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Ancient village comes
alive
11 April 2008 -
Source:
Fiji Times
Descendants of a tribe are excited about the riches
the site of their ancient village will bring them
when they complete rebuilding it to its former
glory.
About 80 people in the village of Kuku in Bau are
rebuilding the village, whose ruins were discovered
in 2006 by the Fiji Museum's archeology department,
to lure tourists there to spend their money and
enhance their lives.
They expect to complete work by July and open the
site as an eco-tourism project.
Village headman Tikiko Raviakara said the restored
village would be a major tourist attraction.
The village site, called Molituva during tribal
days, was not known to descendants of those who
lived there until the archaelogical team uncovered
it.
Tourism Ministry official Kasimiro Taukeinikoro said
the unique thing about the project was that the old
village site was surrounded by a ditch.
"It's unique in Molituva because that site is
untouched.
"The people are working together in helping the
ministry realise the potential of this site to
them," he said.
Mr Taukeinikoro said the project "is community-based
and the villagers don't have to create a man-made
tourist attraction".
He said they had been working on the project since
2006 when the site was first discovered.
When The Fiji Times arrived at Kuku Village, the
building of a burekalou (Fijian temple) had started.
Mr Raviakara said a man from Kadavu who specialises
in building bure was working with the village men to
rebuild the burekalou in three weeks.
He said the project would not only benefit them but
also nefit their children and their future
generation.
"We did not do anything.
"The Ministry of Tourism organised everything for us
and now the people in the village are seeing that
this project is going to happen for real," he said.
The Roko Tui Tailevu, Joape Nalatu, who is
supporting the project, said the province was now
embarking on tourism for the first time.
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Fiji's Bainimarama
keen for Australian assistance
09 April 2008 -
Source:
ABC Radio Australia
Fiji's Interim Government says it's keen to discuss
with Australia the resumption of developmental
assistance suspended since the 2006 military coup.
Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has told an
Australia Fiji Business Council gathering he'd like
to resume normal diplomatic relations.
He also wants travel restrictions to be removed.
He says Fiji has kept its doors open for engagement
and dialogue with not only Australia but with other
countries who have distanced themselves from Fiji
since the coup.
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Fiji is safest
nation, conservationist says
07 April 2008 -
Source:
Fiji Times
American wildlife conservationist and celebrity Jack
Hanna says Fiji is one of the safest countries he
has visited.
He said when an offer to visit here was made he and
his team carried out research on the country and its
wildlife.
"I have travelled to many places in the world but I
have never met any culture in the world where
everyone has got a smile on their face and is always
happy," he said.
"When I got here I was asked in an interview "do you
feel safe" my response to that is that Fiji is the
safest country in the world.
"I came here to record to shows but instead I got to
shoot four shows in six days. Some of the places I
visited here in Fiji were amazing."
Mr Hanna and his 11 member crew were invited to Fiji
under the Fiji Visitors Bureau's International Media
Visitation Program.
FVB Director marketing Cherrill Watson said Mr
Hanna's visit to Fiji was to boost the destination
in terms of tourism given his popularity on wildlife
in the US.
"With a target of over 84,000 visitors for the
United States/Canadian markets this year kind of
extensive press coverage received in the first
quarter boosts our confidence in increased awareness
of Fiji," she said.
"Jack Hanna and his film crew visited leading
tourist regions, including Nadi, Vatulele, Savusavu,
Toberua, Pacific Harbour, Coral Coast, and the
Mamanucas."
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$3m plan to boost
exports
05 April 2008 -
Source:
fijivillage.com
Fiji’s Ministry of Primary Industries is calling for
project proposals from the private sector and
existing enterprises wishing to be funded under the
Import Substitution and Export Promotion programme.
"The proposals should be targeted at any
intervention that would immediately boost exports
and also significantly reduce imports of selected
agricultural produce in the short to medium terms",
said Sakiusa Tubuna, a chief economist at the
Ministry.
Implemented through the Ministry of Primary
Industries, this programme is expected to help Fiji
increase its exports and decrease imports. The
programme, expected to cost the Interim Government
$3.3 million, aims to enhance agricultural
production and promote exports, reduce imports and
provide food security in the country. Under this
programme the Ministry of Primary Industries is
requesting project proposals from various
stakeholders through their respective locality,
agricultural and livestock officers to be funded and
those people who want to make agricultural
investment but are facing financial difficulty would
also be assisted.
