NEWSPAGE 18 November
2009

(Photos: Career Services)

NEW ZEALAND: Symposium sets Pacific career development as priority

(Photo: Voxy News Engine)

SAMOA: Samoan language lives on abroad
Source: Voxy News

A new Samoan language coursebook written by Victoria University Senior lecturer Galumalemana Afeleti Hunkin shows the growing prominence of the Samoan language in New Zealand and the world.

Published by the University of Hawaii Press, the revised edition of Gagana Samoa: A Samoan language coursebook highlights the growing international dimension of the Samoan community.

The Samoan language is the third most spoken language in New Zealand, and in some areas such as Porirua, West and South Auckland, it is the second most spoken. Samoan is used in a number of government and community services, as well as being taught in New Zealand classrooms.

The challenge of answering the needs of many people eager to learn the Samoan language was recognised by Hunkin.

"I have people from all walks of life calling and asking where the language can be learned, from members of the police, other public servants, people with a personal connection to the Samoan community, and an increasing number of New Zealand-born Samoans." the Senior Lecturer says.

"Night classes and formal classes don't always suit people's time tables; there needed to be an easily accessible, modern way for them to learn the language."

Hunkin describes the book as a "modern, up-to-date text". It features an optional supportive CD which can be downloaded from the University of Hawaii Press website, helping with pronunciation.

Approximately 225,000 Samoans live in Western and American Samoa, with another 500,000 Samoans living throughout the world.

As felt by the recent impact of the Samoan tsunami, the Samoan community have become an integral part of many countries and cities. The United States release of this Wellington-authored book on the Samoan language shows the new, international face of the Samoan language.

Photo Caption: Victoria University Senior lecturer, Galumalemana Afeleti Hunkin.
 

(Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Miss ASCC 2009-2010 Pageant this weekend
Source: American Samoan Community College Press Release

The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) will hold its Miss ASCC 2009-2010 Pageant this Saturday, November 21st, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Gymnasium. Eight exceptional young ladies, each nominated by one of the ASCC student clubs, will compete for the Miss ASCC title by demonstrating their talents in the areas of dress, talent, knowledge, and familiarity with Samoan culture. A tradition at the College since the 1970s, the Miss ASCC title holder represents the institution at public events and acts as a model of exemplary student conduct.

This year’s eight contestants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and reflect the diversity of interests among today’s ASCC students. Blue Fa’atasi Club nominee TASHA DINAH TALAOALII LEATIOO, 20, comes from Fagatogo and majors in Business Management. Currently in her sophomore year, Tasha enjoys playing soccer with the Renegades Sports Club, reading books, and socializing with her friends. The Y.O.C./Tupulaga Taulaga Club has selected JOYCE PULEGA AUAU as their candidate. Joyce, 19, lives in Vaitogi, majors in Liberal Arts, and enjoys volleyball, singing, running, reading, researching and keeping in contact with friends on the internet.

JESSICA LUSE VA’A, 19, of Aua has a double major of Nursing and Pre-Law. Representing the 911 Club, Joyce likes helping her family with domestic duties, sewing and also styling the hair of her cousins and other friends. She says her background in nursing helps her care for family members when they feel under the weather. ANOALO ALOFA MOEA’I, 19, lists her home villages as Tau (Manua) and Faleniu. Nominated by the Segaula Club, Anoalo majors in Liberal Arts and likes playing volleyball, or, if in a less active mood, “watching CSI or the Disney Channel or playing sudoku puzzles”. The Happy Hour club has chosen RITTALEI SILIGA, 19, of Fagaitua as their candidate. When not working on her General Agriculture major, Rittalei enjoys reading, dancing, swimming, acting, hairstyling, and shopping.

FAITH FAALUA VAIFANUA, 18, lives in Alao and represents the club who go by the memorable name of Ia Salapu, Education First. Faith pursues a challenging double major of Pre-Law and Liberal Arts, but also finds time for reading (“especially the ‘Twilight’ series and the Bible”), sewing and playing soccer. “Education is the love of my life, and has been my first priority,” she says. Accounting major CARINYA BOONE-CRAWLEY, 19, of Matuu represents the 685 Club. Carinya’s diverse interests include playing guitar, playing sports, spending time with family and friends, writing poems, dancing and singing. The Anti-Legend Club has selected LALOMOANA FA’ATA’ELOTO DEZIREE VAEAO as their candidate. Lalomoana, 19, hails from Iliili, majors in Liberal Arts, and mostly enjoys hanging out with friends and family but will also take time to work out and to shop.

