NEWSPAGE 01 June
2011

(Photo: Human Rights Commission)

NEW ZEALAND: Samoans around the world celebrate their language week

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SAMOA: Agreement strengthens partnership between Pacific and Caribbean
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C’s).

The agreement which was described as the first was signed at the end of the four day Lessons for Future Action Conference in Apia, Samoa.

The signing ceremony was held at the SPREP headquarters and the agreement was signed by the SPREP Director David Sheppard and the 5Cs Executive Director Dr Kenrick Leslie.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Sheppard said both the Pacific and the Caribbean have long agreed that better collaboration is necessary, but concrete action to match the aim has been very limited.

“The MOU will greatly accelerate this process and will enable us to concretely follow up the recommendations of this week’s conference.”

Mr Sheppard said SPREP was honoured to be associated with the 5Cs and noted it is the leading organization in the Caribbean region for climate change, and also a major source of policy advice and guidelines to the Caribbean Community and its member states.

The Director said partnership between the two agencies will be greatly strengthened as a result of the MOU signing today, and the people and governments of both organisations stand to benefit a lot from the synergies and cooperation under the agreement.

Meanwhile speaking to Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) News after the signing, the Director General of the 5Cs Dr Kenrick Leslie said the agreement was an important and an exciting one which brings together the Caribbean and the Pacific region.

“SPREP is a much older institution, and it is doing work in certain areas that we are not at this moment and therefore we want to take the advantage of using their expertise in guiding us in areas we are not at the moment and vice versa - we are doing work in certain areas they are not working on, so we can share with them, said Dr Leslie.

Also under the agreement the Caribbean will for the first time have a joint and side event sponsored by SPREP at the upcoming Conference of the Parties dealing with Climate Change meeting later this year in Durban, South Africa.

Dr Leslie says this will give the Caribbean a greater voice at the upcoming Durban conference (United Nations Framework to the Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Durban at the end of the year).

Photo Caption: (L-R) 5Cs Executive Director Dr Kenrick Leslie and SPREP Director David Sheppard during the signing ceremony at the Future Action Conference in Apia.
 

AUSTRALIA: Calls to keep Torres Strait TB clinics open
Source: The Australian

Australia is at risk of a mutated, virtually untreatable and extra-deadly strain of tuberculosis if it axes TB clinics on the northern border, says an expert.

Justin Waring, the Gillard government's chief adviser on the infectious lung disease, said proposed cuts to treatment services in the Torres Strait could expose the mainland population to a much more serious form of TB.

The clinics on the islands of Saibai and Boigu treat villagers from Papua New Guinea's undeveloped Western Province, who make the trip by dinghy to meet doctors every fortnight.

The villagers are allowed to enter the islands for traditional purposes, which do not theoretically include the treatments, which are understood to cost about $45,000 a patient.

Now the Queensland and federal governments are arguing over the money, with the state arguing it is Canberra's responsibility to provide healthcare to PNG nationals.

The federal government says the Torres Strait is clearly under Queensland's jurisdiction and it is trying to build PNG's medical capacity through AusAID.

Dr Waring applauded the drive for self-sufficiency but warned it could take decades, by which time the disease could mutate into the drug-resistant XDR-TB strain, which is resistant to most treatments. "You're almost returning to 100 years ago when there were no drugs for TB and people were sent off to the mountains to live in sanatoriums," he said.

Coalition regional health spokesman Andrew Laming, a doctor, said the consequences could be "disastrous". "Ceasing these services can lead to multi-drug-resistant TB and the costs to Australia will be far in excess of the resources required to continue frontline treatment," he said.

Torres Strait Regional Authority chairman Toshi Kris warned closing the clinics would only drive sick PNG nationals on to mainland Australia in search of treatment.

Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Fred Gela, who is known for being outspoken about the pressure PNG places on island health services, said the closure was the wrong policy move.

"I thought the Australian government would be a bit smarter than that," he said. "You can't close it down and hope for the best. We know that the services are non-existent on the Western Province side."
 

(Photo: Taimi Media Network)

TONGA: Tonga National Paralympics won 8 medals at the Arafua Games
Source: Taimi Media Network

The Tonga National Paralympics Team returned to the Kingdom last week after successfully competing at the Arafua Games in Darwin, Australia.

They arrived with 4 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze, a great achievement for the team of 5 athletes, Sione Mafi Manu (2 gold, 2 silver), ‘Aisea Filiai (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), Tevita Kiteau, ‘Alo’alo Liku and Albert Himes Liutai, along with the Chef De Mission Silongo Fakasi’i’eiki and the Team Coach, Tevita Faioso Vake.

