The Government has declared 2007 to be the "Year of the traditional economy" ("Yia blong kastom ekonomi" in Bislama). Each year a different theme is chosen by the Government as a focus for national attention: last year, for example, was the Year of Tourism. A national steering committee has been appointed by the Prime Minister and has approved a set of objectives and activities to be undertaken as part of this year.
See these objectives and activities - in Bislama - in English
See the Activity Matrix for the Year of the Traditional Economy approved by the Council of Ministers in May 2007.
The declaration of the Year of the Traditional Economy is one of the outcomes of the Cultural Centre's Traditional Money Banks Project. It was at the Project's first consulation meeting on Uripiv island in March 2005 that the first call was made for the Government to declare 2007 the Year of the Traditional Economy. This call was repeated at the Project's second consultation meeting in Port Vila in July 2005, the "National Summit for Self Reliance and Sustainability".
Read "The Year of the Traditional Economy – What is it all about?" by Ralph Regenvanu, Director of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council.
The image above shows Chief Paul Tahi Hubwehubwenvanua, President of the Malvatumauri (the National Council of Chiefs), and his wife, in traditional dress during the parade (marching ahead of the President of the Republic).
The image above shows the President, H.E. Kalkot Matas Kelekele and the First Lady, Mrs Matas Kelekele, in traditional dress in the parade - his dressing is from Tongoa island and hers from north Pentecost.