Tubuna said the interim Government with this
initiative expects to boost exports and reduce
imports for a number of selected agricultural
produce. He said commodities that would be
considered under the export promotion programme
included dalo, ginger, vegetables, breadfruit,
pawpaw, cassava as well as any other produce that
has potential export market. Under the import
substitution programme, Tubuna said priority
commodities include vegetables, fruits, coffee,
honey, livestock products and any other commodity
having a significant local market demand.
"This is an enterprise based development currently
involved in the production and processing of the
commodities", he said. There is a huge export
potential for root crops in Australia, New Zealand
and United States of America. Figures released by
the Agriculture Ministry show that while in 2006,
11,400 tonnes of dalo was exported with the value of
$20.9m, ginger and cassava also have a huge export
potential.
The Agriculture Ministry has also set up policies
for import substitution that targets growing local
food to directly replace imports. Tubuna said Fiji
also has great potentials for potatoes, onions,
peas, carrot, coffee and including capsicum,
lettuce, cocoa, celery, broccoli and beans as import
substitution commodities.
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Savou’s house stoned
after Fiji’s loss
03 April 2008 -
Source:
fijivillage.com
Valelevu Police are still hunting for people who
stoned the Fiji 7s coach Josateki Savou's house in
Naveiwakau, Valelevu on Sunday night.
A team led by the Crime Officer Valelevu went to
Savou's house yesterday afternoon to see the extent
of the damage.
Police believe that the offenders are from the same
area and are following some leads.
The incident took place after Fiji lost to New
Zealand by 34-nil in the semi-final of the Hong Kong
7s.
No one received injuries during the incident.
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Qarase associate
appears in Fiji court
01 April 2008 -
Source:
ABC Radio Australia
A former business associate of Fiji's ousted prime
minister has appeared in court charged with fraud.
Sitiveni Weleilakeba is currently the managing
director of Fijian Holdings, an investment company
set up with public money solely for indigenous
Fijians.
Our reporter in Suva, Samisoni Pareti, reports that
Mr Weleilakeba has denied charges of forgery
relating to the submission of a list of company
shareholders when he appeared before the Suva
Magistrates Court in October 1992.
His one-time board member, Laisenia Qarase, is also
being charged for corruption relating to the same
company and around the same time.
Mr Weleilakeba will appear in court again in late
April.
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'King of the code
Waisale Serevi was Fiji'
30 March 2008 -
Source:
Fiji Times
AS Fiji stumbled yet again under the leadership of
Jo Savou last night, Hong Kong Sevens 2008 winning
coach Gordon Tietjens saluted two Fijians including
the king of the code Waisale Serevi.
The Digicel sponsored side was butchered 0-34,
Fiji's worst ever defeat at the hands of the Kiwis,
in the semi-final at So Kon Po. Fiji's lack of
creativity and set-piece woes paved the way for
Tietjens men to break a seven-year jinx. They beat
South Africa 26-12 in the cup final to virtually
seal the 2007/2008 IRBSevens World Series.
Serevi, who now coaches Chinese Taipei, was named by
Tietjens in his all-time best seven players to graze
the Happy Valley paddock.
Together with him is 1990 and 1992 hero Mesake
Rasari. Serevi, who visited the Fiji team camp after
the demoralising defeat to the Kiwis last night,
revealed to Times Sport that Hong Kong hadn't seen
the last of him as a player.
"I will play here one more time in the Fiji jersey
before I hang up my boots," the 39-year-old two-time
World Cup Sevens champion said.
"I have Fiji at heart and will bring back glory one
more time to the people, the vanua and chiefs of our
island paradise, the rightful and ever-so-loving
owners of the world champions in the sevens code."
Also part of the Tietjens squad is Rasari, Eric
Rush, Jonah Lomu, Amasio Raoma, Christian Cullen and
David Campese.
Tietjens is the most successful coach on the IRB
Sevens World Series and has led New Zealand to
numerous victories around the world.
Seven of the eight IRB Sevens World Series titles
have gone to New Zealand on his watch, as well as
one Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2001 in Mar del
Plata and all three Commonwealth Games golds
contested so far.
