NEWSROOM 06 May
2009

(Photo: New Zealand Government)

NEW ZEALAND: Pacific families to benefit from Tamaki project

(Photo: Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations)

SAMOA: HARMONISED WORKSHOP for Community Based Organisations
Source: Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations Press Release

The HARMONISED WORKSHOP to build the capacity of Community Based Organisation to better manage their projects in their communities was the initiative to put together a workshop through the combined effort of the European Union Micro-Project Programme (EU-MPP), NZAid and AUSAid through Oloamanu Training Centre and Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations (SUNGO).

The five-day workshop was based around four modules of project planning, monitoring and supervision, finance and reporting. The last day was specially planned for the five (5) community based organisations groups to carry out presentations on what they have learnt from the four days training. The workshop was carried out in the Samoan language and the ten (10) pool of trainers who already undertook the Training of Trainers (TOT) were well equipped to carry out the training for the total of fourteen participants. The TOT was carried out in the last two weeks through the initiative of the ICTP Programme from the Oloamanu Training Centre. The workshop was led by lead trainer Falanika Salevao for the one week workshop.

The closing ceremony was held at the Oloamanu Training Centre at the National University of Samoa and it was attended by EU MPP Programme Manager Ane Moananu and ICTP Programme Manager Maualaivao Maima Malifa and the presentations of certification for “Project Management for Community Based Organisations” was done by SUNGOs President Vaasiliifiti Moelagi Jackson.

This is the first training for the Social Sector funded by the European Union Micro-Project Programme (EU- MPP) and it is also the only workshop that is harmonised with the In Country Training Programme (ICTP) through the Oloamanu Training Centre. The next three workshops are planned to be carried out by the end of July 09.

Please contact Ofusina T. Ieremia for more information on 24347 or 24322.

Photo Caption: Participants at the HARMONISED WORKSHOP for Community Based Organisations.
 

(Photo: National Football League)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega congratulates 9 Polynesians drafted by NFL
Source: Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega recently offered congratulations to the nine Polynesian players that were selected in this year’s 2009 NFL Draft. The players were selected at the 47th Annual NFL Draft that was held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City for two days on April 25 - 26, 2009. This year’s Polynesian players include:
 

“I want to congratulate our nine Polynesian players who were selected in this year’s NFL Draft,” Faleomavaega said. “This year’s draft was very competitive compared to most recent years given that there were no significant prospects and that more and more players were selected from unfamiliar colleges and that five of the top ten players drafted this year were offensive and defensive linemen.”

“Our Polynesian sons have represented us extremely well this year. Being selected in the NFL Draft is one of the most prestigious achievements any young man would accomplish. It recognizes their hard work and tireless commitment to playing football. The 256 players selected in these two days were from a pool of more than a thousand players who were eligible and qualified to compete for the few slots available in the seven rounds of the draft.”

“These young men are ambassadors for our Polynesian heritage and they will continue to represent a unique legacy laid by the many other Polynesians who were once and still part of the National Football League. They built a foundation that portrays the strength and courage of the fearless Polynesian warrior. From pioneers such as Al Lolotai who played for the Washington Redskins in 1945 to the likes of Troy Polamalu who continues to play an important role for the Super Bowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers, Polynesians are much an integral part of this great game.”

“I once again want to congratulate the players and, importantly, want to recognize their parents and families for their strong support and prayers for their sons. Also, I want to acknowledge the many other Polynesian players who were successful in signing free agent contracts with the NFL teams. I wish them all the best as they begin the vigorous process of spring training and the preseason games to come,” concluded Faleomavaega.
 

(Photo: Fiji Times)

FIJI: Northern women keep weaving art alive
Source: Fiji Times

Women of Macuata in Vanua Levu are keeping the age-old art of weaving mats from kuta alive.

The women from 39 villages in the northern province gathered at Seaqaqa on Monday to learn about kuta weaving at a workshop.

Kuta is the traditional mat of the province. Four districts Dreketi, Seaqaqa, Macuata and Sasa were represented at the workshop organised by the Department of Culture and Heritage.

Senior cultural development officer Niqa Tuvuki said the skill was disappearing fast over the years and fewer women knew how to weave a kuta mat. She said the workshop was the result of a request by Tui Macuata, Ratu Aisea Katonivere, who led the Fiji delegation to the Festival of Arts in American Samoa.

"The cultural enhancement program we have is aimed at promoting cultural industries at the grassroots through exhibitions, festivals, promotions and workshops," Ms Tuvuki said. However, she said, the challenge was in implementing the program because cultures were different.

