NEWSPAGE 27 July
2011

(Photos: 4pr)

NEW ZEALAND: Foreign Minister Hon Murray McCully pledges support to Niue tourism

(Photos: Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands)

SAMOA: Photo exhibition highlights Samoa’s contribution to Pacific mission
Source: Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands / Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture Joint Press Release

A photographic exhibition is set to showcase the history and achievements of one of the Pacific’s biggest success stories, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), to which Samoa has been an important contributor.

The exhibition, RAMSI: A history in pictures, will open in Apia as part of a tour of the Pacific region. It covers the history and progress achieved by RAMSI in partnership with the Solomon Islands - and the people, places and events that have shaped this unique regional mission since it commenced in Samoa’s Pacific neighbour of Solomon Islands in 2003.

The free exhibition will be on show at the Museum of Samoa from 26 July, and features a wide range of spectacular images from across the Solomon Islands, including many from the initial period of weapons being surrendered, the arrest of key militants and the riots that shook the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara, in 2006.

The exhibition also charts the progress that has been made in Solomon Islands in areas including the strengthening of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, the fight against corruption, and the rebuilding of the Solomon Islands economy. The exhibition includes separate presentations on the 15 countries that make up RAMSI, including many of the 100 Samoans that have served with RAMSI since 2003.

Special Coordinator of RAMSI, Nicholas Coppel, said the exhibition was a tribute to the true Pacific spirit displayed by the thousands of civilians, police and military personnel from across the region who have supported the Mission and its work in Solomon Islands over the past eight years.

“RAMSI: A history in pictures is a tribute to the thousands of men and women from across the Pacific who have served with RAMSI over the past eight years,” said Mr Coppel. “Their work has helped to make Solomon Islands future a great deal brighter.”

CEO of the Ministry of Education Sports & Culture, Galumalemana Nu’ufou Petaia, said the RAMSI exhibition was an opportunity for Samoans to learn more about the work that police and civilians from their nation had been doing in Solomon Islands, and to learn more about an important period in the recent history of the Pacific.

“This impressive exhibition is an outstanding opportunity to reflect on the enormous contribution Samoa has made in assisting a neighbour in need,” Ms Petaia said. “And this is also a great chance for Samoans of all ages to learn more about one of the biggest successes of our region.”

Photo Caption: RAMSI: A history in pictures will be on display at the Museum of Samoa from Tuesday 26 July until Friday 26 August. Admission is free.

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega announces over $1m in HUD grant funds available
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has announced that $1,485,137 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grants, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program has been made available to American Samoa from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Within the funds made available, American Samoa will receive:

- $1,133,433 in Community Development Block Grants
- $51,807 in Emergency Shelter Grants
- $299,897 for the HOME Investment Partnerships


Community Development Block Grants

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD.

CDBG is an important tool that helps local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. A grantee must develop and follow a detailed plan that provides for and encourages citizen participation. This integral process emphasizes participation by persons of low or moderate income, and particularly residents of areas in which the grantee proposes to use CDBG funds. The plan must provide citizens with the following: reasonable and timely access to local meetings; an opportunity to review proposed activities and program performance; provide for timely written answers to written complaints and grievances.

Over a 1, 2, or 3-year period, as selected by the grantee, not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. In addition, each activity must meet one of the following national objectives for the program: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address urgent community development needs related to serious or immediate threats to the health or welfare of communities that lack access to other funding sources.


Emergency Shelter Grants

The Emergency Shelter Grants program provides basic shelter and essential supportive services for the homeless as well as homeless prevention assistance to persons at imminent risk of losing their own housing due to eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoffs. It can assist with the operational costs of the shelter facility, and for the administration of the grant.

Grantees, which are state governments, large cities, urban counties, and U.S. territories, receive ESG grants and make these funds available to eligible recipients, which can be either local government agencies or private nonprofit organizations.

ESG funds are available for the rehabilitation or remodeling of a building used as a new shelter, operations and maintenance of the facility, essential supportive services (i.e., case management, physical and mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, childcare, etc.), homeless prevention, and grant administration.


HOME Investment Program

The HOME Investment Program is the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Each year the HOME Program allocates approximately $2 billion to the States and hundreds of localities nationwide. The program was designed to reinforce several important values and principles of community development.

