NEWSPAGE 12 May
2010

(Photo: Australian High Commission)

SAMOA: Eight new Australian Youth Ambassadors set to make a difference in Samoa
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Eight new Australian youth ambassadors who arrived in Apia this week to begin their volunteer placements with government ministries, sport associations, health and community groups, ready to make a difference in Samoa.

The volunteers are funded under AusAID’s Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) and will use their skills and expertise to build and develop their host organisation in Samoa. The new youth ambassadors will take up positions in a wide range of areas including the Matuaileoo Environment Trust Inc.(METI), Samoa Netball Association, Samoa International Cricket Association, Tavana Nurse on Wheels, Aoga Fiamalamalama, Samoan Rugby Association and the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said that since the AYAD program was launched in 1998, there have been 149 youth ambassadors working in Samoa.

“The youth ambassadors not only make a wonderful contribution to Samoan organisations through the transfer of their knowledge and skills, they also play a major role in building friendships and fostering our links with Samoa,” Mr Anderson said.

“They immerse themselves in local activities and take time to learn and appreciate the Samoan culture and way of life.”

Mr Anderson said the AYAD program places skilled young Australians, aged 18-30, on short-term assignments in developing countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. The AYAD program is additional support given to Samoa above Australia’s $74 million (A$37 million) annual aid program to Samoa.

The new youth ambassadors and their Samoan placements are:

Kate Seadon - Assistant Physiotherapist, Samoan Rugby Association
Kate will be working as an assistant physiotherapist for the Samoan Rugby Association, where she will work closely with the current physiotherapy and coaching staff to improve the service delivery of physiotherapy to players. This will include assessing individual players by reviewing their progress reports and on-the-field performance, and developing and implementing a program to improve the present therapy programs and injury intervention methods.


Brett Nathan - Permaculture Development Officer, Matuaileoo Environment Trust inc. (METI)
Brett will spend 12 months with METI to continue supporting the construction of a Permaculture Demonstration and Education Centre and permaculture training for more than 300 Samoan farmers and rural Life Skills Coaches (rLSC) stationed on 10 satellite permaculture demonstration sites around Samoa.

Olivia Philpott - Netball Development Officer, Samoa Netball Association
In her role with Samoa Netball Association (SNA), Olivia will assist with the expansion of the Netball Development Program to increase participation in netball, strengthen sporting administration capacity, and ultimately support stronger and healthier communities. Olivia will also work with her Samoan counterparts to develop promotional material aimed at raising the profile of netball, to foster links with local and international bodies, and to organise clinics, competitions and events.

Tom Dixon - Cricket Development Officer, Samoa International Cricket Association
Tom will work on the women’s cricket program aimed at increasing participation of women both as players and officials. He will also develop resources for the school sport and education program, as well as a management plan to ensure new cricket facilities in rural Samoa are adequately maintained.

Andrew Flynn - Cricket Development Officer, Samoa International Cricket Association
Andrew will be based in Salelologa to develop rural cricket from novice grassroots through to senior level cricket for women and men. The program will reach out to the five regional, rural school-based development programs and will lead to broader sporting opportunities for Samoan youth.

Rebecca Visintin - Speech-Language Pathologist, Aoga Fiamalamalama
Rebecca will be working as a Speech-Language Pathologist at Aoga Fiamalamalama in Alafua. In her role, Rebecca will work closely with the school staff to educate and facilitate communication by conducting speech-language workshops, developing speech therapy materials and providing training in the basics of speech-language pathology.

Anita Dunn - Community Nurse, Tavana Nurse on Wheels
Anita will be working as a home-based community nurse for Tavana Nurse on Wheels (TNOW), which is a nurse-led palliative care service that provides a range of home-based nursing care across the ages. The majority of TNOW clients are terminally ill patients who are cared for at home by their families. TNOW supports these families by providing expert nursing care and ensures family members are able to cope in the nurse’s absence.

Anthony Robinson - Sustainable Agriculture Development Officer, Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) Anthony will be working with the crops division of MAF to contribute to the development of food security and quality in Samoa. He hopes to build capacity and protect the future of agriculture through knowledge sharing and training of local counterparts in the use of more integrated farming systems.

For further information on the AYAD program in Samoa, contact Karin Moore on 20615 or 777 1130.

Photo Caption: The eight new Australian Youth Ambassadors (L-R); Anthony Robinson, Brett Nathan, Anita Dunn, Rebecca Visintin, Olivia Philpott, Kate Seadon, Tom Dixon, Andrew Flynn.
 