Tietjens described Serevi as quick, athletic and a
player with "magical skills". He said Serevi was a
"thorn" to the New Zealand side as a player and
later as a coach.
"(Serevi) could beat a man one on one, no question
whatsoever," Tietjens told irb.com.
"A great attacking player. He was one of those
players who'd be scoring tries, sprinting back to
defend, so fit, such a presence on a rugby field, he
just commanded respect.
"He was the thorn in my side so often as a coach, he
was the man you had to stop and won them so many
games, and even up to one or two years ago.
"Even last year here in Hong Kong he scored the
winning try against us, it was heart-breaking, but
they called him the wizard and he was. "He deserves
his aura here. He was Fiji."
Tietjens said Rasari, who was part of the Fiji team
which won the Hong Kong title in 1990, 1991 and
1992, as one of the best in the abbreviated code.
"I always remember him as a youngster. He was big,
athletic, such a wide range of skills as a Fijian,"
Tietjens described Rasari.
"Ball in one hand, very quick, a big loping stride.
One of the most outstanding Fiji sevens rugby
players I've ever seen."
Tietjens said Rush stood out for his knowledge of
the game and leadership qualities.
He said Lomu, who played under Tietjens as an
18-year-old, was "just unbelievable" and a player
with immense strength.
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Fiji people's charter
before elections
28 March 2008 -
Source:
TVNZ
Mixed messages have been coming from Fiji after
regional condemnation of its poor progress towards
holding an election.
The nation's military-led government is promising it
will hold elections next year but the catch is that
a people's charter has to be in place first.
The people's charter is military commander Frank
Bainimarama's grand vision for Fiji - the whole
country working together to make a better future.
It is a big vision, but with little time to put in
place.
"The journey of change must not and will not stop
until it is complete," says Bainimarama, self
declared Prime Minister.
Those changes include changing Fiji's constitution
and putting major reforms in place.
"The people's charter is an absolutely vital part of
the preparation for the general election that we are
committed to hold by March 2009," says Bainimarama.
Commitment or not, without the charter, an election
will not take place.
"If the work on the charter is prolonged through
lack of resources, this could threaten our ability
to have the election at the scheduled time," says
Archbishop Petero Mataca, co-chair of the people's
charter.
Commodore Bainimarama believes without the charter
Fiji will be doomed to more coups and instability.
"We do not want our nation to be characterised
forever as part of some dreaded arch of Pacific
instability," he says.
But he had a warning for New Zealand and Australia
too.
"Opportunities for cheap shots should be resisted as
they only harden attitudes," says the commodore.
It is a well established fact, that Commodore
Bainimarama has always gotten his way in Fiji and
that is probably the political reality of the
people's charter, with many saying there is will be
no elections until the people's charter is
completed.
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Fiji/NZ Tipped to
meet in HK Final
26 March 2008 -
Source:
fijivillage.com
The Digicel Fiji 7’s team and favorites New Zealand
are tipped to meet in the Hong Kong 7’s final come
Sunday evening at the So Kon Po Stadium.
Each top team from the 6 pools will advance into the
Cup quarterfinals together with the two best
runner-up teams. New Zealand should advance from
Pool A while Samoa is the top bet in Pool B and
South Africa is the top seed in Pool C.
Fiji will have an upper hand in Pool D and Scotland
should progress into the last eight from Pool E
while Australia will qualify from Pool F. England,
Argentina, Wales, Kenya, Tonga and USA could fight
for the last two places to reach the Cup
quarterfinals.
Meanwhile Fiji 7’s captain Marika Vunibaka said Fiji
has not won the HK 7’s title since 1999 and they are
hungry for a win.
Japan based William Ryder said a win in Hong Kong
will be a blessing in disguise to the Nation.
Fiji will play Korea in their opening pool match on
Friday at 9:14pm.
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Fiji Joint Working
Group on the Situation in Fiji
24 March 2008 -
Source:
Forum Secretariat
The Working Group held its twenty-fifth meeting at
the Forum Secretariat Headquarters in Suva on 20
March 2008, attended by senior officials from
Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji,
Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
Republic of the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.
