NEWSPAGE 16 February
2011

NEW ZEALAND: Pacific fisheries trainees welcomed to New Zealand

(Photo: Samoa Observer)

SAMOA: A dream come true - Samoa’s newest art gallery
Source: Samoa Observer

A dream has been realised for Tu’u’u and Vanya Ta’ulealo. This happened when they opened their Art Gallery at their home in Si’usega, last week.

Called the ‘Vanya Taule’alo Art Gallery’, it is also a beginning of a new era in Visual Arts in Samoa.

Vanya has been involved in the creative art field for more than 30 years.

Her passion for art and education was realised early on and while bringing up their three sons—Setu, Masina and Alae, Vanya incorporated art into her work as a kindergarten principal in Apia.

From there, she moved onto the teachers college (WSTC) where she was the driving force behind development of Art Education in Samoa.

This led to the development of the Visual Arts curriculum for secondary schools (years 9-12) with many schools now offering Visual Arts as a subject in the Samoa School Certificate examination.

As an artist, Vanya has grown and developed throughout the years while also furthering her professional career through diplomas-masters-and PhD level qualifications.

After leaving the public sector in 2009, both Tu’u’u and Vanya were able to put the considerable amount of time and effort needed to realise their dream of renovating their house and land/garden to allow the proper display of Vanya’s art work.

“The aim was to make our living and working space at home a tranquil space with native trees, vegetable and herb garden and now we have added a gallery” explains Vanya.

The guests at the small opening held on Wednesday night, were appreciative of the space referred by Vanya and Tu’u’u and even with the rain were able to enjoy the beautiful garden and patio surrounded by native trees and bush.

“This is a very pleasant environment to relax and particularly to look at some wonder art based on our own natural environment” describes one guest.

The environment is very much a theme of Vanya’s art work and has been a passion (obsession!) for both Tu’u’u and Vanya for many years. The series currently showing in the gallery is based on the Mangroves.

A kayak visit to the Sanapu mangroves has been used as the basis of the series of work which includes paintings on canvas, paintings on paper, photo graphs, real objects and cherished objects (painted and framed).

“The mangrove trip was beautiful and incredibly moody, the sight and sounds, the birds and the whole environment was astounding to me” Vanya said.

Over the years as Vanya has developed her different series of works, first an idea or concept will resonate with her. Then through researching the themes, reflecting and exploring the subject matter the images are put together in a way that works for her.

“I’m always trying to push the boundaries by doing something new each time, for example this series I have inserted print of the photos I took during my visit to the mangroves” Vanya continues.

The main pieces of the series are composite pictures, which are paintings done on different size canvases that are hung together to represent one whole picture. These were a particular hit with the opening function guests,

“I just love how the different paintings fit together, but I can also see how they can be put a different way say along a stairway wall, or on different walls in one room, they are just lovely” exclaims another guest.

The future plans for the gallery is to be open a few days a week for visits, but also available for other Artists to show their work. There has been interest shown already from Artists in Samoa and from overseas to make use of this space.

“Networking is another aim of ours, providing a venue for young and emerging Samoan artists who are serious about their work, as well as for Artists overseas to see Samoa as a viable place to bring their work to show,” Vanya further explains.

Networks have already been established, with artists in New Caledonia, Cook Island, USA and Africa contacting Vanya contact through facebook and the gallery webpage.

The future looks bright for the newest art gallery in Samoa and hopefully we will see many more artists both local and overseas making use of this wonderful space so that the general population of Samoa, are able to visit, be moved and inspired through our Artists work.

For appointments to the Vanya Taulealo Gallery please call 7729993, or 21488.

Photo Caption: Tu’u’u Ieti and Vanya Taule’alo.
 

AMERICAN SAMOA: American Samoa receive $2.4 million to repair tsunami damage
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made available to the American Samoa Government (ASG) more than $2.4 million to repair damages associated with the earthquake and tsunami in 2009. Specifically, the funding has been allocated to repair the sea wall, deck and parking structure at the south side of Pago Pago Harbor, to the west of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) building.