On Saturday evening, the eight contestants will follow a set format that begins with their modeling a traditional Samoan costume, and moves through the next three phases of talent showcase, evening gown modeling, and question-and-answer. An additional phase, the palu ava competition, will take place several days prior to the pageant in the ASCC falesamoa. Admission for Saturday evening’s main event is $5 for the general public and $3 for ASCC students with ID and children. For more information, call the ASCC main switchboard at 699-9155, and ask for the Student Government Association.

Photo Caption: The Miss ASCC 2009-2010 Pageant will take place this Saturday evening, beginning at 6 p.m. in the college gymnasium. Five out the eight young ladies competing for the title of Miss ASCC are pictured here: (l-r) Carinya Boone-Crawley, Jessica Va'a, Lalomoana Vaeao, Faith Vaifanua and Anoalo Moea'i. Not pictured: contestants Tasha Leatioo, Rittalei Siliga and Joyce Auau.
 

(Photo: Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited)

FIJI: Fiji president calls for joint efforts to fight HIV/AIDS
Source: Xinhua News Agency

Fiji President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said on Tuesday (November 17, 2009) that HIV/AIDS has become a profound threat in Fiji and the region, and called for joint efforts to fight against the disease.

Speaking at a consultation HIV Prevention Treatment Decree workshop in Suva on Tuesday, Nailatikau said the impact of HIV/AIDS in Africa could be compared to measles in Fiji that wiped out an entire generation.

"As former UNAIDS special representative on HIV for the Pacific but now the Fiji special representative on Fiji and recently appointed president, I am proud to be an advocate of a humane and integrated approach to the challenge HIV presents to us," he said.

Nailatikau said Fiji was part of a global village and was vulnerable.

He said HIV and AIDS in Fiji and the region had spread rapidly because of cultural, social and religious taboos.

This is a matter not openly discussed in homes and families despite the growing statistics.

In Fiji today, there are over 304 cases of HIV positive cases and the number keeps growing as more people opt for tests.

Even pregnant mothers have been urged to get tested after babies have been reportedly dying from the disease that has crippled countries like Papua New Guinea in the region.

Since 2004, four children have died in Fiji's hospitals because of HIV.

Addressing HIV in Fiji is a challenge and requires patience and understanding, as it means a complete turn around in attitude, said the health authorities.

People in the communities are persuaded to change their attitude to deal with sensitive and taboo topics.

Nailatikau had a strong message for people in Fiji to stand up and not remain silent on the subject.

He appealed to the younger generation to protect themselves as abstinence is becoming an unrealistic approach.

Traditional and religious leaders have been told to preach the unpalatable message which would be readily absorbed if repeated by respected leaders.

The island nation of just a little over a population of 800,000could risk being wiped out if the message is not preached and accepted by people and therefore more needs to be done to ensure a change for the better.

The Fiji president therefore hoped the draft decree would meet international standards and that those affected with HIV in Fiji are respected and loved as they ought to be. 

Photo Caption: Fiji President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

TUVALU: RAMSI update - from Tuvalu to Tingoa
Source: Islands Business

Tuvaluan representative to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Amuia Aligi, is enjoying the challenge and experience of being in the Solomons.

Being able to tell people that you come from one of the smallest and most remote countries on earth is a source of great pride for Amuia Aligi, one of two representatives to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) from the nation of Tuvalu.

Located half way between Australia and Hawaii, Tuvalu is a country of nine small coral atolls, with a total land area of 26 square kilometres. It has a population of about 11,000 people, with around 4,000 of these living in the capital, Funafuti.

Aligi is serving as Tuvalu’s contingent commander for the RAMSI Participating Police Force and is in the last months of his posting to Solomon Islands. Prior to his deployment, he served as the commanding officer of the Funafuti Police Station, with 25 staff under his supervision.

Upon arriving in Solomon Islands, he initially worked at the Central Police Station in the Solomons capital, Honiara, before being posted to the one of the country’s most remote provinces of Temotu, followed by Tingoa, the capital of the similarly isolated Rennell Island, where he worked as an adviser alongside a New Zealand RAMSI police officer and four local Royal Solomon Islands Police Force officers.

Working and living in this remote location was a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, experience for Aligi, who enthusiastically recalls many of the times he shared with the people of Rennell.

“We were always out and about visiting other villages, talking and playing games, which gave us the opportunity to assist in building strong police and community relationships,” he says.

Importantly, he believes that although he has been working as an adviser to help build the skills of local police, his work as part of RAMSI has been a great learning experience for him too.

“I have learned a lot - working in a big country, with a big population like the Solomons. I have learned a lot about the challenge of it all.”

Along with the challenges of studying Solomon Islands pijin and learning to cook with a wide variety of new vegetables, Aligi says the unpredictable environment of Solomon Islands has provided him with some unexpected experiences.

“One night in Honiara I felt the building and ground shaking—and I couldn’t understand what was happening. I soon realised I wasn’t under attack; I’d just experienced my first earthquake.”