The Chair of the Constituency Boundaries Commission
briefed the Working Group on the Commission work
programme and its progress to date. The Working
Group welcomed the Commission commitment to complete
its work well in time to allow for elections by
March 2009. The Working Group noted the importance
of the formal boundaries process commencing in April
so that it may proceed in accordance with the
timeline outlined by the Chair for completion by
November 2008.
The Working Group also acknowledged the Commission
need for external technical assistance to move ahead
with its work, and encouraged appropriate requests
to be made as soon as possible through the Elections
Donor Coordination Committee.
Fiji advised the Working Group that interviews for
the Supervisor of Elections had been completed and
the recommendation of the Constitutional Offices
Commission was now with the interim
Attorney-General. The Working Group expressed its
hope that the appointment would be finalised as soon
as possible.
A briefing was provided to the Working Group by the
Chair of the Elections Donor Coordination Committee
on the outcomes of the Committee last meeting on 12
March 2007. The Working Group was also briefed on
the visit by election experts from Australia and New
Zealand to re-evaluate the gap analysis by the
Elections Office, and advised that the experts
report would be finalised shortly and would contain
a number of substantive recommendations in regard to
the further assistance needed by Fiji for the
electoral process.
The Working Group further discussed preparations for
the meeting of Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers to be
held in Auckland on 26 March 2008.
The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 10
April 2008.
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One of the world's
more exotic destinations
22 March 2008 -
Source:
The Southern Travel.com
Fiji is a tropical paradise in the South Pacific,
made up of 322 islands nearly two thousand miles
(3,219km) east of Australia.
Once feared as the haunt of cannibals and fierce
warrior tribes, today Fiji is regarded as being
inhabited by supremely friendly and welcoming people
who are full of joie de vivre and consider it rude
to rush. It has been said that Fiji is where people
wear flowers in their hair not to impress, but
simply because they like to.
Flowers there are aplenty blooming on these scenic,
lush islands where the sun shines every day and
orchids hang over waterfalls that plunge into jungle
pools behind palm-fringed beaches. Visitors here can
swim with manta rays, snorkel over coral gardens,
scuba dive on the famous Astrolabe Reef, or ride the
amazing 20ft (6m) waves known as the 'Cloud
Breakers' off Tavarua.
The Fiji archipelago is the hub of the South Pacific
with more than 85 flights a week landing at Nadi
airport on the main island of Viti Levu. From there
it is easy to access the offshore island resorts or
the other large islands of Vanua Levu or Taveuni.
Viti Levu has several large towns and the bustling
capital of Suva, which is a shopper's paradise and
offers an upbeat nightlife.
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Dates for 39th
Pacific Islands Forum confirmed
20 March 2008 -
Source:
Forum Secretariat
The 39th Pacific Islands Leaders' Forum and related
meetings will be held in Niue in the week of 18th
August 2008.
The dates were confirmed following consultations
between member countries.
The official opening of the 39th Pacific Islands
Forum will be held on 19th August to be followed by
the Plenary Session. The Forum Leaders' Retreat will
be on 20th August.
Smaller Island States Leaders' and Pacific ACP
Leaders' meetings will also be held in conjunction
with the Forum Leaders' meeting.
The 20th Post-Forum Dialogue Partners' Plenary
Session will be held on 21st August.
The Pacific Plan Action Committee, Pre-Forum Forum
Officials Committee and Smaller Islands States
Officials' Meetings are also confirmed for 21 - 22
July, 23 - 24 July and 25 July respectively. These
meetings will be held at the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
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Fiji 15’s on 9th Spot
in IRB Standings
18 March 2008 -
Source:
fijivillage.com
The Fiji 15's rugby side is back to 9th place at the
IRB World Rugby rankings.
They slipped to 10th place last week but after
Scotland's 20-23 loss to Italy in the Six Nations
competition, saw Fiji jump back to 9th place.
Scotland is now ranked 10th but Wales, the Six
Nations champions are now placed 6th in the World.
France slipped from 6th to 7th.
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USP announces
research awards
16 March 2008 -
Source:
USP Press Release
The Office of Research and Graduate Affairs (ORGA)
at the University of the South Pacific is pleased to
announce that Dr Joeli Veitayaki, Dr T.K Jayaraman,
Millicent Kado and Riteshma Devi, staff and students
at the University were recently commended for their
contributions to quality research and are the
recipients of the 2007 (Inaugural) Vice Chancellor’s
Prizes for Research.
