tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103648378349914602024-03-14T23:44:06.427+13:00The Memoirs Of An Imperfect EinjoSome random thoughts :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-16447130433958536812016-10-25T22:36:00.001+13:002016-10-25T22:39:27.980+13:00To strike or not to strike: The repercussions of being a 'big mouth' who cares. <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="3vbck" data-offset-key="1tob1-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="1tob1-0-0">So today I participated in a </span><span class="_5u8u" data-offset-key="1tob1-1-0" spellcheck="false" style="background-color: #dce6f8;"><span data-offset-key="1tob1-1-0"><span data-text="true">New Zealand Tertiary Education Union</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="1tob1-2-0"> protest around seeking a better deal for Professional Staff at my place of work - notably for those who are paid lower than the current living wage for the incredible amount of work that they do. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="1tob1-2-0"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because I participated in this protest, I and other colleagues will have an hours worth of our salary deducted from our next pay round to reflect what I am being made to feel is considered civil disobedience lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I just laughed at that but really I am baffled. Working in the tertiary sector is not what I imagined it to be. It's not a 9 -5 job. You can't just leave work at work. I bring work home every day. I miss out on so many family/friend moments because I'm constantly doing work. It's not a 9-5 job because my students also work full time. They send me work at 11.00pm. In my bid to build and maintain an international profile (one of the requirements) I am up skyping and emailing at ungodly hours. I know for other people in other sectors this is also true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tertiary sector is in a constant state of endless change. Although public investment in tertiary education in NZ is high (in comparison to the OECD average) much of that goes to students as loans and grants than as direct funding to institutions which means Universities have to act more and more like businesses to stay afloat - at least that's what I'm told. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the benefits of today's protest was the opportunity to talk to other union members about the ever increasing workloads, the lack of appreciation for the over-and-beyond (what we get paid) service to further the character, aims, goals, aspirations and public profile of the institution. Not to mention the collective sense of surprise and disappointment at the uncalled for reaction of the employer - given the incredible amount of unpaid work we all contribute in our various roles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The last time this protest happened, the reaction was the same. I beamed with pride as other colleagues collectively noted their dissatisfaction with the response from the ivory tower, coupled with anecdotes of the over-and-beyond service this place so much depends on in order for it to be the best it can be - for our students.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although I don't earn as much as my other colleagues :'( I was happy to sacrifice what little I had in support of this cause. I then went back to my office and finished late again because at the end of the day - the work still has to be done. Four Universities were engaged in some form of collective action today I was told. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here I am at home, on my laptop, about to respond to emails and work on other projects I have due. And the fight continues. </span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-21025472537839171042016-02-23T01:45:00.001+13:002016-02-23T01:49:38.967+13:00The Emancipation of Pati & the Validation of Me.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On finishing my copy of "Out of the Vaipe", I felt a strange sense of completeness. A bewildering peace took over, and I suddenly realised this is the first time I have felt like this in a long time. The first time, I, as a Samoan, living in NZ felt validated, felt I was finally visible within a piece of literature! I felt real. I wanted to write and profusely thank the professor. I wanted to give him a gift of thanks. But what could I give? And what words could I draw upon that would rightfully acknowledge my whole hearted appreciation of this latest piece of work, and of him, and the impact it has had on me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I begin humming. 'Butterfly'. Most people who know me know I worship at the temple of Ms Carey. I know what you're thinking. Mariah Carey and Albert Wendt - how absurd. I did worry how the Professor would take being compared to Mariah - on the surface level - to many a pop star, but an artist in her own right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are however some connections that can be made. The two of them represent the best in their fields. Mariah, the number 1 selling solo/female artist of all time, and Pati - the Pacific's greatest literary hero - of all time. Sure the thematic focus of their work is markedly different - however those of you who are able to look beyond the glitz and glamour of the 'Touch My Body' - Mariah will appreciate the depth of her work, and understand how her pain and life experiences feature ever so melodically and soberly in works like 1991's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tov22NtCMC4">'Vision of love'</a>, 1995's 'I am free', <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRAIvCMc5YI">'Looking In'</a>, 1998's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiwK86hoSAo">'Outside'</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stcdNj0SANw">'Butterfly'</a>, 1999's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qut1aTowSE">'Petals'</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BGiaLqGn_I">'Can't take that away'</a>, 2001's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6XD4qHC07s">'Reflections'</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2002's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK9_jBBIThE">'Through the Rain'</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVbz6obTCn0">'My Saving Grace'</a>, 2005's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj2LrBiXKpU">'Fly Like a Bird'</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2008's '</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzQDdj8x3KE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish you well</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These to me were/are more than mere pop singles - they are anthems that a lot of people have connected to in different ways. Music is an</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> art form that is able to express and understand that which social conversation often shuns and ridicules. The power of validation can thus </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">take shape in many different forms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's true what they say about indigenous people who struggle in education systems that rob them of their cultural identity, glossing over indigenous stories as Wendt highlight's in 'Vaipe'. I had similar experiences in the NZ education system, gripped with the same anxiety, self doubt and hopelessness as a result and what I suspect was the purpose of the entire system <strike>at the time</strike>. I too had no stories that I could connect to. I learnt about the American Wild West - how settlers begun their lives in their new lands, constantly plagued by the Natives who lived there. We learnt about Australian ore mining in geography (zzzzzz), Shakespearean literature in English, and very little about Aotearoa's history - history from the perspective of it's indigenous peoples. