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(Photos:
Arts Access Aotearoa) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Intrepid vision unfolds at Spring
Hill
The Vaka Fa’aola Pacific Focus Unit at Spring
Hill Corrections Facility recently held an open
day. Moana Tipa, Prison Arts Advisor, Arts
Access Aotearoa, was invited to attend the event
and view the cultural arts programmes…
In his speech of welcome at the open day, Prison
Site Manager Gavin Dalziel affirmed the
Department of Corrections’ “audacious” vision
for the Pacific Focus Unit, now in its third
year.
Vaka Fa’aola, he said, is the only prison-based
Fale in the western world -- designed to enable
programmes appropriate to the cultures of the
Pacific to be delivered to Pacific prisoner
populations.
The programmes are centred around strengthening
the cultural roots and heritage that help
Pacific prisoners rehabilitate to life outside
the prison.
Intrinsic in this work are the relationships of
service providers; the Church and specified
community visitors such as Fautua Pasefika, and
volunteers from local Pacific communities who
play a vital role in addressing the cultural,
spiritual, religious and other special needs of
Pacific prisoner populations. They also advocate
on behalf of Pacific families and communities to
the Minister of Corrections and the Department.
On the open day about 200 guests experienced
work in progress at the unit. The Reverend Paulo
Ieli used the analogy of transplanting plants
from one environment to another to explain the
nature of the work carried out.
“When you’re taking a plant out of its own earth
and transplanting it into a totally different
environment with different sets of nutrients, it
will survive only if its roots are strong enough
and it has a measure of its own earth around it
as it transplants,” he said.
“If the plant is damaged, it will need
strengthening to survive and grow in the new
environment. This strengthening might take
generations.”
The open day began with the unveiling of a long
carved wooden and metal sculpture by artist
Fonofale McCarthy that sits over the entrance.
Patterns in the wood carvings were designed by
prisoners at the Vaka Fa’aola PFU. Stalls
featured the crafts of prisoners and a permanent
exhibition of acrylic paintings of different
Island nations to be viewed in the visits room.
Visitors witness extraordinary art form
In the cultural performance of prisoners
attending the newly developed Pasefika
programmes, visitors saw something of the
extraordinary art form of ancient song and
performance that undoubtedly touches into and
strengthens roots of Polynesian identity.
Last-minute preparations before the formal
opening included final touches to the generous
Pacific traditional delicacies supplied by the
Pacific Island staff network. Some were
assembled by Corrections Inmate Employment
teams.
Residential Manager Talaoalii Junior Ahyu and
his staff maintained an air of order in the
atmosphere of celebration. Staff were dressed in
Island style civvies to blend easily into the
occasion. Prisoners wore new identifying
lavalava-style uniforms.
Polynesia art creation tutor and artist Mary Ama
and a number of weavers whipped up an
outstanding collection of man-size flower
arrangements of nikau and harakeke. Pacific
drumming picked up momentum and pierced the air.
In the Fale alongside, Church elders, community
leaders, volunteers, stakeholders, guests and
fanau were greeted with lei made of sweets and
secured with fine ribbons.
Pervasive sense of community
Dozens of people worked to bring the event
together. The sense of community was pervasive.
Like a village preparing to receive its guests
for a traditional so’o (covenant of village
friendship) there was a sense of belonging and
being part of.
The aiga/fanau concept adopted by the Pacific
Focus Unit involves the active participation of
families, Pacific community service providers
and the Church. Their core statement is: O le
tagata ma lona aiga, o le tagata ma lona
fa’asinomaga - every person belongs to an aiga/fanau
and every aiga/fanau belongs to a person.
At the centre of the day’s orchestration was
Le’aufa’amulia (Le’au) Asenati Lole-Taylor,
Regional Advisor Pacific, Northern Region. She
introduced the day and its officials, then,
using a game of numbers to align each visitor
with numbered security teams, made the crowd
immediately at ease in the environment.
Pacific life and expression draws from a deeply
rich vein that undergirds and permeates daily
life. Visitors to the open day experienced
something of this in the art forms that are
still relatively unknown in western cultural
tradition. This was particularly evident in the
Pasefika Legends (story telling) and Malaga
Polenesia (Polynesian Journey) programmes --
delivered as constructive activities.
