Program Details: Kiribati

Photo: Mercy Corps

Kiribati (pronounced "keer-ih-bahs") consists of 32 low-lying atolls and one raised island scattered over an expanse of ocean equivalent in size to the continental United States. The islands straddle the Equator
and lie roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The three main groupings are the Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands and Line Islands.

Kiribati's per capita Gross National Product (GNP) of less than $1,000 makes it one of the poorest and least-developed countries in the world, ranking 11th out of the 15 countries in the Pacific region and 129th in the world.

Kiribati gets a large portion of its national income from fishing licenses granted to other countries, development assistance, worker remittances and tourism. Existing health, social and environmental problems are worsening as a result of population increase, erosion of traditional social values and the increasing need to be part of the cash economy.

Mercy Corps is currently implementing a project in Kiribati that uses radio as an educational tool that empowers people by enabling them to become more articulate about issues that concern them. This expanded voice helps them lobby decision makers for greater involvement in governance and issues that impact on their lives. The intent of the program is to reduce poverty through improved service provision and communications.

The project, initially granted to Just World Partner and then to Mercy Corps, will achieve this positive change through community-designed radio programs that promote civic action and increased participation in community affairs. This approach is also being tailored to fit into the secondary school curricula across the country.