NEWSPAGE 08 March
2013

(Photos: Professor Philip Newall/Cristy Newall)

SAMOA: Samoa is a Success Story – Aussie Audiologist
Source: AusAID Press Release

A team of volunteer audiologists from Australia visited Samoa last week to test and fit hearing impaired children with top quality hearing aids.

The AusAID funded team of specialist audiologists consisted of Professor Philip Newall, Cristy Newall and Genelle Cook. The team conducted a full week of screening children at Senese in Moto’otua. A total of 53 children were tested including 26 aged between 0-5 years old.

A regular visitor since 2009, this was theProfessorNewall‘s12th visit to Samoa. “I’ve been to many developing countries testing and fitting hearing aids to children but I would consider Samoa a success story”, he said. “In Samoa the family and teachers are very supportive of children by encouraging them to use their hearing aids”, the Professor continued. “That’s the secret of success”.

Australian High Commissioner, Stephen Henningham said this is the first visit by an expert audiologist team to Samoa this year.

“The Australian Government funds medical teams to come to Samoa so that Samoans have access to specialist medical treatment”, said Dr Henningham.

The Australian Government funded new hi-tech hearing aids which can log data such as the length of time a hearing aid is used each day. This data is transferred to a computer which allows Professor Newall to accurately keep record until his next visit to Samoa. “Children in Samoa are fitted with Australian standard hi-tech hearing aids”, he said.

Professor Newall said hearing aids are like cars-they require maintenance or replacing when broken. He fitted most of the children he saw with new hearing aids but others required repairing or general maintenance.

Screenings are organised by SENESE who work in close consultation with The National Health Services, The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture and other disability providers. The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children in Sydney Australia provide essential support in the form of highly qualified audiologists and high quality hearing aids.

The next visit to Samoa by Professor Newall and team is tentatively scheduled for June 2013.

Photo 1 - Professor Philip Newall shows a sample of a hi-tech hearing aid used by children in Samoa.

Photo 2 - Cristy Newall prepares a patient for screening.
 

(Photo: James Kneubuhl)

AMERICA SAMOA: MOP Student Give Community Talks on Coral Reef Threats

“Reefs are under attack by multiple stressors,” said Marine Science student Valentine Vaeoso, “and what should we do about this? We step in and we take action, even in the smallest way.” This semester, Vaeoso, a student from the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) in the Marine Option Program (MOP) will give several talks to school and community groups on some of the major threats in reefs worldwide, including those in American Samoa. “My main focus of is to give back to the community what I’ve learned through the Marine Option Program,” she explained.

The talks will emphasize how threats to the reefs of American Samoa, which are expected or now being seen, increase coral death . Some of these threats include coral disease; coral bleaching due to the increase in water temperature which turns coral white; and crown-of-thorn starfish (alamea) invasions which feed on coral, thereby decreasing coral cover. In 1970, American Samoa experienced an invasion of crown-of-thorns starfish which damaged 80 percent of the reefs. Slowly our reefs have come back from that event, but there are still threats which have slowed coral growth, and we are currently experiencing a rapid increase in crown-of-thorns starfish population.

Vaeoso’s talks will include a training on how to identify some common coral diseases that occur in American Samoa. She hopes to encourage students and community members to report these events or signs if they come across them while in the ocean. “This is important because we can better prepare for potential problems if these warning signs are reported,” she said. “This could prevent an outbreak that could wipe out an entire population of coral. We need to maintain a healthy and well managed environment for coral. If we lose too much coral, we will eventually lose our reef fish and will be forced to change our fishing grounds.”

A former student at Uifatali Peter Coleman Elementary School and Samoana High School, Vaeoso says her involvement with marine science has kindled a passion for study of the ocean and science in general. “I was interested in science before coming to ASCC”, she explained “but I wasn't very active in this subject because it was difficult to comprehend and hard to retain.

However, science has now become very interesting to me and worth the challenge.” After graduating from ASCC, she plans to pursue a bachelor degree in Marine Science/Marine Biology, and hopefully continue on to study for a Masters degree, with the goal of one day becoming a marine biologist or coral biologist.

“Being an outdoor kind of person with much curiosity about nature, I have always enjoyed learning about animals interaction with their environment”, Vaeoso reflected. “My love for the ocean came late in life, mainly because I lived away from the coast. But since my high school marine science teacher took our class snorkeling at Fagaalu, I’ve enjoyed going in the water and gaining knowledge of our marine ecosystems. The first time I went snorkeling, it was breath-taking to view such amazing scenery and various marine organisms underwater. Marine Science is a great field of study with many opportunities that anyone can benefit from.”

If you have questions or would like to request a talk on this topic for students or community members please contact Kelley Anderson Tagarino (ASCC Marine Science Coordinator) at 699-9155 x 356 or 252-2310 for more information.

Photo: ASCC Marine Science student Valentine Vaeoso (left), seen here with instructor Kelley Anderson Tagarino, will be giving public talks on keeping American Samoa's reefs healthy to community and school groups.
 

NIUE: Niue deal with Kiwibank marks banking upgrade
Source: Radio New Zealand International

Niue’s Chamber of Commerce says the just confirmed deal between the government and Kiwibank will modernise the country’s banking system, with internet banking and eftpos available for the first time.

The Chamber’s Business Development Manager says banking has been constrained over the last few years in Niue, with only a manual system operating and a lack of internet services.

Elliott Kirton says the Kiwibank agency will take over from the Bank South Pacific at the end of April.

He says the change is good news for customers in Niue, tourists and families living overseas, who will all soon be able to access accounts more easily.

“From a business perspective it opens up a whole lot of modern banking services to Niuean businesses that they haven’t been able to utilise. At the same time we think it will increase the spend on island for the tourists and for that reason the general public here have been very excited by that change and supportive of it.”

