Hamish Woodside
PhD (European Studies) 2009 -
Partners moving forward: EU post Lome development policy in the Pacific
Qualifications
- BA(Hons) Political Science, University of Canterbury (2008)
- GradDip Arts, University of Canterbury (2007)
- BA Political Science, University of Canterbury (2006)
Room
National Centre for Research on EuropeKirkwood Village KD04
Contact Details
hamish.woodside@canterbury.ac.nz
hjw49@uclive.ac.nz
Postal Address
c/o National Centre for Research on Europe
Kirkwood Village KD04
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch
New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 364 2987 ext 3684
Fax: +64 3 364 2634
Details of Research
Europe’s relationship with the Pacific is one that extends back through the age of exploration and deep colonial ties. Indeed these colonial ties can be held somewhat responsible for the construction of the Pacific “identity,” namely the secluded island paradise inhabited by noble savages, that we often think of today. This romanticized view of the Pacific, however, is sadly removed from the reality and rather an abstraction or caricature of what we may see in a travel brochure. In actuality, the Pacific is a region in the midst of a rapid push into modernity and increasingly facing significant obstacles to a sustainable and prosperous future. While it must be acknowledged the relative fortunes and prosperity of Pacific Island nations varies considerably; effective political, trade, and cultural networks continue to elude the region.
Through the European Commission (EC), the European Union (EU) has looked to assist in the region building frameworks under the Yaoundé convention 1964, and formalizing relations with select Pacific nation states under the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Lomé Convention signed in 1975.This study is primarily an exploration of this relationship as it stands today with the ultimate intention of answering the question; are the EU and Pacific still partners moving forward?
By conducting a comparative case study using Vanuatu and the Kingdom of Tonga, it seeks to explore the potential impacts and benefits for small states interacting within the EU’s primary aid and trade mechanism; the Cotonou convention. Following on from the heavily criticised Lomé conventions, Cotonou was touted as a new comprehensive development strategy combining economic conventions with key conditionalites of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. However, nearly a decade since its inception, Cotonou has proved to be just as divisive as its predecessor amongst NGO’s and academics alike. As such, this thesis looks to address issues arising from complications in third party trade and investment agreements, the fractured nature in which negotiations have been conducted, the EU’s preference for regionalism and the role of democratisation in this process.
Papers
- Conference paper: “Speaking Democracy: Political Terminologies and Concepts for Tongans” Absalom Smith, Taylor and Woodside, Monash European and EU Centre 2009, Melbourne.
- Conference paper: “Dismantling a Dynasty: Democratisation and the Process of Reform in the Kingdom of Tonga” Woodside. Oceanic Conference on International Studies (OCIS IV) The University of Auckland, Auckland 2010.
- Conference paper: “Regionalism and Democracy: a case study of EU action in the Pacific” Woodside. P@C Symposium, The University of Canterbury, Christchurch 2010.
- Conference paper: "European Union post-Cotonou Development in the Pacific: Partners moving forward?" Woodside. EUCNetwork Conference, The University of Waikato 2011.
- EUCN Networks Scholarship recipient.
- University of Canterbury Pacific Master’s Thesis Scholarship recipient.
- EUCN Research Exchange Grant (Deutsche Institut für Entwicklungspolitik / German Development Institute.)
- Erasmus Mundus (University of Bath)
- KEENZ Research Exchange (London School of Economics)