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Solomon Islands National University (SINU) is exploring a significant partnership with one of the countryโs most successful indigenous conservation organisations, the Baru Conservation Alliance (BCA), following a high-level meeting between SINU Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, and Chief Esau of the BCA.
The Baru Conservation Alliance is a coalition representing four tribal groupsโAieda, Fulanitofe, Burui, and Aifasuโwho have successfully preserved their ancestral lands, biodiversity, and traditional way of life in the East Kwaio region of Malaita. The organisation was legally registered in 2019 and has been at the forefront of community-led conservation, climate resilience, education, and research initiatives. Over the years, BCA has collaborated with leading international institutions, including James Cook University and the Australian National University, in biodiversity research and indigenous ecological knowledge preservation.
During the meeting, four key areas of collaboration were discussed, reflecting SINUโs commitment to strengthening indigenous knowledge systems, research collaboration, and community empowerment:
1. Education & Teacher Training โ Developing a tailored training programme for untrained teachers in East Kwaio, delivered in Auki, to support quality education within indigenous communities.
2. Research & Indigenous Curriculum Development โ Establishing a partnership with SINUโs Centre for Islands Futures as a Living Lab, fostering applied research in biodiversity conservation, indigenous environmental management, and sustainable development.
3. Archival & Knowledge Integration โ Exploring ways to digitise and integrate the vast collection of Kwaio historical and cultural research housed within BCA into SINUโs library and research resources, as well as providing archival and knowledge management training for BCA members.
4. National Reconciliation Initiative โ Collaborating with BCA to support a Solomon Islands-wide reconciliation process, building upon previous efforts in 2018 (Australia), 2019 (Kwaio communities), and 2021 (Malaita-wide). This could potentially be incorporated within SINUโs Peacebuilding Initiative in partnership with the University of Melbourne.
Speaking on the importance of partnering with indigenous communities, Professor Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of SINU, emphasised the transformative impact of integrating indigenous knowledge into academic and policy frameworks:
“The Baru Conservation Alliance represents a truly inspiring model of indigenous leadership in conservation and sustainable development. Their commitment to protecting the environment while maintaining cultural integrity aligns with SINUโs vision of promoting community-driven, locally relevant education and research. By working together, we can create impactful programmes that not only empower indigenous communities but also contribute to national development and global knowledge.”
Reflecting on the significance of the meeting, Professor Aqorau highlighted the broader implications for both SINU and Solomon Islands:
“This partnership represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and indigenous communities, ensuring that research and education are not just theoretical but directly benefit the people of Solomon Islands. We are keen to explore how SINU can support BCAโs initiatives and, in turn, learn from their vast experience in conservation and indigenous governance. I look forward to working with my colleagues at SINU to develop practical and meaningful collaborations in the areas discussed.”
SINU will now engage faculty members and relevant stakeholders to assess potential academic, research, and policy collaboration mechanisms with BCA. A formal working group is expected to be established to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the scope of collaboration.
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