This article is based on material collected in researching the viability of a regional network focused on the inclusion of children with disabilities in education in the Pacific region. It discusses the importance of balancing the international vision of a rights-based approach to education with indigenous inclusive values in the small and scattered Pacific island populations. A case study is analysed of the development of community-based inclusive education in Samoa by a national non-governmental organisation in collaboration with various government ministries, and finally, the potential of networking in generating new, contextually relevant knowledge about inclusive education is debated.
ChurchM (2005) Creating an Uncompromised Place to Belong: Why do I find myself in networks? unpublished PhD thesis, University of Bath, Bath.
5.
FrankhamJ (2006) Network utopias and alternative entanglements for educational research and practice. Journal of Education Policy21(6): 661–677.
6.
HalapuaW (2006) HIV/AIDS in the Pacific and the injustice of past and current theological approaches. Pacific Journal of Theology36: 46–65. Available at: http://www.aplfaids.com/download/Journal%20of%20Theology.pdf (accessed 20 September 2013).
7.
HenryLMohanGYanacopulosH (2004) Networks as transnational agents of development. Third World Quarterly25(5):839–855.
8.
KeckMESikkinkK (1999) Transnational advocacy networks in international and regional politics. International Social Science Journal51: 89–101.
9.
KedrayateA (2001) Why non-formal education in Fiji?Directions: Journal of Educational Studies23(1): 75–96.
10.
Le FanuG (2013) Reconceptualising inclusive education in international development. In: TiklyLBarrettA (eds) Education, Quality and Social Justice in the Global South. London: Routledge, pp. 40–55.
11.
LeneD (2005) The development of policy planning and support and services for people with disabilities (15 years +) in Samoa. Unpublished Masters’ thesis, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
12.
LukeA (2007) Teacher education and globalisation blending Pacific pasts and futures. In: PuamauP (ed.) Pacific Voices: Teacher Education on the Move (The PRIDE Project; Pacific Education Series no. 3). Suva, Fiji: Institute of Education, University of the South Pacific, pp. 13–36.
13.
MacanawaiSS (2009) Disability in the Pacific. In: PuamauPPeneF (eds) Inclusive Education in the Pacific (The PRIDE Project; Pacific Education Series no. 6). Suva, Fiji: Institute of Education, University of the South Pacific, pp. 56–69.
14.
McDonaldLTufue-DolgoyR (2013) Moving forwards, sideways or backwards? Inclusive education in Samoa. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education60(3): 270–284.
15.
MerumeruL (2006) Inclusive education and teacher education in Fiji: The case of Lautoka Teachers College. Unpublished Masters dissertation, Institute of Education, London.
16.
MilesS (2013) Generating knowledge on inclusive education in Southern contexts: Towards a theory of inclusive networking. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. DOI: 10.1111/1471-3802.12041.
17.
Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture (MESC) (2007) Education for All: Mid-Decade Assessment Report. Apia, Samoa: MESC. Available at: http://www.mesc.gov.ws/pdf/efa_web.pdf (accessed 20 September 2013).
18.
MuijsDWestMAinscowM (2010) Why network? Theoretical perspectives on networking and collaboration between schools. School Effectiveness and School Improvement21(1): 5–26.
19.
Nabobo-BabaU (2007) Teacher education for new times: Reconceptualising pedagogy and learning in the Pacific. In: PuamauP (ed.) Pacific Voices: Teacher Education on the Move (The PRIDE Project; Pacific Education Series no. 3). Suva, Fiji: Institute of Education, University of the South Pacific, pp. 201–233.
PennH (2011) Travelling policies and global buzzwords: How international non-governmental organisations and charities spread the word about early childhood in the global South. Childhood18(1): 94–113.
23.
PuamauPPeneF (eds) (2009) Inclusive Education in the Pacific (The PRIDE Project; Pacific Education Series no. 6). Suva, Fiji: Institute of Education, University of the South Pacific.
RatliffeKTRaoKSkougeJR. (2012) Navigating the currents of change: Technology, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities in the Pacific. Information Technology for Development18(3): 209–225.
26.
RilesA (2000) The Network Inside Out. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
27.
Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) (2011) Population and Housing Census. Apia, Samoa: SBS.
28.
SENESE (2012) Annual Report. Apia, Samoa: SENESE.
29.
SmithD (2008) Disability: A Pacific experience. Kairaranga9(2): 22–25 (Ministry of Education, New Zealand).
30.
TavolaHWhippyN (2010) The Pacific children with disabilities report. A report for UNICEF Pacific’s mid-term review, UNICEF, Suva, Fiji, July.
31.
ThamanKH (2001) Towards culturally inclusive teacher education with specific reference to Oceania. International Education Journal2(5): 1–8.
32.
UNESCO (1994) The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education. Paris: UNESCO.
United Nations (UN) (2000) United Nations Millennium Declaration (A/RES/55/2). New York: UN.
35.
United Nations (UN) (2006) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. New York: UN.
36.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) (2002) Biwako Millennium Framework for Action: Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCAP.
37.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) (2011) Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCAP. Available at: http://www.unescap.org/stat/data/syb2011/IV-Connectivity/ICT.asp (accessed 20 September 2013).
38.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) (2012) Incheon Strategy to ‘Make the Rights Real’ for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCAP.
