Strengthening Partnerships and Supporting Local Leadership Across Melanesia

Published: August 26, 2026

In March and April 2026, MMUK Executive Director Katie Drew travelled to Solomon Islands and Fiji to meet with partners across the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM), attend the Oceania Regional Advisory Committee (ORAC), and take part in a feasibility study exploring the return of gap year volunteers to Solomon Islands. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships, celebrate progress, and explore how MMUK can continue supporting locally led mission and development across the province.

A Partnership Built on Trust

Throughout the visit, there was a strong affirmation of the value of the long-standing partnership between MMUK and the Anglican Church of Melanesia. Meetings with the Archbishop, provincial leaders and the newly appointed General Secretary, Adrian Toni, highlighted a shared commitment to deepening collaboration in the years ahead. The Church expressed a desire for even closer relationships with MMUK, particularly in areas such as organisational development, education, safeguarding and climate action.

As the Province prepares for significant milestones, including the 200th anniversary of Bishop John Coleridge Patteson’s birth in 2027, there is enthusiasm for strengthening links across the Anglican Communion and renewing connections with partners around the world.

Investing in Education and Opportunity

Education remains a major priority for the Anglican Church of Melanesia. Church schools continue to expand, including the development of senior secondary education, while international school partnerships are creating new opportunities for learning and mutual exchange.

Schools continue to face challenges, including limited infrastructure, shortages of teaching resources, and the need for more safeguarding training. However, there is enormous potential for growth. Through the Learning for Life appeal and school partnership programmes, MMUK is helping strengthen educational opportunities, support libraries and digital learning, and facilitate visits between teachers in the UK and Solomon Islands.

The increasing demand for vocational education was also widely recognised, reflecting the importance of equipping young people with practical skills for employment and community development.

Safeguarding, Women’s Empowerment and Community Wellbeing

The Church continues to expand its Safe Church programme, with a growing focus on child protection, safeguarding awareness and responding to gender-based violence. While further training and policy development are needed, encouraging progress is being made across the Province.

The Mothers’ Union remains one of the most effective and influential organisations within the Church. Across Melanesia, women are leading literacy programmes, positive parenting initiatives, prison outreach ministries and safeguarding activities. Sewing projects, supported by MMUK and MU members in the UK, are helping women develop practical skills and generate income for their families.

Mothers’ Union Leaders at St Agnes in Honiara

Caring for God’s Creation

Climate change continues to have a profound impact across the Pacific. During the visit, Katie met staff involved in ACoM’s growing environmental work, including the network of Environmental Observatories now operating across sixteen locations in Solomon Islands. These observatories help communities monitor environmental change and contribute valuable information to local and national discussions about climate resilience.

Alongside this work, the Church is developing its innovative Green Apostles programme, encouraging Christians of all ages to take practical action in caring for creation and responding to environmental challenges. Discussions focused on how environmental work can be further integrated into disaster preparedness, education and theological training.

Exploring New Volunteer Opportunities

A major focus of the visit was supporting a feasibility study into the return of gap year volunteers to Solomon Islands. The study concluded that there is strong potential to establish a high-impact volunteer programme, with an initial group of volunteers potentially arriving in 2027.

Schools including St Francis Vaturanga School and St Nicholas College were identified as particularly suitable placement locations, offering opportunities for educational enrichment while strengthening relationships between young people in the UK and Melanesia. The programme would provide transformational experiences for volunteers while supporting local schools and communities.

Learning with Anglican Partners Across Oceania

The visit also included participation in ORAC 2026 in Fiji, where Anglican leaders and development partners from across Oceania gathered to share learning and discuss common challenges and opportunities. Key themes included climate resilience, disaster preparedness, safeguarding, literacy, water and sanitation, leadership and care for creation.

A recurring message throughout the gathering was that effective mission is rooted in relationships, local leadership and mutual trust. Participants highlighted the importance of churches working alongside communities to address practical needs while remaining faithful to their spiritual calling. MMUK’s contribution was recognised as an example of flexible, relationship-based partnership that enables local priorities to shape action.

Looking Ahead

The visit reaffirmed that MMUK’s partnership with the Anglican Church of Melanesia remains as important and vibrant as ever. Across education, safeguarding, theological training, climate action, women’s empowerment and community development, there are exciting opportunities to deepen collaboration and support locally led initiatives.

Above all, the journey highlighted the resilience, faith and determination of Melanesian communities. From schools and theological colleges to religious communities and environmental projects, local people continue to demonstrate what can be achieved when mission is rooted in faith, partnership and a shared commitment to serving God’s people.