The award was established in 2007 by ORGA and will
become an annual event intended to celebrate quality
research at the University of the South Pacific.
This year the University celebrates 40 years of
existence since 1968 and acknowledges the immense,
quality and valuable contributions of staff and
students.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Research Excellence
was awarded to Dr Joeli Veitayaki of the Faculty of
Islands and Oceans for his research into sustainable
development in coastal communities in the Pacific
Islands, specifically the Mositi Vanuaso Initiative.
This is a critical issue for all Pacific Islands,
and is being pursued in an innovative and
culturally-appropriate way in this project.
This research fits within the USP priority areas for
research, it is topical and relevant, it was carried
out in a timely manner, efficiently, and involved
building the capacity of researchers and others from
the USP region, it was ethically sound, it has the
potential to open up new research questions, and it
is research that matters globally. Dr Veitayaki will
receive F$1000 as part of the award.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Best Research
Publication was awarded to Associate Professor Dr
T.K Jayaraman, Faculty of Business and Economics for
his 2007 book chapter on “Regional Economic
Integration in the Pacific Problems and Prospects”.
In the book “Issues in Economic Development of Small
Island Economies” published by the Commonwealth
Secretariat. This represents the current thinking on
a topic that Dr Jayaraman has largely developed
himself. It is a topic that is key to the future of
Pacific Island nations. He is a prolific writer and
engaged many students and staff in his work. It was
also recognised that the publication was
internationally known and internationally
circulated, with an international publisher, and
that the research reported fell within the USP
priority areas for research, and the research
reported was both topical and relevant. Dr Jayaraman
will receive F$500 as part of the award.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Best Student
Research is awarded to two students, Ms Millicent
Kado of the Faculty of Arts and Law for her MA
research on poverty and the tourism industry in Fiji
and Ms Riteshma Devi of the Faculty of Science and
Technology for her MSc research on folic acid levels
in Fiji foods. This prize comes with F$500 for each
student.
The prizes will be awarded at a special ceremony to
be announced at a later date.
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Fiji needs to prepare
for tsunami: Meteorology Director
14 March 2008 -
Source:
SOPAC Media
Release
While Fiji has not been hit by a tsunami in the
recent past, it needs to be better prepared says the
Director of Fiji Meteorological Services Rajendra
Prasad.
"As we all know, we cannot completely avoid being
hit by a Tsunami, but we can at least attempt to
forewarn our people of the potential threat to take
precautions to minimise it devastating effect," said
Prasad.
Speaking at the opening of the Tsunami National
capacity Workshop yesterday, Prasad said following
the tsunami in Solomon Islands last year, pacific
Island countries are becoming more aware of the
devastating effects of Tsunami on the people and
resources.
"We all know the imminent threat of Tsunamis to our
country and region.
Though the frequency of the event in the past has
been rather low as far as Fiji is concerned, what
has been happening in the not so far region (near
PNG, Solomon Is) should be an eye opener."
"It could happen any time and therefore we in Fiji
need to put our act
together and be prepared to face the fury of a
Tsunami. With the continuous and rather uncontrolled
development in high-risk coastal areas of Fiji, it
is only a matter of time that a major Tsunami hit
will take place."
Prasad said efforts to develop a Tsunami Response
Plan for Fiji started some years back but it has
completed and implemented yet.
"I was tasked last year to Chair a Tsunami Working
Group that functions
under the National Disaster Management Council but
again our efforts to move forward and especially
have a Tsunami Early Warning System in place for
Fiji has not had much breakthrough."
He urged stakeholders present at the workshop to be
prepared to carry out their roles when disaster
strikes.
"I would like to make a special and humble plea to
all the stakeholders
represented here in morning to make sure they are
ready to perform their respective roles so as to
have an effective Tsunami Response Plan for this
nation, something that will work smoothly when the
time comes!"
.
"The 4-day workshop though to focus on the
assessment of tsunami national capacity, should no
doubt give us very good opportunity to discuss and
iron out our respective roles & responsibilities in
the Tsunami Response Plan for Fiji."
The workshop has been organised by the Pacific
Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC),
Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Emergency
Management Australia and the Fiji government
Funded by the Australian Agency for International
Development (AusAID), theproject is part of the
Australian Government's commitment to facilitate
tsunami warnings in the Pacific.
