Abstract
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While Europe demonstrates tendencies towards
centralization of authority and coordination
through the European Parliament and Commission
and common policies, Pacific regionalism is more
diverse and decentralized. With an estimated 700
governmental and non-governmental organizations
in the Asia-Pacific region overall (Crocombe 2007:
13), it is clear that Pacific regionalism involves several
combinations of actors in different type of formal
and informal organizations with a variety of purposes.
With its history of colonization, ongoing
decolonization and the interplay of the interests of
several regional and global powers, regionalism in the
Pacific Islands is a rich tapestry of organizations that
address issues of concern to different combinations
of countries: global security, economi development,
aid, culture, fisheries and the environment, resources.
and small state interests, for example. Powerful
'non-regional' actors participate in various regional
organizations a members, dialogue partners or donors,
and interact with regional bodies in diverse ways. For
example, Australia, together with New Zealand, plays a
strong role in state-strengthening measures, providing
development assistance, trade promotion and other
forms of cooperation in the Pacific. However, Pacific
Island states are branching out aud have also created a
wide variety of regional and sub-regional organizations.