NEWSPAGE 09 September
2011

(Photo: Creative New Zealand)

(Photo: Lani Wendt Young)

SAMOA: Funds distributed from the sale of the book 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi'
Source: Lani Wendt Young

“This is a blessing for us at a very sad time, thank you so much.” These were the words of Faletaulupe Lui of Saleaumua on Friday 2nd of September, as she gratefully accepted her monetary gift from the sale profits of the book 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi'.

Two years ago, author Lani Wendt Young interviewed Faletaulupe and her elderly mother Suliane about their tsunami survivor story. “Both women were so welcoming of me and generously shared their 29/09 experiences. Suliane was over 95yrs old and so I was particularly interested in speaking with her about her recollections of previous historical tsunami events in the area.”

In October 2010, Lani returned to Saleaumua to gift the family with their complimentary copies of the book and once again, was able to visit with Faletaulupe and her mother. “To be able to give survivors a copy of the book that contained their story was the most personally rewarding part of this project. People had entrusted their stories to a complete stranger, not knowing whether a book would really happen. Many people were moved to tears when they were able to see their experiences recorded in a book that has an international audience. I’m grateful to the Australian Govt Aid program that funded the printing of the books, making it possible for us to give away over 200 copies to survivors and rescuers in Samoa and American Samoa.”

As originally envisioned by Mr Joe Keil - the owner and editor of the book - the purpose of the project was “to ensure that a record was made of the disaster and any profits from the books sale were to be given back to those survivors who featured in the book.”

It has been a year since 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi' was launched and Lani has spent the last two days, travelling to Aleipata and Falealili districts, giving over sixty different families a monetary gift. Mr Keil explained, “We have not yet sold all the 5,000 books but we wanted to give people a mealofa on the tsunami anniversary month, something that could be helpful for their families as they continue to rebuild their lives. Hopefully next year as book sales continue, we will again be able to do something similar.”

People were pleasantly surprised to receive the money. Tina Niusila of Saleapaga said, “I never expected this money. I was so happy to get my copy of the book last year and I share it with my family. It’s very important that we have a record like this, I never want my children to forget these things that happened.” 9yrold Perota Susuga of Saleapaga was the youngest person interviewed for the book and he was thrilled to also be remembered with his envelope. Lotolua Niumatapele of Lepa said, “I treasure my copy of the book because it’s a valuable record for all of us. I encourage everyone to read it and I even lent my book to the principal of our village school so that she could share it with the students.”

Lani is now based in New Zealand and she appreciated the opportunity to travel to Samoa and meet again with families she had interviewed for the book. It was a bittersweet visit with Faletaulupe’s family though as they were preparing for a funeral - Suliane died on Sunday last week, passing away peacefully in her sleep. Lani said, “I was sorry to have missed seeing Suliane again and I’m glad that the book project is able to help her family in some small way at this sad time.”

Photo Caption: Faletaulupe with her mother Suliane, Saleaumua back in 2009.
 

(Photo: Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre)

AUSTRALIA: Marketi, food, arts and crafts, exhibitions, theatre and more

Following on from the success of Body Pacifica in 2010, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is proud to present Niu Warrior.

The Niu Warrior program is composed of exhibitions, performances, workshops and special events created by a selection of artists from the Pacific Rim.

Niu Warrior identifies these artists as ‘modern warriors’, using art to promote inter-personal and cross-cultural understanding, reconciliation, bravery and leadership. Modern warriors stand in direct contrast to behaviours of violence, alienation, colonialism and racism.

An essential element aspect of the Niu Warrior program is the inclusion of urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists who through their own sophisticated art practices embrace the progress of cultural understanding.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people of the Pacific Rim share with Pacific Islanders an affinity with the natural resources of the land. This is a basic tenant of respect that our cultures accord with each other.


NIU WARRIOR EXHIBITIONS

Who:
All ages

Where:
Casula Powerhouse Galleries

When:
24 September - 4 December 2011

Exhibition opening times:
Monday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Cost:
Free

Info:
Phone (02) 9824 1121


Pacifica: The Art of War - 10 Pacific war objects selected from the Australian Museum Pacific collection. Artists Tevita Havea and Dion Hortsmans respond to the Australian Museum Selection chosen by curator Leo Tanoi.
[Hopper Gallery]

Niu Warrior - Frank Puletua Photographic exhibition of emerging Pacific players from the National Rugby League.
[Turbine Hall Gallery]

Urban Warrior - Travis Grace, Photographic tribute to Su’a Suluape Petelo one of Samoa’s finest traditional Samoan Tattooist.
[Studio 1 Hall]

Noble Savage - Greg Semu, photography and exploration of the warrior.
[Marsden Gallery]

Kilikiti - Exhibition of Samoan Cricket bats from the local Sydney Samoa Community.
[Turbine Hall South]

Hope and Peace - A selection of Brook Andrew works from Penrith Regional Galleries exhibition Hope and Peace.
[Marsden Gallery]

Inner City Aboriginal Kids - Aboriginal kids from the city exhibit their photographic works
Supported by Travis Grace.
[Kids Gallery]

Mau-Samoa Independence movement - Photographic exhibition of the ‘Mau’ Samoa’s independence movement.
[Turbine Hall North]

Niu Tube Project - Warriors once fought for their culture with weapons and war. Today, culture is represented a different way - spears and shields have been replaced with paintbrushes, laptops, mics and decks. Who is your Niu Warrior? What do they have to say about your culture and what is their medium of communication? Are they a rapper, an artist, a community worker? Upload your ideas about culture and representation at our quick-capture YouTube station.