The workshop ends on Friday.
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Fiji Churches Urged
to Empower Women in Ministry through Liberating
Education
12 March 2008 -
Source:
Pacific Magazine
The Principal of the Methodist Davuilevu Theological
College, today urged theological educators from the
Pacific to uphold each other in empowering women in
Ministry through theological education.
Rev. Dr. Epineri Vakadewavosa who was accompanied by
6 female students and the Head of Theology from
Davuilevu, said that although Fiji, like other
Pacific islands, is a patriarchal society, the
Methodist Church had been transformed by the
perseverance of those committed to empowering women
in ministry to accepting women into the ordained
ministry in 1978 and that since then 12 women were
in the ordained ministry in the field with a number
of female probationary ministers and student
ministers undergoing formation.
He made the remarks in a presentation to the joint
regional consultation on Empowering Women in
Ministry and Training of Trainers on the Violence
Against Women Curriculum organized by WEAVERS, the
"Women Doing Theology," Programme of the South
Pacific Association of Theological Schools (SPATS).
Rev. Dr. Vakadewavosa highlighted the historical
contribution to the Church in Fiji by women,
singling out Adi Litia Vatea, daughter of Bau chief
Caucau and wife of Viwan Chief Namosimalu who not
only worked in the Church following her baptism in
1844 but also at the Bible School on Viwa along with
another "foremother" of the church in Fiji, Mrs.
Margaret Cargill.
Rev. Dr. Vakadewavosa, speaking from the Davuilevu
Theological College context gave seven necessary
conditions for the empowerment of women in the
ministry:
1. Inclusiveness of Curriculum in theological
schools. The world theological education still
remains an alien country which many women are
waiting to enter.
2. Accepting women for theological education in our
schools. It is the Church's responsibility to
promote women to theological education.
3. To include women in to the Faculty of theological
schools. We have many Pacific women theologians
available to serve their churches but a being
excluded by theological colleges.
4. Language and thinking in Colleges to be inclusive
to encourage male and female students to work
together.
5. Theological education in empowering women to be
imparted through teaching and preaching.
6. Empowering women in theological education to be
lived through words and deeds, service,
relationships etc.
7. Empowering women must begin at home – in the
nuclear and extended family.
He said that to empower women in ministry was merely
following the example of Jesus Christ.
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Fiji recall star
names to Sevens fold
10 March 2008 -
Source:
IRB
Fiji Sevens coach Josateki Savou has recalled no
less than six star players to his squad ahead of the
fifth and sixth legs of the IRB Sevens World Series
in Hong Kong and Adelaide.
While the name of William Ryder is sure to dominate
the headlines, the return of former captains Semisi
Naevo and Mosese Volavola could be just as
significant as the Fijians set out to end New
Zealand's dominance this season, which has seen them
claim all four opening Cup titles in Dubai, George,
Wellington and San Diego.
Veteran speedster Marika Vunibaka is also included
in Savou's initial squad of 15 alongside Nasoni Roko
and Lepani Nabuliwaqa, who returns following
suspension.
The six returning stars join the likes of contracted
Sevens players Setefano Cakau and Emosi Vucago, who
have impressed for Fiji this series, although the
season's top point-scorer Neumi Nanuku was not
considered after being dropped with fellow Nadroga
players Iliesa Ratuva and Etonia Naba for missing a
fitness test.
The inclusion of Ryder and Naevo coincides with the
end of the Japanese 15-a-side leagues, in which they
play, and all of the players selected are understood
to have impressed at the Marist 7s at Suva's
National Stadium at the weekend.
Fiji training squad of 15: Semisi Naevo, Mosese
Volavola, Viliame Maya, Marika Vunibaka, Setefano
Cakau, Emosi Vucago, Tomasi Mawi, Iliavi Satala,
William Ryder, Nasoni Roko, Ratunaisa Narukutabua,
Timoci Matanavou, Epeli Vuniwaqa, Jone Kuruduadua,
Lepani Nabuliwaqa.
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Film Festival Calls
For Pacific Climate Change Stories
08 March 2008 -
Source:
SPREP
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment
Programme (SPREP), in partnership with the British
High Commission, Suva, is calling for submissions to
the Pacific's inaugural Climate Change Film Festival
to be held in August 2008 in Suva, Fiji.