(Photos: Riamoana Pasifika)

AUSTRALIA: Pasifika Spectacular 2010 attracts thousands
Source: Riamoana Pasifika Press Release

Pasifika Spectacular and the Final of the Pasifika Idol held at the Maota Fono on Monday 3rd May attracted thousands of spectators and supporters to the Deception Bay grounds to experience the vibrant colours of the Pacific through Pacific arts and handicrafts; song; food and dance.

Major sponsors and organisers of the Pasifika Spectacular, Pan Pacific Oceania Incorporated (PPO) begun this event 3 years ago which has grown from a few thousand attending the first event in 2008 to unprecedented numbers reaching over 8000 in 2010. Regional Manager for PPO North district, Fa'asavalu Tavita Timaloa commented that this event attracted a fantastic amount of people from not only the Pasifika but also amongst the wider community. "This is the third year running for the Pasifika Spectacular and every year this event attracts more and more people from all over Brisbane wanting to be involved."

The day's entertainment showcased a wide range of dance groups and singers. Some of the groups were Hula Hips; Maori Haka group; Zenith and Geek Squad amongst others. Popular Hip Hop Bands and singers included For Da Grind; Ben Makisi, Killa Kokonut Krew; Sammy J and Mark Lowndes. Traditional Samoan Tattooing by Samoan professional tattoo artist Su'a Petelo was also amongst the main attractions.

President of PPO Paul Fakaota opened the days celebrations with a traditional prayer of thanks giving followed by a welcoming speech by former President of PPO Samataua Sitagata Hanamen Hunt.

"The vision of PPO this year is to help all Pacific Islanders living in Brisbane seek ways of helping each other whether it be for a funeral, sports event or education. Basically we want to encourage a feeling of comfortable camaraderie and a sense of belonging to a very large supportive family here in Brisbane." said Paul Fakaota. To highlight one of PPO's mission statements, "Pan Pacific Oceania is a not-for-profit organisation led by culturally competent grass-roots community leaders, community developers and networkers and assisted by industry professionals. PPO exists to provide services that strengthen the resilience of Pacific families and communities to become successful contributors to all aspects of Australian society".

More information can be attained at PPO website http://www.panpacificoceania.org/.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Cook Island Dance Group.

Photo 2 - Maori Dance Group performing.

Photo 3 - Basket Weaving Workshop.

Photo 4 - Samoan professional tattoo artist Tufuga Su'a Petelo.
 

(Photos: Waikato University)

HAWAII: Hawaiian scholars scoop top US fellowships to study at Waikato University
Source: Waikato University Press Release

In a New Zealand first, two Native Hawaiian scholars have won top US awards to complete their PhD studies at the University of Waikato.

The prestigious Mellon-Hawai’i doctoral fellowships are supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Kamehameha Schools, and are each worth US$40,000 (NZ$56,000) for the 2010-11 academic year, starting in September.

It’s the first time the fellowships have been awarded to students studying in New Zealand. Keao NeSmith is completing a PhD in applied linguistics, focussing on how the Hawaiian language is being conveyed to a new generation of Hawaiian speakers, while Noe Noe Wong-Wilson’s doctoral research is looking at strategies for success for Native Hawaiians entering community colleges.

Both researchers will be based in the School of Maori and Pacific Development.

“I’m looking at the acquisition of Hawaiian as a second or additional language - especially in relation to those who’ve learnt it from classrooms and have little or no interaction with native speakers,” says NeSmith, who’s a Hawaiian language instructor at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

“Today we often see a breakdown in communication between native speakers and second-language speakers of Hawaiian, including children taught by second-language speakers. It’s a strong indicator that the form of the language is changing among second-language speakers. In order to understand what’s happening with Hawaiian, I’m interested in how it’s being learned.”

NeSmith says he chose to do his PhD in New Zealand to further broaden his academic and professional experience and training, and to gain a more international view of academia and research methodologies. “I’m impressed with the value of the education I’m obtaining at Waikato. The professionalism of the training is truly world class.”

NeSmith’s academic supervisor at Waikato, Associate Professor Winifred Crombie, says competition for the awards is intense. “A few of these very prestigious fellowships are available to Native Hawaiian scholars each year, and the application process is a very complex one, so Keao has done well to succeed.”

The other recipient of a Mellon-Hawai’i doctoral fellowship, Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, plans to spend her fellowship year writing up her thesis, “Achieving the Dream: A Native Hawaiian Initiative for Success at Hawai’i Community College”, under the academic supervision of Professor Ngahuia Te Awekotuku (CNZM).

