NEWSPAGE 12 March
2012

(Photo: Jessi Mee)

SAMOA: Samoan Government Press Release‏
Source: Samoan Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Maurin Sitorus appointed to sign credit agreement
Cabinet has appointed Maurin Sitorus as Samoa’s representative to the Board of the Asian Development Bank, for the purpose of signing the credit agreement between Samoa and ADB.

This credit agreement is to finalise a USD16 million loan under the ADB’s Economic Recovery Support Program - Subprogram 2, set to bolster Samoa’s economy.

Negotiations for this credit agreement between the Government and ADB were held on the 14th - 16th September 2011.

600,000.00 SAT given to Weightlifting Federation
Cabinet has approved 600,000 SAT for the Samoa Weightlifting Federation to host the international weightlifting tournament, the Oceania Region of the Commonwealth countries scheduled for 22-26 May 2012.

The Association is expecting Samoa to have a handsome number of medals. This tournament will also be the Continental Qualifiers for the Olympic Games 2012 in London.

Roadworking contracts awarded to four companies.
Cabinet has approved Contracts awarded to the following companies for various roadworks on Upolu.

Tenders were invited through advertisements and seven companies submitted applications for the contracts. The applications were assessed by the Tender Evaluation Panel, tasked with ensuring the interested bidders met all the necessary criteria. After assessment by the Tenders Board, its recommendation was submitted before Cabinet for the final decision.

Hon. Minister for Justice to travel to Brisbane
Cabinet has approved travel for the Hon. Minister for Justice, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, to attend the 2012 Pacific Leadership Program to be held in Brisbane, Australia from the 12-16 March 2012.

The Hon. Minister will attend the Symposium from 12-15 March before participating in the Advisory Panel meeting on the 16th March 2012.

The Hon. Minister will also undertake a medical check-up in New Zealand following the meeting in Australia.

Hon. Minister of Education to travel to Brisbane
Cabinet has approved the attendance of the Hon. Minister of Education, Magele Mauiliu Magele, at the Symposium for the 2012 Pacific Leadership Program, to be held in Brisbane, Australia from 13-15 March 2012.

The theme of the Symposium will be ‘Building Leadership Effectiveness: Adapting Leadership Practice to Drive Change’. This program is an Australian Government initiative recognizing the pivotal role of leadership at all levels in a nation’s development path.

All travel and accommodation costs are to be covered by the Australian Government.
 

(Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: HIPICC Makes Service Learning Site Visit to ASCC

Two representatives from the University of Hawaii Service Learning Program, Executive Director Atina Pascua and State Network Director Denise Pierson, visited American Samoa last week to make site visits and observe the many Service Learning projects integrated into the curriculum at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC). “I would rate the success of Service Learning at ASCC very highly,” said Pascua, “given that the number of participating faculty is way above the national average.” ASCC first integrated Service Learning into its curriculum in 1997, and by 2008 it had been incorporated, formally or informally, into 44% of its courses.

Service Learning, which follows the simple concept that the instructors can reinforce the learning experience by incorporating some component of service to the community, takes a myriad of forms at ASCC. Teacher Education Department act as substitute instructors at Pavai’ai Elementary School when the regular teachers call in sick. Samoan Studies Institute students interview elderly persons within their own villages, especially those with special cultural knowledge, and later compile these interviews for publication. Students from the Business Department assist members of the public with filing their income tax. Service Learning options do not replace regular classroom instruction, but rather supplement with it with real life experience that reinforces the course content. Instructors incorporate it as an option rather than a requirement, but given the Samoan natural tendency towards “tautua” or service, many students at ASCC enjoy participating in Service Learning opportunities.

The main link between ASCC and the nationwide Service Learning network is the Hawaii Pacific Islands Campus Compact (HIPICC), with which the UH Service Learning Program is also affiliated. HIPICC, a member of National Campus Compact, is an organization of college and university presidents in Hawaii and the US Pacific territories established to enhance the links between their respective colleges and universities and their local communities. HIPICC member colleges, with significant support from the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) and the National Science Foundation, have recently increased their emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career and degree pathways in calculus, life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, technology, and health sciences.