The Festival will showcase stories about the impacts
of, and responses to, climate change in the region.
The Festival is open to all films (animations,
documentaries, music videos, short commentaries
etc.) that highlight climate change issues within
the Pacific. All films must be received by SPREP by
1 July 2008 to be considered for inclusion within
the Festival.
Through this project, SPREP hopes to highlight the
work that is being undertaken to mitigate the
effects and adapt to the impacts of climate change
by Pacific islanders. The Pacific islands region is
one of the most vulnerable in the world to the
impacts of climate change, and raising the profile
of this issue is a key priority for SPREP.
Director of SPREP, Asterio Takesy, says that it is
critical to highlight the effects of climate change
on Pacific island communities and promote the
solutions that can reduce its impacts.
"The threat to day-to-day life in our region posed
by climate change can sometimes be lost in the
scientific and technical discussion.
Climate change is a clear and present danger in the
Pacific region.
The Climate Change Film Festival is an excellent
opportunity to arm filmmakers in the region with the
skills to portray the specific challenges their
communities and nations face in climate change, now
and in the future, and to share these experiences
and concerns with others in the Pacific and the
world."
The Festival is part of the Pacific Climate Change
Film Project, an innovative partnership to train and
support media professionals, filmmakers and
storytellers from Pacific countries to share
community stories about climate change.
As part of the three-phase programme, participants
from Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
underwent training in documentary filmmaking, learnt
about climate change issues facing the region, and
are now receiving support to produce their own films
in country.
One of the participants, Naamon Marae from Kiribati,
is grateful for the opportunity to share his
country's unique climate change story through his
short film.
"We are already feeling the effects of climate
change especially with the increasing high tide and
the frequent droughts. I hope my film will raise
people's awareness to Kiribati's vulnerabilities and
thereby prompt policy makers to act without delay."
Two independent filmmakers from the Cook Islands and
Samoa are also participating in this initiative. All
films will be shown at the Festival as part of this
project.
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CCF Agrees Media Has
Contributed To Perpetuating Racism In Fiji
06 March 2008 -
Source:
Pacific Magazine
Fiji non-government organization, the Citizens’
Constitutional Forum (CCF) agrees that the media has
played a significant role in propagating racial
stereotypes and inciting racist feelings by
publishing inflammatory racist material. In its
report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination (CERD), CCF acknowledged that the
media, by reproducing racist material, had become a
party to the perpetuation of racism in Fiji.
“The media reports sensitive issues in such a manner
that it sometimes appears like a deliberate attempt
to provoke negative feelings for particular racial
groups in Fiji,” CCF Chief Executive Officer, Rev
Akuila Yabaki said.
“In 2000, the series of inflammatory articles
published by leading media outlets contributed to
increased feelings of antagonism towards the
Indo-Fijian community. The reporting of the 2000
coup also showed a lack of professionalism by media
organisations because they kept portraying the 2000
coup-makers and hostage takers as heroes,” Rev
Yabaki said.
“The media needs to be more vigilant in how it
handles racial issues. Fiji is likely to come under
pressure by CERD, to introduce a legislation to
prosecute racism,” Rev Yabaki said.
On the issue of the FHRC Media Report, CCF does not
see any problems with the establishment of a Media
Tribunal. However, given the limited financial
incomes of Fiji’s media organisations, CCF believes
it will not be fair to impose tax on media companies
to cover costs for this.
However, CCF fully supports the recommendation that,
“… government should include scrutiny of
‘interlocking directorates’ in the private sphere
from the perspective of their limitations on
democracy…”. CCF supports this recommendation
because it could reduce corruption.
Furthermore, the CCF is not comfortable with
outright racial comments made in the FHRC Media
Report. “All people are entitled to equal rights
under the law and to fair treatment. No person
should be discriminated on the basis of their race,
origin or skin colour. Our Constitution also
guarantees Freedom of Movement,” Rev Yabaki said.
“We do not support the recommendation that work
permits for expatriate media workers should not be
renewed. Expatriates have contributed to training
local journalists and as a small country, Fiji will
continue to need such expertise to benefit from,”
Rev Yabaki said.
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