The project goal was for every Melanesian to assert their right to good health and nutrition through their own cultural food solutions, indigenous innovations, and local knowledge systems. The project was implemented by Save PNG Inc., which worked to increase community health, food sovereignty, and agro-biodiversity throughout the Pacific countries of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.
In collaboration with the Slow Food Melanesia network and regional partners, Save PNG produced one film per country and completed video editing of five 25-minute Café Melanesia episodes for broadcasting. Communication and educational kits complete with audio-video materials were produced to inform and educate youth, women, and families about local medicinal foods, nutrition, and traditional cooking, encourage community resilience through climate change, and strengthen indigenous governance structures. A facilitator’s guide and study booklet on indigenous food pathways and agricultural innovations were published and disseminated to both rural and urban populations in the five countries. Partner organizations in each country identified capable facilitators to train target groups and distribute educational communications kits for them to use in their respective communities.
In the process of building partner capacity to address lifestyle-related mortality, cultural disintegration, and loss of traditional knowledge experienced by most Melanesian communities in the Pacific Region, Save PNG laid out strategies to minimize challenges and risks. These included strengthening partnerships with social actors and recognized authorities to ensure that all content, structure, and images are appropriately presented in the materials. Additionally, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) processes were observed for indigenous peoples’ awareness of their contributions, commitments, and rights in the project.
Indigenous food enthusiasts and local advocates of responsible food, health, and community development were featured in the profile section of the project website in order to promote their work. In French-speaking countries like New Caledonia and Vanuatu, a video presenter with fluency in Pacific languages and English was hired to reduce language and cultural barriers that can inhibit communication with identified talents and communities in audio-video production.
Save PNG’s collaboration with other like-minded people and organizations resulted in changing attitudes towards valuing healthy and nutritious foods in traditional culture. For sustainability, the organization will combine their advocacy efforts and promotion of indigenous food cultures through online web communities, presently the most effective medium for garnering support and unifying partners and stakeholders to protect the rights of indigenous peoples in food health, nutrition, and sustainable land practices throughout Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
Save PNG, Inc.’s vision is to see indigenous farming and culinary knowledge protected for future generations throughout the Pacific Region. Their mission to revive traditional agriculture, increase diet diversity, and improve the health, economic independence, and wellbeing of Melanesians is fast gaining acceptance. The Intercultural Exchange program provides learning opportunities and fosters resource and local knowledge-sharing activities for indigenous communities.
Save PNG’s media program will strive to produce more audio-video materials and educational products that have a strong focus on promoting good food health, nutritional security, and self-reliance among traditional peoples. Youth, women, and family groups with increased awareness of the socio-economic, cultural, and community benefits of sustainable food and indigenous culinary practices using a grassroots approach are a particular target audience.
(The project “Café Melanesia: Our Food, Our Lands, Our Future” was implemented by Save PNG Inc. in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia in November 2018 with the support of PAWANKA Fund.)