Elliott Kirton says Niueans have demanded better services for a long time.
 

(Photo: Pacific Plan 2013)

TAHITI: French Polynesia consultations highlight importance of oceanic links and resources
Source: Pacific Plan 2013 Press Release
 
The Pacific Plan Review team has been urged to look to the voyages of the Hokule’a as a symbol of Pacific spirit and successful cooperation.

The well-known double-hulled canoe is managed by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and has been used to showcase traditional navigational skills and foster inter-island connections in the Pacific since the 1970s, when it made a historic journey from Hawai’i to Tahiti.

During consultations in Forum Associate Member French Polynesia last week, leaders from political groupings and civil society organisations emphasised the importance of the Pacific Ocean as a cultural connector, as well as a resource to be both properly preserved and sustainably developed.

Review team members Mr Redley Killion, from Federated States of Micronesia, and Dr Nick Poletti, from New Zealand, also heard views on the potential for technology transfers across the region. French Polynesia’s use of SWAC – seawater air conditioning – was highlighted as an innovative means of reducing energy consumption that may have application in other Pacific island countries.

“It is important to consider how the Pacific Plan can provide a platform for emphasising Pacific values and sharing island knowledge, as identified in the Leaders’ vision,” said Mr Killion, speaking in his role as head of the consultation mission to French Polynesia.

“Our countries are very diverse, but we are brought together by the Pacific Ocean, and we are hearing that this could be an important focus for increased cooperation and even integrated service provision."

The Pacific Plan Review team will take a short break before continuing on to further country visits in the western and northern Pacific in April and May.

Photo: (l-r) Mr Maono Vincent (sitting) - No To’u Fenua, Mr Bruno Peaucellier – French Polynesia Government, Ms Seini O’Connor – Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, Mr. Denis Helme (sitting) - No To’u Fenua, Dr Nick Poletti – Pacific Plan Review Consultant, Mr Redley Killion – Pacific Plan Review Country Official, Ms Isabelle Malbranche - No To’u Fenua, Mr Yves Doudoute - No To’u Fenua.
 

(Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

AROUND THE WORLD: Greater integration with Asia to benefit the Pacific
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Growth in Asia is presenting the Pacific with a range of opportunities to learn and benefit from emerging trade and investment linkages and improved cooperation and integration.

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, made this point yesterday at the ADB High Level Roundtable Discussion on Regional Cooperation and Integration held at the ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

“Pacific countries have a long history of working together,” said Mr Slade.

“Sharing common features of remoteness, smallness in size and capacities, limited resources, aid dependency and vulnerability to climate change and global economic shocks, the Pacific has sought regional cooperation and integration to find solutions to its challenges.”

THE PACIFIC PLAN

The Pacific Plan is the core framework of Pacific regionalism.

“Regionalism under the Pacific Plan does not imply any limitation on national sovereignty,” explained Mr Slade. “It is not intended to replace any national programmes, but seeks to support and complement them. A regional approach is taken only if it adds value to national efforts.”

The policy objectives of the Pacific Plan are to enhance economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and regional security.

The High-Level Round Table Discussion heard details of the Pacific Plan Review currently underway by a team of Pacific experts headed by eminent person, Sir Mekere Morauta, former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

“The review will provide a revised assessment of the experience of regional cooperation and integration efforts in the Pacific,” said Mr Slade.

“It will enable a reflection of the new international dynamics and the realities of people, goods and services that are increasingly moving within and outside the region.”

CHALLENGES

The Pacific sub-region has not enjoyed the same growth advancement in national economies as Asia.

“Rather, growth has been weak and variable,” said Mr Slade. “Without closer economic linkages the Pacific countries face severe constraints and by their smallness, individual countries are unable to generate the necessary economies of scale.”

Mr Slade spoke of the need for more effective coordination among regional and international organisations in the Pacific.

“There is inevitably, fragmentation with problems of overlap and duplication, and effective coordination has become essential to ensuring efficiency and coherence.”

Mr Slade noted that the ADB was currently reviewing its “Pacific Approach” which has intended to provide alignment between the Pacific Plan and ADB’s long-term strategic framework 2008-2020.

A CASE FOR PACIFIC SUB-REGIONALISM

“The Pacific Islands Forum has proven to be an effective avenue for small island states to amplify their voices and aspirations,” said Mr Slade.

“However, despite many accomplishments, the Forum has been hampered by lack of capacity, the complicated interaction between national interests and regional benefits, and the slow process of developing consensus through regional negotiations.

“The best approach may, in some instances, be sub-regional or a grouping of a few countries to deliver a service that responds to their specific needs.”

OPPORTUNITIES

Mr Slade remarked that the shift in the axis of economic power to Asia and its dominance is doing much to demolish the tyranny of distance and isolation for the Pacific.

“The advent in technology leading to massive growth in satellite, submarine cabling and mobile telephony across the Pacific is helping to integrate the region,” said Mr Slade.

Mr Slade highlighted the important service provided to the Pacific islands Private Sector through the Pacific Islands Trade and Invest (PT&I) network of offices, including the offices in Beijing and Tokyo to support Pacific’s engagement with Asia.

Mr Slade added that the Pacific could benefit from the experiences of Asian countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka to empower Pacific nations in crafting appropriate modalities for labour mobility schemes in the context of south-south cooperation.

“Asia is just next door to the Pacific,” he said. “Ultimately, the Pacific island countries as members of the Asia-Pacific region need to find its niche and take its place in the Asian Century.”

Mr Slade was part of a panel with representatives from ADB, ASEAN, ASEAN+3, CAREC and SAARC.

Photo: Secretary General Slade speaks on the Pacific perspective of regional cooperation and integration at the High Level Roundtable at the ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.