Learning & events

Webinar recording | Reconceptualizing Peace and Conflict Theory as an ideology towards understanding domestic violence in Samoa

Dr Michael Fusi Ligaliga

pre-recorded | Online

"This presentation got to the roots of the topic with lots of detail and so imparted real insight. It was absorbing (and confronting as a woman of Samoan heritage, but so valuable). It would be great to hear from Michael again"

Reconceptualizing Peace and Conflict Theory as an ideology towards understanding domestic violence in Samoa

Over the past 30 years, Samoa has been a model example of peace and stability throughout the Pacific region. The fusion of traditional (fono o matai and fa'a matai) and western institutions (Westminster style of democracy) of governance, albeit not a perfect marriage, has nonetheless been credited with Samoa’s ability to sustain peace and stability. Despite this, domestic violence is now an epidemic in Samoa.

This discussion employs Galtung’s Typology of Violence to analyze Samoa’s domestic violence issues. Furthermore, three themes are discussed as contributors to domestic violence in Samoa: aiga or family, nu'u/matai or village/chief, and ekalesia or church.

This webinar is targeted at dispute resolvers and restorative justice practitioners working in the context of domestic violence and hopes to offer a Pacific perspective on this social issue. The webinar will examine, from a Samoan perspective, cultural and religious factors as possible contributors to the problem of domestic violence.

The link to the recording of this webinar will remain active for at least 3 months from the date of purchase. We continue to consult with the given presenter as to whether extended availability is possible. We are therefore not able to guarantee access beyond 3 months.

About the speaker

Anna Quinn

Dr Michael Fusi Ligaliga
Ph.D. Graduate, National Centre of Peace and Conflict Studies
University of Otago, New Zealand

Dr Michael Ligaliga was raised in Upolu, Samoa, and attended school in both Samoa and Auckland. He then moved to Hawai’i to pursue undergraduate study at Brigham Young University in Hawai’i, graduating in Political Science and International Peace Building.

Michael is a Ph.D. graduate from the National Centre of Peace and Conflict Studies at Otago University. His research focus applied Peace and Conflict theories towards understanding social issues such as domestic and family violence, substance abuse, alcoholism, suicide, and crime rates among Pacific Island communities. Michael’s Ph.D. thesis examined whether there were aspects of Fa’a Samoa that influence or contribute to family/domestic violence in Samoa. Galtung's Typology of Violence, Dugan's Nested Theory of Conflict and Lederach's Nested Time Paradigm are the peace and conflict theories used in the study to understand cultural, structural and direct violence. Dr Ligaliga is the first Pacific Islands doctoral student to graduate from the National Centre for Peace and Conflict studies.

Currently Michael is lecturing at Te Tumu (Otago University Research into Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies) on Pacific Leadership and Peace and Conflict in the Pacific, which he continues to pursue and publish.

Michael Ligaliga is an accredited mediator with Resolution Institute. He is interested to use his mediation skills to assist Samoan communities in New Zealand and Samoa.