Coalition Brings Democracy Education to Central Malekula Communities

November 17, 2025

Earlier this month, a coalition of good governance organizations successfully concluded a groundbreaking campaign to bolster democratic engagement in central Malekula. Through a concerted effort, five civil society, government and donor organizations conducted a series of in-depth educational sessions across 10 communities reaching more than 200 men, women and children.

This innovative program brought together Transparency International Vanuatu (TIV), the Vanuatu Electoral Office (VEO), the Office of the Ombudsman, Right to Information (RTI), the Secretariate of the Pacific Community (SPC) in a joint effort for the first time. By joining forces, these organizations delivered comprehensive civic education workshops across 9 distinct communities, as well as to the newly elected Malampa Provincial Councilors. This outreach programme was made possible through the support of the UNDP Vanuatu Electoral Environment Project (VEEP), funded by the Government of New Zealand, and the Secretariate of the Pacific Community (SPC).

Sezrae Gilbert, a community leader from Mahi village stated that, "People in my village would never be able to access this kind of information, unless we traveled to Port Vila, which we rarely have the opportunity to do."

The sessions focused on educating citizens about their fundamental right and process to access government information, clarifying the roles and obligations of elected officials, and introducing the array of civic education resources available through the VEO. By empowering community members with this vital knowledge, the program sought to encourage more active participation in Vanuatu’s democratic processes, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.

Tony Nimanik of TIV explains how to access additional resources to Mahi community members.

UNDP

Beyond engaging with local communities, the coalition also assisted with the induction of newly elected Provincial Councilors, exchanging with the newly elected Councilors on the principles of transparent governance and ethical standards guiding the delivery of their functions as public servants.

This initiative is just one component of a broader, ongoing civic education campaign being implemented through the partnership between TIV and the VEO, with continued support from UNDP VEEP. The overarching objective of this partnership is to educate Vanuatu’s citizens about their rights and responsibilities. The campaign employs a multifaceted approach that includes face-to-face awareness sessions, outreach via social and print media, and the production of a dedicated podcast series, all designed to promote informed participation and strengthen democracy throughout the country.