We asked our communities in Bougainville to rate their understanding of each of the benchmarks before and after our community engagement sessions. In all communities, across all benchmarks, communities indicated they better understood the benchmarks after the dialogue. You can explore individual community understandings of each benchmark here.
Participants rate their understanding of the benchmarks in Nissan, North Bougainville.
Challenges, Promising Practices, and Priority Actions
We asked each community to list the challenges facing their community with respect to each of the six independence readiness benchmarks. Participants were then tasked with identifying what is working well (promising practices) and the actions they would recommend to achieve each benchmark (priority actions).
In each community dialogue, the three highest rated challenges, promising practices, and priority actions were recorded. We gathered the data together and the steps below reflect the most common priorities for communities in Bougainville.
A participant prioritises recommended actions in Terra, Central Bougainville.
About the benchmark
Law and Order is the backbone of society ensuring stability, justice and fairness. These include principles such as the rule of law where no one is above the law and laws must be applied consistently to individuals. Legal systems are impartial, ensuring that rights are protected and disputes are resolved fairly. Individuals, governments, and institutions must be held accountable for their actions under the law. Fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech and equality, must be protected and balanced with societal needs. Laws exist to protect people from harm, prevent crime, and maintain peace in communities. Legal procedures must be followed to ensure fair trails and prevent wrongful convictions. A legitimate and transparent system ensures that laws are created through representative decision making and effective policing courts and legal institutions ensure laws are respected and upheld.
Average rating of understanding of law and order benchmark Before: 2.80 | After: 4.11
Challenges
Alcohol and drug abuse (18)
Integration of formal law and justice systems with traditional systems (9)
Law enforcement presence, personnel, and resourcing challenges (9)
Promising Practices
Community-led by-laws (15)
Church-led initiatives and interventions (7)
Mens-hubs, rehabilitation centres, and civil society organisations (7)
Priority Actions
Implement community policing initiatives (10)
Establish community by-laws (9)
Safe spaces, counselling services, and rehabilitation centres (5)
About the benchmark
Good governance is built on principles that ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency. Leaders and institutions must take responsibility for their actions. Decision making should be open and accessible, allowing people to understand policies and processes. Governance must follow legal frameworks that are fair and consistently applied to all. Institutions should be flexible and quick to address the needs of the people they serve. Everyone should have opportunities to participate, regardless of the background or status. Resources must be used wisely to achieve goals with minimal waste. Citizens, employees or stakeholders should have a voice in shaping decisions that affect them.
Average rating of understanding of governance benchmark Before: 2.68 | After: 4.03
Challenges
Coordination between levels of governance (17)
Skills shortages in peace building and leadership (14)
Transparency and accountability of leadership (13)
Promising Practices
Participation and inclusion (18)
Community consultation and awareness (4)
Church and NGO commitment to training emerging leaders (4)
Priority Actions
Strengthening community engagement (12)
Training in areas of leadership, peace building, and communication (11)
Strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms (10)
About the benchmark
Social services are government or community programs designed to support individuals and families in need. They cover areas like healthcare, education, disability services, etc. The goal is to improve well-being, ensure equal opportunities, and provide safety nets for vulnerable populations in our communities.
Average rating of understanding of social services benchmark Before: 2.74 | After: 4.08
Challenges
Access to quality higher education (17)
Transport and infrastructure (9)
Availability of essential medicines (7)
Promising Practices
Education and health participation (10)
Church-led education and social services programs (7)
Advocacy on women, peace, and security (7)
Priority Actions
Improving health infrastructure at all levels: local, district, and regional (11)
Infrastructure (roads and mobile towers) to better connect residents to services (7)
About the benchmark
This benchmark is about improving the financial wellbeing and quality of life for people in a given region. It involves strategies to boost productivity, create jobs, and enhance infrastructure. Some elements of economic development would include natural resources, government policies, infrastructure, human capital, investment and capital formation, entrepreneurship, and industry groups.
Average rating of understanding of economic development benchmark Before: 2.96 | After: 4.21
Challenges
Land issues, including disputes and perceived shortages (14)
Low financial literacy and money management (13)
Access to markets (8)
Promising Practices
Increasing cocoa and copra prices, supported by connections to buyers (12)
SMEs and family farms (7)
Access to local fish and craft markets (6)
Priority Actions
Financial literacy training and budgeting (11)
Establishment of cooperatives (8)
Expanding banking services and enabling families to secure their savings (5)
About the benchmark
Human Resource Development is about enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of employees to boost both individual and organisational performance. It includes provision of educational institutions and opportunities at all levels - from primary to tertiary - and specialist education and training for essential services.
Average rating of understanding of human resource development benchmark Before: 2.85 | After: 4.22
Challenges
Financial barriers and high cost of education (15)
Job opportunities are limited and nepotism is high (9)
Early marriage (3)
Promising Practices
Increased school attendance and enrolment (11)
Community engagement and support (11)
NGOs support capacity building and skill development (3)
Priority Actions
Establishment of higher education and technical colleges (9)
Ensure education is affordable (8)
Awareness on, and laws to prevent, early marriage (3)
About the benchmark
The standard of living refers to the level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to a person or community. It’s influenced by factors like income, employment, education, housing, healthcare, and access to essential services. Countries often measure it using indicators such as GDP per capita, the Human Development Index (HDI) or poverty rates.
In a broader sense, it’s not just about money – quality of life also plays a role, including environmental conditions, social stability, and personal freedoms. For instance, while some places may have higher incomes, factors like work-life balance, healthcare access, or even safety can affect overall well-being.
Average rating of understanding of human resource development benchmark Before: 3.00 | After: 4.27
Challenges
Access to quality healthcare: shortages of medicines, rural health facilities, and health practitioners (13)
Water and sanitation (13)
Promising Practices
Improved housing construction and building of water tanks and solar (17)
Hygiene and lifestyle awareness (9)
Priority Actions
Upgrading health facilities (11)
Improving water and sanitation (10)
Health promotion and awareness (8)