The state of democracy in Tonga, since a more democratic system of government was introduced three years ago, was the focus of a 10 days ‘Festival of Democracy’ that opened on June 17, at the 'Atenisi University campus, Kolomotu'a.

Highlights from the first day's presentations included the keynote address by Professor Stephanie Lawson, who stressed that "democracy is not just a form of government, but a way of life."

Stephanie said that under a democratic way of life one is allowed to speak out either for or against an issue, but in most Pacific societies, including Tonga it was not the normal way of doing things.

There was also a presentation by Professor Ian Campbell, who has written extensively on Tongan history.

Ian stressed a point that "voters should pay less attention to the promises and proclaimed policies of politicians and more attention to their moral qualities". He said that that members of parliament who were elected at the 2010 election "did not have an ideology but had personality, and that was why they were selected."

He also pointed out the importance for voters to attach a high moral value to their votes, and that they are voting for a candidate because such a member could be trusted and therefore he had a high moral value rather than voting for members because they might have done them a favour.

Also speaking in Tuesday's opening session was Nigel Hampton QC, a former Chief Justice Supreme Court of Tonga.

Nigel was well know in Tonga during the late 1996s after he overturned a parliamentary decision and freed 'Akilisi Pohiva, Filokalafi 'Akau'ola and Kalafi Moala from prison after they were sentenced by parliament for contempt of parliament. He told of the angry reaction by the Speaker of parliament at the time for his overturning of the parliament's sentencing.

Nigel went on to stress the importance of an independent and robust judiciary to protect democratic rights; for Tonga to give judges proper security of tenure if an independence judiciary is to be assured.

The final speaker for the day was Associate Professor Malakai Koloamatangi on the topic of Democracy in the real world: building a 'Tongan" democracy. The day ended with a panel discussion on a range of issues.

Entertainment was provided by 'Atenisi musicians and vocalists.