On September 29, 2009, an earthquake occurred approximately 120 miles southwest of American Samoa which set off a massive tsunami that caused devastation in American Samoa. The shoreline within Pago Pago Harbor was especially hard hit. The sea wall, deck and parking structure by the DMWR building was bent and breached. The fill behind the wall was washed away and the concrete parking deck collapsed. The scope of work to repair the damage includes driving 294 linear feet of steel sheet pile, backfilling, and constructing 15,000 square feet of concrete parking deck.

According to USDHS/FEMA, the $2.4 million funding will go directly to ASG, which has the responsibility to ensure that the eligible sub-grantee receives the award, and to also conduct a review process to ensure that appropriate documentation is received. Funds are provided to the sub-grantee on a reimbursement basis.

“Over $155 million in federal funding has been projected by FEMA to help in American Samoa’s tsunami clean-up. The announcement today of $2.4 million is part of this critical assistance and I want to thank Secretary Janet Napolitano and FEMA for this federal money that will help ASG clean-up and repair the damages caused by the tragic events of September 29, 2009,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

(Photo: Fiji Times)

FIJI: Tourism grows
Source: Fiji Times

Tourist numbers to Fiji have grown from last year, said Asia-Pacific STA Travels marketing director Michelle Cox.

Ms Cox, who was out on South Seas Island with 85 STA Travel staff from New Zealand and Australia on Saturday, said Fiji had become one of their prime products.

The STA Travel staff spent their last night in Fiji in a special way. They had a beach barbecue and warrior dancers awaited them on the shores of South Seas Islands.

"After three days of conferencing, this is a great break for us. This is also a great opportunity for most of us because we are selling Fiji and from last year many tourists have shown an interest in coming to Fiji," said Mrs Cox.

She said they had a brochure dedicated especially for Fiji.

"Many of the staff here only know about Fiji through the experiences of those who came to Fiji. This year we decided to bring them down and have the conference here.

"The main question many of the staff ask, because this is their first time, is if the Fijian exuberance and friendliness is real. I have been to Fiji many times and I have experienced this friendliness the many times I have come and I told them that, yes, it is real. Fijians are a wonderful people."

She said they were expecting sales to increase this year.

"We have been working with South Seas Cruises and Awesome Adventures for some time now and we are very confident in our partnership," she said.

STA Travels will also be setting up a trust fund for islanders in the Yasawa Group to help them with their daily needs and educational requirements. "We saw that we could help out and this is the way we are proposing to do it. The trust fund will surely help the villagers," she said.

Photo Caption: Tourists enjoying the night at a beach party.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Outcomes of meeting of Forum MCG on situation in Fiji
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Fourth meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) on Fiji met at the Vanuatu Reserve Bank Conference Room in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

2. The Meeting, which was chaired by the Honourable Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu, MP, Prime Minister of Vanuatu, was attended by the Hon Richard Marles, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, of Australia; the Hon Murray McCully, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of New Zealand; the Hon Don Polye, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Immigration, of Papua New Guinea; the Hon Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, of Samoa; and the Hon Apisai Ielemia, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour, of Tuvalu. At the invitation of the MCG Chair and its members, Fiji Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, also addressed the meeting on behalf of the Fiji Government.

3. The MCG discussed developments in Fiji, and as requested by Leaders at their 2010 Port Vila Forum Meeting, Ministers also discussed matters relating to Fiji’s participation in regional trade and economic processes and deliberations, including PACER Plus negotiations.

4. MCG Ministers reaffirmed that Forum concerns over the situation in Fiji reflected the underlying values of the Forum, namely the respect for democracy, good governance and the rule of law. The MCG noted the longstanding offer by Forum Leaders to support Fiji’s early return to parliamentary democracy in accordance with the Leaders’ mandates and the Biketawa Declaration, including through the provision of appropriate assistance. MCG Ministers encouraged Fiji to engage Forum members in a detailed dialogue on the types of assistance required to enable it to move forward on its plans as quickly as possible.

5. In his presentation, Fiji’s Foreign Minister advised the MCG of the steps Fiji is undertaking to progress its vision for “A Better Fiji”. The Foreign Minister advised that the Fiji Government has determined a framework supported under the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress; the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009-2014; and the Strategic Framework for Change.

6. MCG Ministers noted the need for concrete steps to restore democracy in Fiji. Ministers strongly encouraged Fiji to restore democracy as soon as possible, noting that a constitutionally elected government is essential to ensuring that necessary steps are taken to build investor confidence and grow the economy. MCG Ministers also noted the continued extension of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER), promulgated on 10 April 2009, expressing concern that the PER is an infringement on the basic human and democratic rights of Fiji citizens.

7. The Fiji Foreign Minister advised that Fiji accepted the 2009 Forum Leaders decision on Fiji. The Foreign Minister confirmed Fiji’s willingness to invite the MCG to visit Fiji in the near future. MCG Ministers warmly welcomed his invitation and indicated such a visit would provide an important opportunity for them to meet with stakeholders in order to appreciate the political, social and economic challenges currently facing Fiji and support its efforts to resume full parliamentary democracy.

8. As requested by Forum Leaders, the MCG also discussed Fiji’s participation in regional trade and economic meetings and agreed to make recommendations to the 2011 Forum Leaders meeting on possible modalities for better engaging Fiji in these discussions. Such recommendations will be conveyed in a report to Leaders from the MCG which will be prepared following their planned visit to Fiji.

Photo Caption: Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu.
 

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

WORLDWIDE: PYASC delegates come together
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

The officials who led their countries at the 2010 Pacific Youth and Sports Conference (PYASC) were brought together again by OFC this month to both reflect on the event and begin planning for this year's conference.

The delegates represented nine Pacific nations - American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Tonga - and used the first day of the two-day course to go over last year's conference and provide feedback on what has happened in their countries since then.

"Some of the countries were awarded special projects after the conference so we needed to get some progress reports about how they will look to implement them," says PYASC CEO and OFC head of social responsibility Franck Castillo, who facilitated the meeting with OFC social responsibility consultant Vania Kenning.

Sylvian Raffard-Artigues, Special Advisor of the Minister of Sport for the New Caledonia government, was also in attendance as a special guest.

A total of 14 projects were awarded funding at the 2010 PYASC, which took place at the TelstraClear Pacific Centre in Manukau, New Zealand from March 15 to 20.

"All the projects will start in March 2011 and the aim is for them to be completed by the end of December," Castillo says. "They are all football-related but use the sport as a tool for social development. Some of them are focused on health, for example the fight against HIV and obesity, while others are about good citizenship, such as showing respect to and helping other people."

The second day of the meeting was devoted to planning for the 2011 PYASC, set to take place at a yet-to-be determined venue in November.

A group brainstorming session was held for the purpose of discussing the objectives, format and content of the next PYASC.

Castillo says having the opportunity to plan the 2011 conference with the heads of delegations was invaluable.

"Last year's conference was the first one and we weren't able to involve the heads of delegations during the planning due to a lack of time. I think it is important for them to now be involved in that part of the process,” he says.

The 2010 PYASC was a huge success and brought together 1000 participants aged 16-25 from around the Pacific region.

Each day during the conference, participants attended seminars, workshops and roundtable sessions where action plans were drawn up based on the theme of the day.

A sports event was held in the middle of the week, where young people were able to burn off energy, make friends and show off their sporting talents. On Friday, participants had a chance to share their action plans with their respective Ministers of Sport, who arrived in time for the OFC-hosted minister's meeting on Saturday.

Following the productive meeting, an awards ceremony was held where funding grants totaling more than $USD 100,000 were awarded to the best action plans drawn up during the week.

Five projects in New Zealand were awarded $NZD 4,000 while four projects in the wider Pacific region were allocated $USD 20,000 each. Another five Pacific region projects were given $USD 4,000 each.

Castillo believes giving the young people of the Pacific the chance to solve some of the problems facing them is a unique opportunity.

“I think it is important that they are able to get together and say, ‘Okay, we have some issues, but we can fight against these issues and this is how we’re going to do it’,” he says.