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the same time, mainstream media and society were promulgating extremely negative perceptions of what it meant to be a Pacific islander in NZ. The forever present and growing gaps in academic achievement, the predominant focus of high rates of crime and poverty in low socio economic areas where most of us lived. There was no escape. And although I loved learning and gaining insights from different aspects of the Western World, I struggled as a younger version of myself, to balance a strong cultural identity and way of living at home, with an education system and society that basically whitewashed and sought to exterminate everything we knew, and everything we were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I immediately drew upon Carey's extensive catalogue for solace, comfort, and hope. At the time, she was the only person I felt who was speaking clearly to those who did not conform to mainstream social stereotypes of gender/race. Mariah, through her art spoke of the struggles of being Bi Racial in a largely racist America, the identity crisis brought on by the obsession of other's and their need to feel superior and constantly question difference (Outside). I connected quite easily to messages of hope, serenity and the drive to break through and to break free (Butterfly). I dreamed of a future where Pacific people in NZ would no longer have to be treated and viewed in this way (Vision Of love/ Heavenly). It was Mariah and Me. She was my 'hero' from afar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My parents were my local heroes, but their lived experiences and journeys were markedly different from mine. Complaining about how unfair the world was thanks to capitalism and how western education systems diminish indigenous identities and cultures appeared pretty rich for someone who schooled in the land of 'milk and honey' and did not have to 'walk miles barefoot on rocks in the sweltering sun and monsoon-like rain with no lunch to get to school'! Got it every time :) They did what any good Samoan parent would do, which was to 'encourage' (in the broadest sense, sometimes by force) their children to get on with it :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having finished 'Vaipe', I felt a strong connection to Professor Wendt's life and story. Another not so far away hero. Although we are not connected by blood, I felt connected to him as a fellow son of Samoa - spending much of his life outside of the homeland. At the book launch </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I felt at ease knowing that even at this stage in his prolific career, he still get's nervous about things like public speaking. I felt a strong connection to the reality of this great man, stripped bare for all to see. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I connected to </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">his love for family and friends, his passion for learning, and an ever present feeling of self-doubt and nervousness. I too eagerly awaited 'fagogo' from grandma Mele, smiled in acknowledgement of his scholarship. I also felt his dread and fear as he departed Samoa for Taranaki. I cried when he received that fateful letter about his mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I entitled this piece 'The Emancipation of Pati' because of the sense I got from both the book launch and from reading this book, that it's production and completion represented a sense of emancipation. A great achievement of sorts which captures</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ever so poetically different moments of the Professor's life. A life which he said he 'carefully sifted through' in order to produce for public consumption. He alluded to other stories remaining untold, and the potential for those stories to hurt those he loved. Initially I was curious to know what those stories are. I then continued to read and that curiosity vanished. I respect his answer. The Professor makes it rather clear that he and his experiences are only part of the puzzle that is life. His wonderfully articulate and clear conceptualisation of the 'va', and the significance of relational space(s) to him affirms this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am not sure what else an Emeritus Professor and Great Chief would have left on his list of things to do/achieve at this point in his life - but I hope he can lay to rest all those anxieties and fears he felt over the years, and enjoy his emancipation; and join in the celebration of his legacy. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am certainly enjoying my validation :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can get your copy of 'Out of the Vaipe' right <a href="http://bwb.co.nz/books/out-of-the-vaipe-the-deadwater">here</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wanted to learn more about what other great atrocities this government continues to commit, and so I watched enthusiastically tonight to listen and learn from the voices and insights of the experts, Professor Jane Kelsey from the University of Auckland and fellow <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 18.76px;">International TPPA expert Lori Wallach followed by commentary from political party representatives in NZ opposed to the TPPA.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.76px;">If you don't know by now, the TPPA stands for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. Background information on the TPPA, who it involves, and what it means for ordinary citizens like you and I, is nicely summarised here </span><span style="line-height: 18.76px;"><a href="http://itsourfuture.org.nz/what-is-the-tppa/">http://itsourfuture.org.nz/what-is-the-tppa/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Essentially, the gist is that our rights as citizens, our democracy and freedom of choice are being undermined. Sold off to Multi National Corporations (MNC's). In addition, the process to which NZ has signed up and 'consulted' on this agreement has been terribly flawed. The National Government have all but lied, and kept in secret the true intentions of such an agreement. Professor Kelsey highlighted how the recent <a href="http://itsourfuture.org.nz/tpp-canada-in-nz-releases-national-impact-analysis/">National Interest Analysis (NIA)</a> (a document required ahead of parliamentary selection committee inquiry) is yet another set of lies, 'devoid of independent insight', by a government desperate to sell the TPPA as a winner.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marama Fox of the Maori Party put it bluntly when she declared that the audience (country) was now experiencing what Maori had experienced (and continue to experience) over 175 years ago, having their sovereignty ripped away! The Maori Party came out quite clear and strong outlining where they stood on the issue! Anything that jeopardizes the the Treaty will be opposed by them! Marama also rightly asserted that what work's for Maori - works for the rest of us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Green's Meitiria Turei was the only political party (leader present) representative who boldly claimed that if in Government, the Greens would work to pull NZ out of the agreement and that any such future agreement would require a fair and transparent process that considered the impacts on both the people and the environment. Labour's Grant Robertson spent the first half of his 8 allocated minutes romanticizing over Labour's legacy and impact on trade historically, also attempting to promote Labour's housing policy. While it was clear from Robertson that Labour were firmly against the process this government has taken on the TPPA, it was not all clear that the Labour party would vote against it. Robertson then finished by unconvincingly stating that the Agreement did have some economic benefit, before running out of time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NZ First's Fletcher Tabuteau agreed that there would be some increase in GDP, 1% to be exact and that it would only benefit MNC's already trading in NZ. NZ First was quite clear in it's stance against the agreement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Expert papers have been drafted which consider the impact of the TPPA over 5 broad key areas which you can access <a href="https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/">here</a> including: </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">democracy and the rule of law (sovereignty)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Investment</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maori Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enviornment</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Economy</span></li>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All is however not all lost. Once the agreement is signed on 4th February in Auckland, it will still need to be ratified in Parliament. And it will not go ahead until each of the 12 partner members to the TPPA ratify this on the ground level. We have an opportunity to continue fighting this and stopping it in it's tracks!