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(Photos: Asenati Lole-Taylor) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Cook
Islands Pasifika Festival at Mt. Eden Prison
Source:
NZ Department of
Corrections Prison Service Press Release
Cultural mentoring is proving to have positive
effect on prisoners especially those of
Pacific ethnicity. For cultural initiatives to
work successfully, providing resources
needed involves the support of collective
stakeholders to a level that ensures prisoners
can access opportunities to help them being
accountable for their action thus reduce
reoffending,
or as first offenders learn from their mistakes.
Given the myriad of physical, cognitive,
emotional and behavioural problems, delivery of
Pacific constructive activities for Pacific
prisoners proved to be effective in encouraging
the men in prison to embrace their cultural
identities.
Te Riri O Te O dance group, is a Cook Island
organisation that is made up of community
leaders and their extended families, friends and
peers. They focus on learning and teaching their
younger generations on traditional Cook Island
dance, songs and the exotic sound of drums from
the Pacific.
Te Riri O Te O through the Regional Advisor for
Pacific (RAP) in the Northern Region travelled
to the old Mt. Eden Prison on Saturday 5th April
2008, to perform for the 49 prisoners, which
included those on remands and sentenced.
It was an event of true Pasifika Festival that
vibrated through the stonewall of the old
prison’s castle environment, and it was an event
that reflected the importance of cultural
heritage. The performances highlighted the pride
of cultural connection, and the community
support that is needed for every individuals.
According to the chairman and members of the
Cook Island dance group, it was an eye opener
for them and that they were compelled to help
staff and management to assist with the
rehabilitation of prisoners in order to reduce
re-offending and decrease the rate of
recidivism.
Acting prison manager Ajit Singh was an
excellent role model for his management team,
and programmes manager Kathryn Prime was thanked
and acknowledged for her 3 important role in
helping make this event happened through the
provision of funds for cultural constructive
activities.
In addition to the colourful presentation of
Cook Island performances and sophisticated
drum-beat, the master of ceremony and our own
famous icon, Lapi Mariner agreed to sing a few
songs after desperate pleas from the prisoners
and staff. Mr. Mariner not only facilitated the
event with style, he also captured the interest
of the audience with classic entertainment.
Mrs A. Asenati Lole-Taylor (RAP – Northern
Region) would like to acknowledge the support
from her manager Martin Strickland (Regional
Prisoner Service Manager), Herati Matapo and
Dennis Taylor (Unit Managers), Pacific Islands
staff network at Mt. Eden, PCO Syde Rapata and
all staff at Mt. Eden who helped with the
coordination of
this event on the day.
Special thanks to our Pacific son, Lapi Mariner
for the job well done.
It was a great success………
Photo 1 - Cook Island
dance group, Te Riri O Te O in one of their
performances.
Photo 2 - Dennis Taylor, Kathryn Prime, Herati
Matapo and Ajit Singh, representing the
Management with support from padre Howie Ashby
and corrections staff.
Photo 3 - The Regional Advisor for Pacific
development in the Northern Region of Prison
Services, Mrs. Aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor.
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(Photos: Press Secretariat) |
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SAMOA: Strengthening public records
management: National Archives
Source:
Press Secretariat
The Government of Samoa regards public records
management and preservation as a major priority.
In accordance with this priority and commitment,
the Government has approved the Code of Best
Practice which provides the basis for all
Government records management and preservation.
The Strengthening of the Public Records
Management Project is being coordinated by the
Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. This
Ministry is responsible for archives and records
management for the whole of government.
The purpose of this Project is to strengthen
records management across government for all
paper and electronic records, and to preserve
government records of permanent value as the
national archives of Samoa. In the first
instance, the Project is working with 7 pilot
agencies: Ministry of Justice and Courts
Administration; Ministry of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of
Revenue; Ministry of Natural resources and
Environment; Ministry of Commerce, Industry and
Labour; and, the Ministry of Education, Sports
and Culture as the lead agency.
This project is funded by the Public Sector
Improvement Facility (PSIF) which is funded by
both AusAID and NZAID to support projects that
address public service reforms and improve
services. The PSIF provides financial and
technical support to organizational development,
capacity building, strengthening internal
systems and processes and enhancing the policy
framework within which Ministries operate.
Projects that are submitted for funding to the
PSIF must meet the requirements of the PSIF
Strategic Framework and be consistent with the
priorities of the Samoa Development Strategy and
the Public Administration Sector Plan. The PSIF
uses all local procurement procedures. Questions
about the PSIF can be directed to Dr Cam Wendt,
FMU Manager, 29841. Questions about the MESC
Project can be directed to Sina Ah Poe, 32354
and 21611.
