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(Photo: iTonga) |
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NEW ZEALAND: Nutrition is not a priority for
older Maori and Pacific people
Source:
New Zealand Nutrition Foundation Press Release
Promoting optimum nutrition is a key goal
for supporting people as they age. However,
it is critical to first acknowledge the
roles and value of food to those we wish to
nourish - Nutrition may not be at the top of
their list.
The New Zealand Nutrition Foundation is
concerned about the lack of awareness of the
common problem of poor nutrition in older
Maori and Pacific people. The Foundation
recently provided an opportunity for
community health workers and caregivers of
older Maori and Pacific People to hear from
influential health professionals from these
(Maori and Pacific) ethnicities. Foundation
CEO, Sue Pollard says “The purpose of the
seminar was to provide caregivers and others
working in this area with practical
strategies they can use to improve the
nutritional status of those in their care.”
Dietitian Sian Warriner and Leonie Matoe
from Te Hotu Manawa Maori both emphasised
the great importance of food to Maori
people. ‘He Mahi kai te taonga’ - obtaining
food is the prized accomplishment for Maori,
who ‘once were gardeners’, and hunters and
fishermen. However, survey figures tell us:
* only about one-third of Maori households
could afford to eat a balanced nutritious
diet
* almost another third felt stressed when
they could not provide kai for special
occasions
* 45% said that their budget limited the
variety of food they could choose to buy.
For Maori, these issues are often of far
more concern than optimum nutrition, so
those promoting healthy nutrition must
acknowledge the overriding relationship
Maori have with food, acknowledge the mana
of Kaumatua, and work with the whole whanau.
Healthy Lifestyle Coach, Ranui Hapi, and
Green Prescription Coordinator, Amiria
McGarvey, explained that promoting healthy
lifestyles to Kaumatua and Kuia requires an
understanding of Te Ao Maori and its value
system. Ranui’s presentation focused on her
guiding principles of humility, reciprocity,
openness and flexibility in building a
relationship with older Maori. Again the
emphasis was on involving the whole family
in healthy eating.
Amiria has developed a Green Prescription
physical activity programme for Kaumatua
that takes account of the traditions from Te
Ao Maori. As well as keeping the message
simple, everyone, including the instructors,
participates together: “Nau te rourou, naku
te rourou, ka ora ai te Iwi” - From your
contribution and my contribution, the people
will be well.
Amiria says, “The reward for me is watching
whanau grow in self esteem, confidence and
happiness. Overcoming barriers and obstacles
in life is a huge success for many of our
whanau. I am merely the guide to help them
achieve this and physical activity and
healthy kai options are the vehicles I use
to make it happen.”
Pacific people likewise have a holistic
notion of health and it is a family and
community concern, rather than an individual
matter. Soana Muimuiheata, a Pacific
(Tongan) dietitian working in the Counties
Manukau area, told seminar participants that
food is central to all Pacific cultures.
“For many Pacific people, the value of food
is context-specific - from a resource of
simple sustenance through to a symbolic
observation of respect, love and
appreciation, hospitality and the honouring
of guests” said Soana. Food is something to
enjoy rather than a source of nutrients.
Barriers to achieving optimum nutrition are
based around priorities of tradition,
beliefs, family and community obligations.
Therefore, when promoting optimal nutrition,
it is important to target the whole
households and provide practical
recommendations taking into account the
family socio-economic situations.
Over 130 people attended the seminar - the
latest in a regular stream of events offered
by the Nutrition Foundation. Previous
seminar topics have included barriers to
good nutrition in older people and the
prevention of falls and injury.
Photo Caption: Dietitian Soana
Muimuiheata believes it is important to
provide practical recommendations to Pacific
peoples, taking into account the family
socio-economic situations.
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(Photo:
Samoa Government) |
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SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source:
Government Press Secretariat Press Release
Samoa Ambassador to the United Nations and
America appointed
Cabinet has approved re-appointment of Aliioaiga
Feturi Elisaia as Samoa’s Ambassador to the
United Nations, United States of America and
Canada for the next three years starting
September 2009.
