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(Photo:
Godfrey Boehnke) |
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NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Pacific youth honoured
by Prime Minister
All New Zealanders can take pride in three young
people who tonight (November 19, 2010) were
honoured as the inaugural winners of the Prime
Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards, the Ministry of
Pacific Island Affairs says.
The three winners, J’aime Laurenson, Samuelu
Siilata and Tammy Kingi, made it through a
rigorous selection process to convince a judging
panel of their outstanding qualities as leaders,
advocates, community members and, more
generally, contributors to the sort of nation
New Zealand aspires to be. They are to be
congratulated.
The Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards are in
three categories:
· The University of Auckland Award for
Leadership, won by J’aime Laurenson
· The Weta Workshop Award for Creativity, won by
Samuelu Siilata
· The COGITA Award for Inspiration, won by Tammy
Kingi.
J’aime this year graduated from the University
of Auckland with first-class honours in both law
and engineering bachelors’ degrees - the first
student to do so. He continues to arrange
mentoring for Pacific engineering students in a
scheme which has contributed to a 100 percent
retention rate, and higher than average pass
rates.
Samuelu’s creativity encompasses poetry, music,
dance, painting, carving, costume, design,
screenwriting and more. He works within several
different Pacific cultural traditions and is a
previous University of Auckland award winner.
Tammy Kingi has been an important support person
for other Niuean students as president of the
university’s Niuean student association for the
past three years. That support and mentoring is
also extended to Pacific students at Auckland’s
secondary schools.
The Ministry said Census and other official
statistics showed that the young Pacific
population was young and fast-growing. That was
in marked contrast to the European New Zealand
population.
In a few years young Pacific people would be a
large workforce, a significant consumer market
and increasingly featuring in New Zealand’s
social, economic, cultural and political life.
One hundred or so entries in the first year the
awards were offered suggested there were many
young Pacific people stepping up to play their
part in New Zealand’s future, the Ministry said.
It also congratulated sponsors the University of
Auckland, Weta Workshop and COGITA Business
Systems for signing up to sponsor the awards.
The winners receive up to $6000 in tuition fees
at Auckland University (leadership award), a
year’s paid internship at Weta Workshop
(creativity award), and an overseas
trip/personal development worth up to $5000
(inspiration award).
Bios of Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth
Award winners
The University of Auckland Award for
Leadership, won by J’aime Laurenson
J’aime Laurenson (24) from Manukau is an
outstanding role model for students currently
studying in Engineering and Law at the
University of Auckland. He graduated in 2010
with first class honours in both Bachelor of
Engineering and Bachelor of Laws, the first
student to ever do this at the University of
Auckland. He will be using his award for either
a Masters or Phd in Engineering.
A prefect at Auckland Grammar, J’aime was named
the 2003 Bursaries Top All-round Male Pacific
Island Scholar and received a number of school,
university and national scholarships.
J’aime is a past president at the University of
Auckland South Pacific Indigenous Engineering
Students (SPIES) support network for Maori and
Pacific people and is currently employed by the
Faculty of Engineering on a part-time basis
organising tutorial needs and mentor-mentee
arrangements with the faculty.
J’aime and his family are active in the Samoan
community in New Zealand and Samoa.
In the words of J’aime: “The award will help me
to pursue my post-grad qualifications and I’ll
be one of the very few Pacific Islanders in that
field of study (mechatronics - mechanical and
electrical engineering).”
“I can help and encourage Pacific people to
consider opportunities and careers they wouldn’t
think possible and also being an engineer ...to
increase the amount of Pacific people in that
area. There’s a shortage of them in our society.
Most are encouraged to take law, medicine and
don’t appreciate engineering.”
The Weta Workshop Award for Creativity, won
by Samuelu Tevita Siilata
Samuelu Siilata (24) from Manukau has
demonstrated an exceptionally high level of
creativity in the arts. He has excelled in
poetry, songwriting, Polynesian music, dance,
painting, costume design, screen writing and
film.
Educated at Auckland Grammar and the University
of Auckland, Samuelu majored in film, tv and
media and minored in anthropology and Pacific
Studies. He then went on to do a post-grad
diploma in digital media at Auckland University
of Technology where he was able to hone his film
making skills.
Getting the Creativity award and working at Weta
is literally a dream come true.
In his own words: “Here I’ve been given the
chance to work with the absolute best. The
chance for me to immerse myself in that world is
absolutely brilliant.”
The COGITA Award for Inspiration won by Tammy
Kingi
Tammy Kingi (22) from Mangere Bridge, Auckland
has played an integral part in the Niuean
students association at the University of
Auckland for several years now. She has shown
passion and commitment to her culture, cultural
practice and maintenance of language. She is
fluent in Niuean and has a working knowledge of
Tongan, Maori and Samoan. Tammy is a Youth
advisor on the Le Va advisory board, an
executive member of the Auckland University
Pacific Islands Association and a DREAM fono
mentor for high school students.
