A month-long professional exchange in Vanuatu has given Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission (SILRC) legal officer Laisa Doedoke an immersive look into how communities, culture, and law reform intersect across the region. Currently based in Port Vila under the Solomon Islands–Vanuatu Twinning Program, Ms. Doedoke has spent November working alongside the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission (VLRC) an experience she describes as both transformative and professionally enriching.

One of the highlights of her attachment was joining the VLRC team for national consultations in Tanna, Tafea Province, from 4 to 13 November 2025. The consultations focused on key reform areas including the Police Act (Cap 105), the Maintenance of Family and Children Act, and laws relating to Wills, Probate, Administration, and Succession.

Ms. Doedoke said the experience offered powerful insights into how traditional governance systems, particularly chiefly and nakamal structures, shape community organization and support open dialogue. She was also struck by the unity and hospitality of Tanna communities, noting that being welcomed by chiefs and visiting Mount Yasur reflected the strong value placed on contributing to national law reform processes.

While many aspects of the consultations were similar to those in the Solomon Islands, she observed several unique cultural dynamics in Tanna. Challenges included sudden logistical changes, limited participation from women in certain communities, language barriers in remote areas, and the early difficulty of adjusting to Bislama. She recommended improving communication with local contacts, organizing dedicated consultations for women, preparing translators in advance, and providing cultural orientation for visiting officers to support smoother future engagements.

Laisa Doedoke, who hails from Isabel Province, emphasized that the Twinning Program enhances professional development, strengthens institutional relationships, and builds shared understanding of legal systems across the region. She encouraged future SILRC participants to approach the exchange with an open mind and a willingness to learn from both the professional work and the cultural experiences it offers.

She expressed her gratitude to ASIPJ, the Solomon Islands Government, the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission, and the Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission for supporting her participation and described the program as a valuable and transformative opportunity. Ms. Doedoke arrived in Port Vila on 1 November 2025 and will conclude her one-month placement on 30 November 2025.