Aliioaiga’s contract finishes in September 2009.
In the year 2003 he was appointed to replace
former Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni Slade.
Aliioaiga is a former Assistant CEO for the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The re-appointment of Aliioaiga to the position
will benefit our country due to continuous
negotiations with the United Nations and also
with the new Government of the United States of
America.
Small Businesses Development Program
Cabinet has approved the program on Development
of Small Businesses in the country which started
in March 2002 ending December 2008.
This Program is one of the initiatives by the
Government (2001) to develop family units
financially by allowing them small loans to
develop small businesses.
The Program focused on four areas which include:
I. Small Business Loan guarantee Scheme
II. Micro Finance Facility
III. Small Business development fund and;
IV. Policy and infrastructure development.
The program has benefited most of the families
and villages in different areas such as: weekly
income earn; employment; improve knowledge in
operating small businesses; utilization of other
assets such as lands to earn money and
experience the use of new technology.
This Program was funded by the Asia Development
Bank (ADB).
Report on Copyright and Relate Rights in Asia
and Pacific Workshop
Cabinet has approved the report by Chief
Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Labour, Lemalu Tate Simi, on
Copyright and Related Rights in Asia and the
Pacific workshop that was held in Nadi, Fiji on
the 2 - 4 March 2009.
Issues discussed in the workshop include,
Copyright an “Alien” phenomenon, Copyrights in
Samoa, Collective Management Office, and
Regional collective management mechanism. Lemalu,
states that although most of the information
presented was not new, it was still very useful
in terms of revisiting the issues and refreshing
the memories of participants.
Samoa’s copyright regime is presently adequate
to cater for the current needs. As stated in the
report, there is still a need for continued
education and awareness-raising of the public to
the increase value of intellectual property as a
commercial commodity to be protected.
Lemalu Tate Simi, CEO of MCIL is responsible for
Copyrights and other Intellectual Property
Administration.
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(Photo:
J. Kneubuhl) |
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AMERICAN SAMOA:
Archaeology training grant awarded to
Samoan Studies Institute
Source:
American Samoa Community
College Press Release
The Samoan Studies Institute (SSI) at the
American Samoa Community College has been
awarded a highly competitive grant from the
National Center for Preservation Technology and
Training (NCPTT). Through this grant program,
the NCPTT funds innovative projects that develop
new technologies to preserve cultural resources.
The SSI will use this resource to focus on
Tutuila’s archaeological legacy.
Under the instruction of SSI archaeologist Dr.
David Addison, students will learn to identify
archaeological materials on the ground surface.
They will visit farms where the ground is
cleared and will record materials from ancient
Samoan culture. Satellite mapping technology
will be used to map the sites, which will later
be put on a website available to the people of
American Samoa.
Tutuila was once a major manufacturing and
export center for stone tools. Manufacturing
debris from stone tool production found during
the project will be geochemically analyzed to
find out what ancient quarries on Tutuila it
came from. In this way, students and researchers
will learn more about how the ancient people of
Tutuila managed this important resource.
“The combination of archaeological and
technological skills that participants can
develop through this project will not only make
it worthwhile to students, but will also add
significantly to our data base of knowledge on
Tutuila’s historic sites,” said Samoan Studies
Institute Director Okenaisa Fauolo.
For more information on the National Center for
Preservation Technology and Training, visit
their website at: www.NCPTT.nps.gov.
Photo Caption: ASCC archaeology
instructor Dr. David Addison (front, center) is
seen here with colleagues from the Samoan
Studies Insitute. The Institue recently received
a competitive grant from the National Center for
Preservation Technology and Training to fund
research projects on Tutuila's archaeological
sites.
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(Photo:
Jai Prasad,
Fiji Times) |
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FIJI: Heroes welcome for Digicel Fiji 7's team
Source:
Fiji Times
Traffic came to a standstill in Nadi yesterday
as thousands of excited fans waited by the
roadside for a glimpse of the Digicel Fiji 7's
team.
