Development Studies at USP and the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, in association with the Fijian Institute for Applied Studies, are launching a new project on livelihoods and identity in Fiji.

By focusing on livelihood strategies, the project organisers hope to draw out areas of similarity and difference for different occupational and ethnic groups, explore the nature of relationships between economic livelihoods and social identities, and generate innovative, evidence-based research.

The following occupational categories are among those being considered:

Fijian agriculturalists  Garment workers  Tourism workers Fisheries/PAFCO workers Nurses White collar professionals Religious workers

Indo Fiijian agriculturalists Sports professionals Miners Military personnel Domestic workers Small business workers Career politicians

It is intended that the project will have 3 phases: the first involving field work during 2005, the second being a conference in mid-2006 where results of the research will be presented, and the third publication of the project as a book in 2007.

Researchers interested in participating in the project are asked to contact

Robbie Robertson, Professor of Development Studies at the University of the South Pacific, Suva Fiji ( robertson_r(at)usp.ac.fj ; phone 679+ 321 2093 or fax 679+ 330 3040)

or 

Dr Haroon Akram-Lodhi of Rural Development, Environment & Population Studies at the Institute of Social Studies, PO Box 29776, 2502 LT The Hague, The Netherlands ( haroon(at)iss.nl; phone 31+ 70- 426 0498 or fax 31+ 70- 426 0747).