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're free come along to the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/772157016222072/"> Public Protest</a> Feb 4th 12.00pm on Queen Street</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're based outside of Auckland check out the other public meetings scheduled here: </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/995466000510968/?ref=105&action_history=%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22permalink%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D">Wellington</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1520576538241022/?ref=105&action_history=%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22permalink%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D">Christchurch</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1222723281074676/?ref=105&action_history=%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22permalink%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D">Dunedin</a></span></li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-52947857943647202882015-12-04T00:15:00.000+13:002015-12-04T00:15:00.631+13:00Love Life Fono: Conversation, community and diversity<h1 style="background: 3px 50% no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-color: rgb(239, 240, 241); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #442b95; font-family: Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; font-stretch: normal; margin: 10px 0px 2px; padding: 5px 0px 5px 10px;">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Love Life Fono kicks off this evening, marking it’s 10th anniversary of celebrating, supporting and advocating for gender and sexually diverse Pacific communities in New Zealand and the broader Pacific region. We chat to member of the organising committee, Tim Baice, about his Love Life Fono journey and the importance of community discussion.</span></span><br /><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px; width: 300px;"><tbody>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“I first heard of the Love Life Fono in 2013 through some colleagues and was immediately drawn by the theme 'Voices of the Third Spirit' which to me presented a unique opportunity to meet with other members of the Rainbow Pacific community, and to listen to their stories and share our experiences,” says Tim who has been responsible for the International strand and the Education strand of the workshops which take place on Friday.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">Liaising with participants from across the region who are engaged in similar advocacy work from a variety of organisations Tim says he has been deliberate in attempting to connect what is currently happening across the region to what is a currently happening in New Zealand. “In particular connecting to current discussions on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals across the world.”</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">Tim says Love life Fono provides an opportunity for a conversation that would otherwise take place in isolated spaces and different silos. “This is a bringing together of a diverse and often misunderstood members of the Rainbow Pacific community, wherever they may or may not find themselves on the LGBTQUI spectrum or alternatively on the MVPAFF.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“We know that Pacific youth have the highest rates of youth suicide and often issues of identity (whether cultural, gender or sex/sexuality) are often attributed causes. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“The Fono is a space where health/education/social sector organisations focused on raising awareness, and supporting Rainbow Pacific people's which creates a safe and enabling space for younger members to have access to key health/ sexual health/social services. Because of the vastness of the community the Fono is a great example of the intergenerational equity as well as intergender solidarity, where young people are mentored by older peers, and older peers learn and are in touch with the younger generations within the rainbow Pacific community.” </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">With a significant amount of thinking and planning going into the development of the Love life Fono, Tim says that the great thing about the organising committee is that they are all from different professional and community backgrounds. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“What unites us are our Pacific cultures and our common commitment to supporting and advancing our communities,” he says.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“Our working contributions to this Fono have been informed by these diverse professional and community backgrounds, for example in negotiating the theme/ programme for this year's Fono we brainstormed as an organising committee and then allowed community members through the various organisations we are associated with to provide feedback. In addition, a Cultural Custodians Council was formed comprised of senior Pacific community leaders who have had previous involvement in the Fono, or are working in spaces directly linked to this work such as the Member of Parliament for Manurewa Ms Louisa Wall, and Siaosi Mulipola of Village Collective. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“The organising committee met with the CCC in late October, and the feedback received on our ideas was generally positive, and focused specifically on how we could draw some actionable outcome statements at the end of the Fono, something the Committee had already pre-empted.”</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">While Tim acknowledges community support as instrumental to the work done by the committee he says it is also important to note that communities are diverse and varied. “They are not homogenous social groupings and this is important to understand when working across different sectors/ and groupings within communities.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“Families, Schools, Churches etc that make up ones local community are important sties for individuals to navigate and negotiate their identities and roles, and it is important that we continue to ensure that these spaces are safe and empowering for them.”</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">Tim says across the Pacific region there are common areas that need to be highlighted and discussed in relation to LGBTI people’s rights and </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 16.32px;">well-being</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“Discrimination and access in the spaces of employment and education and the need to create safe and empowering spaces is important,” he says. “For our trans community this has been a particular issue, but more broadly in schools being able to create safe, accepting and empowering environments which requires us all to continue working with schools, churches and families.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">“For others, law reform is needed in Pacific countries where same sex relationships and self identifying as gay is still illegal.” </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;">He says it is important to highlight "the freedom and power of being able to self identify."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 16.32px;"><i>Published online 3 December 2015 via: </i></span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 16.32px;"><i>http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/33/article_17631.php</i></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-29498541041312088522015-11-26T13:15:00.004+13:002015-11-26T13:15:32.034+13:00No woman no cry<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
On reflecting on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which is today, I think back about Fatima Tupa'i - a young mother in Samoa who was beaten to death by her husband while she slept next to her two kids. There are too many tragic stories like this in our small region and it must stop!</div>
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Recently I listened to a young North Korean woman, Yeonmi Park who spoke at the recent One Young World Summit in Thailand, but it was speech at the Summit in Dub<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">lin 2014 that captured the worlds heart and highlights why in this day and age we require the observation of this day. Internationally observed days like the day for the Elimination of Violence against women provide us all with an opportunity to critically reflect on our own lives, but more importantly to look outside that box and to see and understand how others live and experience theirs. Yeonmi literally had the audience in tears with harrowing tales of life under the repressive North Korean regime and her perilous escape to freedom.</span></div>