Pasefika Legends focuses on ancestral histories
and requires participants to explore the art of
Pacific aristocrat communication and chief
oratory language through storytelling and the
use of ancestral languages.
Malaga Polenesia is a more comprehensive work
that can be applied to Samoan, Tongan, Niue and
other island nations. It offers mentoring in
cultural knowledge and histories. Some of these
include lauga, the oratory involving tonal sound
and body language and the dance art form siva
and pesepesega - songs and lyrics that
illustrate performance.
Reviving cultural spirits
These art forms are extraordinary. They engage
and enter the deep creative vein, literally
re-building what can be re-built and reviving
the cultural spirits that Pacific prisoners may
have neglected.
Coupled with the faith of these island nations
and the communities of volunteers alongside, the
Pacific Island model of rehabilitation is as was
stated at the start of the day - “audacious”.
But they might argue that and say ‘it’s just
what we do’.
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SAMOA: International Coral Reef Initiative
meeting underway
Source:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Press Release
The Governments of Samoa and France as Co-Chairs
of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
for the biennium 2010/2011 are co-hosting the
25th ICRI General Meeting taking place at the
Millenia Hotel, Apia Samoa from 8th to 12th
November 2010.
ICRI is a unique public-private partnership that
brings together governments, international
organizations, scientific entities, and
non-governmental organizations committed to
reversing the global degradation of coral reefs
and related ecosystems, such as mangrove forests
and seagrass meadows, by promoting the
conservation and sustainable use of these
resources for future generations.
The ICRI membership meets once or twice a year
to progress an approved biennial work programme
which primarily focuses on such work and
initiatives to reverse the degradation of coral
reefs and related ecosystems. It aims to promote
the participation of countries, the UN and other
international and regional organizations to
collectively address the status of coral reefs
through dialogue, consultations and public
awareness.
The 25th General Meeting in Apia will discuss
these ongoing activities and programmes and the
way forward in the next twelve months. A Pacific
Day will be held on Tuesday, 9th November,
dedicated to discussing issues specifically
related to the status of coral reefs and related
ecosystems in the Pacific region. A field visit
to marine protected areas in Savaia and Safata
to be followed by tree planting in Lalomanu are
scheduled for Wednesday, 10th November.
An estimated 70 participants from Governments,
international and regional organizations are
confirmed to participate.
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(Photo: J. Kneubuhl) |
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AMERICAN SAMOA: WASC Team: “ASCC has fulfilled
all recommendations”
Source:
American
Samoa Community College Press Release
A team representing the Accrediting Commission
for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a
division of the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC) concluded its follow-up
visit to the American Samoa Community College (ASCC)
this week, and during an exit presentation
before assembled administration, faculty, staff
and students this past Wednesday, team member
Dr. Mark Zacovic announced the good news that
“ASCC has fulfilled all pending WASC
recommendations.”
The positive results announced by Dr. Zacovic
mark the latest step in a process begun in March
of last year, when the College learned that the
ACCJC-WASC Commission had placed ASCC on
Probation pending the submission of two
follow-up reports regarding areas of concern.
The Probation did not affect the College’s
status as an accredited institution, but WASC
stated that ASCC was required to address the ten
recommendations made by the Comprehensive Review
Team in October 2008, along with one additional
recommendation made subsequently by the
Commission itself.
Since the action in early 2009, ASCC made steady
progress in addressing the eleven
recommendations. The ACCJC-WASC established a
timetable wherein the College needed to address
three particular recommendations within a year’s
time, and the others within two years. Under the
leadership of President Dr. Seth Galea’i, some
of the College’s most knowledgeable
administration and faculty members formed
special committees focusing on specific areas.
Progress continued throughout 2009, and in April
of this year a follow-up visiting team from
ACCJC-WASC, which included Dr. Zacovic, informed
ASCC that it had made more than satisfactory
progress according to the established timeline,
and that a review of the recommendations yet to
be addressed would take place later in the year,
setting the stage for the return of another team
this month.