[Pacific Corner]

Niu Pasifik Warriors - 50 Artists works from the Pacific rim. Curated by Giles Peterson. Giles shares with us his Pacific rim collection which he has travelled throughout the Pacific and America. This exhibition expands on Giles exhibition ‘Niu Pasifik’ idea and combines another level of curatorial by now looking at these artists as ‘Niu Warriors’.
[Switch Gallery]


EDUCATION

Talking pacific projects curatorial talk, Sunday 25 September 2011, 11am - 4pm. Entry FREE, bookings essential.


THEATRE

Maori Battalion - This breathtaking production is based on a true story called, ‘Our Journey to the Other Side of the World’. The story attempts to bring to life the experiences of Edison Te Kanae Wineera of D Company, a direct descendant of the Maori chief Te Rauparaha. Edison, like many of his comrades served in the New Zealand Armed forces under the mantle of the 28th Maori Battalion. Tickets $30

Reach - A musical based on a true story, Reach spins an intricate web of truth, love and loss. Delving into the blackest depths of grief and sorrow, the show delivers an honest glimpse into how Young People deal with some of the harsh realities of life. Tickets $25

(Photo: United Nations Development Programme)

KIRIBATI: UN chief, Kiribati leader warn over climate change threat to Pacific Islands 
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release
 

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, today stressed that climate change posed the most serious threat to the livelihoods, security and survival of the island nation's residents and the inhabitants of the wider Pacific region, saying the phenomenon was undermining efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Both leaders reaffirmed the need for urgent international action to reduce emissions of the harmful greenhouse gases and underlined the need make climate change adaptation funding available to finance the implementation of critical programmes to tackle the impact of climate change on communities there.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Tong highlighted the vulnerabilities and development needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), emphasizing the importance of “enhanced coherence, coordination and responsiveness” in support of those countries.

They also took note of measures undertaken by Kiribati, including mangrove forest management, major biodiversity conservation initiatives such as the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, water resource management and efforts to enhance coastal resilience.

Mr. Tong welcomed the first ever visit by a UN Secretary-General to Kiribati and expressed his gratitude forMr. Ban's ongoing efforts to galvanize the world to address climate change.

Mr. Ban congratulated Mr. Tong for his active participation in the multilateral efforts to address climate change, particularly by promoting dialogue among Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Secretary-General acknowledged the value of initiatives like the Tarawa Climate Change Conference, organized by Kiribati in November last year ahead of the the Cancún Climate Change Conference in Mexico.

During Mr. Ban's two-day visit to Kiribati, he also met separately with the Speaker of Parliament, Taomati Iuta, and leader of the opposition, Rimeta Beniamina.

Discussions during those meetings also focused on the challenges and consequences of climate change. Mr. Ban said he would report to world leaders about his experience of the effects of climate change and urged the two officials to do more to tackle the phenomenon.

The Secretary-General also emphasized the importance he attached to raising the status of women and empowering them, including through appointment to senoir positions.

Mr. Ban also had a meeting with Amberoti Nikora, the Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development, as well as local communities, and spoke at length with villagers, including children, about their fears and concerns over the effects of climate change on their low-lying island.

At the end of his visit, Mr. Ban and joined President Tong and young islanders to plant mangroves on a beach at Stewart Causeway to help protect the area from the effects of rising sea level.

He told reporters that planting of mangroves is one of the cheapest and surest way to protect coastal environments.

“Planting mangroves may be simple and may not [seem] much. But it even helps the economy. It generates some income,” said Mr. Ban. “Planting mangroves gives us a good lesson that if you care, if we care, for nature we will be better off in making this Planet Earth more environmentally hospitable, environmentally sustainable,” he added.

Responding to a reporter's question, the Secretary-Genera described Kiribati as being at the “front of the frontlines” on climate change. “I have seen for myself the real threats that are impacting on people. People are afraid of their own future, particularly young people,” he said.

“I am urging world leaders to act now. The high tide shows that it is high time to act. I was so surprised to see the impact of these high tides, inundating these villages and roads. That can be prevented if we act now.

“We have to live with nature, but if we use our wisdom and act now we can live harmoniously with nature. That's the message which I will carry to the United Nations General Assembly, I will carry to Durban negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December, I will carry to Rio+20 summit next year,” the Secretary-General added.