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Here she speaks about being brainwashed; of seeing executions; of starving; of having to watch her mother being raped; of burying her father on her own at just 14; and of threatening to kill herself rather than allow Mongolian soldiers to send her back to North Korea.</div>
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I cannot even begin to imagine or fathom what these experiences must of been like, and so on this day and on every other day I will continue to acknowledge and salute her strength and resilience, as a symbol of hope and a beacon of light for all other women across the world who find themselves in similar circumstances. Yeonmi is a survivor.</div>
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I pay tribute to and pray for those who died in vain; and those who will continue to lose their lives in vain unless we as a global community tackle this issue of addressing and eliminating all forms of violence against woman. I hope we all pause to reflect on this during this years White Ribbon Campaign.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-8873942834194704822015-11-09T07:05:00.001+13:002015-11-26T13:19:58.606+13:00The poverty blame game that we cannot afford to continue<div dir="ltr">
My heart sank when I read an illustrious <a href="http://www.samoaobserver.ws/other/economy/14538-samoan-poverty-relative">Professor in Samoa</a> joined the ranks of those who continue to blame the poor for their poverty. This negative - lens approach is not only disempowering, but also contributes to a greater misunderstanding about the multidimensional nature of poverty, and to the inflation of some of the worst myths and stereotypes we have about our own people (simply lazy, that's why they are poor) hampering any genuine attempts to greater understand this in critical depth, also undermining attempts to mobilize social support in initiating change within our communities.</div>
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In reading this article I wasn't fully sure what point Professor Viali was trying to make. In his attempt to provide a level headed analysis of the current situation of 'poverty' in Samoa, he leaves out some fundamental points about the nature of poverty which leaves room for misinterpretation.</div>
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<i>“Everyone cannot be rich, so we need the poor in society to continue to drive social policy of our country, we need that.</i></div>
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<i>“When there is no poverty we suffer because that part of us that requires giving to the poor is missing. “Giving and feeding the poor is absolutely necessary for our psyche.”</i></div>
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What the Professor should have pointed out is that under capitalist neoliberalism this assertion that societies need people to remain as the underclass is true. Capitalism is predisposed to function successfully where there is an underclass to support and buttress the wealth of the rich. That is fundamentally how it works. This would probably be a somewhat accurate depiction of Samoa given the current economic modus operandi..... however I think it is somewhat misleading to then say traditional models of kinship and subsistence farming are the answers to addressing poverty; these are after all the traditional social institutions which have been compromised thanks to the hand of the free market and ongoing globalization. </div>
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Indeed, in responding to claims of poverty most Pacific people will tell you that our cultures and societies had never heard of such a thing, and that poverty is the antithesis of how our societies and social relationships were traditionally structured and organised. This well rehearsed notion which figures in many a study about Poverty in the Pacific is at times over romanticized, and is still being used to justify our social stances against people who we consider to be lazy, and as a consequence of that laziness, poor. "Giving and feeding" are core aspects of the reciprocal nature our culture, but I disagree with the assertion that people need to be poor so we can feel better about ourselves. This I believe to be the remnants of our colonial past, indoctrinated by the church and then adopted uncritically within our cultures.</div>
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Professor Viali does make a couple of claims that most people will agree with; the problematic nature in which development projects/assistance are structured and that of the prevalence of relative poverty vs absolute poverty in Samoa (great to read that the Ombudsman's office is currently working on collecting extensive data on all forms of poverty in Samoa). </div>
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However, the article also fails to elaborate on this concept of 'relative poverty' - the discussion should of then moved on to consider the implications of 'income inequality' in Samoa as the instigator of relative poverty, highlighting that the trickle down effects of neoliberal economics and development have failed; to trickle down that is with wealth largely concentrated within the hands of a select few. But this is the problematic nature of this concept of 'relative poverty' being assessed within the context of the economic reality and the social and cultural perceptions of poverty on Samoa. Those who 'have' lament the plight of the 'have-nots' with little understanding (and perhaps little care) about the impact of structural (economic, cultural, historical) forces and how these shape the <b>unequal</b> playing field we all must operate within and negotiate.</div>
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Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump recently said in an interview that he had a hard time growing up when his father gave him a small loan of US $1 Million to begin his business. In his small world (and mind) of the ridiculously wealthy, that amount of money is probably considered small, but it just goes to show how we as humans can manipulate words and their meanings to suit our individual purposes.</div>
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<a href="https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Hrp-4OiHQ8E">Edwin Tamasese</a> recently highlighted the costs of cash crop farming and agriculture in Samoa is beyond the reach of most local farmers, who are further disadvantaged by their <b>lack of access</b> to capital. Lazy we say? Parents whose children are on the streets as vendors who wish to forgo rural lifestyles to pursue urban opportunities against a system which says "you do not have a place here, where is your land and why are you not working it? "- Again we say Lazy. At the end of the day we all have an agenda. It is unfortunate however that the agenda of this rhetoric is to maintain the status quo so that 'we' can revel in our 'wealth' and ensuing powers of access, opportunity and choice, and then use this advantage to look distastefully at those who lack and are working their hardest to address this, effectively keeping people in poverty. (Downward envy much).</div>
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What gains do we make from constantly belittling and labeling people as lazy? How are we within the comfort of our own relative wealth justified to then pass judgement on others who do not enjoy the same freedoms and accessibilities in life?</div>
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We all know that communities of people who are constantly told negative things about themselves tend to internalise and adopt these identities, which then shapes wider social perceptions and thus our responses. We can achieve so much more with a positive and more understanding approach and realising our roles are not as judges upon this earth but as fellow citizens committed to a fair realization of social justice for all!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-57999460769265861722015-06-14T19:22:00.001+12:002015-06-14T22:12:48.499+12:00The Asia Pacific Greens Federation Congress<p dir="ltr">I have had such a great time at the Asia Pacific Greens Federation Congress (June 12 - 14 2015 in Wellington) meeting people from the region hearing about the fantastic advocacy work they are doing in representing their people, indigenous groups and more vulnerable groups in society as well as the work they are doing around climate change it has been great sharing ideas and knowledge around what works.