The PNG Yearbook series 2002-2007.

Vallance, Roger

The PNG Yearbook series 2002-2007

Editor Brian Gomez; published by Cassowary Books and printed by Star Printers.

Contact pngyearbook@thenational.com.pg

Price K80 or significantly less for pre-publication and subscription orders

The PNG Yearbook series is an established annual publication that attempts to document social and economic progress in PNG, as well as something of the flavour of life in PNG. This review covers Yearbooks 2002 to 2007, with an emphasis on the more recent years. By the time this review is published, the 2008 Yearbook will be available. Subscription is possible through contacting the editor.

The annual Yearbook is a labour of love for the editor, Brian Gomez. Each year around 180 pages seek to chronicle the fortunes and prospects of Papua New Guinea. The Yearbooks include a range of articles followed by an extensive range of statistics.

The major part of each issue consists of invited articles. A number of these articles have a political agenda, with the Prime Minister of the day writing an introduction which has a strong political bias. Of course, an editor must use the materials available, and I am sure that persuading contributors to write is not an easy task. However, some contributions suffer from a lack of national perspective.

A single example, for the sake of space, might suffice. 'Turmoil in Tertiary Education Section' (Yearbook 2007, pp.64-72) concerns itself with the University of PNG and then marginally with the University of Technology in Lae. While not critiquing the substance of the article which rightfully points out some difficulties in these universities, it must be said that there are six universities in PNG, seven teachers' colleges and a large number of other tertiary training providers, e.g. nursing, business and maritime colleges and others. None of these institutions rates a mention in this ill titled article.

In each Yearbook, there are articles which deserve the widest publication. Professor Edward Wolfers' article on the Bougainville peace process describes a long, painful and yet slowly successful journey to reconciliation and healing (Yearbook 2006, pp.95-104). The article has a wealth of detail written by one who has been closely involved with the Bougainville peace process. Lawrence Kalinoe's article 'Customary Land Reform: Reform agenda for customary land' (Yearbook 2007, pp.52-59) makes a valuable contribution to this important debate whose resolution will impact on further economic and social development in PNG.

Each year, some of the articles have been previously published elsewhere. Excerpting parts of a government report or another publication is acceptable. A publication of record, as the PNG Yearbook series might aspire to be, deserves a majority of original articles or at least commentaries that bring published material up to date. Critical dialogue with government perspectives also seems desirable. Some articles [cf 'Progressing the Nation's Economic Transformation' (Yearbook 2007, pp.24-35) which deals with the National budget], are without a named author. It is not safe to suggest that such an article is the work of the editor, since several articles of that Yearbook are ascribed to Brian Gomez directly. It would be more reassuring for the critical reader if each article was clearly attributed to its responsible author.

The preceding paragraphs have been mildly critical of some of the articles. It is important to clearly state that the majority of the articles are well written, relevant and of high interest for the general reader as well as the learned researcher. The diversity of topics, which changes each year, covers major industrial concerns: mining, manufacturing and agriculture; law, legislation and social processes; current events from important people to natural disasters; reflections on the cultures of PNG and its languages; regional and provincial affairs; health; and tourism. In other words, the Yearbook succeeds in its attempt to cover the 'highlights' of PNG development, and the Yearbook is without peer in this task. It would be good to see authors from a wider geographic perspective than Port Moresby, and some critique of the status quo, but these comments are not major criticisms of the Yearbook which contributes significantly to the knowledge and understanding of PNG.

The statistics section at the end of the Yearbook is reason enough to purchase each annual issue. The collection of data is of critical value to anyone wishing to see broad statistical data on PNG and this publication offers this data in a manner making year by year comparisons possible. Demographic and social statistics are collected in one publication covering the major variables pertaining to population, health and disease incidence. Both provincial and national statistics are included, complemented by financial indicators, education statistics for all sectors, crime rates, tourism, exchange rates, foreign trade and taxation. While some of the graphs look a little 'Excel-like' and are a bit chunky, the tables, figures and graphs are clear. The data within them is accessible, so a lack of aesthetics in graph presentation does not detract from their usefulness.

One concern about the Statistics section is the citation of the sources used. At the beginning of the Statistics section a list of sources is reported, but individual attribution of the sources for individual tables, figures and graphs is rare. That there is a range of dates for these sources, frequently spanning three or more years, means that some data presentations are less current and less certain than others; yet the reader cannot determine easily into which each data presentation falls. For the serious reader, or one who wishes to explore some matters further, this general, non-specific referencing is not adequate.

This reader is always interested in the statistical indicators of PNG. It would help if some commentary was possible on individual indicators, for instance why in 2005 the number of reported new cases of HIV decreased to about one third of the 2004 figure (2007 Yearbook, p.171). As understood by this reader, the reason is that testing centres were closed in many rural areas in 2005 due to lack of funds and political will; and that situation is only slowly being remedied today. Despite this minor criticism, the Statistics Section remains a vital contribution to our understanding of PNG and is worth the price of the publication in its own right.

In summary, the PNG Yearbook is a unique and vital contribution to our understanding of the progress and recent history of PNG. Each year I await my subscription copy with anticipation, I read each Yearbook avidly and I refer to it often. For any serious PNG student, and every reader concerned for modern PNG society, this annual publication is a necessity and a pleasure. For myself, I consider it compulsory.

Roger Vallance

Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies

Divine Word University, Madang