With this recent trend among HIPICC member institutions, Pascua explained that most HIPICC funding for Service Learning now focuses on projects that fulfill STEM criteria. “Although we support and encourage all types of service learning at ASCC, we are working on growing the amount of STEM outreach because we need to increase the number of students interested in pursuing degrees in math, science, and technology,” she said. “This new emphasis on increasing science-related opportunities for students in real life situations, while they simultaneously help their communities, is intended to provide them with exposure to career possibilities they might not have considered before.”

HIPICC has been awarded a Learn and Serve America grant for 2010-2013 through the CNCS. This three-year grant is renewable upon successful completion of each year. Through the Oceanic EcosySTEM program, HIPICC has made funding is available for campus-based sub-grants to support civic engagement and service learning programs in schools and communities in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. ASCC Marine Science Coordinator Kelly Anderson Tagarino has taken the initiative to coordinate internship opportunities with a number of local environmental agencies, and has successfully submitted a funding proposal to Oceanic EcosySTEM. “It’s structured to provide modest stipends for students working with community partners on scientific projects that benefit the community,” explained Tagarino. “All of the internship opportunities relate to science, with some having heavier math or engineering components.” Community partners in this effort include the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the American Samoa Coastal Management Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Regional Office, Sea Grant and ASCC Marine Science.

When asked about the highlights of her trip, Pascua said these included “reconnecting with the many wonderful faculty that teach Service Learning courses and have continued their good work for many years, hearing from the Administration about how much Service Learning has contributed to the success of the students at ASCC, as well as meeting the new faculty and learning about their plans to incorporate it. Most of all we enjoyed hearing from the students about the adventures and opportunities they are having taking courses that have a Service Learning component.”

For more information on Service Learning at ASCC, contact Service Learning Coordinator Mrs. Elisapeta Fa’alafi-Jones at 699-9155.

Photo: University of Hawaii Service Learning Program representatives Denise Pierson and Atina Pascua (front row, second and third left) join ASCC administrators and faculty at a luncheon in their honor last week. Front (left to right): Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Irene Helsham, Pierson, Pascua, Service Learning Coordinator Mrs. Elisapeta Fa'alafi-Jones. Back: (left to right) ASCC faculty Kuki Tuiasosopo, Dr. Faofua Fa'atoafe, Tamari Cheung, Forangel Calumpang and Larry Purcell.
 

COOK ISLANDS: Cook Islands Day success at Te Papa
Source: voxy.co.nz

Despite the "weather bomb" causing gale force winds in Wellington on Saturday, the sun was shining inside Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, when Cook Islanders spread their magic for a special Cook Islands Day event.

Cook Islands Day at Te Papa featured cultural entertainment, special guest presentations and creative stall holders, drawing record crowds of 6,500 visitors in a single day.

Entertainment from Rakahanga Manihiki Band provided an uplifting atmosphere with the island drums beating away the "weather bomb" blues, along with their ukuleles, guitars and chants, captivating large audiences throughout the day.

The TAV fashion show presented by, Ellena Tavioni, was a success with Miss South Pacific of the Cook Islands, Joyana Meyer, attracting attention as she modelled the latest TAV garments alongside other Cook Islands' beauties.

Robert Oliver, award-winning author, shared stories and excerpts from his book Me'a Kai: The Food and Flavours of the South Pacific; and George Ellis, CEO of the Cook Islands Pearl Authority revealed the secrets of the seductive black pearls.

Cook Islands Day stall holders had a successful day demonstrating, displaying, selling and sharing their rich culture through their handmade art & crafts items. Stall holders included Tarani Crafts & Pearls, Prestige Design, Mrs Q's Artifacts, Vaka Cook Islands, TAV, Avaki Pearls and Black Pearl Collection.

Visitors planning a romantic escape received travel & wedding advice from The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and Pacific Resort Rarotonga, both on hand to inspire and assist with holiday planning.

The day was emceed by Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp who extolled the virtues of the Cook Islands as the place of romance.

Cook Islands' artists were also on show throughout the day as their beautiful images featured on giant plasma screens in Te Papa's Wellington Foyer.

"Cook Islands Day at Te Papa provided a platform for Cook Islanders to highlight the romance of their islands," says Graeme West, Cook Islands Tourism General Manager.

"Our sponsorship of the Unveiled wedding exhibition continues to prove a successful partnership, presenting Cook Islands as the perfect destination for weddings, honeymoons and romantic escapes. Cook Islands Day was just a taste of what our beautiful islands have to offer."