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Although I was initially disssapointed at the lack of Pacific representation at the forum I now see it as the task of the few of us that are here (myself, two reps from Solomon Islands and one from Papua New Guinea) to reach out into our networks and to get them connected.I came to this congress a bit hesitant, thinking anything that is Asia-Pacific is largely going to be about Asia, but instead of complaining we need action to tie in the wonderful work that is currently being done across the Pacific through bodies and organisations that are not necessarily political parties. There are of course numerous benefits in working together but we must also note that there are significant differences that warrant specific, special and regional attention and I am happy that as a result of numerous discussions, a Pacific network is now being advocated for and that the Congress do its part to reach out to groups across the Pacific - with the assistance of the few of us that are now part of the Congress. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Benefits include being part of a global network, being part of an international movement seeking to hold everyone to account on Climate change, providing a forum for networking and sharing of ideas and best practice - providing international support and recognition for local level advocacy projects, having access to the tools and knowledge needed to implement this stuff on the ground.I have had two major concerns and priorities during this congress, connecting this movement to the fantastic work and groups doing this work in the Pacific I. E. The Pacific Youth Council, Pacific National youth councils (SNYC), various NGOs and also connecting Pasifika communities to the local and global movement here in Aotearoa NZ. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I note that climate change is not everyone's number 1 breakfast topic, but it should be, and to those of us (within the Pacific community) who still this day deny that it has any relevance to inner-city, suburban 'diasporic Pasifika communities', just remember where you came from, where your parents and ancestors are from! We have a responsibility as a regional and 'global community' to care and to be accountable and do our parts and to hold our government's to account when they are not doing all that they can (hello Pacific people in NZ, AUS, USA). <b>We</b>, on this side of the ocean, <b>MUST </b>for our brothers and sisters on the other side of the ocean, do our parts, to try our best, and to think about the Pacific as a whole - not just those of us who are (unfortunate) fortunate to live inside the diaspora. This is important in remembering that many of our elders not only left their island homes so that their children could have better lives and better access to education (somewhat questionable in some parts and no Latafale it was not to gain 'wisdom' that is any better than that accessed in the homeland) but also so that WE (yes the collective and royal we) do what we can to give back to the land and people that nurtured (and the culture) that sustains us and also to support the ongoing development of our islands/ communities and families. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There were over 21 resolutions passed at the Congress and a few of them involved the Pacific I. E the call to support West Papua's desire to join the Melenesian Spearhead Group (MSG) as a sovereign independent entity (although a bit dissapointed that the clause in which we condemn the Indonesian government's ghastly human rights record in the area had been somewhat watered down). Another resolution condemned the government's of Australia and New Zealand and their spying on the electronic activities of SOVEREIGN countries in the Pacific in order to maintain power imbalances /status quo. Another resolution called on Australia and NZ to take more seriously their obligations to refugees via the UN Refugee Convention.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It has been wonderful sharing with like minded people passionate about the environment and social justice, and it is through opportunities like this which enable all of us to pause, reflect and to refresh and enhance our knowledge and approaches and to keep fighting the good fight.Looking forward to getting more of our 'Pasifika' warriors on board!!</p>
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Tonight, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=727560130" href="https://www.facebook.com/aals015" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Ahmed</a> (Mohammed Mohammed) and I attended a public lecture that the wonderful Mai Chen gave on 'Superdiversity' and the implications of 'demographic disruption' for business, social relationships and the ongoing development of New Zealand's identity as a nation.</div>
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I've raved on about Mai in the past, having attended her book launch 'the Public Law Tool Box' in 2014, the work she did with the Bilingual Leo in petitioning parliament to have Pasifika Languages recognised, <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">with ample resourcing in early childhood education. Today I also learnt about the fantastic work she does as the chair NZ Asian Leaders (could a Pasifika model ever work? - which I pondered as I marvelled at what this woman has achieved over her 30 year career in law).</span></div>
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Anyways, I am still trying to process what I heard tonight. Mai's intellect and passion for her work is phenomenal and she said a lot of things that got me thinking about identity, space, place and time and (super) diversity in this country and how NZ's social and financial success really depends on how we nurture and enhance the 'diversity dividend' by making sure that our laws and policies and business practices reflect superdiversity in our society.</div>
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Mai will later this year be releasing a book jointly with The University of Auckland; a 'Superdiversity Stocktake', which will look at the importance of:</div>
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• Understanding that New Zealand is already a superdiverse society, and that trend will accelerate over the coming years;<br />• Securing the ‘diversity dividend’ by making sure that our law and policy and business practices are fit for purpose in a superdiverse society;<br />• Identifying the eight key law and policy and business challenges posed by superdiversity; and<br />• Undertaking a stocktake of our current law, policy and business settings to manage the transition to superdiversity.</div>
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She spoke a lot about 'demographic disruption' and the significant influence migrants and non Anglo Saxon communities play in this i.e. 50% of Auckland being Maori, Pacific and Asian by 2020 and the inherent challenges these communities currently/will face, and why NZ as a whole needs to respond to superdiversity to survive. She did not frame her talk using terms like 'equity' and 'social justice', and If I heard correctly she refrained from pursuing that path and preferred to appeal to peoples self interest saying - 'at the end of the day we all want to do well'.</div>
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Another thing I noticed was that she didn't mention or talk about any of the issues she highlighted from a gender perspective..... nor was gender issues/diversity a primary focus or concern in her summary.</div>
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Anyways the book is being launched at the end of the year I will keep those who are interested posted lol.</div>