According to national team sponsors Digicel, the
turnout was a "fitting welcome" for the team
which delivered an exceptional win at the Hong
Kong sevens tournament.
A Digicel truck carried the team and coach as
part of a procession in Nadi, and the entourage
also saw live broadcasts on local radio station
Today FM.
The two-hour tour began from the Votualevu
roundabout, through Namaka, Martintar, Navoci
and Namotomoto villages before making its way to
the Main Street and coming to a stop at the
Digicel store.
Children from the Nadi Airport Primary, Namaka
Public and Mount St. Mary's took a break from
their studies to welcome their heors and be part
of the celebration.
Last night the team and management joined their
respective families after a visit to Nagado
Village in Sabeto, which is the home of captain
Vereniki Goneva.
Photo Caption: Mount St Mary's Primary
School students cheering for the Fiji sevens
team in Nadi town.
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(Photo:
Oceania Football Confederation) |
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TAHITI:
Tahiti learn fate at FIFA U-20 World Cup
Source:
Oceania Football
Confederation Press Release
Oceania Football Confederation’s U-20 champions
Tahiti have been drawn with Spain, Nigeria and
Venezuela in Group B of the FIFA U-20 World Cup
Egypt 2009 after the official draw took place in
Luxor overnight.
The draw has thrown up a number of
mouth-watering clashes for FIFA’s leading junior
competition set to take place from 24 September
to 16 October in the five host cities of
Alexandria, Ismailia, Cairo, Port Said and Suez.
Tahiti’s opening match in Cairo will be against
Spain who won the tournament in 1999 and were
runners-up in 2003.
Venezuela will be next up and arguably the
easiest opposition for Tahiti but the South
Americans should not be taken lightly after
their impressive form during the qualifiers
where they drew with Argentina and beat Uruguay
and Colombia.
Lionel Charbonnier’s side will then play African
powerhouse Nigeria who were runners in the 2005
edition.
In qualifying for Egypt 2009, Tahiti made
history last December by becoming the first
island nation from Oceania to qualify for a FIFA
field football event. The team is preparing for
this year’s tournament by playing in Tahiti’s
premier senior competition - Championnat de
Tahiti - where they are currently placed second
behind Manu Ura in the playoff race.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup draw ceremony at the
Temple of Luxor was attended by a large number
of VIP guests. FIFA Director of Competitions Jim
Brown conducted the draw, assisted by Shawki
Gharieb, assistant coach of Egypt's national
team, Aya Medany, the female modern pentathlon
world champion, and a trio of distinguished
former Egypt internationals: Hazem Emam, Hady
Khashaba and Taher Abou Zeid.
Intriguing matchups include Germany against USA
in Group C, African champions Ghana taking on
England in Group D and South American top dogs
Brazil facing the challenge posed by Czech
Republic in Group E.
Hosts Egypt will meet Trinidad and Tobago in the
opening match on Thursday 24 September at the
Egyptian Army Stadium in Alexandria.
Tahiti at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009
Tahiti vs. Spain
Friday 25 September
Al Salam Stadium, Cairo
Tahiti vs. Venezuela
Monday 28 September
Al Salam Stadium, Cairo
Tahiti vs. Nigeria
Thursday 1 October
Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009 Official Draw
Group A (Cairo)
Egypt
Trinidad & Tobago
Paraguay
Italy
Group B (Cairo)
Nigeria
Venezuela
Spain
Tahiti
Group C (Suez)
USA
Germany
Cameroon
Korea Republic
Group D (Ismailia)
Ghana
Uzbekistan
England
Uruguay
Group E (Port Said)
Brazil
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Australia
Group F (Alexandria)
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Honduras
Hungary
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WORLDWIDE: Pacific issues on the world stage:
ending violence against women
Source:
United
Nations Development Programme
Press Release
Following the celebration of International
Women’s Day on March 8th with the theme of ‘Men
and Women United to End Violence against Women’,
a delegation of 16 individuals representing a
diverse group of NGOs from the Pacific and East
Timor have gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
for a Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys
for Gender Equality.
