NEWSPAGE 01 November
2010

(Photo: Lindenberg & Partners)

(Photo: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SAMOA: Samoa to host reef protection meeting
Source: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

Samoa will host a high-level meeting to discuss coral reef protection and conservation.

This was announced by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Faumuina Tiatia Liuga in Nagoya, Japan. He was speaking during the high-level segment of the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) at Century Hall, Nagoya Congress Centre.

The meeting is the 22nd General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). It is scheduled from 8th to 15th November. Samoa will co-chair the meeting with France during which participants are expected to update the ICRI plan of work for coral reef protection and conservation.

“Samoa is among a group of small islands within the largest of oceans rich in marine ecosystems that are critical to our survival,” the Minister told leaders at COP10, who worked late into the night to deliver their country statements. “The Pacific Ocean, the beaches and its coral reefs are home to a number of marine mammals particularly the green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles which are currently facing extinction.”

The meeting will focus on strengthening conservation programmes for such marine mammals.

“Samoa has in place a number of programmes and projects in the areas of biodiversity conservation and management, adaptation to climate change and promotion of renewable energy, community development in response to land degradation through country specific projects and regional programmes where biodiversity is an integral part,” the Minister said.

“We are continuing the partnerships with our development partners and partner organisations within the United Nations, International IGOs and NGOs, the World Bank and ADB to pursue these opportunities as they arise. On that note, we acknowledge all our development partners for their kind efforts and assistance.”

On biodiversity in general, Minister Faumuina said Samoa has taken active steps to address the loss of biodiversity.

“Because small islands are particularly vulnerable to species loss and extinction, we have to be creative ourselves, and develop innovative solutions so that shifts demonstrate that we are no longer dealing with biodiversity as business as usual,” he said.

“Hence I am pleased to inform that Samoa's pursuance of partnerships within the area of biological diversity, at the national level with communities, NGOs and private sector, regional level with fellow PIFS and SPREP members as well as international organizations, and at international level with our development partners, have enabled the progression of our programmes on Forest Conservation, Invasive Species Management, and Protected areas in marine and terrestrial locations.

“Closer relations with communities and farmers will be strengthened through national agro-ecosystem and agro-forestry projects under the GEF and government of Australia, where Samoa is at the forefront in promoting organic farming in the Pacific.”

The protection and conservation of mangrove ecosystems is an integral part of Samoa’s efforts. The mangroves’ resilience to storm surges and tidal waves provide protection against rising waves. Further, they provide natural breeding ground for marine life which people's livelihoods depend on.

“Samoa places great importance on synergistic implementation of programmes, where common objectives and activities exist,” he said. “This provides for more effective service delivery to the public, a coherent approach to sustainable biological diversity management, reduce human and financial constraints, and contribute to achieving.”

The protection of biodiversity plays a major role in climate change adaptation, the meeting heard.

“Samoa acknowledged the commemoration of the International Year of Biological diversity this year with the promotion of Samoa to be carbon-neutral by the year 2020,” said Faumuina.

“Our national Samoa challenge to plant a million trees within our very small islands commenced in November 2009 for three years. The youth, (and children included) have already made some real contributions to this mission with plantings by young students of trees in our national reserves.
“Energy trees are also being assessed for further exploration of energy generating technologies. Ensuring these are properly designed and implemented to avoid adverse environment impacts on the biodiversity is of essence.

“That is because we believe that an investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation can also be a significant investment in biodiversity.”

Minister Faumuina urged world leaders to work together to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss.
"We should not be discouraged by the level of achievements being tabled, because within our small islands much progress has been made,” he said.

Photo Caption: Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga speaks during the high level segment of COP 10 in Nagoya Japan.
 

