NEWSPAGE 09 August
2010

(Photo: New Zealand Rugby League)

(Photos: Samoa Tourism Authority)

SAMOA: Samoa National Day a great success at Expo 2010
Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Press Release

Samoa has made itself known and left a lasting impression on the trading and tourism world at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China.

The momentous event was witnessed by thousands who gathered at the Pacific Pavilion to participate in the celebration of the Samoa National Day at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai China on Sunday 1st August.

The days festivities began with Samoa's flag being raised to the proud singing of Samoa's national anthem by Samoa's prominent delegation led by the Hon. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

From the stirring beginning, the day's momentum continued to build up with the exciting performances of cultural dances and items by the Ausiva Samoana, Samoa Tourism Authority's dance group. The Samoa booth manned by Samoa's on location team of STA officers and representatives of the private sector was buzzing with avid fans watching displays of handicrafts as well as carving, weaving and tattooing demonstrations.

Samoa's internationally known tattooist, Su'a Suluape Petelo showcased this intricate part of Samoa's culture, tattooing the traditional male body tattoo (pe'a) on Manu Samoa flyhalf Roger Warren in the build up to the National Day, and the traditional female body tattoo (malu) on Segavao Captain Vaisemanuu Zita Martel as part of the National Day activities.

The National Day was extensively reported upon by the international media including China and Samoa's own media representatives that were present.
 

(Photo: Australian High Commission)

AUSTRALIA: Australian volunteers ready to make a difference in Samoa
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Five new Australian volunteers arrived in Apia recently to begin their one-year placements with government ministries, schools, non-government and community groups.

The volunteers are funded under AusAID’s Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) and Volunteering for International Development from Australia (VIDA) and will use their skills and expertise to build and develop their host organisation in Samoa.

The new volunteers will take up positions in the Samoa Tourism Authority, Samoa Red Cross, Ministry of Works and Transport, SENESE School and the Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations (SUNGO).

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said that 157 youth ambassadors have worked in Samoa since the AYAD program was launched in 1998 and more than 20 volunteers have been placed through the VIDA program since 2005.

“The volunteers from both programs make a great contribution to Samoan organisations through the transfer of their knowledge and skills and they play a key role in building friendships and fostering links with Samoa,” Mr Anderson said.

“There are currently 15 AYADs and eight VIDAs working in Samoa and they immerse themselves in local activities, taking 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 (normally one year) in developing countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. The VIDA program places Australians in volunteer assignments for up to two years. Both programs are additional support given to Samoan organisations on top of Australia’s annual $80 million (A$40 million) aid program to Samoa.

The new volunteers and their Samoan placements are:

Leata Alaimoana - Aviation Security Policy Officer, Ministry of Works and Transport

Australian-born Samoan Leata (whose family come from Falealili and Savaii) will be working as an aviation security policy officer through the Ministry of Works and Transport. She will focus on the development and maintenance of aviation security policy at Faleolo and Fagali’i airports, as well as the development of an aviation security audit program. Following the Samoan tsunami last year, Leata and her colleagues organised a charity drive that filled a 40ft container of school supplies, clothing, appliances and non perishable foods for the villages affected by the September tsunami.


Tania Ahmed - Communications Officer, Samoa Red Cross

Tania will be working as a communications officer with Samoa Red Cross. She will work closely with her local counterparts to develop and implement a communications strategy to build the profile of Samoa Red Cross, both locally and internationally. Her role will assist strengthen relations with media and improve the website, as well as run communications training for staff.


Peter Riesz - Website and Online booking coordinator, Samoa Tourism Authority

Peter will be working as a website and online booking coordinator for the STA to help market and further develop sustainable tourism for Samoa. He will be working with the planning and development team at the STA to help improve their existing website and develop an online tourism booking system. He will also be involved in the training of STA staff and industry members to utilise the new system.


Pippa Haughton - Communications Officer, Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations (SUNGO)

Pippa will work as a communications officer with SUNGO to build the capacity of SUNGO’s information and communications sector and to initiate awareness programs and public relation activities to promote SUNGO’s core roles.


Ben Clare, Vision Support Adviser, SENESE School

Ben will spend nine months with Senese School providing support services to blind and vision impaired children who attend primary and secondary schools throughout Samoa, and to support Senese staff, students, families and teachers on inclusive education practises. The support includes teaching braille, training on computers with adaptive screen readers so blind student can access the internet and e-mail and also advising teachers and families on issues about vision impairment.