"We want to have a pilot program at Macuata because of the request from Ratu Aisea to promote cultural heritage in his province.

"We attended their tikina council meeting and what we saw was that the tourism activities done along the coast of Macuata gave an opportune platform for setting up cultural enterprises, need for heritage sites for eco-tourism and the need to organise local workshops on kuta weaving for young women."

One of the learners, Mere Tuilau, a Form Five student of Naravuka Village, said as a Fijian girl, she should know her culture.

She said it was not easy to learn the art but she enjoyed it.

Photo Caption: Mere Tuilau, 17, learns how to weave kuta from Melania Valemasi at a workshop at Seaqaqa.
 

(Photo: Tahiti Expeditions)

TAHITI: Tahiti Expeditions takes you off the beaten track
Source: STAR Public Relations Ltd Press Release

Moorea based Tahiti Expeditions has recently launched a collection of active and educational adventures for visitors to Tahiti with an emphasis on natural history and cultural heritage.

These high quality adventures and excursions throughout the islands of French Polynesia enable travellers to experience this tropical island paradise by going off the beaten track.

Half-day or full-day tours are available and can include lunch (ranging from tasty local picnic to fine restaurant). Tours focus on a variety of topics including, geology, geography, flora and fauna, conservation and environmental issues, history, culture, economy, and politics. Tahiti Expeditions operates tours regularly on Moorea and Tahiti, and can also set up tours on other islands throughout French Polynesia if requested.

Specialising in a small groups, Tahiti Expeditions activities include Outrigger Va’a Tours, guided ocean kayaking as well as a variety of guided walks and land tours of archeological remains of ancient villages.

Tahiti Expeditions actively pursues sustainable Green Best Practices and Social Responsibility in all areas of its business and operations. Adhering to the philosophy to “Reduce what you can, offset what’s left”, Tahiti Expeditions partners with Sustainable Travel International in ongoing efforts to achieve and maintain carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability.

For further information on tours please visit www.TahitiExpeditions.com or call 0800 TAHITI.

Photo Caption: Tahiti Expeditions follows international ecotourism guidelines, and actively works with and supports local cultural and environmental conservation organisations.
 

WORLDWIDE: Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Region conference ends
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

The three-day conference on "Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Region,” came to a close recently with the five Pacific Island Countries present identifying key priority areas where support to enhance the management and oversight of the security sector in the Pacific is needed.

When delivering the Co- Chair’s executive summary of the conference, Jean-Luc Stalon, Senior Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Advisor at the UNDP Pacific Centre said national delegates from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu identified development of national security policies and strategies; capacity-strengthening programmes for civil society; provision of support to improve parliamentary oversight; development of gender sensitive policies and programmes; and strengthening the capacity of Ombudsman institution to improve accountability of the security sector as the main areas where support from UNDP and international and regional organizations could be needed.

The executive summary also highlighted the importance of external accountability and oversight mechanisms including an effective Parliament with adequate resources and capable and independent accountability institutions including the Ombudsman, the Leadership Code Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Independent Commission against Corruption.

Mr Rick Nimmo, Director of the Political Governance and Security Programme of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Co- Chair of the conference emphasized that the Pacific Leaders outlined a vision for the Pacific as a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity.

“This conference has been consistent with the spirit of the Leaders’ vision in ensuring that international good practice and lessons learned are brought to the Pacific and that Pacific experiences can be shared at the global level,” he added.

Presentations from a wide range of international and Pacific experts in the field, gave national delegations a comprehensive understanding of international good practice and global norms on security sector governance but the importance of national security policies being based on country needs and priorities was also noted.

Ministers present at the meeting also indicated the possibility of having national conferences on Security Sector Governance, based on national priorities and needs, and supported by international partners including UNDP and PIFS.

Mr Garry Wiseman, Manager of the UNDP Pacific Centre said UNDP will be ready to provide support to the countries present at the conference.

“Based on the identified priorities, UNDP stands ready to support national actors and civil society to develop appropriate strategies to respond to their priorities through a regional framework to support countries in developing Security Sector Governance initiatives,” he said.

The first of its kind conference in the Pacific Region was hosted by the UNDP Pacific Centre in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The topics covered during the three days of deliberation included Security Sector Governance: Global and Pacific; Security Sector Governance and Co-operation in the Pacific - status and needs; Executive, Legislative and Civil Society Oversight of the Security Sector; institution building and accountability of the security sector; and Gender and Security Sector Governance.

The Statement by the Co-Chairs is attached to this press release and can be downloaded from www.undppc.org.fj/pressreleases