(Photos: Changchun Sculpture Symposium)

AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC/SSI Cultural Artist returns from China visit
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

Cultural Artist Patrick Mafoe of the Samoan Studies Institute (SSI) at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) enjoys the rare distinction among the local creative community of having made not just one but two trips to China for extended visits during which he practiced his craft. Mafoe returned home in October after six weeks in Changchun, China, where he completed a new sculpture which now remains on display in the city’s Automotive Sculptural Park. Representing not only American Samoa but the whole USA, Mafoe learned firsthand how a mutual appreciation of art can transcend cultural barriers. “I was overjoyed to have been able to contribute to this workshop,” he says, “and I returned home as a proud Samoan and US National who participated in a symposium situated far away from our islands.”

Mafoe first visited China in 2008 to participate in the 9th Changchun Sculpture Symposium. At the time, he submitted a proposal for a future project at a later date, but did not seriously think the coordinators would approve it. “The only other applicants were professional artists from around the world with extensive backgrounds in the profession,” Mafoe recalls, “so I was shocked when I received the news that I was invited to attend the symposium again.”

The piece Mafoe had proposed is called the “Auto Time”, and is equipped with a working clock that makes it easy for bystanders strolling by the park to track time. He also worked on a second piece called the “Poly Hook” for one of the museums in Changchun. Measuring about 3 feet and 5 inches, the “Poly Hook” resembles a real hook typical to the islands. Its concept tells the story of how the Pacific islanders became good fisherman. “It also depicts our ancestors as skilled navigators who steered through the open ocean using stars to track different destinations,” explains Mafoe. “I incorporated the symbol of the pacific turtle on top of the hook to symbolize peace and the hospitality of our people. Interestingly, in China the turtle means good luck and good fortune. What a coincidence!”

Located in the central part of Northeast China, and the capital city of the Jilin Province, Changchun has a number of research institutions and universities, as well as large enterprises such as the First Automotive Works and the Changchun Bus Works. Despite his exciting new environment, Mafoe felt the isolation common to Samoans abroad and alone, but an unexpected meeting provided at least one respite from homesickness. “I was very excited to meet the Independent State of Samoa’s ambassador, the honorable Tapusalaia Terry Toomata during the opening ceremony,” Mafoe recalls. “Tapusalaia is from Leone, and our Samoan conversations caught the ears of many around us because it was completely new to them. Many people came up to us and expressed excitement at hearing our Samoan exchange.” As an additional coping mechanism, Mafoe would often play reggae music while working, which most of his Chinese hosts had also never heard before. “At first, I thought they’d dislike my reggae, but later they told me they enjoyed it, especially Lucky Dube.”

Of course, the experience involved not only learning about China, but also growing as an artist. “I found enrichment through taking challenges and learning different types of mediums and other techniques that I have never seen or used before,” says Mafoe. “While in China, I worked with wood and a variety of other materials provided for us. I learned many kinds of new mediums that now make my job of teaching art to others easier. My perspective towards things also changed because of my discussions with the other professionals I met. A lot of the things I see lying around or considered junk here are actually the most essential items used by many of the professional artist I met during the symposium. A major highlight for me is these artists’ skill at improvising and using whatever is around you to make an artwork. This makes me think about the saying: ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’”

Now back at home, Mafoe expresses excitement at the new perspective he gained overseas. “I want to acknowledge symposium chairman Fang Toh and his committee, and the two universities in Changchun for making this trip possible,” he says. “I have gained a lot of knowledge and friends during this fantastic trip. I would also like to thank ASCC and my family for their prayers and great support, and now that I have returned I will commit all these new skills to the betterment of art in American Samoa.”

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Patrick Mafoe, cultural artist with the ASCC Samoan Studies Institute, is seen here during his visit to China, where he stayed for six weeks and created the piece displayed here, which he calls "Auto Time". The piece is now permanently installed in the Automotive Sculptural Park in the city of Changchun.

Photo 2 - Patrick (right), is seen here during his visit to China, meeting with Samoa's ambassador to that country, Tapusalaia Terry Toomata, and his wife.
 

FIJI: Major gathering of Pacific health professionals to address epidemics
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community / Fiji School of Medicine Joint Press Release

A major gathering of Pacific human and animal health laboratory professionals will take place this week (1-4 November) in Suva, Fiji Islands to assess current laboratory testing and specimen shipment procedures in relation to identifying and controlling priority epidemic diseases such as dengue fever, influenza, typhoid fever and cholera.

The pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 reminded us how easily epidemic diseases can spread from country to country, including in the Pacific. It is very important for Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to have access to laboratory tools to detect epidemic diseases quickly in order to minimise their health and socioeconomic impacts.

The workshop is organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in collaboration with the Fiji School of Medicine (FSMed) and other partners under the framework of the Pacific Public Health Laboratory Network (LabNet).

Created in 2000, LabNet is a human health network that provides laboratory diagnostic tools and technical support to 22 PICTs.* The idea of this network came from the recognition that many Pacific Islands had little or no ready access to public health laboratory services.

A number of activities and improvements have occurred since the creation of the network. For example, influenza testing capacity has been established in 14 countries and shipping procedures and confirmation mechanisms for communicable diseases have been established with reference laboratories in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Animal health laboratory professionals recently also formed a network (PAHLNet). The operating procedures in animal and human health laboratories are not always the same, but the challenges are similar and PAHLNet can certainly benefit from LabNet experience.

Collaboration between human and animal health professionals increased with SPC’s Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project and will be strengthened at the November workshop.

All participants will receive training in packing and transporting infectious substances by air from a certified specialist from the Pacific Island Health Officers’ Association.

The workshop will also focus on identifying country-specific laboratory training needs and will provide the opportunity to review the progress of LabNet and plan further development of the two networks.

Technical experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) will assist SPC and FSMed organisers, together with specialists from reference laboratories in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii and the Pacific Paramedical Training Centre in New Zealand.

Financial assistance for this workshop is provided by the Australian Agency for International Development, the New Zealand Aid Programme, CDC and FSMed.
 

NIUE: 14th FEMM endorses measures to expand FICs economic base
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The 14th Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting (FEMM) held in Alofi, Niue, 27 - 28 October has endorsed measures which are considered essential to expand the economic base of Forum island countries (FICs).

“We have concluded a very successful FEMM in that we have refocused the agenda of the Meeting to issues concerning the economic development of our member countries. We hope to sharpen the agenda even more when we meet next year. We agreed that FEMM is the premier forum for regional economic cooperation in the Pacific,” said Hon. Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue and Minister of Finance, who chaired the Meeting.

On the overarching theme of “Broadening the Economic Base”, the Forum Economic Ministers in their FEMM Action Plan 2010 agreed to the importance of expanding the economic base given the challenges FICs face, such as small private sectors and lack of economies of scale, and this required a host of coordinated actions and vision and leadership.

The Ministers said they remain committed to national and regional actions to generate growth to improve the well-being of their people recognising the private sector as the key engine for growth.

Ministers agreed that the actions set out below are essential for FICs efforts to expand the economic base:

• persevering with reform and implementation of policies, supported by strong leadership and political will;
• pursuing reforms to create an enabling environment for private sector development;
• reforming the governance of SOEs based on commercial principles, to improve service delivery and release resources for other priorities;
• strengthening areas of comparative advantage such as agriculture, tourism, and fisheries sectors;
• identifying ways in that regional and sub-regional cooperation can add value to national level activities;
• strengthening of coordination amongst and within government and development partners;
• ensuring the important role of women in economic development of member countries is fully considered and integrated into economic strategies; and
• maintaining strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

The Forum Economic Ministers reiterated that the fisheries sector plays an increasingly important role in the economic and social development of the Pacific region. They agreed that private sector involvement is critical, particularly in the areas of processing, marketing and exports, while emphasising the role of governments in establishing an enabling environment. Ministers agreed that foreign direct investment through a competent, well resourced and credible partner provided the best prospect for development of commercial activities in the fisheries sector.