For further information on the AYAD or VIDA programs in Samoa, contact Karin Moore on
777 1130 or 758 2898

Photo Caption: (L-R) Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson with new Australian Youth Ambassadors, Tania Ahmed, Pippa Haughton, Samoa volunteer manager Karin Moore, Leata Alaimoana and Peter Riesz.
 

(Photo: The National)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Farewell Sir Brian
Source: The National

Tears flowed freely during the funeral service of the late Sir Brian Bell at the St Martin’s Anglican church in Port Moresby Thursday (August 5, 2010).

More than 1,000 people, including family members, friends, senior management and staff of the Brian Bell Group of Companies, dignitaries, heads of businesses, departmental heads and members of the diplomatic corps, who have been touched in one way or the other by the generosity of Sir Brian, flooded the church to bid him farewell.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane, opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta, Mining Minister John Pundari and Abau MP Sir Puka Temu were also there to pay their respects.

Former prime ministers Paias Wingti and Sir Rabbie Namaliu also attended the funeral service.
Branch managers of the Brian Bell group from Kokopo, Mt Hagen, Lae and Goroka also attended the funeral service on behalf of their staff.

Most noticeable was the build-up of everyday people, men and women from the informal sector, outside the church grounds. Some of these people wept openly when the casket containing the remains of Sir Brian was taken out for its journey to the 9-Mile cemetery for burial. One could only wonder how the late veteran businessman might have touched the lives of these individuals.

The church was filled to capacity and extra tents were erected outside the church grounds to accommodate some of the staff members and beneficiaries of his many good deeds.

The funeral programme was broadcast live on Kundu 2 Television.

Well-wishers arrived at the church well before 9am to say goodbye.

A sudden hush overcame the group of well-wishers as the casket carrying Sir Brian’s body arrived at the church at 11am at the sound of police sirens.

Oro dancers from Northern welcomed the casket as they shouted “Oro, Oro, Oro”, to the late Sir Brian. This was followed by the reflective sound of the bagpipes by the Correctional Services band that accompanied the casket into the church.

Most fitting was the farewell song by Marina Prior, daughter of Sir Brian’s friend, Grand Prior in dedication to him.

The ceremony lasted about two hours before the body was transferred for burial.

At around 3pm, Sir Brian, the man who touched countless lives through his generosity, humility, honesty, commitment and hard work was finally laid to rest next to his wife Jean Ann Bell at the 9-Mile cemetery.
 

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Forum observes Solomon Islands general elections
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

At the invitation of the caretaker Solomon Islands Government, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat deployed a team of election observers to attend the Solomon Islands National General Election held today 4 August 2010.

The Forum’s team is led by Mr Sakiusa Rabuka, the Forum’s Permanent Representative to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. The team’s electoral expert is Mr Reitama Taravaru, the Acting Electoral Commissioner of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. The team also comprises officials from the Forum Secretariat, including its Gender Issues Officer, Law Enforcement Development Officer and International Legal Adviser.

The team observed the elections in Solomon Islands today and the subsequent counting of votes over the next few days.

The Forum welcomes the invitation from the Solomon Islands to observe its elections. The Forum also welcomes the Solomon Islands’ invitation to the United Nations to provide technical assistance, including coordination of international election observers.

The Forum acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by the UN Election Observers Coordination team in facilitating the deployment of the various international delegations, thus enabling comprehensive observation of polling and counting across the Solomon Islands.
 

WORLDWIDE: Republic of Marshall Islands sign Pacific Petroleum Project MoU
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Republic of the Marshall Islands today signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Petroleum Project, the fifth Pacific Island Country to sign after the Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue and Tuvalu.

‘The signature of the Republic of the Marshall Islands of this Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Petroleum Project is an important step in building a regional approach to purchasing high quality petroleum at an affordable price”, stated the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

“By joining the other signatories, the Republic of the Marshall Islands will benefit from better analysis of its supply chain issues, identify how to reduce costs and increase efficiency,” explained Mr Slade.

The Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to Fiji, Ms Amatlain Kabua, who co-signed the Memorandum, stated that her Government was determined to find ways to reduce the cost of importing petroleum.

“By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, we expect to benefit from the expertise offered under the Pacific Petroleum Project, learn from the other countries involved, and ultimately find ways to reduce the cost of petroleum imports,” said Ms Kabua.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Petroleum Project was first signed by the Governments of the Cook Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu in October 2008, and by Niue in April 2009. The aim of the Pacific Petroleum Project is to identify opportunities for Pacific Island Countries to reduce the costs of purchasing petroleum, streamline their supply chains, and strengthen procurement and tendering processes.