Unveiled exhibition, at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, features 200 Years of wedding fashion from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London until 22 April 2012.
 

(Picture: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

FIJI: Forum SG's statement to mark IWD
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

On the occasion of International Women’s Day today, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade says the Pacific region is at a critical cross-road in the promotion of gender equality which is Goal 3 of the Millennium Development Goals and a strategic objective in the Pacific Plan. Gender equality is crucial to the sustainable development of the region

In 2011, Leaders highlighted the importance of gender equality and agreed to intensify efforts to promote women’s equal role in decision-making at all levels, and to continue to improve advocacy for women’s leadership and the empowerment of women as leaders.

Recalling this commitment, Forum Secretary General, Mr Slade stated that when Leaders committed to this, they also recognised that women’s representation in decision making should not only be about national decision making.

“It is in our best interests to promote and ensure women’s representation on boards, executive positions in companies, organisations and the civil service. It is critical that we provide and create an enabling environment that not just supports women's political participation but their representation. Representation and participation are two different things. Women all over the world and in our region have participated widely in political movements in times of crisis and in support of democracy, and in raising awareness about human rights but this has not translated to an increase in women’s representation at all levels of decision making,” Mr Slade said.

Last year, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat appointed for the first time in its 40 year history, a woman to the post of Deputy Secretary General of the Secretariat.

“I believe Deputy Secretary General Fong Toy is a role model for young women who want to embark on a career in public service at the national and regional level. Identification with role models is critical in the career decision-making process and I believe role models are especially important to women because a lack of female role models in nontraditional careers such as engineering and science. This is often identified as a barrier for women who choose to enter these professions - to all the Pacific women who have forged a career in these professions, I salute you,” Mr Slade said.

On the theme for this year’s International Women’s day which is ‘Rural Women and Girls’, Forum Secretary General Mr Slade said: “In order to improve the lives of rural women and girls and our rural communities, we need to ensure the meaningful engagement of civil society and Pacific island communities in the development process not just at the government level but also at the community level in traditional governance processes including at the village and provincial levels. There is also a strong need to support and develop institutions that contribute to creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth and especially those with networks to rural women and communities.”

The Secretary General also recalled the commitment made by Leaders to eradicate sexual and gender based violence.

“We recognise that for women to progress at any level and in any sector we need to ensure women and girls are able to live a life free from violence. Violence in the home or community is our business and as Leaders we must develop, strengthen and implement national legislation that ensures their fundamental freedoms,” he said.

Photo: Deputy Secretary General, Ms Fong Toy (left) and Forum Secretary General Mr Slade during a recent meeting at the Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
 

(Picture: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

AROUND THE WORLD: Geneva Office announces Trade Policy Officer appointment
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release
 
Mr Alex Kerangpuna of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has commenced work as Trade Policy Officer based in the Office of the Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

In welcoming Mr Kerangpuna, Mrs Aivu Tauvasa, Permanent Representative of the Pacific Islands Forum to the WTO, said the appointment strengthens the technical capacity of the PIF-Geneva Office and will improve the support provided to Forum Island Country WTO Members and Observers.

“Mr Kerangpuna joins our team at a critical time when there are significant and challenging exchanges on how to deal with DOHA which still remains very dead locked,” said Ambassador Tauvasa. “Part of Mr Kerangpuna’s role will be to help facilitate the inclusion of our regional WTO members in this dialogue. As well, Mr Kerangpuna’s familiarity with trade policy issues in our region will also benefit the Geneva Office in its attendance and participation in WTO fora on behalf of Forum Island Country WTO members."

Mr Kerangpuna graduated with a Masters’ Degree in International Trade and Commerce Law (MIntCL) at Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia, in 2010. He is one of a handful of students from the Pacific region to have been awarded the prestigious Australian Prime Minister’s Award. Before his appointment, Mr Kerangpuna was a Senior Trade Officer with the PNG Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade involved in trade issues under PICTA, PACER Plus, APEC and PNG’s Multilateral Trade Agreements. Prior to his taking up this job, he was acting Director of the WTO Branch in the Trade Division.

Mr Kerangpuna can be contacted at the PIF-Geneva Office on [email protected]

Photo: Mr Alex Kerangpuna of Papua New Guinea (PNG).