Exploring Poverty and Hardship in the Pacific 🌍

A discussion on poverty and hardship in the Pacific with panelists Rex Horoi, Executive Director for the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI); David Abbott, Economic Development Specialist and Truman Packard, Lead Economist, Human Development Sector at The World Bank. "Extreme" poverty or severe hunger is rare in the Pacific. However new analysis tells us that over 20 percent of Pacific Islanders are living in hardship - unable to meet their basic needs - reaching 40 percent in Papua New Guinea. Inequality is also on the rise in several Pacific Island Countries, and comparable to figures in East Asia. Panelists discuss a range of topics including how Pacific Islanders understand "poverty"; what the latest data tells us about the "face" of poverty in the Pacific and the changing nature of risk and; what role traditional systems, governments, communities and development organisations can play do to protect people from hardship. The discussion also looks at the new World Bank report, 'Hardship and Vulnerability in the Pacific Island Countries' completed with support from the Australian Government. Recorded Friday 7 March Moderator Bronwyn Adcock, Journalist