Project: Pacific Natural Fibres Project, SOUTH PACIFIC 2011
Problem: Many Pacific Islands experience economic barriers that prevent the growth of their economies in general. These include: small local markets and distance from overseas markets, large dependence upon subsistence agriculture, high population growth, inadequate infrastructure development and high transport and communications costs, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Few Pacific Islanders were aware of the scope of commercial products currently being made abroad and of innovations using the same natural fibres that are in abundance in the Pacific region. The majority of the natural fibres industries in the Pacific are in the informal sector which is a source of employment and income for a large proportion of the population in the Pacific. Unfortunately, there are a number of barriers and obstacles that adversely affect informal sector operators.
Context: 2009 was declared the International Year of Natural Fibres which raised the profile of natural fibres, thereby strengthening demand, promoting efficient and sustainable industries and contributing to improved welfare of fibre producing farmers. As a follow-up to this, the Commonwealth Secretariat established the Global Natural Fibres Forum to promote sustainable economic development in less-developed regions. I was engaged as the Regional Advisor for the Pacific Region.
Natural fibres play an important cultural and economic role in the Pacific Islands. Cultural items such as tapa cloths, fine mats and other items made from natural fibres are highly valued and represent an important part of daily life in the islands. Many women use natural fibres as a way to earn a livelihood and support their families making various handicrafts for sale to tourists who visit the region. Many NGOs make use of available natural fibres as a sustainable source of raw materials for community-based economic development initiatives.
Process: Researched, documented and mapped traditional sources and uses for natural fibres in the Pacific region. Gathered and documented traditional knowledge about Pacific natural fibres to serve as a valuable resource for the development of sustainable natural fibres industries. Researched and documented commercial uses for natural fibres.
Raised awareness of the economic potential of natural fibres in the Pacific region. Exposed a wide range of stakeholders to examples of commercially-viable products and innovative ideas in order to develop their appreciation of the potential of their local natural resources and to help them develop innovations of their own.
Outcome:
Researched and developed a Compendium of Pacific Natural Fibres as a comprehensive resource that included scientific information about the sources and properties of local natural fibres, information and images of traditional and contemporary uses for these fibres.
Developed local capacity on intellectual property rights to ensure that traditional knowledge is used to benefit local people and is not exploited by foreign interests. For policy-makers in government, business and civil society, defending the interests of artisans and craft entrepreneurs is critical to supporting their commercial success.
Organized a Pacific Natural Fibres Symposium to further awareness and develop capacity of public and private sector stakeholders from Commonwealth Pacific Island nations while providing them opportunities to network and engage with international experts.
Established a regional natural fibres forum made up of diverse stakeholders from the various Commonwealth Pacific Island nations.
Partners: Commonwealth Secretariat, Massey University, New Zealand Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Role/s: Researcher, Regional Advisor, Symposium organizer, speaker,
Compendium of Natural Fibres in the Pacific Region - a 69 page comprehensive resource on some of the most common Pacific natural fibres and their uses. I wrote and designed this as an educational resource for stakeholders in the Commonwealth Pacific Island nations.
Sample page introducing Paper Mulberry fibres from Compendium of Natural Fibres in the Pacific Region.
Sample page describing properties of bamboo fibres from Compendium of Natural Fibres in the Pacific Region.
Sample page showing traditional uses for bamboo fibres from Compendium of Natural Fibres in the Pacific Region.
Sample page showing contemporary uses for bamboo fibres from Compendium of Natural Fibres in the Pacific Region.
The final part of the project was a Natural Fibre Symposium held at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. Public and private sector delegates from each of the Pacific nations who were part of the Commonwealth were invited to attend.
List of delegates and speakers that attended the Pacific Natural Fibres Symposium.
Keynote speaker for the Pacific Natural Fibres Symposium was fashion designer Lindah Lepou. Lepou has been credited with shaping how the world sees Pacific fashion and art over her 25 year career. Ms Lepou’s career has always had tension between her masculine/feminine worlds as fa’afafine (two spirited), and her own Pacific/Palagi ‘gafa’ (lineage) at the core of her practice.
“Lindah is the only fashion designer I know of with a consistent body of work that is inspired by her own unique lineage, using a variety of natural fibers and traditional techniques in contemporary ways”. Edwina Ehrman, V&A Museum (London, UK) (2012).
Sample exhibition panels that I designed for the Pacific Natural Fibres Exhibition that took place during the Pacific Natural Fibres Symposium. Information from the Compendium of Pacific Natural Fibres was summarized in these panels which were displayed alongside products made from these fibres at the College of Creative Arts at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand.
Pacific Natural Fibres exhibition set up in the College of Creative Arts Building at Massey University. Pacific Island artisans and entrepreneurs were invited to showcase their work alongside the exhibition panels that provided more detailed information about the fibres used to create these products. Massey University design students and faculty were invited to the exhibition opening as a networking opportunity for them to engage with representatives from the Commonwealth Pacific Islands. More exhibition photos below:
