NEWSPAGE 08 September
2010

(Photo: Creative New Zealand)

SAMOA: Samoa develops intellectual property rights law
Source: Radio New Zealand International

The Samoa Law Reform Commission is developing intellectual property rights to safeguard traditional knowledge and expressions of culture unique to Samoa.

A Commission spokesman, Houlton Faasau, told a workshop the law reform is long overdue.

He says other countries around the World have been stealing Samoan ideas and traditional knowledge because there are no laws protecting them.

Mr Faasau says of particular concern is the protection of traditional knowledge of Samoan tattooists and traditional healers.

He says the idea is to patent traditional knowledge so Samoans may reap the benefit of their own ideas.

Traditional knowledge includes mental inventories of local biological resources, animal breeds, and local plants, crops and tree species.

Mr Faasau gave as an example the mamala plant, which was taken for its medicinal value by Westerners and patented as theirs.

He says the knowledge of the medicinal value of the plant came from a resident of Falealupo on Savai’i.
 

(Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: New ASCC evening classes an immediate success
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

With instruction at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) now entering its third week of the fall 2010 semester, the College’s new evening classes have received a highly positive response from community members, workers from the public and private sectors, and regular ASCC students. According to Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Irene Helsham, of the 18 evening courses offered during this pilot semester of the new program, all but two have full enrollment of 25 students. Those two remaining classes still exceeded the minimum enrollment of 10 students for the class to run.

Each weeknight except Friday, one group of classes meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, while another group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each evening, one session of classes takes place from 4:00 to 5:20 p.m., and another from 5:30 to 6:50 p.m. “We have a combination of student populations,” observed Dr. Helsham, “from adults who work during the day and cannot attend regular classes, to women returning to get a college degree after raising a family, private and public sector employees looking for career laddering by upgrading their academic skills, graduates taking the pre-requisites needed for entering an advanced degree program, and traditional students who needed classes where all the sections had already fill up during the day session.”

Now serving a mixture of traditional and non-traditional students, some instructors have noticed a different feel to the evening classes. Lam Yuen Lam Yuen Jr. of the Business Department teaches an evening section of Introduction to Business (BUS 103) where students brand new to the subject mix with business professionals from the community. “I try to make the class work for both groups,” he said. “Sometimes I can extract some of the older students’ vast experiences and translate this into learning, but some have difficulty coming out of their work mode into a classroom mode to discuss ideas. Even if they’re not so expressive just yet, I’ve still received some amazing first papers from them.” Counselor Annie Panama, who also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the evening session of Introduction to Speech (SPH 153), says she has a similarly interesting class mix. “We have 14 people from the Department of Public Safety, one from LBJ Hospital, some returning students, and a few traditional students,” she observed. “That’s a lot of different perspectives within the same class.”

The immediate popularity of the evening classes has prompted some to inquire why the College did not institute them sooner. Dr. Helsham concurs that ASCC has had a longstanding “unmet need to address the adults in the community who wanted to return to school at a more convenient time,” and explained that the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) spearheaded by President Obama made it possible for the College to meet the additional costs associated with extending its hours of operation.

With full-time ASCC teachers limited to one course overload, the College has hired a number of adjunct instructors for its new evening program. Dr. Helsham emphasized that all adjuncts meet Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and ASCC qualifications, and have had their credentials reviewed and approved by the College’s Human Resource Office as well as the Chairperson of the each department for which the respective adjuncts will teach. Besides covering the additional compensation for available ASCC instructors and adjuncts, the ARRA funding enables the College to provide transportation, with two buses leaving the campus at 7:30 p.m. each school night, one eastbound and the other headed west, which evening students with valid IDs can ride free of charge.

To further accommodate evening students, the College’s Library and Student Computer Lab have extended their hours of operation to 7:30 p.m. The Student Services Division’s Student Learning and Assistance Center (SLAC), located in the Cafeteria building, now serves as the designated office for assistance to faculty and students after normal business hours, offering help with tutoring, copies, and computers, as well as providing in-take services for day offices such as Admissions and Records, Academic Affairs, and Financial-Aid. Student Services has counselors and staff available to assist with evening classes.

Already looking ahead, Dr. Helsham urged any community members interested in taking evening classes during the spring 2011 semester to make inquiries and feel free to seek assistance from the Academic Affairs Division, who can provide information on Placement Testing, Financial-Aid assistance, tutoring, and counseling. “Even just taking a tour of the College is highly encouraged,” she said. Dr. Helsham also reminds the public that ASCC now offers evening classes in its GED program at no cost for those seeking to earn a high school diploma.

To make inquiries, call the ASCC main number of 699-9155 (9156 or 9157 will also work). To reach the Office of Academic Affairs, ask for extension 451. For the Student Learning Assistance Center, ask for extension 376. Those interested in a GED can contact the Adult Education, Literacy and Extended Learning Department at extension 331. Dr. Helsham also welcomes inquires via email, and her address is: [email protected].

To avoid confusion, the College’s new evening courses are separate from the existing American Samoa Teacher Education Program (ASTEP), which also offers after-hours classes. ASTEP primarily serves pre-set cohorts of in-service public and private school teachers pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree through a joint agreement between ASCC, the American Samoa Department of Education, and the University of Hawaii. While regular ASCC students may take ASTEP courses that have not reached capacity enrollment, first priority is given to teachers in the cohorts.

Photo Caption: As evening nears, ASCC adjunct faculty member Merina Finau (center) and some of her students prepare for their Survey of Literature (ENG 250) class. The new evening classes at ASCC have proven an immediate success, with many filled to capacity.
 

(Photos: United Nations Development Programme)

FIJI: Resolving resource based conflicts, a top priority for Fiji
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Representatives from Government agencies, some civil society organizations and non-Government organizations for the first time discussed management and mitigation of resource based development in a workshop which ended on Saturday, Sept 4, 2010 in Suva.

