Port Vila, Vanuatu – Tuesday 14 July 2026: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) and Regenerative Vanua (RV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic partnership to advance regenerative tourism, regenerative food systems, agritourism, gastronomy, research and community wellbeing across Vanuatu. The agreement was signed by NUV Vice-Chancellor Mr Jean-Pierre Nirua and Regenerative Vanua Executive Director Jerry Spooner, marking the beginning of a three-year collaboration focused on education, research, innovation and community engagement. This partnership will guide the development of micro-credentials and support NUV in the development of a Human Research Ethics Committee for NUV with Tailored Ethics Principles.
The partnership will support the development and delivery of future academic programmes in tourism and agriculture grounded in a regenerative paradigm that builds on the foundations of sustainability, moving beyond a focus on managing impacts. Sustainability emerged primarily as a response to the environmental and social consequences of extractive development models. Regeneration asks a different question: how can our tourism and agricultural activities contribute to the health of the Vanua, strengthen communities, support food sovereignty, enhance cultural vitality and create opportunities for future generations?
Vice Chancellor Mr Jean Pierre stated, “In many respects, these principles are not new to Vanuatu. They reflect values and practices that have long existed within customary governance, traditional knowledge systems and community life. Through education, research, internships, professional development and community-based learning, the collaboration seeks to develop future leaders capable of strengthening the health of the Vanua while supporting food sovereignty, stewardship, local prosperity and climate resilience.”
“This partnership is about developing leaders, innovators and changemakers who understand that prosperity is about much more than economic growth. The future of Vanuatu will be shaped by people who can think critically, bring others together, and create opportunities that strengthen their communities,” said Jerry Spooner, Executive Director of Regenerative Vanua.
The partnership recognises that regeneration is not about replacing Vanuatu’s traditional ways of knowing and doing. It is about recognising their value. Many of the principles now being explored internationally through regenerative development—stewardship, reciprocity, collective wellbeing, intergenerational thinking and connection to place—have long existed within Ni-Vanuatu communities. The collaboration seeks to build on these strengths and position them as foundations for education, research, innovation and leadership in the 21st century.
A key focus of the partnership is the opportunity that exists at the intersection of tourism, agriculture, gastronomy and community wellbeing. As Vanuatu faces increasing pressure to shift towards extractive agricultural models characterised by monoculture production for export markets, increasing food imports and declining local control over food systems, the partners believe there is an opportunity to chart a different path.
Ruth Amos, Country Director of Vanuatu’s Regenerative Agritourism and Gastronomy Program, said:
“Agriculture is about far more than production. It is deeply connected to culture, identity, stewardship, food sovereignty and the wellbeing of communities. For generations, traditional food systems have nourished people, strengthened social connections, supported biodiversity and reinforced the relationship between communities and the Vanua. The sickness our people are increasingly experiencing now is because we are losing the culture from our agriculture and food systems.”
Regenerative food systems seek to create value locally, support healthy diets, strengthen rural economies and retain wealth within communities while building high-value products and experiences. Regenerative agriculture also offers significant opportunities for climate resilience and climate mitigation. Healthy soils improve water retention, increase biodiversity, strengthen resilience to extreme weather and can store greater amounts of carbon. Strong local food systems also contribute to better health outcomes by reducing dependence on imported processed foods and improving access to fresh, nutritious local foods.
By strengthening connections between tourism, agriculture, food systems and gastronomy, the partnership aims to support greater local wealth retention, stronger rural economies, improved food sovereignty and increased opportunities for farmers, producers, entrepreneurs and young people.
“One of the greatest opportunities for Vanuatu is to bring culture back into agriculture and agriculture back into community life,” Mrs Amos said. “We do not want a future where our most fertile land is producing commodities for export while our communities become increasingly dependent on imported food. We want a future where agriculture nourishes our people, strengthens culture and creates meaningful opportunities for future generations.”
The partnership also supports the development of a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) framework tailored to Pacific values and contexts, helping strengthen participatory and community-centred research approaches that recognise cultural protocols, customary governance, collective wellbeing and community ownership of knowledge. The initiative seeks to move beyond extractive research models and create opportunities for communities to become active partners in knowledge creation and innovation.
The collaboration aligns closely with Vanuatu’s growing ambitions in gastronomy and agritourism, including engagement with the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) World Region of Gastronomy Award 2027, and efforts to position Vanuatu as a globally recognised leader in regenerative food systems and visitor experiences.
Vanuatu’s traditional crops, Indigenous food knowledge, biodiversity, agroforestry systems and culinary heritage provide a powerful platform for strengthening rural livelihoods, celebrating cultural identity, supporting healthier food systems and creating distinctive visitor experiences that benefit local communities.
Vice-Chancellor Nirua said, “Regenerative Vanua has formed from humble beginnings and remained consistent in its message and values, earning the integrity it is known for today. Many of the values that underpin regenerative development already exist within our communities. This partnership will create pathways for that knowledge, wisdom and experience to be recognised, strengthened and shared through education. It is about ensuring the next generation is equipped to build on what makes Vanuatu unique.”
“This partnership represents a genuine win-win collaboration. NUV has much to learn from the Regenerative Vanua approach as we work together to develop programmes that recognise and celebrate the wisdom of our ancestors. By reconnecting our young people with these traditional values, we can help restore hope, strengthen identity, and inspire confidence in their future.”
Together, NUV and Regenerative Vanua aim to position Vanuatu as a regional leader in regenerative education while creating new pathways for students, communities, researchers and industry to contribute to a thriving future.