Tammy has completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring
in linguistics and Pacific Island studies.
Presently, she continues with post-graduate
studies in linguistics.
Tammy was selected and short-listed because she
has extensive involvement within the Pacific
community and has advocated the Pacific youth
voice in many fona. She is a strong Pacific
youth representative, secure in her identity,
and committed to encouraging and inspiring
others to achieve their potential.
Photo Caption: Inaugural winners of the
Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards, Samuelu
Si’ilata, Tammy Kingi, and J’aime Laurenson.
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(Photo:
Samoa Government) |
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SAMOA:
Parliamentary updates
Source:
Government Press Secretariat Press Release
China International Travel Mart
Cabinet has approved the participation by a
representative from Samoa to the China
International Travel Mart (CITM) to be held in
Shanghai, China on 18 - 21 November, 2010.
The CITM is an annual event and will be held at
the Shanghai Expo Centre. It is the biggest
travel show in Asia, expected to attract
participants from all over the world.
Members from the South Pacific Tourism
Organisation and the Pacific Islands Forum Trade
Office will be present at the show. This is a
golden opportunity to further promote Samoa to
the world and as one of China’s Approved
Destination Status.
Representing Samoa will be Samoa Tourism
Authority’s Senior Marketing Officer, Tracy Wong
Ling-Warren.
Minister of Agriculture to attend Fisheries
meeting
Cabinet has approved for the Minister of
Agriculture and Fisheries, Afioga Taua Tauvaga
Kitiona Seuala to attend meetings in Seychelles
and Honolulu from 22 November to 10 December
2010.
The meeting in Seychelles is for Ministers of
Fisheries for Asia Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
countries. The last two meetings of the Forum
Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Western and
Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
will be held in Honolulu next month.
Matters expected to be discussed will include
ongoing efforts to increase national capacity
and strengthen regional solidarity so that
Pacific countries can better manage and preserve
their fisheries.
Accompanying Taua is the Ministry’s ACEO, Afioga
Mulipola Atonio Mulipola.
Preparations for the MV Lady Filifilia to
transport passengers between Satitoa and
American Samoa
Cabinet has approved for the Samoa Shipping
Corporation Chief Executive, Papalii Willie
Nansen to travel to Brisbane, Australia to
secure documents for MV Lady Filifilia to
transport passengers between the Satitoa and
American Samoa route.
Drawings and plans from the MV Lady Filifilia’s
manufacturer in Brisbane, the New Wave
Catermarans Company are necessary to ensure the
vessel’s sea worthiness as well as it satisfies
the US Coast Guard requirements to transport
passengers.
The decision was made when the Samoa Shipping
Corporation won the tender to transport
passengers between Apia and Tokelau using the MV
Lady Naomi.
Pacific Development Banks meet
Cabinet has approved the participation by the
Development Bank of Samoa’s CEO, Afioga Fuimaono
F. Lima to two meetings for Pacific countries
Development Banks to be held in Cambodia this
week.
The meeting of Development Banks leaders will
focus on attracting assistance for banks. This
year’s theme is, “Sustainable Small and Medium
Enterprises through value Chain financing.”
The CEO will also attend the Association of
Development Financing Institutions in Asia and
Pacific (ADFIAP) meeting. The meeting agenda
will include programmes and assistance by the
committee and the implementation of the ADFIAP
Strategic Plan.
The DBS Loans Manager, Afemaleta A. Lafi will
accompany the CEO.
Minister of Tourism to attend a Meeting in
Brisbane Australia
Cabinet has approved the participation by
Minister for Tourism, Afioga Misa Telefoni of a
meeting in Brisbane, Australia on the 29 - 30
November 2010.
Leaders of the Samoan community in Australia
will participate and the Meeting will focus on
promotions to support the Polynesian Blue’s
direct flight between Brisbane and Apia.
The delegation includes the STA Chief Executive
Officer and the Marketing Manager.
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(Photo:
Australia-Pacific Technical College) |
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AUSTRALIA: APTC Samoa celebrates Festival of
Lights
Source:
Australia-Pacific Technical College
"A large number of the students at the Samoa
campus are from Fiji, including many of Indian
descent," said Ms Francis Howes, APTC Country
Manager, School of Automotive, Construction and
Electrical, and Manufacturing (ACEM).
"The other students indicated they were
interested in learning about the Diwali
celebration, so a program was organised and held
on Diwali day, which fell on Friday 5th
November. This is the first time that we have
celebrated Diwali at the Samoa campus. We held
the celebration at the Accommodation block,"
said Ms Howes.
Ms Howes explained that Diwali is a festival
observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs,
"…and APTC is committed to supporting
cross-cultural harmony."
