MIL OSI Translation. French Polynesian to English –
Source: Government of New Caledonia
On October 17, 21 and 22, the government organized a major conference at the Tjibaou cultural center devoted to the community-led plan for safeguarding, rebuilding and reconstruction (PS2R). Three days during which the government was able to present its vision and measures and discuss with the stakeholders present.
Following the riots that broke out on 13 May 2024, New Caledonia finds itself in an extremely difficult financial, economic and social situation. In this context, the members of the 17th government wanted to put in place a plan for safeguarding, rebuilding and reconstruction, “three concepts that reflect the depth and intensity of the questions that are shaking our country, as we go through a particularly difficult period”, as Louis Mapou indicated during his opening speech on Thursday 17 October.
The PS2R will make it possible to organise short-term safeguard measures, to define in the medium term the major principles on which the future Caledonian model will be based and to identify, for the long term, the priority avenues for reconstruction. It represents “a crucial step for the future of New Caledonia”, according to the President of the Government.
Findings on the current model
In an effort to make the PS2R a concerted and shared approach, the government initiated a series of meetings with institutions, communities, unions, employer organizations, economic stakeholders and civil society before its conference in order to gather their opinions and proposals. An online public consultation was also launched and received approximately 3,000 responses.
This work allowed, in a first step, to make observations on the current models at the economic, health-social, institutional and societal levels. A methodology aimed at having a solid basis for a successful overhaul and to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Building on core values
To achieve these objectives, the government also intends to rely on fundamental values, which are essential for rebuilding the Caledonian model and which must be translated as principles that could constitute the guiding principles of our collective investment:
Kindness and solidarity because it is necessary to provide for the needs of the population in this difficult context and to strengthen social cohesion and community ties. The proximity of public action, to guarantee transparent and effective management of the country’s affairs. But above all because these events have revealed a significant gap between the expression of needs by a large category of the population, particularly Kanak youth, and public action. Complementarity rather than competition, particularly in the management of public affairs, in order to maximize synergies and avoid divisions. Ethics and integrity in governance, in order to restore citizens’ confidence in their institutions.
Values that have made it possible to identify the four pillars on which the re-establishment of the Caledonian model will be based. “These pillars are self-evident to be addressed in this trajectory that we are establishing over three years,” affirmed Louis Mapou.
The first pillar concerns the concept of “living together” which must be the primary, central and collective ambition of New Caledonia. It is based on a common foundation: belonging to this country and the desire to give it its own unique identity. The second pillar concerns our economic model and the desire to make it competitive and attractive by highlighting the wealth of New Caledonia. The third pillar is the social pillar which today needs to be rethought in order to perpetuate the health and social protection systems, so that they can meet the needs of current and future generations. The fourth pillar focuses on the issue of governance with the ambition of making institutions more responsive, more effective and closer to Caledonians.
Clear strategic objectives
In order to work as efficiently as possible, the government has defined, based on the findings and contributions collected, strategic objectives (SO) to be achieved in each model. These objectives will be achieved through concrete measures, some of which are already being considered or implemented.
Business model
OS1 – Preserve decent purchasing power
OS2 – Restore the attractiveness of the territory and the competitiveness of the economy
OS3 – Freeing up financing for the economy
OS4 – Adapting land use planning and infrastructure to the needs of the population
OS5 – Redefining the nickel industry model
OS6 – Major infrastructure works
Health and social model
OS7 – Make the Caledonian health system viable and efficient
OS8 – Controlling social protection expenditure
OS9 – Strengthening family policy
Institutional model
OS10 – Making public action more efficient
OS11 – Optimize the distribution of skills
OS12 – Promoting the expression and representation of civil society
Societal model
OS13 – Build an identity based on common and shared values and practices and reinforced by a sense of belonging to New Caledonia
OS14 – Adapting education, training and integration to the contemporary context
OS15 – Protect and enhance natural resources
OS16 – Preventing and adapting to climate change
The prospects of PS2R
The day after the conference dedicated to the plan, the government intends to publish a booklet incorporating all the observations noted during this unifying event. It also plans to travel to the three provinces to present the plan to the population, who “must absolutely take ownership of it”, as President Louis Mapou insisted.
It is also envisaged to annex the PS2R to the budget orientation debate for the year 2025, which will allow in particular to develop a series of prospective scenarios for the next three years. Furthermore, the government plans to begin discussions in order to set up a State support agreement, on the basis of the PS2R, in order to ensure that the necessary measures can actually be put in place.
The implementation of the PS2R will be subject to regular monitoring by the interinstitutional committee and the committee of vital forces.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.