The research aims to compare deeply divided societies which, through their histories of conflict, have adopted power-sharing at an institutional level. Photo: 123RF / RNZ Pacific
A political scientist in New Caledonia is surveying citizens of the French territory to find out what they would prefer the future status of the country to be.
Anthony Tutugoro, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of New Caledonia, is taking part in an international research program, called 'The Inclusive Peace Project', which also involves universities from England, Canada and Japan.
It aims to compare deeply divided societies which, through their histories of conflict, have adopted power-sharing at an institutional level.
Tutugoro told Pacific Waves that, for years, New Caledonians have been presented with only two options: 'Yes' or 'No' to independence.
He said one of the component his research is looking into is what else might be possible.
He said that during the 2018 referendum, New Caledonians were offered a binary choice on independence.
However, the study considers options like sovereignty, partnership, free association, and federalism.
Tutugoro said federalism could decentralise power to provinces and possibly benefiting the north and south regions.
He said the survey aims to gauge public sentiment on these potential solutions.
"These are the different kinds of potential solutions and want to estimate with the population what position they will refuse or what they will really agree to?
"This is one question, but we have many more questions."
Meanwhile, last week, France's Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls wrapped by a visit to New Caledonia following talks about the territory's political futre.
Valls met with local stakeholders and held discussions with leaders from both the pro- and anti-independence blocs.
His week-long meeting ended with a working document that is supposed to synthesise all views expressed and the main items remaining to be further discussed.
The French minister is set to return to Noumea later this month.
