconnect between policy and its actual applications; the inability of governments to act decisively on fraud, corruption and maladministration; and the lack of resources and authority for integrity and oversight bodies to independently and effectively undertake their prescribed functions.”

Mr Slade added: “Universal problems like private interests, conflict of interest and abuse of public facilities continue to occur.”

He urged Forum island countries to support the roles and functions of key leadership and integrity institutions in the region to ensure that Pacific Leaders continue to uphold the principles of good governance.

“Integrity and oversight bodies that implement these leadership codes must be empowered with resources and authority to effectively do their work. It is critical that initiatives for strengthening the integrity of Leaders’ offices must continue to be undertaken.

Mr Slade also urged Forum members to promote the development and maintenance of leadership codes in the countries.

The Forum Secretary General explained: “There are no conclusions in the respective country reports that make up this publication. This was deliberately done to allow the reader to form his or her own conclusions. There is, however a concluding summary which tries to elucidate the key issues for Pacific leadership across the region for the year 2008.”

As a direct result of the survey, the Forum Secretariat will start in 2011 to examine the harmonization of traditional and modern governance structures to support traditional leaders in formal policy making. Traditional courts are another area that will be examined, particularly their role in support of the rule of law and good governance. Both of these projects are milestones in the Pacific Plan which are yet to be progressed.

The publication can be viewed soon on the Forum Secretariat website: www.forumsec.org

ENDS.

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