Aligi also believes that one of the strengths of the role of RAMSI is that advisers from many countries across the Pacific share many characteristics, including similar passions and fears. He cites the example of climate change, a concept that Tuvaulans, like many Solomon Islanders, are just beginning to come to terms with.

It is an issue that is close to Aligi’s heart. He and his family love the beaches that surround their home on Namumaga Island in the northern islands of Tuvalu, and the threat of these beaches disappearing in the not-too-distant future is becoming a genuine concern for him and his fellow Tuvaluans.

“I started to learn about climate change in the late 90s, and fortunately people are really talking about it now, which is a good sign.

“We have to worry about it—because you have to start to think about moving your family to somewhere else,” he explains.

“It is a reality for us.”

When he returns to his wife and baby son in Tuvalu, in November, Aligi will take memories of fun and achievement, the ability to speak in the local pidgin language, his new cooking skills, and memories of the many friendships he has made along the way.

He adds that he is excited to tell his family about his stint as a member of the inaugural RAMSI Futsal team, which recently took on the might of the Solomon Islands national indoor soccer (Futsal) team, the Kurukurus, in a friendly fundraising match at Honiara’s Multipurpose Hall. The match was held as a fundraiser for the Solomons’ team, who are the Futsal champions of Oceania, before they took on the might of countries such as Spain, Guatemala and Uruguay at the Confederations Futsal Cup in Libya in October.

Aligi played alongside other RAMSI representatives from Australia and New Zealand, representing Tuvalu with pride.

He proved to be one of the most popular players on the court with the packed hall cheering loudly every time he went near the ball.

“I had a lot of fun! But the Solomon Islanders are a very skilful team and the game was very fast; far too fast for us.

“When I was waiting on the sidelines, I was a little nervous,” Aligi explained. “But then when I came onto the court, I was a little surprised, because the crowd was on my side! They were all cheering for me, which was a great feeling.”

RAMSI Participating Police Force Commander, Wayne Buchhorn, said Aligi and fellow Tuvaluan, RAMSI colleague Tua Tepoga were outstanding ambassadors for their country.

“Amuia and Tua are great representatives for Tuvalu,” Commander Buchhorn said. “The work they are undertaking here in Solomon Islands has been important to building strength and confidence in the local police force—and I extend my thanks to them for the commitment and enthusiasm they have shown.”
 

(Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Island developing nations raise concerns about security threats
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Concerned about threats to their security, a group of Pacific island developing nations took the floor of the UN General Assembly yesterday (November 17, 2009) to demand adoption of a legally-binding treaty at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this December.

Speaking on behalf of the 11 vulnerable small Pacific islands represented at the UN, Ambassador Stuart Beck from the island nation of Palau stated that “flimsy moral sentiments at Copenhagen are no substitute for legally-binding treaties and do little to ensure the security of the most vulnerable among us.”

Rejecting recent calls made by some of the world’s biggest polluters for a delay in taking decisive and legally-binding action on climate change, the Pacific Island states told the 192-member world body that the political choices for Copenhagen have already been outlined in negotiation texts.

According to Ambassador Beck, “the choice before leaders at Copenhagen will be if the global community has sufficient political will to ensure our security through legal instruments with serious, specific action on emissions by all nations, or if we will fail ourselves and future generations” by delaying decisions and risking prolonged deadlocks.

UN member states were told by a recent report by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that climate change poses specific security risks to vulnerable countries. .

Ambassador Beck highlighted that climate-related relocation has already happened in the Pacific and that entire nations might disappear, stating that“we are talking about the survival of nations, people and unique cultures.” Some Pacific island nations, including Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati, are only one or two meters above sea level, and the UN report confirmed that climate change impacts pose a serious threat to their statehood

On behalf of the Pacific small islands, Palau Ambassador Beck noted that “the linkage between climate change and security needs to be a permanent focus of deliberations” at the UN, including examination by the Security Council. In June this year, the Pacific island nations spearheaded the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the security implications of climate change.

Also addressing the UN, Ambassador Collin Beck from the Solomon Islands registered “deep concern from public statements” seeking to lower expectations for concluding a legal instrument at the Copenhagen meeting, stating that “those on the frontline will continue to suffer on a daily basis as we continue to postpone action,” and that global leaders “keep having summits on climate change, and yet we have not lived up to what we have said.”

The Pacific islands are part of the 43-member Alliance of Small Island States, which ended recent climate talks in Barcelona with a call to conclude binding legal instruments at Copenhagen. The island states have called for global warming to be limited to well below 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. However, large polluters, through the Major Economies Forum, support a 2 degree goal, which would risk substantial impacts to vulnerable nations.