A collection of short stories which confront the stereotype of swinging palm trees, white sandy beaches and the happy lives of the Pacific people was launched yesterday at the Pacific Theological Centre, Suva.
The book, The Pacific Islands: Society, Culture and Religion: At the Beginning of the 21st Century, comprises the work of 40 authors from the Pacific Islands and Europe.
The University of the South Pacific's Development Studies director, Professor Vijay Naidu, said the book highlighted issues such as environmental change, political instability, cultural survival and identity maintenance in the age of globalisation.
"These issues included disputes over resource exploitation and unequal sharing of the benefits of development, dominance of the region by big brothers Australia and New Zealand as well other large actors who are out to promote their own self interests often at the expense of the Pacific island states," Prof Naidu said.
One of the authors Reverend James Bhagwan said his story, The Liquid Continent, focused on the political conflicts in the Pacific.
"It is based on the political conflicts in the Pacific Island countries and the role churches can play. Island countries look peaceful on the surface but there is a lot more than what we see," Mr Bhagwan said.
"It is the first time such a simple and comprehensive is complied by such diverse writers, and it will make a good reading for anybody," he said.
The book was edited by Manfred Ernst, Verena Gruter, Frank Kurschner-Pelkmann, Fele Nokise and Michael Press.