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Randomly, here is a picture of the wonderful Mai. You know how you can have academic crushes - like be totally in love with someone's brain - I think this is my first lawyer crush.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-13391623604014526392015-01-01T21:08:00.001+13:002015-01-01T21:08:29.928+13:00Happy New Years Samoa: Congratulations<p dir="ltr">I'm fortunate to be spending New Year's in paradise. Being home at this time of year is part of the annual get away from the realities and responsibilities of work and life, and a great opportunity to relax, and catch up with friends and family.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While my friends are all outside entertaining guests (ma guests ma guests ma guests lol) I'm watching Tuilaepa's speech on TV, an address penned to reign in the New Year, to celebrate and reflect on the many achivements this small island country in the Pacific has made, and also to outline that Samoa will continue to grow, develop and prosper in the New Year by listing some very significant events taking place in Samoa in 2015. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Despite what you may feel personally about the man, Tuilaepa's leadership is formidable and has been a significant factor in Samoa's continuous evolution and development.  This isn't a "I love Tuilaepa let's all vote for him and forget the missteps he has made" post. No. Rather it is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the country's collective efforts and to be creative with our thinking in developing solutions to addressing both existing and new challenges and opportunities. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In the scheme of things, and on the scale of the international stage, the achievements of this small island developing state deserves recognition; real achievements which I feel are often overlooked, poorly understood or fail to involve some form of sports or entertainment.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Samoa's graduation from the United Nations list of Least Developed Countries (LDC) to Middle Income Country took place with little fanfare but deserves much congratulations. It hearlds in a series of new and exciting opporrunities but also challenges and it will be interesting to see how Samoa and the people of Samoa work to meet these.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Samoa also took on the mammoth task of hosting the Third International Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Conference, the first time a major international conference of this kind was hosted by a Pacific country. You don't need to look far to see what the international community thought of Samoa's role as host.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I want to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all those who have worked hard and continue to work to develop our beautiful homeland.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Manuia le tausaga fou.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Check out his speech <a href="http://youtu.be/zpTyFs6iihA?list=UURzjl4acwwAZsAu3vNVrJOw">here.</a></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-11732873467344891402014-08-11T00:47:00.000+12:002015-05-28T01:47:02.164+12:00SVSG Auckland and International Youth Day 12 August 2014<br />
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://svsgauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/international-youth-day-2014-1.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d52b28; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;"></a></em></strong></div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Auckland joins the international community in observing and celebrating International Youth Day 12th August 2014.</em></strong></div>
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As of January 1 2014, the world’s population totalled 7,137,661,030 and continues to grow. Today’s adolescents and youth are 1.8 billion strong and make up one quarter of the world’s population. On 17 December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.</div>
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It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. During IYD, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world.</div>
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Each year, <a href="http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d52b28; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">International Youth Day </a>focuses on a particular theme, drawing its attention particularly to the most vulnerable groups in our populations. In 2013, the thematic focus was ‘Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward’, with a specific focus of raising awareness on young migrants. Whilst the number of young migrants amongst total international migration is staggering, very little is known about these young people. The IYD celebration 2013 was hoped to offer some visibility to the lives of these young migrants through organizing commemoration events on the theme across the globe.</div>
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The theme of International Youth Day 2014 is “Youth and Mental Health.” Youth with mental health conditions can often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion and/or discourage people from seeking help for fear of being negatively ‘labelled’. The 2014 observance of International Youth Day will raise awareness on this important topic, as well as highlight the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak out about these issues with the objective of overcoming stigma and discrimination to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead full and healthy lives free from isolation and unnecessary shame, and openly seek the services and support they need.</div>
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This is strategically a significant theme given that young people from the ages of 10-24 make up a staggering 1.8 billion (a quarter) of the world’s population. In Samoa the last census (2011) show youth make up a significant proportion of Samoa’s general population. Of Samoa’s 187,820 general population, 117,113 were between the ages of 0 -29, presenting Samoa with some very unique challenges in the areas of health, education and employment but also several opportunities.</div>
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The <a href="http://svsgauckland.org.nz/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d52b28; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG)</a> is currently one of the few organisations that work with young people with mental health issues. The SVSG believes in investing young people as a critical point of Samoa’s development, by promoting healthy habits and ensuring education and employment opportunities, access to health services. Despite this commitment, the SVSG is struggling to provide enough resource and people support under the current limited funding it receives. In the spirit of International Youth Day we are calling upon the government of Samoa, as well as international non-governmental organisations and agencies, particularly those who will gather in Samoa this year for the SIDS conference to prioritise the youth of Samoa, especially those dealing with mental health issues.</div>
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Young people are the key to building a sustainable future because the choices they make now will reverberate for decades to come. Providing appropriate mental health services and investing in education – especially for girls – can strengthen communities and help achieve a range of development goals.</div>
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*Published on Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Auckland website <span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">11.08.14 http://svsgauckland.org.nz/svsg-auckland-international-youth-day-12-august-2014-2/</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-49155327685723190582014-05-22T00:32:00.000+12:002015-05-28T00:42:07.525+12:00Little progress for New Zealand’s Pacific children<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #6f6f6e; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.47058824; margin-bottom: 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The government's latest budget has been deemed by many as: budget. Grocery snobs will be familiar with the concept, although the difference is, you can usually get some high quality products through the budget brand.</div>
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Unless you are from the world of business or part of the "one per cent", the 2014 Budget offers very little quality, and even less hope for genuine progress in the area of child poverty for Pacific communities.</div>
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Longitudinal research by Professor Peter Crampton from the University of Otago highlighted that Maori and Pacific peoples still represent the poorest of people in New Zealand, and that the situation has not improved over the course of a 20-year research project. Released a week before the budget, it set a rather gloom and doom tone in anticipation of a forward future thinking and progressive budget.</div>
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Unfortunately, Maori and Pacific people will have to continue to wait a bit longer for such a budget to appear.</div>
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I learned early on in my studies to appreciate the fact that poverty is multidimensional. Poverty is manifested and affects different people in different ways. It is no surprise then that the authors of the Salvation Army's first State of the Nation report on Pasifika people in New Zealand have argued that Pacific communities have made "modest and tenacious" progress in some areas, whilst struggling in others, and in some cases their situation has worsened.</div>