During his address this past Wednesday, Zacovic
explained that he and team co-member Dr. Willard
Lewallen could not issue any official statement
on the accreditation status of ASCC, as this can
only be done by the ACCJC-WASC Commission. He
and Lewallen could, however, share their
findings along with a summary of the report they
will present to the Commission. Before
discussing these findings, Zacovic commended
ASCC in a number of areas, including its
student-centered approach; the cooperation and
coordination among all levels of its personnel;
the building and grounds staff for maintaining
safe and pleasant learning environment; the
security staff for maintaining safety; the
College’s facilities planning activities for new
construction and repairs to the campus in
support of student learning; and the Student
Government Association (SGA) for their
“exemplary” efforts as student leaders. “I also
commend ASCC for its diligence in addressing the
WASC recommendations and using this as an
opportunity for growth and improvement,” he
added.
Moving on to the team findings, Zacovic said he
and Lewallen recognized a “chain of evidence” in
the College’s documented responses to the
recommendations, establishing a continuity
through all stages of the dialog between ASCC
and the ACCJC-WASC which has made the work of
all visiting teams easier. On this visit Zacovic
and Lewallen had that task of reviewing progress
in four specific areas: tutoring; transfer
programs; total cost of ownership; and the roles
in governance of committees. “Based on our
observations, ASCC has successfully addressed
each of these recommendations,” Zacovic
announced to triumphant applause.
Zacovic reminded the ASCC community that the
final determination on the status of ASCC will
be made by the ACCJC-WASC Commission, which
meets in January and will transmit its official
decision. He shared that he and Lewallen will
provide ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea’i with a
copy of their official report for review
purposes before submitting it to the Commission.
President Galea’i next took the podium to thank
the visiting team for their professionalism and
congeniality, and also to recognize ASCC
personnel for their longs months of work towards
addressing the recommendations. Board of Higher
Education vice chairman Pemerika Tauiliili also
offered congratulatory remarks. With the formal
business of the morning attended to, the
occasion concluded with a presentation of
traditional Samoan gifts for Zacovic and
Lewallen from the ASCC staff.
ASCC President Galea’i once again expressed his
gratitude to all the College personnel and
students who helped make this ACCJC-WASC visit a
success. “We all pulled together in this effort,
and the visiting team clearly felt comfortable
working with us,” he said. “Now we look forward
to the decision of the ACCJC-WASC Commission
early next year, which we hope will reflect our
growth from having gone through this process.”
Photo Caption: ACCJC-WASC visiting team
members Dr. Fred Zacovic and Dr. Willard
Lewallen (3rd and 4th right) gather with ASCC
administrators following a successful exit
presentation.
(L-R) Vice President of Administration and
Finance Mikaele Etuale, Board of Higher
Education member Sapini Siatu'u, Dr. Zacovic,
Dr. Lewallen, BHE Vice Chairman Pemerika
Tauiliili, Vice President of Academic Affairs
and Student Services Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle,
and President Dr. Seth Galea'i.
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(Photos: Pacific Resort Hotel Group) |
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COOK ISLANDS: Properties awarded best island
villas & resort in the World
Source:
PR.com
The bubbly is flowing once again in the Cook
Islands for the Pacific Resort Hotel Group (PRHG)
after walking away with awards for the “World’s
Leading Boutique Island Resort” and “World’s
Leading Island Villas” at the 2010 World Travel
Awards Grand Final event held recently at
London’s Grosvenor House.
Pacific Resort Aitutaki has been voted “World’s
Leading Boutique Island Resort” for the third
consecutive year, while Te Manava Luxury Villas
& Spa, Rarotonga has been voted “World’s Leading
Island Villas.”
Hailed as "The Oscars of the Travel Industry" by
the Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Awards
is recognised worldwide as the ultimate travel
accolade. WTA 2010 nominations featured 5,000
companies in 1,000 categories across 162
countries. The winners were selected by
thousands of industry professionals and
consumers worldwide who have been voting online.
Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World
Travel Awards, said: "This year, like the last,
continues to challenge every strata of travel
and tourism. However tonight's World Travel
Awards winners see struggle not as sign of
weakness or failure, but as an opportunity for
growth and renewal, and a chance to put their
business model through the ultimate test."
He added: "By combining flair and ambition with
savvy business acumen, these organisations are
spearheading the worldwide recovery of travel
and tourism. In doing so they are also
reinforcing our industry's role as one of the
mainstays of the global economy."
Pacific Resort chief executive officer Greg
Stanaway says this award is considered to be the
ultimate achievement for the Pacific Resort
Hotel Group and for the Cook Islands.