Over 450 people from 80 Countries are attending
the Symposium with the theme ‘Going to Scale
with Work with Men and Boys’, and engaging the
public sector in the process. The symposium
emerges from the hundreds of civil society and
governmental programs from around the world that
are already working to engage men and boys in
preventing violence against women and girls; in
sexual and reproductive health and rights; in
HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation; in
fatherhood and caregiving; in ending homophobia
and in maternal and child health.
This event comes exactly 15 years after the
International Conference on Population and
Development (Cairo), which has served as a
tremendous driving force for engaging men and
boys in gender equality. The Global Symposium
builds on the Millennium Development Goals and
the 48th Session Agreed Statement of Action of
the United Nations Commission on the Status of
Women on engaging men and boys for gender
equality.
UNDP Pacific Centre & AusAID are supporting a
Delegation made up of NGOs from East Timor,
Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon
Islands and Vanuatu to attend the Global
Symposium. This is to ensure that Pacific
experiences can be shared, because to often the
Pacific tends to be lumped together with Asia,
and Pacific issues get overshadowed.
A number of capacities building sessions have
been organized as part of the Symposium which
the delegation will benefit from. It is hoped
that the Symposium will provide an opportunity
to expand Pacific networks and links with
organizations from around the world that are
dedicated to working with men and boys for
gender equality.
Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA,
emphasised in the opening remarks that the
symposium was a unique opportunity to reshape
gender norms and practices.
“Men and boys can be a driving force for gender
equality in many ways whether redefining
masculinity, practicing gender equitable
fatherhood and eliminating all forms of
violence. Gender equality is not a woman’s
domain, men have an indispensable role to play,”
she added.
In the Pacific one of the main manifestations of
gender inequality is violence against women.
Ines Alberdi, Executive Director of UNIFEM
implored the Symposium that there is no going
back.
“We have to work together for gender equality to
achieve a fairer society, free from any forms of
violence and discrimination,” she said.
Mr. Ban Ki Moon, United Nations
Secretary-General added that violence against
women is the most obvious and harmful expression
of gender equality and that men must teach other
men that real men don’t oppress or violate
women.
Gary Barker from the International Centre for
Research on Women and Co-Chair of the MenEngage
Alliance added that striving for gender equality
is the cause that has united a number of
organizations for many years resulting in the
MenEngage Alliance that believes in the common
cause that men and boys need to be involved to
achieve gender equality.
The symposium includes the voices, experiences
and perspectives of NGOs, researchers,
policymakers, UN officials, young people and
women and men involved in direct activism to
achieve gender justice.
Save the Children - Sweden highlighted that this
is the first time in history that organizations
working with men for women’s empowerment are
coming together at this ground breaking and
historic symposium, which is the outcome of over
3 years of planning.
In the longer term, UNDP Pacific Centre & AusAID
hope that the delegations in the Global
Symposium will provide a platform for sustained
engagement of men and boys for violence
prevention and the achievement of gender
equality in the Pacific.
One evening of the symposium has been dedicated
to the Asia-Pacific side event that has been
organized by the UN Partners for Prevention
Programme. This will provide an opportunity for
the Pacific delegation to share their work with
colleagues from Asia and strengthen Asia-Pacific
regional networking and partnerships to achieve
gender equality.
The Symposium will develop a “Call to Action”
for governments and the UN to implement policy
that engages men and boys in gender equality.
The drafting committee includes a representative
from the Pacific, to ensure Pacific experiences
and issues are fully reflected in the final
outcomes of the Symposium. At the opening
ceremony, Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive
Director of UNFPA explained that the “Rio Call
for Action is going to demonstrate the
commitment to engaging men and boys to achieve
gender equality for us all.”
The Global Symposium is hosted by an alliance of
non-governmental organizations including
Promundo (Brazil), Instituto Papai (Brazil),
White Ribbon Campaign Canada, the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA), the MenEngage Alliance,
and Save the Children Sweden. The Symposium is
organized by a steering committee of 22
organizations from different countries including
UNDP.
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