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Genuine progress in the area of child poverty requires more of a concerted and holistic effort by the government. For far too long, the current and previous governments have ignored the interconnections between housing and health, education and finance.</div>
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Poorly thought-out policies within these individual policy areas often interact and are interdependent and have a destabilising impact on the ability of Pacific families to progress from their current situations.</div>
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A forward-thinking and progressive budget would look to tackle key issues for Pacific children and their families in the area of housing, health, education, finance and welfare support. It would not require the government to do a lot of creative thinking. Extensive research has identified what the issues and possible solutions are. What Pacific children in poverty require is action!</div>
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Although the very important advocacy work we do as Child Poverty Action Group Youth will focus a lot on the role the government can play, this indeed needs to be supplemented by a change of thinking within Pacific communities.</div>
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My friend Josephine Nickel-Leaupepe talks about expectations embedded within some of our Pacific cultures and the way in which this can often contribute to, and worsen cases of poverty for families.</div>
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Pacific communities also need to think carefully and critically about the effectiveness of our engagement in local and national decision-making processes. The last few elections saw a consistently poor voter turn-out, particularly amongst Pacific peoples (youth and adults).</div>
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One recent blog post, from Pacific Guardians, would have us all believe Pacific people are "waiting" in church to be saved by Pacific-friendly policies by the government.</div>
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Although the accuracy of much of the article is questionable, it does however hit one of the issues on the head; the need to mobilise Pacific communities in contributing to processes and discussions that will determine the quality and outcomes of life we all aspire to in this country.</div>
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Darien Fenton describes an epidemic of "downward envy", where people who see themselves as battlers feel they are missing out on something given to others who aren't as deserving or hard-working.</div>
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This view, which is rampant in mainstream media/New Zealand and also evident in parts of Pacific communities, needs to be abolished if we are ever genuinely going to work towards the eradication of poverty in this country.</div>
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A more positive approach would see that the progress of Pacific children and families in poverty will be beneficial for the country as a whole.</div>
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Genuine progress in policy is important. Genuine progress also needs to be well supported by a shift in ideology within mainstream New Zealand. It must be led by a government with a plan (and budget) that is far more ambitious and is critically aware of the situation on the ground, and a New Zealand public (inclusive of Pacific) committed to ensuring all its citizens do well.</div>
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* Published in the New Zealand Herald on 22nd May 2014 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/element-magazine/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503340&objectid=11259653</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-77024519237292385522014-05-08T07:35:00.000+12:002014-05-08T07:35:06.083+12:00The politics of negotiation: the uphill battle for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second day of the conference was intense. I found the first day was very much spent on getting to know each other, to see how fabulously patriotic Sri Lanka is and that whole touchy feely 'we are the world, we are the children' sentiment, as the world's youth gather to discuss the prioritisation of youth as a group within and in the construction of the next set of Millennium Development Goals. </span></div>
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Today I felt like the rug of solidarity (clearly evident on Monday) had been pulled from under our feet, as the world's youth came together to <b>'negotiate' </b>(hah!) what the priorities will be in the Colombo Declaration - the end product/ outcome document combining the priorities of the world's youth.</div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: segoe_uiregular, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: justify;">The Colombo declaration, which will be released at the end of the 16th World Conference on Youth to be held in Sri Lanka will be used as a global base to draw policies on youth affairs in the coming decade. All policies with regard to youths from 2015 to 2030 will be drawn according to the terms of this declaration.'</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can imagine the scenario. Over 500 young people from over 169 participating countries, all vying to ensure their interests, and the interests of their constituencies are represented within this comprehensive draft. Good if you're from a large region with plenty of fellow delegates here to support you. Not so good if you're from a smaller region, and have to fight twice as hard to get people to listen.</span></div>
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Today in the regional meeting sessions, we (the Pacific delegates) were part of the Small Islands Developing States region meeting, along with the Caribbean nations and AIMS (Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea).</div>
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What should have been an exercise in determining what was absent in the <a href="http://wcy2014.com/zero-draft.php">Colombo draft</a> to help guide what particular issue SIDS countries should be addressing, and given that all countries in SIDS are the most vulnerable to climate change, and that climate change is largely absent within the current draft, you would think this would be the natural issue that would unite us; one that we would all be proud to represent and advocate for. </div>
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It turns out that climate change isn't important to some people within the three regions. We are meeting again tomorrow to see if we have made any progress on this.</div>
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On a brighter note, I finally met all of the Pacific delegates including representatives from Fiji, Tuvalu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Aotearoa. We met separately after the SIDS region meeting to ensure we as the Pacific are on the same page, to agree that climate change, will be our main priority in terms of global issues which impact severely on SIDS youth and their livelihood. We talked, we laughed, we did it ... you know the Island way. And it felt great to give ourselves that space. We are not attempting to recreate the wheel, we are simply asking member states to recommit to existing impacts and policies around climate change, environmental protection and disaster risk management and preparedness, and for other SIDS countries, and the bigger regions to help champion this cause, and ensure it is reflected in the Colombo Declaration. </div>
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Two more days left, and I see we still have a lot of 'negotiation' ahead of us, to ensure that we as (probably) the smallest regional grouping in the world, having the loudest voices when it comes to representing and advocating for the Pacific.</div>
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I think this will do for tonight.</div>
