(Photo: Amy Fulcher)

NEW ZEALAND: Inga now a right winger says Laban
Source: Office of Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban Press Release

"We always knew that Michael Jones played for the blue team, but Inga was a left winger on the rugby field. Now he is telling us he is a right winger,” says Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

“Labour is the party of choice for Pacific people. Under Labour, Pacific unemployment has dramatically decreased and education and income levels are improving.

"Labour is committed to working with, and delivering for, our Pacific communities. Labour’s Pacific Island Policy document runs to fourteen pages, in comparison to National's one pager.

“Pacific people have done well under a Labour government – our people trust Helen Clark’s leadership, and the Labour team.

“I am surprised to see Michael and Inga joining Key and the National Party team that includes players like Lockwood-Smith with his dated and out of touch views about Pacific people. We don't need retired rugby players telling our people how to vote,” said Winnie Laban.

Photo Caption: Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban with other Labour candidates at the launch of
Labour's Pacific policy.
 

(Photos: Lauaki Fred Tuilagi)

SAMOA: Toa Samoa names team to play Ireland
Source: Tuilagi MS Esera

Toa Samoa has named its team to play Ireland for its second RLWC match tonight (November 05, 2008) at Parramatta Stadium.

The team is in great spirits and the physio and masseur staff has been doing marvellous support work to ensure the team are prepped especially for this five day turn around before match for Toa Samoa.

Samoan strongman and prop Kylie Leuluai has been given a one-match ban by the Disciplinary Committee for a high tackle during the win over Tonga. This was relayed to the team management this morning and thus sees NZ Vulcans player of the year Wayne McDade win his first test for Toa Samoa.

Lauaki Freddie Tuilagi was again given the duty of announcing the team on behalf of the Patron of Rugby League Samoa, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.
 

	NAME	POSITION	CLUB	VILLAGE
1	Smith Samau	Fullback	Gold Coast Titans - AU	Falevao & Fusi
2	Matt Utai	Right Wing	Canterbury Bulldogs - AU	Saaga (Siumu) & Faleasiu
3	George Carmont	Center	Wigan - UK	Malaela (Aleipata)
4	Willie Talau	Center	St Helens - UK	Malie
5	Francis Meli	Left Wing	St Helens - UK	Apia & Aai o Niue
6	Nigel Vagana	(Captain)	Five Eight Souths - AU	Samatau & Fasitoo-Uta
7	Ben Roberts	Halfback	Bulldogs - AU	Sinamoga & Leufisa
8	Tony Puletua	Prop	Panthers - AU	Afega & Falelatai
9	Terrence Seuseu	Hooker	Cronulla Sharks - AU	Nofoalii
10	Wayne McDade	Prop	Auckland Vulcans - NZ	Satoalepai
11	David Solomona	2nd Row	Bradford - UK	Tafitoala
12	Lagi Setu	2nd Row	St George - AU	Apia
13	Harrison Hansen	Loose Forward	Wigan - UK	Salamumu
14	Ali Lautiti	Interchange	Leeds - UK	Iva
15	Misi Taulapapa	Interchange	Cronulla Sharks - AU	Saleimoa & Falelatai
16	Joseph Paulo	Interchange	Penrith - AU	Apia & Fagatogo (Am. Samoa)
17	Frank Puletua	Interchange	Panthers - AU	Afega & Falelatai

Thank you so much for your support messages. A dedicated fax number has now been set up for Toa Samoa; feel free to fax your support messages to fax (00612) 4732-2928.

For further information: Toa Samoa - Media Manager Tuilagi MS Esera (041) 509-3631

Photo Captions:

Photos 1-3 - Precision training run today (November 03, 2008).

Photo 4 - Lawrence Tauasa with David Faiumu.
 

(Photos: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: WASC/ACCJC Team Concludes Accreditation Visit to ASCC
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

A nine member team representing the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a subsidiary of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), departed the Territory last week after making a four-day visit to the American Samoa Community College (ASCC). The College’s accreditation comes under review for renewal every six years, and as part of the process, a team from the ACCJC makes a visit to ASCC in order to determine whether the institution continues to meet the standards set by WASC. Having first reviewed the Self-Study prepared by the College, the ACCJC team’s work consisted primarily of interviewing ASCC administration, faculty and staff, and also making site visits to various locations around the campus.

ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea’i, a veteran of three previous accreditation visits, described this recent review by WASC as “extremely positive”, and said that the ACCJC team commended the College not only on improvements to its academic program, but also on the dedication of its personnel. “From previous accreditation reviews, the ACCJC found certain aspects of our academic program which they said we urgently needed to address. On this visit, they still had some general recommendations, but for the first time, they found College’s academic program basically sound, and even exemplary in specific areas. They also remarked on several occasions how the enthusiasm and professionalism of the administration, faculty and staff had made a strong impression on them. Given this positive response by the ACCJC, I feel very proud about all the hard work everyone here at ASCC put into this accreditation review.”

Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle, who in addition to her recent promotion to Vice President also serves as the ASCC Accreditation Liaison Officer, explained how the process that culminated in the ACCJC visit actually started two years ago. “In 2006, we organized the faculty and staff into a number of committees, who for the next eighteen months worked on reviewing various aspects of the four main WASC standards. The reports generated by these committees formed the body of the Self-Study, which we submitted to WASC this past August. The ACCJC then made a thorough review of the Self-Study, and their visit to the College gave them a chance to clarify through personal observation any aspects of the document they needed to find out more about.”

Prior to their arrival, the ACCJC sent the College a list of personnel they wished to interview, as well as locations they wished to observe firsthand. Based on this information, the College scheduled meetings between the requested individuals and one or more members of the ACCJC team. The team also toured the campus as a group and would occasionally assign a smaller delegation to observe an activity or function at a particular location. While they spent the majority of their time on campus diligently following their schedule of meetings and site visits, the ACCJC members did take some time to participate in an ava ceremony to welcome them on the first day of their visit, organized by the staff and students of the Samoan Studies Institute. Following their second day at ASCC, the team attended a dinner held in their honor at the Equator restaurant, where they had the opportunity to socialize with the ASCC Deans and Directors, members of the Board of Higher Education, and special guest speaker Governor Togiola Tulafono, who attended along with First Lady Maryanne.

During an open meeting with the ASCC faculty and staff on the last day of the ACCJC team’s visit, their leader Dr. John Nixon offered a brief summary of their findings, and explained that the team will continue work on a final report for several weeks back in the states. Nixon said that so far the team has compiled a preliminary draft, which includes a section on commendations, or areas in which the team feels the College meets or surpasses expectations in the quality of its service, as well as recommendations, or areas in which the team feels room for improvement exists. When the ACCJC team completes their first draft, they will first send it to President Galea’i for his review. Then a final draft will go to the WASC Senior Commission, who will meet in January 2009 to make a final decision on the accreditation status of ASCC.

“The ACCJC team did a very thorough review of ASCC. We were especially pleased with their commendation of for our work on Student Learning Outcomes and assessment of student learning. The Deans and faculty have worked very hard on this, and it was gratifying to know that the ACCJC team recognized their achievements,” stated Dr. Kolhoff-Belle. Besides Dr. Nixon, the visiting ACCJC team included Mrs. Diana Casteel, Dr. Laurie Huffman, Ms. Irene Malmgren, Dr. Linda Rose, Dr. Audrey Yamagata-Noji, Dr. James Albanese, Dr. Frederick Trapp, and Dr. Linda Lacey.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - During a dinner held in honour of a team of WASC/ACCJC visitors to ASCC, Governor Togiola and First Lady Maryanne greet team leader Dr. John Nixon (centre). The team spent four days last week conducting an accreditation review at ASCC.

Photo 2 - A nine-member team of representatives from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) a division of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) gathers for a picture along with ASCC staff members during their visit to the College last week. Team leader Dr. John Nixon is in the centre of the front row.

Photo 3 - Students and instructors from the Samoan Studies Institute at ASCC relax after giving a cultural performance for the WASC/ACCJC visiting team.

Photo 4 - A team of representatives from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) a division of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) gather for a picture along with ASCC administration, faculty and staff staff following a luncheon and gift presentation in their honour last week. The team spent four days conducting an accreditation review of ASCC.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

FIJI: Managing wetlands sites important to Fiji
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

This week during the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention, Fiji kept an eye out for any opportunities which can help Fiji maintain and manage their wetlands, in particular the Upper Navua River Gorge – Fiji’s wetlands site of importance.

Epeli Nasome, who represented Fiji at the COP10 in Changwon, Korea, says protecting and managing the designated wetlands site is a priority for the nation.

“The management and monitoring of our sites has been a problem because there are emerging issues such as the encroachment of development,” said Nasome. “I am here hoping I can get some guidance on how I can put in place some guidelines or strategies for managing our site so we can keep it protected.”