Of particular importance to American Samoa is HOME's flexibility. This principle empowers people and communities to design and implement strategies tailored to their own needs and priorities. HOME also provides formula grants that communities often use in partnership with local nonprofit groups to fund a wide range of activities such as rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership and providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. Also to note is HOME’s emphasis on consolidated planning which expands and strengthens partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector.

HOME funds are awarded annually as formula grants to participating jurisdictions. HUD establishes HOME Investment Trust Funds for each grantee, providing a line of credit that the jurisdiction may draw upon as needed. The program's flexibility allows States and local governments to use HOME funds for grants, direct loans, loan guarantees or other forms of credit enhancement, or rental assistance or security deposits.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in Congress and President Obama for securing funding for these essential community programs. I would also like to commend HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan for his commitment to strengthening our communities through effective implementation and continuation of these grants,” Faleomavaega stated.

“I also would like to thank our local community leaders’ efforts in serving our communities on the grass roots level. These funds are meaningless without dedicated servants to go out into the field and implement quality programs and services. Thank you for your hard work and service to our people,” the Congressman concluded.
 

(Photo: University of the South Pacific)

FIJI: SPICTEX opens at University of the South Pacific
Source: University of the South Pacific
 

The South Pacific Information and Communications Technology Exposition (SPICTEX) was officially opened at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus in Suva on 20 July 2011.

The inaugural four-day ICT expo, which was opened by the Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Mrs Saipora Mataikabara, is expected to benefit the stakeholders in the Information and Communication sectors.

Being the first of its kind for Fiji and the region, SPICTEX is an initiative of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) at USP, in partnership with the Government of Fiji and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The major objectives of SPICTEX were to establish links between the industries and regional educational institutes, create greater ICT awareness, showcase the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre and provide information to the general public about ICT and its influence in the society.

In welcoming the guests, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Regional Campuses), Dr Esther Williams extended USP’s sincere gratitude to the Governments of Fiji and Japan and JICA for their cooperation and assistance towards the expo.

Highlighting the important role ICT plays in the lives of people, Dr Williams said that, “it is revolutionizing what we do and how we live.”

She explained that USP has been involved in the development of ICT since its establishment in 1968, largely because it serves 12 member countries. This, Dr Williams stated is possible through a sophisticated network called the USPNET, which is used to reach out to students throughout the great Pacific Ocean.

She added that the establishment of the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre at USP continues to expand the University’s role as a leader in ICT education and research for the region.

Speaking at the opening of SPICTEX, Mrs Mataikabara reiterated the importance of ICT as a tool that empowers people in businesses and also in domestic livelihoods.

“The ICT sector is an economic driver. It provides a cross sectional linkage to productive services and improves the living standards of people by connecting them to the rest of the world,” she said.

She acknowledged the role of the Japan Pacific ICT Centre in promoting regional ICT capabilities through training and providing incubation services for ICT businesses.

According to Mrs Mataikabara, the role of educational institutes like USP is totally critical in training students on the use of ICT at the national and regional levels.

She described some of the recent developments in the ICT sector in Fiji which include: the liberalization of the telecommunications sector; introduction of the ICT Levy which will be used for funding infrastructure developments for rolling out services to the un-serviced rural population; the establishment of the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji - an independent regulator of the telecommunications sector and the formulation of the Crimes Decree of 2010 to address any cyber crime related offenses.

Mrs Mataikabara pointed out that while ICT development remains a challenge for the region due to the small population size and isolated locations, there are opportunities for regional cooperation for ICT development.

The exposition also included symposiums on ‘Regional ICT Issues’, ‘ICT in Education’ and ‘ICT in Business’, panel discussions on ‘Cyber Security’ and ‘Business Incubation’, essay and drawing competitions, computer quizzes and Lego Robotic competitions for school students as well as product and service exhibitions by ICT companies.
 

Photo Caption: The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Mrs Saipora Mataikabara gives her address at the opening of SPICTEX 2011.

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

NEW CALEDONIA: Cagous face tough title defence
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release
 

Defending champions New Caledonia are targeting their sixth Pacific Games title this year but know hanging onto their crown will be far from straightforward when the tournament kicks off next month.

The hosts have been placed in a strong-looking Group A with Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Tuvalu, and face one of their most challenging matches first up in the form of a youthful yet talented Vanuatu side.

Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, both football-mad nations that produce plenty of skillful players, will be New Caledonia's main rivals for a place in the group's top two - and the semi-final berth that comes with it - but non-OFC member Guam is an unknown quantity and could prove capable of raising a few eyebrows.

American Samoa and Tuvalu are the underdogs of the group but New Caledonia are well aware of the threat posed by such sides after struggling against Tuvalu in the 2007 Games, finally beating them 1-0 thanks to an Iamel Kabeu goal.

Cagous coach Christophe Coursimault is certainly in no mood to take anyone lightly and feels his players must focus equally on the opponents ahead of them.

"It's a very tough group, including two strong teams in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands," he says. "But we must also give attention to all the other teams because it is certain that everyone will play all their cards and each match will be difficult."

Endurance will play a massive role in the tournament as the teams are scheduled to play almost every second day across the two weeks of action.

"Recovery between matches will be crucial," Coursimault says.

He will make sure his men are ready for the gruelling nature of the competition by taking them for a one-week training camp in Australia just prior to the Games. The Cagous will be away from August 13 to 21 and will take on A-League club Gold Coast United on two occasions during that time.

The Fédération Caledonienne de Football has a good relationship with Gold Coast and the national side has faced the Queensland-based team in a handful of matches over the last couple of years.

Miron Bleiberg's side will offer ideal opposition in the build-up to the Games as they are a fully-professional outfit and will expose the New Caledonia players to a high level of football.

The 2011 Cagous crop has impressive boots to fill after their predecessors marched to the title four years ago in Samoa without losing a match.

A vital 1-0 win over francophone rivals Tahiti kickstarted their campaign and further successes followed against Tuvalu and Cook Islands before group play was wrapped up with a 1-1 draw against eventual runners-up Fiji.

The Cagous then posted a 3-2 win over Solomon Islands in a highly-entertaining semi-final and earned their fifth title thanks to a 1-0 win over Fiji in the final.


New Caledonia schedule for XIV Pacific Games

August 27
New Caledonia vs Vanuatu

August 30
Guam vs New Caledonia

September 1
Tuvalu vs New Caledonia

September 3
New Caledonia vs American Samoa

September 5
Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia

September 7
First semi-final
Second semi-final

September 9
3rd/4th play-off
Final
 

Photo Caption: Hosts New Caledonia will have to be at their best to earn a second successive Pacific Games title.

(Photo: International Union for Conservation of Nature)

WORLDWIDE: "Economy must go green to ensure sustainability" says Saumatua
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature Press Release

In opening the 14th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRNC) yesterday (July 26, 2011) in Lami, Fiji, Colonel Samuela Saumatua the Minister for Urban Development, Housing, Local Government and Environment of Fiji emphasized the need for Pacific economies to go green if the region is to ensure its economic viability.

Responding to the existing global pressure to change the current sustainability pattern, in which the economy, environment and social pillars function almost independently to each other, Colonel Saumatua said that the Green Economy concept, if adopted, “holds out much promise” for the region “to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication”.

The Green Economy concept, proposed as one of two significant themes of discussions in next year’s UN Conference on Sustainable Development, promises to fully incorporate the environmental and the social agenda into the current economic discussions.

The Green Economy encourages the economy and environment to work as mutually supportive partners and not as competitors.

“Given the high dependency of Pacific Islands on their natural environment, with commodities such as fisheries, timber and tourism dominating many national economies, it would therefore make sense to invest in a green economy, said Colonel Saumatua.

Taholo Kami, Chair of the PIRNC and Regional Director of IUCN Oceania, noted that the Pacific “may not have a choice” when it comes to greening the economy. “For us, without our environment and unique societies, we have little else to offer to the global market”

"wenty years after the first Rio meeting in 1992, the world is facing the consequences of ignoring the principles of sustainable development. Today to deal with the consequences, we need a green economy approach”.

In response, the Program Manager of the Islands Ecosystems Program at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Chape said “we do indeed need a different economic paradigm” but adds that it is not necessarily a new paradigm.

“The ’green economy’ or the ’blue/green economy’ is a repackaging of the principles that we have known for decades that must be put into practice if we are to make sustainable development a reality”.

The Green Economy discussions, including environmental conservation activities undertaken under the PIRNC strategy, continue this week in Lami, Fiji.

Photo Caption: Minister for Urban Development, Housing, Local Government and Environment of Fiji, Colonel Samuela Saumatua delivering his address at the opening of 14th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation.