NEWSPAGE 04 September
2009

(Photo: New Zealand Government)

NEW ZEALAND: Programme of action supports Maori communities to stop violence

(Photos: Samoa Rugby Union / Pacific Mini Games)

SAMOA: Samoa sevens team named for Pacific Mini Games
Source: Samoa Rugby Union Press Release

Newly appointed National Sevens Coach, Stephen Betham, has today released his squad to contest the gold medal at the South Pacific Games in the Cook Islands early next month.

The team will be expected to depart for the Cook Islands on the 27th September, where they will hope to avenge their heart stopping loss at the hands of the Fijians at the South Pacific Games in 2007 at Apia Park. “We have opted to take the best team available, obviously, with the intention to seriously contest the Gold Medal’ says Betham. “ We won’t be taking this tournament lightly”.

The team was selected after two vigorous rounds of this year’s Digicel Sevens Series, with World Series regulars dominating the squad after steady performances throughout. Lolo Lui has been in good form so far, winning the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament at Apia Park in the first round, with Vaiala pair Alatasi Tupou and Timoteo Iosua finding their spark to spur Vaiala on to a second round Cup upset over a star studded Vailele team.
Misioka Timoteo joins his Vaiala team mates, after an impressive showing in the forward exchanges to regain \his spot in the sevens team.

Tepatasi speedstar Ese Faletuvave joins Vaimoso’s Pesamaino Alauni as two new debutants in the team, who have played well enough to catch the Bethams and Lalomilo’s eye during the series. “These two were picked on merit, after playing solidly for their clubs, and it’s a great chance for these two to make their mark at this level” Betham says. With experience brimming in the team, the two new caps should have no problem learning the ropes”

Preparations have begun in earnest, with the team looking to kick start the international Sevens season on a high note.

Samoa Sevens Squad for Mini Games 2009
Ofisa Treviranus (Malie)
Afa Aiono ( Leulumoega)
Alafoti Faosiliva (Laumua o Tumua)
Simaika Mikaele (Vailele)
Misioka Timoteo (Vaiala)
Ese Faletuvave (Tepatasi)
Lolo Lui (Moata’a)
Alatasi Tupou (Vaiala)
Timoteo Iosua (Vaiala)
Reupena Leavasa (Vailele)
Mikaele Pesamino (Vailele)
Pesamino Alauni (Vaimoso)

Non travelling reserves
Falemiga Selesele (Moataa)
Samaeli Asotasi (Vaiala)
Taupou Sefo (Nofoalii)
Meki Magele (Marist)

Photo Caption: Newly appointed National Sevens Coach, Stephen Betham.
 

(Photos: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Fall 2009 semester sets all-time enrolment peak at ASCC
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

Now entering its second week, the current semester at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has seen the institution’s biggest ever increase in fall enrolment. While the Admissions Office has yet to release a final tally, the most recent preliminary figure placed this semester’s enrolment at 1,978 students taking regular daytime classes, already a substantial increase compared to 1,826 in fall 2008. The estimated figure of 1,978 does not include enrolees in the American Samoa Teacher Education Program (ASTEP), which began its own registration this week. Should ASTEP attract its anticipated number of about 200 students, adding this to the 1,978 regular daytime students will yield an all-time enrolment peak of nearly 2,200 students at ASCC this semester.

Enrolment at the College has increased in small but steady increments for several years now. Summer graduation from the local high schools typically results in more new students entering ASCC in the fall semester than in the spring, and fall enrolment at the College (including ASTEP students) has gone from 1,550 in 2004, 1,601 in 2005, 1,607 in 2006, and 1,767 in 2007 to 1,826 in 2008. The College usually combines the number of regular daytime students with the number taking late afternoon ASTEP classes to reach the final enrolment figure. Subtracting 200 from the fall 2008 tally of 1,826 would mean that the College enrolled approximately 1,626 regular daytime students last fall. Comparing that number to the current pre-ASTEP tally of 1,978 means that around 350 new students entered ASCC this semester.

The unexpected increase in numbers brought some unexpected challenges during enrolment. Continuing students pre-registered for classes online, but with the College’s system for registering new students online still under development, the surge of students coming to ASCC for the first time resulted in many classes filling up faster than expected, which in turn meant that working out alternative schedules for the new enrolees often took longer than usual. “In the end, we registered all of the incoming students into at least two courses,” said ASCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Irene Helsham. “We also created additional sections in the English Language Institute, Math, Computer Technology, Samoan Studies, and Language and Literature departments to accommodate the increase.” According to Helsham, many ASCC instructors have agreed to teach overloads of more than their regular five courses this semester in order to make these additional sections available.

“We see this increase in numbers as an acknowledgement that many in the community see the College as a viable option” said ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea’i. “For the last few months, we’ve put a lot of time into a Strategic Plan which calls for expansion in a number of areas to meet the increased demand on the College, which the surge in numbers this semester clearly illustrates. Now more than ever, we need to count on the support of the government and the community as we strive to meet the needs of the future.” The College’s Chief Financial Officer Falema’o “Phil” Pili explained that since enrolment numbers at ASCC have begun to rise, the institution has had to “do more with less” because its operating subsidy from the American Samoa Government has remained at the same level. “The direct subsidy allocated to the college has remained constant in the past six years,” said Pili. “In view of the rising enrolment levels, we trust that our lawmakers will use Public Law 22-30 as their guide. The Public Law contains a formula for the ASG subsidy based on the size our enrolment, and as this increases so does the need for ASCC to have the proper resources to continue serving the community at its current standard.”

Dr. Galea’i said he has personally discussed the issue of ASCC funding with Governor Togiola Tulafono, whom he credits for supporting the College in numerous projects and initiatives. “The Governor indicated that he will assist the College by all means possible to assure that funding to the College is at levels appropriate to meet the challenges that come with an increasing enrolment.”

Photo Captions: Students registering for the fall 2009 semester at ASCC led to the College's latest all time fall enrollment peak. Based on figures for regular daytime students, enrollment had reached 1,978 at last count, an increase of more than 200 from fall 2008.

(Photo: TVNZ)

FIJI: Fiji Commonwealth re-entry will take time
Source: TVNZ ONE News

It could take several years for Fiji to be reinstated to the Commonwealth, even if elections targeted for 2014 are successful, a Fijian academic says.

Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth overnight after failing to meet conditions, including holding early elections.

It was also suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum in May, and the European Union has suspended aid to the military regime.

Military leader Frank Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected government in a December 2006 coup, has said he intends holding elections by September 2014.

Dr Steven Ratuva, from the University of Auckland's Centre for Pacific Studies, said the suspension would have a marginal impact on the general Fijian population.

Ratuva said it would affect Commonwealth scholarships and job opportunities around the globe for Fijians within Commonwealth organisations.

But Fiji had already experienced prolonged isolation from the Commonwealth and, economically, it was likely to have little effect.

Ratuva said the suspension had long been on the cards, but the 2014 election date had been all but set in stone for some time as well.

When Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth following a military coup in 1987, elections were next held in 1992, but reinstatement did not come until 1997.

It was possible that even if there were successful elections in 2014, complex and lengthy procedures meant it could take years for Fiji to be reinstated to the Commonwealth, Ratuva said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said democracy under-pinned the Commonwealth, and Fiji had been given plenty of warning about falling out of line.

But New Zealand didn't intend imposing any further sanctions, and there was now little it could do but show patience.

Former governor-general Sir Paul Reeves is set to travel to Fiji within the next 10 days as the Commonwealth Secretary General's representative for talks with the regime.

Sir Paul said the situation was sensitive and any public comment would come after, rather than before, discussions took place.

Labour leader Phil Goff said the suspension was regrettable but inevitable given Fiji's failure to take steps to restore democracy.

"We will continue to look for signs of a commitment that Fiji will head down the road to democracy. But until we see signs of progress, restoring a relationship with Fiji is not possible," Goff said.

The ban means the Fijian government will be excluded from participation at all inter-governmental Commonwealth meetings or activities.

It also means no Commonwealth technical assistance can be provided to Fiji, with the exception of assistance aimed at facilitating the restoration of democracy.

Contact at professional and non-governmental levels with Fiji counterparts will be left to the discretion of individual pan-Commonwealth organisations.

Photo Caption: Military leader Frank Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected government in a December 2006 coup, has said he intends holding elections by September 2014.
 

(Photos: Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission NZ / Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs)

NIUE: Air New Zealand ‘Return-to-Roots’ mission to Niue calls for entrepreneurs
Source: Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission NZ Press Release

New Zealand-based Niuean entrepreneurs are being encouraged to consider business opportunities in their homeland by joining the Air New Zealand Return-to-Roots mission which will travel there in early November.

The Ministry for Pacific Island Affairs and the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission NZ (PITIC) are calling for expressions of interest from Niueans who want to invest or enter into joint-ventures with businesses already in existence as a way of developing and building Niue’s economy.

‘This mission to Niue is an extension of the Return-to-Roots concept in 2007 when PITIC led delegations of New Zealand Pacific business people to Tonga and Samoa,” Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Chief Executive, Dr Colin Tukuitonga says.

“Niue didn’t miss out in 2007 because when the Governor General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand visited there, he took with him a spearhead group of young professionals to consider returning to work and live there, or to provide expertise.

“As a Niuean, I would be proud to see entrepreneurs come forward and seriously consider making an investment in our homeland.”

The prime objective for the 2009 mission will be to identify and establish opportunities that will add value to existing businesses as well as look at productively utilising the capacity available in Niue’s fishing, forestry, tourism and agricultural resources.

Expressions of interest close on Monday September 7 and should be lodged with the PITIC NZ, by email: [email protected]
 

(Photo: National Development Bank of Palau)

WORLDWIDE: Model energy homes in Palau
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature Press Release

A local program is encouraging investment in energy efficient homes to help green Palau and save people money at the same time.

Palau, like many small developing islands in the Pacific, is focused on moving in the direction of a more sustainable energy path and reducing its dependency on fossil fuel.

Being one of the highest per-capita energy users in the Pacific Island Countries with a population of 20, 000 people, Palau is taking firm steps to lower their energy consumption and promote energy efficiency and conservation through their Energy Efficiency Subsidy Program (EESP).

The EESP is a voluntary program aimed at providing home loans that specifically targets the inclusion of energy efficiency measures in new homes to lower household electricity consumption. It is estimated that through this program, electricity usage in new homes will drop by 15%. This new innovative program by the National Development Bank of Palau (NDBP) promises to lift the standard of living in Palau while embracing environmentally sound practices.

Since its inception in October 2008, the program has received a total of thirty two applications with two energy model homes completed in Koror State and construction already commencing for another two: one in Airai State and another in Koror state. In addition six energy efficient standard homes are under construction with twenty-two more applications being processed.

How it works

Through this Energy Efficiency home loan program, the NDBP helps moderate income families build new homes, with choices of energy saving features suitable for the Palau environment. The bank provides subsidies to the borrower ranging from a minimum of $3,000 to $10, 000 (US Dollars), depending on the type and number of features selected by the new home owner.
It’s more than just using energy saver lights and using energy star appliances. Home owners will have a range of energy saving options to choose from including: tinted or high performance glass, solar water heaters, hot water piping insulation, exterior window shading or awnings and more.

Invest more to save more!

The concept of energy efficiency is usually associated with higher costs. In terms of initial costs the energy-efficient house could cost 2% to 10% more than a house without energy efficient features. However, you’ll pay less in electricity bills each month, usually more than enough to offset any increase in your mortgage payments.

Awareness has been a major tool for the program and the team at NDBP has been working tirelessly to promote this concept which is new to many Palauns.

“We have placed a lot of effort in our awareness campaigns and have been working with our Energy Office, local partners, other leading agencies and the communities to help people understand energy efficiency and the Energy Efficiency home loan program,” says Clarinda Ziegler, the Project Manager for the EESP. The program had also launched an intensive village outreach program earlier in April of this year reaching out to 16 states in the country.

“The concept and the meaning of energy efficiency is becoming a familiar lingo within the communities and the people and we are very pleased with the responses from the communities”

The Energy Efficiency Subsidy Program is supported by the Governments of Italy and Austria through the technical and managerial expertise of The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

“Palau’s Energy Efficiency home loan program is one of its first to be implemented in the Oceania region and offers valuable lessons for all,” says Anare Matakiviti, IUCN’s Energy Programme Coordinator.


For more information, please contact:
Energy Coordinator, IUCN Office
Tel: (679) 3310 084, Mobile: (679) 9232115, email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.iucn.org/oceania


About IUCN

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges by supporting scientific research; managing field projects all over the world; and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN, international conventions and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

The world's oldest and largest global environmental network, IUCN is a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists and experts in some 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. IUCN's headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, in Switzerland.

Photo Caption: A completed Model Home in Palau.