Photo Caption: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is arrives in Tarawa, Kiribati to a cultural welcoming ceremony and traditional blessing by elders.
 

USA: United States, SPC and SPREP sign climate adaptation partnership agreement
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release

The United States Government yesterday formally joined forces with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to advance climate change adaptation. These partnerships are part of a larger USD 21 million ‘fast start’ finance commitment made by the US for a climate change adaptation programme for Pacific Small Island Developing States.

Welcoming the formal commitment to partnership, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Director-General of SPC said, ‘This support from the United States is ground-breaking. It represents a new partnership approach to working with regional organisations that will help bring together many aspects of support aimed at complementing and strengthening the capacity of the participating countries to respond to the challenges of climate change.’

David Sheppard, SPREP Director, also welcomed the US support, which he said would make a major contribution to helping Pacific Island countries adapt to climate change. He noted ‘This support will focus on the priorities identified by countries, with a particular emphasis on building local capacity.’

Through these partnerships, the United States, SPC and SPREP will strengthen the capacity of countries and communities in the Pacific Islands to improve food security and water security, and protect critical ecosystems. The partnerships will also help these countries access information about climate impacts to enable more effective and sustainable decision-making in the face of climate change. The partnerships were announced at a formal signing ceremony at the margins of the Pacific Island Forum and Post-Forum Dialogue, where representatives from the US Department of State and US Agency for International Development were joined by representatives from SPC and SPREP.

Thomas R. Nides, Deputy Secretary of State, US Department of State said, ‘The United States recognises that climate change poses a significant threat to the development and security of Pacific Islands. We have prioritised efforts to expand US bilateral and multilateral adaptation assistance and are committed to helping Pacific Small Island Developing States adapt to the impacts of climate change.’

Rainfall changes and extreme weather events have the potential to cause heightened food security challenges for small island states in coming decades. As a result, the US and SPC have partnered to strengthen food security among communities in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The US and SPREP have partnered to improve the ability of communities in Kiribati to address the impact of climate change on water resources and help Kiribati’s Ministry of Health integrate adaptation into national health planning and policies. They will also work together to promote healthy ecosystems in Solomon Islands.

The US will manage the $21 million programme through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which will open an office in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, this year.

According to Nisha Biswal, Assistant Administrator, ‘USAID is committed to the success of these programmes. As the implementing US government agency, USAID looks forward to collaborating with SPC and SPREP to combat the climate adaptation challenges of the Pacific Islands.’

Last year, US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, announced the $21 million US ‘fast start’ finance assistance for Pacific small island states over two years (2010−2011). The funding is a part of a larger commitment from the US to work with developed country partners to provide ‘fast start’ financing from 2010 to 2012 and was included in the negotiated packages agreed to at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen and Cancun.

Dr Rodgers said many of the projected impacts of climate change would be pronounced in small islands. ‘Climate change will touch the lives of people living on these islands on a regular basis. For them it is about how food security can be sustained, how health is protected, how education is enhanced, how the water supply is safeguarded, how coastal areas are protected, how human settlements are climate proofed and how the impact of high water surges and flooding can be reduced.

(Photo: Pacific Games Council)

VANUATU: Vanuatu to host 2017 Pacific Mini Games‎
Source: Saipan Tribune

The CNMI missed hosting the 2017 Mini Games after losing to Vanuatu in the second round of selection during the Pacific Games general assembly in New Caledonia.

The Commonwealth drew only nine votes against Vanuatu's 13, giving the latter another chance to host the Mini Games. Vanuatu hosted the quadrennial meet for the first time in 1993. The CNMI has never hosted the Mini Games and was hoping the voting members of the Pacific Games Association will lean toward the country that has never hosted the competition.

Nauru was also entered in the battle for the hosting rights of the 2017 Mini Games, but bowed out in the first round of selection after getting only six votes. The CNMI and Vanuatu were in a deadlock with eight votes apiece.

Twelve of the 22 votes are needed for the majority win in the first round of election, but since neither the CNMI nor Vanuatu got it, a second round of selection was required. In the tiebreaker, Vanuatu gained the nod of the voting members.

Before the selection of the host for the Mini Games, Nauru, the CNMI, and Vanuatu were given 30 minutes each to present their respective bids. Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association president Michael White represented the CNMI in the selection and some members of the bid committee were there for the presentation. Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was also present at the assembly to back up the Commonwealth's bid.

Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) Antoine Boudler led the winning bid's presentation.

In Vanuatu's bid, it is offering 14 sports against the CNMI's 11. Vanuatu has listed athletics, beach volleyball, football, golf, rugby, table tennis, weight lifting, archery, boxing, cricket, judo, karate, and netball. The CNMI did not offer rugby, netball, and cricket, which a lot of nations in Melanesia and Polynesia play.

Vanuatu plans to hold the 2017 Mini Games in the last two weeks of August until early September and will have to totally renovate the Korman Sports Complex, which will be the main venue for the Games. Vanuatu is expected to built a couple more facilities and has estimated the cost of hosting the Games to more than $30 million.