In a Press Conference yesterday, Digicel in collaboration with the Tonga National Paralympics Committee celebrate the success of the Team Qualification Round in Darwin.

“We are humble and delighted with their flabbergasted success and hard work which surpassed our expectation and makes Tonga proud,” says Paul Stafford the CEO for Digicel Tonga.

Digicel Tonga provided financial support for accommodations, transportation and other necessary items to the National Paralympics Team while competing in Darwin.

“Today we celebrate the success of the members of the Tongan National Paralympics Team for the Arafua Games in Darwin. 8 medals is a wonderful achievement, and we are proud to have been a part of the journey of these athletes. We will continue our support of Tonga’s tradition of sporting involvement and look forward to their involvement in the Paralympics bid in London in 2012.”

The achievement by these 5 athletes make this team the best that Tonga has sends out Internationally according to Viliami from the National Committee.

“The last team they only have one gold,” says Viliami, “but this is a great improvement and development and we thank Digicel for their support.”

He went on to say that it’s a privileged to have the support of Digicel Tonga for their trip to the Arafua Games, and the Qualifying Round for the Paralympics Games held in London in January, 2012 is a dream come true for the athletes who have been training very hard to reach this goal.

“This is the 3rd year in a row that I’ve represented Tonga Internationally, and it’s the best year so far of my career,” says athlete Sione Mafi Manu who won 2 gold and 2 silver for his shot put and javelin.

The Tonga National Paralympics Committee are now continuing their hard work in training their team for the next Arafua Games before going on to the London Game 2010, but before that they are looking forward to having a local competition not only in Tongatapu but in the outer Islands also.

Photo Caption: The CEO of Digicel Tonga Paul Stafford with the National Paralympics Team, Chef De Mission, Coach and members of the Committee.

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Tanna movement revived
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

A strong movement on Tanna in the 1970s that has been dormant has now been revived and registered as a charitable organisation.

This movement is called the Forcona Movement and the President, Tom Kuahi, says they have representation on all corners of Tanna island.
Kuahi who came to Daily Post with Chief George Kouras are from Middle Bush area.

But unlike the visions of the movement in the past, the new generation who revived it say it is now purely for the benefit of Tanna people in terms of community projects such as water projects.

One of its principles is to protect the tradition and culture of the island.

Mr Kuahi said the movement is also recognised outside of Vanuatu, which is why they have registered the organisation to channel any assistance that goes into the organisation from donors.

It was first formed in the 1970s under the foundation of the John Frum Movement but now its principles have changed, Kuahi said.
He confirmed that the movement is not involved in politics but the chiefs and their people will choose the political party they see fit to support when the time for such decision arrives.

“Those who initiated this project were Tom Mailes in East Tanna, Nukuwn in South, Sasen Ierongen in North, and Nakou Nhiau in West Tanna.
“We registered the organisation with prior consultation to all leaders of the movement on Tanna,” Kuahi said.

Photo Caption: Chief Kouras (left) and President of the Movement Kuahi showing the registration certificate.

WORLDWIDE: Report on Pacific Urban Youth to be launched
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

One in five Pacific Islanders is a youth, representing two million individuals. Youth have a great potential as they transition to adulthood to drive economic development and contribute to society. However more can be done to support youths in fulfilling this potential.

The Forum Regional Security Committee (FSRC) has expressed concern about the involvement of a small but increasing number of urban youth in crime and violence and acknowledges that the region can work towards building the resilience of young people.

A report has been produced in response to this concern. The report “Urban Youth in the Pacific - Increasing Resilience and Reducing Risk for Involvement in Crime and Violence,” covers issues like what factors push Pacific youth to become involved in crime and violence and what can be done to reduce the risk and increase the resilience of young people. The report highlights good policies and activities that address youth crime and violence.

The report will be jointly launched by the Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Andie Fong Toy and the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Knut Ostby on Thursday, June 2 at the Forum Secretariat Fale from 5.30 pm. Youth representatives will also speak at the event.

“Urban Youth in the Pacific - Increasing Resilience and reducing Risk for Involvement in Crime and Violence,” has been produced jointly by UNDP Pacific Centre and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Pacific Youth Council, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The launch is being held in conjunction with the Forum Regional Security Committee (FRSC) meeting being held at the Forum Secretariat from 3-4th June 2011.