Stanaway was quick to share the accolades with
all involved saying that, “We are seeing the
results of a total team effort, the success of
Pacific Resort Aitutaki and Te Manava Luxury
Villas & Spa owes much to all of the people
involved in the experience that is a visit to
the Cook Islands, it is our team and the people
of the Cook Islands who underpin the success of
these outstanding properties.”
Visit www.pacificresort.com for more information
about Pacific Resort Hotel Group - Cook Islands.
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(Photo:
Fiji Times) |
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FIJI: Major difficulties Fijian nurses face
highlighted at forum
Source:
New Zealand
Nurses Organisation Press Release
The difficulties facing nurses in Fiji were the
focus of a presentation by the general secretary
of the Fiji Nursing Association, Kuini Lutua, at
the South Pacific Nurses’ Forum in Auckland
today (November 8).
Lutua, who is in her third term as general
secretary, said health cuts in Fiji had created
chaos. She spoke of the loss of nurses from
Fiji, with the government doing nothing to halt
the exodus, of the very unpopular law changes
regarding the retirement age for nurses, the
lack of job security and the fact nurses cannot
work any overtime.
“We can’t appeal against any government
decisions but we are trying to create an
awareness among our members that their rights
are being eroded,” she told the 300 delegates
from 12 Pacific nations attending the 15th
biennial forum.
Her presentation received a standing ovation,
with delegates saluting her courage in speaking
of the situation in Fiji.
President of the International Council of
Nurses, which represents more than 13 million
nurses worldwide, Rosemary Bryant told the forum
that three of the greatest health challenges
internationally were the economic crisis,
chronic diseases and universal access to
high-quality primary health care.
“The problems are huge but nurses are the
answer. The World Bank has identified nurses and
midwives as the most cost effective resource for
delivering high quality health care in both new
and established economies,” Bryant said.
New Zealand’s new chief nurse Jane O’Malley
welcomed the forum delegates.
The forum continues through to Thursday.
Photo Caption: General Secretary of the
Fiji Nursing Association, Kuini Lutua.
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(Photo:
Associated Press) |
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
Reforestation in Papua New Guinea
Source:
VOANews
During her visit to Papua New Guinea, Secretary
of State Hillary Rodham Clinton praised "the
efforts that the government and people of Papua
New Guinea are making to combat climate change
and to protect this beautiful environment."
Secretary Clinton made the remarks, November 3,
at the Tubuserea Lavadai Mangrove Reforestation
Project research center.
"These forests are just one piece of the
extraordinary biodiversity that makes Papua New
Guinea a place unlike any other in the world,"
said Secretary Clinton. She noted that that
country is "home to the greatest marine
biodiversity on the planet, thousands of
kilometers of coral reefs and hundreds of animal
species, including dozens that have only
recently been discovered."
The mangroves have many benefits. They prevent
tidal erosion. They protect coasts from storm.
Their roots are an ecosystem in themselves, home
to many sea creatures, and they generate oxygen
and remove carbon from the atmosphere. Some say
they serve as the lungs of the earth.
"Because they play several roles, the loss of
mangroves and other tropical forests has broad
and dangerous consequences not only for Papua
New Guinea, but for the entire world," Secretary
Clinton warned. "Deforestation of the world's
coastal and interior forests accounts for
between 15 and 20 percent of all the carbon
emissions that are part of global warming." The
solution, she noted, was clear: "if we can
protect our forests, if we can prohibit illegal
logging, we can make significant progress in
protecting this island nation and others from
the effect of climate change."
Secretary Clinton said the United States made a
commitment at Copenhagen to work with others to
combat climate change. "As part of our
commitment, the United States has pledged to
reduce our own carbon footprint and we want to
help countries like Papua New Guinea to be able
to adapt to climate change and to prevent its
effects." She said the U.S. is already working
through the Coral Triangle Initiative to protect
marine biodiversity and improve Papua New
Guinea's capacity to manage coastal areas. The
U.S. Government is promoting innovations in the
country's agriculture and has asked the U.S.
Congress to approve more than $100 million in
climate-related funding to small island
development states, of which $20 million will be
targeted specifically for Pacific island
nations, including Papua New Guinea.
In protecting its unique environment Papua New
Guinea will find a partner in the United States.
Photo Caption: U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton walks past a group of
girls in traditional dress after a meeting with
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare
on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 in Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea.
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