Wetlands and climate change is also an important issue for Fiji, as the nation is concerned about the impact on their coastal areas, which include mangroves and marshlands. Another new issue for Fiji is the relation of biofuels to wetlands. Nasome hoped to learn more about this important issue while in Changwon, Korea at the 10th Conference of the Parties.

“I am exploring this, it was discussed in our regional meeting, but I need to clarify the issue before we actually decide to support the draft resolution as biofuels is a new issue for Fiji. We need to ensure that our current potential wetlands are not affected by adverse impacts from biofuel activities that take place. This is one area that I plan to concentrate on whilst here.”

Nasome was in Changwon, Korea for the full duration of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The conference began on October 28 and ended yesterday (November 04, 2008).

Photo Caption: (L-R) Epeli Nasome and Rose Singadan attending the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention in Changwon, Korea.
 

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

TAHITI: Tahitian D1 Championnat Tefana score eighth consecutive win
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

The eighth round of the Tahitian D1 Championnat played out over the weekend and it saw league leaders AS Tefana and AS Pirae score convincing wins while third placed AS Dragon lost valuable points to the Tahitian U-20 side.

It was the eighth consecutive win for Tefana who look favourites to take out the title this season. There closest challenge looks like it will come from AS Pirae, who are hot on their tale four points behind.

It was a disappointing result for AS Dragon as their title surge took a bit hit at the hands of the talented Tahitian youngsters.

Dragon now sit eight points behind the league leaders and have a lot of work to do to make up the difference.

Team Played Points
1 Tefana 8 32
2 Pirae 8 28
3 Dragon 8 24
4 U-20 7 20
5 Manu Ura 6 18
6 Tac 7 14
7 T.Faa'a 7 13
8 Vaiete 7 10
9 JT 8 9
10 Excelsior 6 8

Photo Caption: Tahitian D1 Championnat Tefana in action.
 

WORLDWIDE: Australia Network launches Pacific Pulse
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

The Chief Executive of Australia Network, Bruce Dover, today (October 30, 2008) announced the launch of a unique new television program, Pacific Pulse, as part of Australia Network's ongoing commitment to providing relevant content to its viewers.

A weekly feature-style television program which will reflect the people, the personalities and the places which make the Pacific truly unique, Pacific Pulse will go beyond the headlines to explore the many other stories of this diverse, vibrant region.

Bruce Dover, Chief Executive, Australia Network, commented: "Pacific Pulse will give Pacific viewers a new insight and perspective on local events and issues that matter to them."

Pacific Pulse will be co-presented by Tania Nugent, the face of Australia Network's Nexus program, and Clement Paligaru, whose voice is recognised across the Pacific as a former presenter of Radio Australia's Pacific Beat and current co-presenter of In the Loop, and will feature contributions from respected Pacific specialists.

Murray Green, Director, ABC International, commented: "I am delighted with Australian Network launching Pacific Pulse - a program that captures the soul of the Pacific and offers an optimistic perspective. This is another example of Australia Network's ongoing commitment to providing relevant and engaging content for the Pacific."

Tania Nugent, one of the presenters of the newly launched Pacific Pulse television program, added: "We will be giving audiences informative, entertaining and stimulating content but more importantly, we will be providing more than the headlines for our viewers."

Clement Paligaru, co-presenter of the show, added: "I truly enjoy working on In the Loop on Radio Australia and am excited to continue telling great Pacific stories on television as well. I think it's really important that Pacific Pulse also connects viewers to the many Pacific islanders living in Australia, for the first time, giving them the chance to see how they live in their adopted country and how they keep Pacific culture alive."

Australia Network will also be providing viewers with a new evening Pacific News Bulletin, led by Australia Network's Correspondent, Sean Dorney, who has reported extensively on Pacific issues for three decades. This special bulletin will feature the latest from around the Pacific giving viewers local, independent and credible news.

Pacific Pulse will be broadcast across the Pacific in the following time zones from 1 November, on Australia Network.

* Samoa 22:20 Saturdays from November 1
* PNG 19:20 Sundays from November 2
* Fiji 21:20 Sundays from November 2

To watch Australia Network and Pacific Pulse call your local cable or satellite operator or pick us up directly from IS (PAS) 2. For more information, extra footage, story transcripts and Tania and Clement's blog visit www.australianetwork.com/pacificpulse