"The students organised and cooked all the
special food and sweets, constructed special
flashing lights, and created decorations and a
welcome pathway. The students studying the
electrical trade were especially helpful with
the lighting."
Certificate III Plumbing student, Sanjay Sahay
explained that on Diwali night, little clay
lamps, (diyas) are lit in Hindus' homes, but
nowadays, coloured electric lamps are also used,
because, "To Hindus, darkness represents
ignorance, and light is a metaphor for
knowledge. It is through light that the beauty
of this world is revealed."
All APTC students, staff and their families, and
local Samoans from nearby stores, where APTC
students shop, were invited to the celebration.
Photo Caption: APTC students celebrate
Diwali with trainer Murray Sheppard (third from
left).
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(Photo:
Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands) |
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KIRIBATI: RAMSI photo exhibition opens in
Kiribati
Source:
Regional
Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Press
Release
A photographic exhibition showcasing the history
and achievements of one of the Pacific’s biggest
success stories, the Regional Assistance Mission
to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), opened yesterday in
the Republic of Kiribati, one of the 15 Pacific
Islands Forum countries that have contributed to
the Mission since it began in July 2003.
The exhibition, RAMSI: A history in pictures,
documents the history and progress achieved by
RAMSI in partnership with the Solomon Islands -
and highlights many of the people, places and
events that have shaped this unique regional
mission over the past seven years.
The exhibition will be on show in Kiribati until
early December and features a wide range of
spectacular images from across the Solomon
Islands. These include many from the initial
period when weapons were being surrendered and
key militants arrested. They also include the
riots that shook the Solomon Islands capital,
Honiara, in 2006.
The exhibition charts the progress that has been
made in Solomon Islands in areas such as the
strengthening of the Royal Solomon Islands
Police Force, the fight against corruption and
the rebuilding of the Solomon Islands economy.
Highlighting the regional nature of RAMSI, it
also includes presentations on the contribution
of the 15 countries, including the Republic of
Kiribati, that are part of RAMSI.
The exhibition’s opening, held at Bairiki
Square, in the heart of Kiribati’s capital of
Tarawa, was attended by hundreds of people,
including a majority of the Kiribati Police
Service officers who have served with RAMSI. In
a display of the pride they felt in having
served with the Mission, many wore their RAMSI
uniform to the event.
RAMSI Special Coordinator Graeme Wilson paid
tribute to the former RAMSI officers at the
opening, saying their commitment to supporting a
fellow Pacific neighbour was a great reflection
on the people of the Republic of Kiribati.
“This exhibition is a tribute to the thousands
of men and women from across the Pacific -
including the many police from the Kiribati
Police Service who have served with RAMSI in
Solomon Islands over the past seven years,” said
Mr Wilson at the exhibition’s opening in Tarawa.
“Their work has helped Solomon Islanders feel
safe again, and has helped ensure the country’s
future is a great deal brighter.”
Mr Wilson thanked the people and Government of
the Republic of Kiribati for their country’s
commitment to assisting a neighbouring country
in need.
“The Kiribati Police officers who have served
with the RAMSI Participating Police Force have
represented their country with distinction,” Mr
Wilson said. “I thank them and their families
for the enormous personal commitment they have
made to help improve the lives of Solomon
Islanders.”
Kiribati’s Minister for the Line and Phoenix
Islands, Hon Tawita Temoku, said his nation was
proud to be one of the founding nations of
RAMSI, because it represented Pacific nations
coming together to support a friend in need.
“Kiribati is very proud to be part of RAMSI.
….It is a true ‘Pacific Way’ partnership that
has its core strength in the diversity of
cultures and experiences of participating
countries.
“Let us acknowledge with deep appreciation all
individual and regional efforts and
contributions to the success of RAMSI. Let me,
in particular, acknowledge the commendable
contribution of our police officers who have
served our country with pride and honour.”
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s
representative to Solomon Islands, Sakiusa
Rabuka, said that Kiribati had been integral to
RAMSI even before it began, with the Biketawa
Declaration, signed by all Pacific Islands Forum
members in Kiribati in 2000, providing the
formal framework by which the region could
provide support to a Forum member country in a
time of crisis.
“The Biketawa Declaration is a landmark decision
that has evolved from a set of theoretical
principles to becoming instruments as we in the
Pacific move to bring about regional peace and
political stability,” said Mr Rabuka at the
opening.
“Opening such an impressive exhibition here in
Kiribati is a fitting commemoration of the
Biketawa Declaration. RAMSI is something that we
in the Pacific can all be proud of, as it
demonstrates the importance of a collective
response, and the skills and abilities of people
in the region to achieve many good things
through cooperative spirit.”
