Program Overview Established in 2010, the Justice for the Poor (J4P) program in Papua New Guinea aims to inform more equitable and effective development processes through greater understanding of the ways in which multiple rules systems interact with development processes, particularly at the local level. Program activities center on rights, entitlements, and dispute resolution around resource distribution and benefit sharing. Background Tapping natural resource wealth while managing conflict and equitably sharing environmental and social costs and benefits are key issues for Papua New Guinea’s development. To date Papua New Guinea has faced difficulties in peacefully and sustainably converting wealth generated from extractive industries into improved citizen welfare. Areas of Engagement Resource Distribution and Benefit Sharing J4P in Papua New Guinea supports the design and implementation of projects by conducting research to better understand how resources are allocated and shared at the local. Current activities focus on benefit sharing arrangements secured through the Community Mine Continuation Agreements (CMCA) for the Ok Tedi Mine in Western Province PNG. The process of negotiation for these agreements was consciously inclusive and includes provisions for improving women’s outcomes from mining both through participation and benefits. Previous work focused on how resources are planned, spent, and impact communities at the district and sub-district level. Communities in Papua New Guinea have many schemes for managing benefits, forged from the relevant state regulations, but also the product of local rules systems. Private sector agreements emerge predominantly from the use of natural resources and the rules governing community benefits are often complex, making it difficult for communities to understand, negotiate, and account for the resources they are entitled to. J4P also supports the Government’s efforts to reform the system to allocate funding and functions at the local level, as well as improving understanding of the ways in which communities negotiate for, manage, and resolve conflicts around resource benefits.
National Dispute Resolution Diagnostics
J4P is working to understand dispute resolution issues across Papua New Guinea through a nationally representative household income and expenditure survey being implemented by the Papua New Guinea National Statistics Office. J4P assisted in the development of a dispute resolution module in the survey that seeks to understand the substance of citizens’ most common disputes, where they seek assistance in resolving them, how much this costs, how long it takes and levels of satisfaction with the process. The survey data provides one of the first nationwide snapshots of disputes in Papua New Guinea.
Partnership and Dialogue J4P has been working closely with a number of partners in PNG, including jointly conducting research with the Institute of National Affairs, and engaging in policy dialogue with government and civil society. Recent Activities |
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