The Ministers noted that the global economic crisis placed pressure on government budgets in FICs, and even with a global economic recovery, fiscal challenges are likely to intensify in FICs, particularly as they look to increase expenditure levels in areas key to growth and poverty reduction. They said that improving revenue performance through broadening the tax base and improving the effectiveness of collections is crucial for sustainable long term fiscal strategies in FICs, and that this should take place in coordination with continued attention to improving the quality and focus of public expenditure, and making effective use of development partner financial support. The Ministers noted that appropriate taxation of natural resources, including fisheries, minerals and forestry, is important for the development strategies of a number of FICs. They agreed that individual countries adopt the best reform agenda suitable to its own context.

Ministers emphasised the importance of the Cairns Compact in driving more effective coordination of available development resources from both Forum Island Countries and development partners, to be applied to achieving real progress against national development priorities, the Millennium Development Goals and other international and regional development goals. Ministers agreed to take leadership on Cairns Compact issues and report to leaders before their meeting in 2011. They directed the Secretariat to draft a paper providing an overview of the Cairns Compact with a focus on the role of Economic Ministers and report to leaders before their meeting next year.

On public finance management in FICs, FEMM noted the key issues contained in the Roadmap for Strengthening Public Finance Management and approved it for strengthening public financial management for application as part of the tools for implementing the Cairns Compact. The Ministers welcomed Australia’s announcement of a $3 million contribution to the Pacific Region Audit Initiative (PRAI), through a partnership with the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions.

The Forum Economic Ministers agreed to the need for strategic focus and urgent action to address the management of current and proposed funding for climate change in the region, and in pursuing options for improved access to and management of climate change resources, the focus should be at the national level, and where appropriate regional and international options should be considered. They requested the Forum Secretariat, in consultation with other relevant stakeholders, including the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), coordinate the development of the options paper to explore a range of approaches that could be considered by FEMM 2011 and submitted to next year’s meeting of the Forum Leaders.

The 15th FEMM will be hosted by Samoa in July 2011.

Representatives of Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu attended the Meeting. Observers at the Meeting included the Asian Development Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, Delegation of the European Union in the Pacific, International Monetary Fund, Oceania Customs Organisation, Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation, South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme, the University of the South Pacific, and the World Bank.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Museum unveils hidden treasure with exhibition
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

This is a special invitation to the indigenous people of Ifira Tenuku, Imere and Lelepa to do all they can to visit the Hidden Treasure Exhibition in the French Embassy Exhibition Hall to see for themselves the historical pictures of the magnificent tamtams which their ancestors used to carve for ceremonial use in their nasaras over one hundred years ago.

There is a striking picture of Chief Kalsakau I as he stood among a group of tamtams standing upright covered by bush vines in Ifira Tenuku. The tamtams were believed to have been destroyed by a tsunami or tidal wave which was reported to have swept over the island about 1929.

Former Curator of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre Kirk Huffman was reported to have said such a destructive tsunami had crashed ashore at Port Vila at the time and only the high cliff face along the shore stopped it from doing further damage, leaving behind dead fish as far away as where the Unelco is located.

A group of tamtams were also photographed standing upright on the mainland at Swango Point overlooking Imere Tenuku. A Mele villager in traditional attire was photographed standing among the tamtams. The tamtams were also of the same design as those of Ifira Tenuku.
The tragedy is that the tamtams are no longer found today and nobody knows how to carve them anymore. Daily Post pointed to the picture to a man from Mele and he cupped both his hands to his lips and with laughter, indicated that the people of his village are more interested in their kava than in anything else.

The display of pictures also include ancient tamtams from Ambrym and Malekula, war clubs and nalnals from Pentecost and Maewo and Ureparapara in the Banks, mats and an ancient slit gong from Ambae and more.

The Director of the National Museum and Vanuatu Cultural Centre, Abong Marcellin said the Hidden Treasures are an important initiative to allow the public to view those traditional items which may no longer be available in their island.

“We take the opportunity to invite you members of the public to drop in for a look, this is the beginning of many more exhibitions because we believe the time is right for them to be exhibited for public viewing,” he said.

Photo Caption: Twin heads of a tamtam from Ambrym also on display.