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USA: USA comes to Fiji
Source:
Fiji Club of New Zealand Press Release via Scoop
Independent News
“In line with President Barak Obama the 2010
Nobel Peace recipient’s policy of engagement,
the superpower USA has prudently decided to set
up the aid agency USAID in Fiji for the Pacific
region, and our members and supporters are
delighted by this positive outcome, said Alton
Shameem JP the New Zealander- Native Fijian
Community Leader, Founder, Chairman and
President of and President of Fiji Club of New
Zealand (FCNZ), Young Executive Club (YEC) , All
Ethnic Congress (AEC) and the New Zealand
Association of Certified Public Accountants (NZACPA)
in Takapuna, North shore City, Auckland the City
of Engagement.
“As Fiji has a stable, progressive, safe and
popular government and is the hub of the Pacific
and to the counter the influence of other
superpowers and nations, President Barack Obama
has shown foresight, vision and leadership by
establishing the USAID Agency in the friendly
and vibrant Fiji with its entire infrastructure
strongly in place.
It is now time for our country New Zealand and
Australia to take the strong, loud and clear cue
from USA, other superpowers and nations and
follow suit by engaging and helping Fiji, the
Pacific region and internationally to move
forward “said Alton Shameem JP the New
Zealander-Fijian Civic, National and
International Leader, Founder, Chairman and
President of Fiji Club of New Zealand (FCNZ),
Young Executive Club (YEC), All Ethnic Congress
(AEC) and the New Zealand Association of
Certified Public Accountants (NZACPA).
“The setting up of the USAID Agency for the
Pacific region in Fiji will further help the
Fijian economy and will help our fellow Fijian
brothers and sisters, the Pacific Region and
internationally.
“The famous quote of President Barack Obama “Yes
We Can” is possible as shown by him through
engagement, dialogue, broadmindedness and being
pragmatic instead of being big bullies with
parochial attitudes as Australian and New
Zealand governments has shown against the
friendly Fijian government for the last four
years.” said Alton Shameem JP the Multicultural
Leader, Founder, Chairman and President of Fiji
Club of New Zealand (FCNZ), Young Executive Club
(YEC), All Ethnic Congress (AEC) and the New
Zealand Association of Certified Public
Accountants (NZACPA).
“Our New Zealand and Australian brothers and
sisters are very supportive of the Fiji
government as demonstrated by the fact that they
flock to the beautiful, friendly and sunny Fiji
for their holidays en masse.
“We warmly welcome the USAID Agency and our
American brothers and sisters in Fiji and are
looking forward to engaging and working with
them for the benefit of all nations in the
Pacific region and internationally” said Alton
Shameem JP the New Zealander-Indigenous Fijian
Community, National and International Leader,
Founder, Chairman and President of Fiji Club of
New Zealand (FCNZ), Young Executive Club (YEC),
All Ethnic Congress (AEC) and the New Zealand
Association of Certified Public Accountants (NZACPA).
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(Photo:
Oceania Football Confederation) |
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VANUATU:
New CEO on board at Vanuatu Football Federation
Source:
Oceania Football Confederation Press Release
The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) has
officially welcomed Fabien Hoeppe as its new
chief executive officer.
Hoeppe hails from France and has plenty of
experience in sports administration, especially
within the basketball code.
He worked for five years for the French
Basketball Professional League, firstly as a
financial auditor and later as a director of
competition. He then headed to Australia, where
he was involved with various sporting events,
such as the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney
and the 2009 Arafura Games in Darwin.
Hoeppe also worked with the New South Wales
Basketball Association and at the U-19 World
Basketball Championship in Auckland last year.
His previous job in France was in a sports
research centre, where he was a sports economist
and was also in charge of marketing, sponsorship
and communication.
He also has an impressive set of qualifications,
including two masters degrees - one in sports
management and the other in sports law and
economics.
Hoeppe's main aim as the CEO of VFF is to help
the federation set a very high standard in the
areas of management, administration, sponsorship
and events, as well as assisting VFF is
developing a strategic plan in accordance with
the OFC mission statement.
"It's a good challenge as there is a lot to do
here," he says. "I'm sure that the VFF staff
will do a good job to reach all the targets
implemented in the strategic plan."
VFF president Lambert Maltock and his staff have
already welcomed the new arrival into the office
and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has
also sent a few encouraging words to usher him
into the federation's football family.
"I would like to convey to you my heartfelt
congratulations as well as my best wishes of
success in this new task," Valcke told Hoeppe.
"You can rely on my support and personal
assistance to strengthen the positive
relationship between FIFA and the Vanuatu
Football Federation. I wish you all the best for
this new challenge and am looking forward to
continuing this fruitful collaboration."
For more on Vanuatu football go to
www.vanuafoot.vu
Photo Caption: Newly appointed CEO of the
Vanuatu Football Federation, Fabien Hoeppe.
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