Title: Towards pro-active legislatures and inclusive development in PICs

Abstract: This paper is based on the assumption that proactive legislatures in the Pacific Island countries (PICs) are central in ensuring that societal change and development are conducive to the well being of all their citizenry. It provides a contextual backdrop of the consequences for PICs of the global economic crisis and the lethargy of legislatures in responding to the crisis. Hitherto, legislatures have tended not to meet frequently and the meetings did not cover sufficient time to address serious issues and policies adequately. As a result of historical precedents and existing political structures, the executive branch of government has taken the lead in policy formulation and law making. Legislatures have generally failed to provide the scrutiny required for accountability and transparency. Pacific legislatures have also been largely unrepresentative of women and youth. This paper highlights a number of significant shortcomings of legislatures in PICs and recommends measures that will make them more representative and responsive, thereby contributing to the human development of island peoples.