Photo Caption: The signing of the contract
for the Strengthening of Public Records
Management Project was officially conducted on
Friday 11 April 2008 between the Honorable
Minister of Education, Toomata Alapati and the
two records management specialists from an
Australian firm ‘Records and Archive Services’:
Helen Onopko and Suzanne Pickert.
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(Photos: James Kneubuhl) |
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AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC UCEDD Holds Trainings
for Disabilities Awareness Month
Source:
ASCC Press Release
Across the Pacific Rim, providers of programs
and services for individuals with disabilities
observed the month of March as Disabilities
Awareness Month. The University Center for
Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD),
an interdisciplinary education, research and
public service component of the American Samoa
Community College (ASCC), took part in the
pacific effort by holding trainings on
disabilities for the local law enforcement
community and stakeholders in the public.
In mid-March, the UCEDD held a three-day
training for law enforcement officers titled
“Equal Justice for People with Disabilities”.
During the event, presenters Tafa Tua-Tupuola,
UCEDD Director, and Alexander Sunia, Consumer
Consultant, worked to familiarize officers with
the issues they may face when interacting with
individuals who have disabilities. Tua-Tupuola
and Sunia provided insights to help police
officers recognize when someone has a disability
which may not at first appear obvious, such as
mental retardation, and how to avoid
misunderstandings which can lead to unfortunate
circumstances such as false arrest or even a
false conviction.
“We covered a number of techniques officers can
use more effectively to communicate with
individuals with disabilities. For example,
officers should understand how the accused
individual’s level of disability effects his or
her level of understanding, especially in
instances where the police need to deliver a
clearly understood Miranda Warning,” explained
Tua-Tupuola. “Law enforcement personnel should
develop an understanding of mental retardation
and other disabilities, and how these conditions
can foster difficulties in appropriate
interaction between the disabled and the police.
This pertains to individuals with disabilities
as victims, witnesses, suspects, and
defendants.” A total of 92 officers took part in
the training, and their evaluations at the
conclusion indicated their willingness to learn
more about how to better serve the Territory’s
individuals with disabilities. “The evaluations
included requests from the police to receive
more training in mental illness, interview and
interrogation techniques of individuals with
disabilities, and American Sign Language
training,” said Tua-Tupuola. The police officers
who participated will receive a Certificate of
Participation.
“Our counterpart UCEDD Centers at the University
of Southern California and University of
California in Los Angeles are working closely
with the Los Angeles Police Department to
develop a training manual for LAPD,” Tua-Tupuola
added. “We hope to have this manual available by
the time we hold our next training for law
enforcement. We truly appreciate the
collaborative support from the Commissioner of
Public Safety and Deputy Commissioner Mike
Fuiava for coordinating the training, and we
hope we’ll have the opportunity to do more of
these.”
On March 24th, the UCEDD presented a second
training, a “Human Sexuality and Disabilities
Workshop” for individuals with disabilities,
their families, public health workers and
service providers. “We held the workshop as a
means of initiating education and awareness of
all aspects of sexuality for our special needs
population, who have the same rights as everyone
else to start a family and express their
sexuality,” explained co-presenter David J.
Gabriel of the UCEDD. To cover topics such as
the importance of the quality of life and where
sexuality plays a great part, communication
about sexuality, dating, myths, and precautions,
Gabriel and Tua-Tupuola called upon a number of
local health professionals to assist in the
various presentations, including Tele Hill of
Public Health, Faalu Faletoese Iuli of the
Coalition for Domestic Violence and Sexual
Abuse, Dr. John Ah Ching of the OBGYN Clinic at
LBJ Hospital, and Mary Time of Family Planning.
Addressing the sensitive nature of the workshop,
Gabriel reflected, “We must break the silence
and provide more education on sexuality issues
to the Territory’s children and adults with
disabilities. They too can have independent or
semi-independent lives, and so they need to
express their sexuality and form healthy
relationships with the same independence. As
individuals with disabilities seek to develop
healthy sexual relationships and make the
transition to having a family and so forth, they
need education not only to help them accommodate
their certain needs, but also to prevent
potential abuse and victimization.”
For more information on the UCEDD, call the main
ASCC line at 699-9155 and ask for Tafa
Tua-Tupuola or David Gabriel.
Photo Caption Below:
The staff of the University Center for Excellence on Developmental
Disabilities at ASCC consists of (right to left) Director Tafa
Tua-Tupuola, administrative
assistant Sina Falaniko, and interdisciplinary and research trainer
David J. Gabriel.
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(Photo: International Rugby Board) |
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COOK ISLANDS:
Cook Islands 54-15 Jamaica
Source:
IRB
Cook Islands ended their participation in the
IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy with a satisfying
54-15 win against Jamaica at the Stade Français
Club in Santiago on Sunday to finish in seventh
place.
