Civil Society Briefs: Solomon Islands

Abstract

Today, civil society in the Solomon Islands encompasses church groups, customary landowning groups, civic groups, women’s organizations, disability groups, agricultural or farmers associations, environmental groups, community and youth organizations, sports clubs, trade unions, and advocacy and governance groups. There is a range of both membership and nonmembership organizations, including those that are established for public benefit, and those that are established to support their members. Some are registered as NGOs but many, especially community based organizations, are not. The church is a large and important component of civil society in Solomon Islands. With 98% of the population identifying as Christian, there is a wide variety of denominations and faiths, although 90% of Christians belong to one of five main churches: the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Catholic Church, the South Seas Evangelical Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the United Church. The services offered by the national government do not reach far outside of Honiara and the churches play an important role in providing services to the rural populous. The churches are particularly active in providing services in education and training, health, and youth issues.