The four day workshop organised by the Prime Minister’s Office and the United Nations Development Programme was aimed at assessing resource based conflict issues and its impact on development in Fiji and drawing up recommendations on how Government could assist in dealing with such issues.

In his opening speech on Wednesday, Prime Minister’s Office Permanent Secretary Mr Pio Tikoduadua said the Government spends 70 percent of time and money on resolving development conflicts.

“This workshop is very timely. There are numerous resource based conflict cases currently with Government, and this is placing a heavy burden on our government machinery, our economy and our people,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

He challenged the participants to take a holistic approach in drawing up solutions to development problems when deliberating and discussing a way forward for Government over the four days at the Novotel Lami.

Participants responded by drawing up policy recommendations suggesting the active participation of resource owners with regard to their development and investment opportunities, the strengthening of the rural integrated framework and a review of women’s legal inheritance rights.

Deputy Secretary Prime Minister’s Office Mr Filimone Kau took on the commitment made by PMO Permanent Secretary Mr Pio Tikoduadua in implementing the policy recommendations in his closing speech.

“We believe with the knowledge that has been applied that we can take these policy recommendations and be proactive in creating an enabling environment for development,” Mr Kau said.

Tracy Vienings UNDP‘s Conflict Prevention & Peace Building Expert highlighted the importance of dialogue between stakeholders, and that a coordinated and strategic approach was required to address these key issues.

“The workshop provided a forum not only for the discussion of key issues and recommendations to enhance coordination but an opportunity for those involved to further develop their understanding of conflict and its impact on development, and, the processes and tools to assist resolving such issues.”

Plans for dialogue were set in motion at a UNDP regional workshop for conflict prevention practitioners in Nadi in May 2010, when some representatives from government and civil society from Fiji requested UNDP to assist in facilitating a process which will address resource based disputes as a national priority for furthering Fiji’s development.

The Suva based Pacific Centre for Peace Building facilitated the Suva workshop.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Permanent Secretary Mr Pio Tikoduadua.

Photo 2 - Participants from government and civil society at the workshop.

(Photo: Tahitian Noni International)

TAHITI: Tahitian Noni International introduces new Noni Fruit Chews
Source: Tahitian Noni International Press Release

Tahitian Noni International (TNI) announced the introduction of the new and improved Tahitian Noni® Fruit Chews. Available in both grape and raspberry, the new chews no longer have high-fructose corn syrup or any artificial flavors. Only natural sweeteners and real fruit flavors are used to deliver a tasty and uniquely noni experience. The new noni fruit chews also include 2 mg of iridoids per 10-count serving - so it's a treat that gives you a little bioactivity in every bite.

Noni is packed with bioactives — such as vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes — that produce biological activity in the body. But, the key bioactives in noni are iridoids, which have been closely studied for more than 50 years and have been linked to over two dozen real health benefits. "Now we have a better kind of candy," stated Jeff Wasden, Vice President of Global Marketing. "You not only get a great tasting treat, but the unique benefits of noni bioactives as well. Our understanding of what our products do — including the importance of bioactives and the impact of iridoids — has changed the way we look at ourselves - it has even changed the way we develop and market our products."

The new Tahitian Noni Fruit Chews come packaged in a bag of 150 loose chews, as well as a box with 10 packs of 10 chews each. To learn more about Tahitian Noni Products, please go to www.tni.com.


About the Company

Tahitian Noni International is a global, research-driven bioactive products company that was the first to introduce the health benefits of the noni plant — a bioactive-rich, adaptogenic plant, containing iridoid compounds — to the world outside of Tahiti. Tahitian Noni International is the leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of noni-based bioactive products including nutritional supplements, beauty, and weight loss lines. Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Tahitian Noni International has a presence in over 70 markets worldwide, and is the worldwide leader in bioactive supplements.
 

(Photos: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: 21st SPREP meeting opens in Papua New Guinea
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

Environment Ministers, Officials, donors and government and non-government partners from in and around the Pacific have gathered in Madang, Papua New Guinea, for the twenty-first annual meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, being held from 6 to 10 September.

Speaking at the opening of the Meeting, PNG’s Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Honourable Mr Benny Allen, reminded delegates of their important role in addressing environment as a key pillar of sustainable development.

“It is unlikely that the development trends of the past two decades will change in the near future,” he said. “And that means we will need to address growing environmental contamination and destruction.”

The Minister listed land use practices, waste management, rising populations and urban growth, climate change and terrestrial and marine resource management as key priorities in PNG’s environment management work.

A key task for officials attending the meeting is determining the future direction of the inter-governmental body, which is responsible for assisting Pacific countries with environmental management and protection. The Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) will be guided by a new five-year Strategic Plan, designed to meet the environmental priorities of all its 21 Pacific Island members.

Director of SPREP, Mr David Sheppard, highlighted the need for guidance from the Members for the work of the Secretariat.

“It is your Secretariat,” he said. “Therefore the vision and actions outlined in the Strategy must reflect national needs and priorities.”

The Annual Meeting is being held for the first time in PNG, an event considered particularly timely, as the region celebrates the International Year of Biodiversity under the theme: Value Island Biodiversity - It’s Our Life.

“Issues relating to biodiversity are clearly brought into focus in PNG,” said the Director. “PNG in itself contains over 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity in less than 1 percent of the world’s total land area.”

Issues of biodiversity conservation, climate change challenges and waste management and pollution prevention will be addressed during the five-day meeting.

The first day of the Meeting commenced with a full agenda, ranging from reports on work done over the past year to more strategic, long term planning. The officials will meet for three days before a high level segment commences on 9 September.