Wong-Wilson is currently based in Hilo, Hawai’i, as Coordinator of the Paepae ‘Ohua Student Success Program at Hawai’i Community College - so is perfectly positioned to research strategies that increase completion of courses, retention, persistence, graduation and transfer to four-year institutions of Native Hawaiians entering at the community college level.

“Aotearoa is like a second home for me and my family,” she says. “Our Hawaiian history, language and cultural practices are very similar to Māori in many ways and we Hawaiians feel very comfortable being a part of the New Zealand and Māori communities.”

Photo Captions: Recipients of the prestigious Mellon-Hawai’i doctoral fellowship, Keao NeSmith and Noe Noe Wong-Wilson.
 

(Photo: Matangi Tonga)

TONGA: Animal welfare experts to visit Tonga
Source: Matangi Tonga

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) will be visiting Tonga during the week of May 22-28. Ms Cate Kerr, WSPA (Australia) and Karen Galvan, South Pacific Animal Welfare (New Zealand) are flying in to meet stakeholders to discuss options to work within the community developing sustainable animal management solutions in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The goal during the week-long visit is to discuss animal health and veterinary care with those parties that have a vested interest in animal care in Tonga. The group also hope to visit schools and talk to children and teachers about animal welfare issues.

The group, which includes Dr Roz Holland, a New Zealand veterinarian, are interested in learning more about Tonga's homeless dog situation and will be sharing information on the benefits of humane methods of dog population control and long term veterinary care in Tonga.

Meetings have been requested with several agencies, however, anyone interested in learning more or meeting with the group should email direct. The group will be in Tongatapu from May 22-26 and in Vava'u from May 26-28, 2010.

Photo Captions: All Blacks legend and animal welfare advocate Norm Hewitt outside the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals education centre in Auckland, with Cate Kerr (far left) and Karen Galvan (centre).
 

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Peace Community formed to continue work on peace building
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Participants attending a regional workshop on peace building have formed a virtual community to continue working together on local, national and regional peace building initiatives. Made up of civil society, members of the government, regional organizations and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Pacific Peace Community has set itself some national and regional level follow on activities.

More than fifty participants from Bougainville, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga attended the UNDP Pacific Centre organised workshop that started on May 3 and finished today.

Simon Mannie, a member of Solomon Islands based civil society organisation, Sycamore Foundation, said he found the workshop very useful.

“One of the key things I learnt through this workshop is the way in which a consultative policy development process can help address the contributing factors of conflict. As highlighted during this workshop, it is important also that the individual, the community and the institutions link together and work for peace building,” said Mr. Mannie.

The Bougainville Autonomous Government’s Chief Executive Officer of the Division of Peace, Reconciliation and Weapons Disposal, Dennis Kuiai found the workshop encouraging.

“I see this workshop as a motivator and a driving force to proceed with the policy decisions that the Autonomous Bougainville Government had decided. It is a policy direction on a co-ordinated approach to peace and development in Bougainville,” said Mr. Kuiai.

The peace building work that will follow on from this workshop will include regional initiatives like a regional consultation with the private sector, and a regional workshop on peace journalism. National level consultations are also planned over the coming year.

Siosio Po’oi Pohiva of the Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democracy Movement in Tonga found the workshop timely and relevant to situations like that in his country.

“Having identified the importance of engaging relevant stakeholder in the peace building process, that is a challenge that needs to be addressed in order to apply the strategies and lessons learnt during this workshop,” said Mr. Pohiva.

UNDP Pacific Centre’s Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Expert and organiser of the workshop, Tracy Vienings said she was particularly impressed with the dialogue that has started between the government and the CSOs on linking peace and development.

“I believe that this workshop has a created a broader understanding of the linkages between peace and development. The implications of this are that participants are thinking about how to also address the underlying causes of conflict, not only mediating them as they occur,” said Ms.Vienings.

The workshop was part of the Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Development in the Pacific project. It’s objectives are to strengthen the cadre of peace practitioners from the Pacific whose work and approach will hopefully be further strengthened through skills building, up-scaled policy interventions, the regional sharing of good practices and effective peace building mechanisms suited to the Pacific - and through improved access to resources and expertise made available through a Pacific Peace Community supported by the project. One of the key issues is not to duplicate work being done at the regional level or the national level, but rather to complement and add resources to current initiatives.