Their win was based on their attacking qualities
yet lacked some of the glow because of the
defensive attitude of the plucky Jamaicans who
would simply not lie down. They tackled
throughout the game and if beaten it was due to
either the strength or superior skills of the
Cook Islanders.
Both teams can return home in the knowledge that
their tournament has ended with them showing
some bits of good rugby.
Although Cook Islands scored nine tries, Jamaica
managed to score twice, much to their team and
the spectators’ delight.
Their celebration of the second try by Kenneth
Walker - who benefited from a recovered ball and
good running from team mate Fabian Atkinson -
was a highlight of the match.
Whilst the players from the Pacific dominated
the scrums, the lineouts were a far more even
set piece, with the boys from the Caribbean
stealing a few of the opposition ball.
Overall, both teams enjoyed the occasion and the
spectators who ventured in early in what
promises to be a full house at the Stade
Français, enjoyed a game that was far from being
technically perfect but with the way both teams
threw the ball around ensured it was a most
enjoyable occasion.
Post-match quotes
Triple try-scorer George Pamatatau said he was
happy with his own game, adding that “the
tournament was really good for all of us. We
would have loved to finish in a higher position
but we can now go home happy.”
“A highlight of our trip was the way the team
got together and it is something that we’ll
always remember.”
In speaking with IRB.com, Jamaican flanker
Clifford Clarke also said that “the way we have
been treated by everybody here has been great.
We’ve learnt huge lessons, one of which being
that we need to work harder as the teams we
played against were all big.
“We sincerely hope that we can come back to this
tournament next year and after this year’s
experience we will certainly be a lot better.”
Photo Caption:
Cook Islands' prop Matthew Latham passes the ball despite the tackle
of Jamaica's Keta Bryan.
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(Photos: Fijivillage) |
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FIJI:
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase denies Military
allegations
Source:
Fiji Broadcasting
Corporation Limited
The Fiji Military Forces has called on Deposed
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to explain how he
had used over two thousand dollars of Public
Funds for Christmas shopping during his term as
Prime Minister.
The Military raised this issue after recent
comments made by Qarase on government ministers
and issues about saving money.
Qarase told Radio Fiji Gold News that the
allegations are false.
“Well I am extremely hurt and very surprised by
these allegations,” said Qarase.
“There are no details given on what goods I
bought during which Christmas vacation but I
want to tell the public of Fiji that I never
used two thousand dollars of public funds for my
Christmas shopping at anytime from when I was
Prime Minister from the year 2000 to 2006,” told
Qarase.
Photo Caption:
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
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TOKELAU: Pacific
Arts Committee calls for nominations
Source:
Creative New Zealand Press
Release
Creative New Zealand is calling for nominations
for a new representative from the Cook Island
community for appointment to its Pacific Arts
Committee.
Creative New Zealand is the national development
agency for the arts. One of the strategic
priorities for the organisation is investing in
New Zealand Pacific communities strengthening
and building cultural identity through the arts.
Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee, Pele Walker
says the committee supports and celebrates both
the heritage arts and contemporary arts of
Pacific communities.
“The role of the Pacific Arts Committee is to
support the arts of the Pacific peoples of New
Zealand. As well as allocating grants to a range
of projects by Pacific artists and
organisations, the committee also establishes
special initiatives such as artform development
workshops, the annual Arts Pasifika Awards, an
artist-in-residency programme and funding
information forums. Our focus is a vibrant and
vital Pacific arts culture in New Zealand.”
The Pacific Arts Committee is a committee of
Creative New Zealand’s Arts Board. It meets up
to five times a year, and is made up of eight
members. There are representatives from the
seven main Islands groups of Samoa, Fiji, Tonga,
Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau and Tuvalu, as well
as the chairperson of the Committee, who is also
a member of the Creative New Zealand Arts Board.
Ideally, people nominated to become members of
the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Committee
should have:
* significant experience or expertise in a
particular artform, and ideally, language arts
and literature, and expertise in Pacific arts or
significant experience or expertise in areas
such as arts access, arts in the community
* a passion and vision for the development of
Pacific arts in New Zealand
* an established network among their community
in New Zealand
* support from their community, locally or
nationally
* good communication skills and an ability to
work well within a team
* proven skills in strategic planning, budget
planning and project management
* knowledge of the issues facing Pacific artists
and groups in their development.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm Friday 9
May 2008.
For more information and a nomination form,
please contact Tarisi Vunidilo at
tarisi.vunidilo[at]creativenz.govt.nz or 09 354
4863.
You can also download the nomination form from
the Resources section of Creative New Zealand’s
website - www.creativenz.govt.nz.
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