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Ciao.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-45990894476479624472014-05-07T07:25:00.001+12:002014-05-07T07:25:52.911+12:00Sri Lanka and the World Youth Conference 2014: Day 1 Opening Ceremony<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit my knowledge about the country was fairly limited before I was accepted to attend this conference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I have seen is a very proud and patriotic country. Kind of reminded me of home, but is also very unique in it's own ways. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a big enough Indian community in NZ to know Sri Lanka is quite different. Pictures of their much loved President splashed in just about every free corner you can find. Not once have I come across one sour faced Sri Lankan. They all appear to be genuinely happy and very friendly people and have gone out of their way to make us delegates feel extra special ..... and extra welcome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everywhere we go we are accompanied by a police escort, partially because the traffic here in Colombo is crazy, but it's also an extension of their warm hospitality. They have stopped at nothing to make sure we are safe and happy. I kind of get the feeling that being happy is the national motto for Sri Lanka.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Opening Ceremony was splendid, filled with so much life, colour and beautiful insights into Sri Lankan culture. The venue for the ceremony, the Magampura Ruhunupura International Convention Centre is approximately 3 hours away from our hotel, but well worth the wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The multimillion dollar complex put on the best of the best to welcome the worlds international youth delegates formally to Sri Lanka and with Sri Lanka's much beloved President Mahinda Rajapaksa, officially declared the conference open. I felt like royalty walking up the aisle past 100's of young Sri Lankan's dressed in their nation's best to welcome us <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152373315264030.1073742194.68916609029&type=1">(see photos)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as admirable as the opening ceremony is Sri Lanka's genuine commitment to advancing the lives of it's young people, ensuring that young people are part and parcel of decision making processes within the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With such a wonderful start I am looking forward to the rest of the conference. There are several key themes and foundations being addressed at this conference, more information <a href="http://wcy2014.com/thematic-foundations.php">her</a>e. I am participating under the foundation of empowering margenalised youth including most at risk young people, and in the theme of Environmental Protection, Emergency Preparedness and Youth Centered Urbanisation, two things I am particularly passionate about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will keep blogging over the next few days to let people know how the discussions go. The objective is by the end of the conference, that we are able to develop our contribution for 'youth in the post-development agenda', for the United Nations and international community to consider.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now time for some much needed sleep :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-42767625278007541802014-04-01T16:38:00.001+13:002014-04-01T16:45:27.488+13:00Lei your Local: Pacific people are not (April) fools.<h2 class="date-header" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">If you work in the Tertiary Sector and are a member of the Tertiary Education Union, you may have heard of the Komiti Pasifika's (the Pasifika branch of the TEU), latest campaign which is Lei your local MP. The idea is to give your local MP a lei (garland of flowers for the non speakers) and to take a photo with the MP and upload it to Facebook...... Not particularly sure where the Komiti Pasifika were going with this one. You'd be forgiven for assuming this campaign was part of April fools - it was actually revealed a few weeks before today.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am extremely puzzled that in the face of the lowest levels of government funding in tertiary education, growing debt, growing income inequality, ever increasing fees, the ever progressing commercialisation and commodification of education in this country and, the latest move to remove student and staff representation on University councils, and teacher representation on the Teacher's council, that the Komiti Pasifika has responded with the Lei Your Local MP campaign..... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A complete contrast to the many other progressive campaigns coming out of the TEU. Yes I know we as Pacific peoples operate differently but really? Is this all we have to offer? Has our critical capacity and ability as Pacific people to be able to respond to issues of national significance really been limited to this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You really have to wonder sometimes. In the weekend I attended a function held by the Samoa Business Network Incorporated where one Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga, National MP for Maugakiekie and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs (outside of Cabinet) was guest speaker. I do have to say that I am the current secretary for the association and must make clear that in no way does this piece represent the views of the Samoa Business Network and that I hereby solemnly declare that these are my own individual words and thoughts lol. Just me Tim Baice. Pulili. Pheeeewww</span></div>
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Any-who, Peseta was invited to speak to members of the SBN to encourage them in their trade and to share elements of his life/ career journey to help inspire members. Or at least this is what I understand the brief to have been. What transpired in reality was nothing short of what you would expect from a politician during election year. </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Peseta spent a considerable amount of time talking about his vision for Pacific communities in NZ, which although was admirable and are commonly what most of us would like to see (greater achievement in education, greater employment opportunities and enhanced health and life outcomes for our people) it was his lauding of National government policy in education and business as the means to which this has been somewhat already achieved (although he noted there was still a long way to go) that made me feel slightly nauseous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Clear from Peseta's talk was that National did not have all the answers, nor did they have all the resources at hand, and while he welcomed feedback and discussion and advice from the community, he was clear that National could not guarantee they could do everything. This was strategic in the sense, that he had himself had set the tone by talking about national standards, greater ECE participation followed by the talk about the great vision e.t.c, to which the audience fervently responded to, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">almost as a technique to subtly quash any major questioning into National's furors into our education system, part of a carefully crafted technique (most likely developed by the party's well paid PR team) designed to almost neutralize and stifle </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">any critical or in-depth commentary and interrogation, whilst at the same time appearing to offer a genuine opportunity for 'robust discussion and community engagement and feedback'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I share the Minister's vision for our communities and people but wondered if he'd ever considered there are alternative ways to achieving this, and that the current direction of National Policy on the whole (when you put all the pieces of the policy- puzzle together) has done and is doing more damage then good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My next post will be devoted to highlighting concerns from my perspective, which affect members of our vast Pacific community. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the lead up to the election, the only leis we should be giving to our local MP's, and especially those in the current government, are ones that seek to hold them accountable for their actions, or in this case inaction. Change will only ever come about if we change ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">“Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.” </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/44407.George_Gordon_Byron" style="color: #666600; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">George Gordon Byron</a> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-19102287345953789332013-10-30T15:20:00.000+13:002013-10-30T15:24:34.863+13:00The Love Life Fono 5: And the Emancipation of the Third Spirit<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the weekend I was extremely honoured to attend (my very
first) Love Life Fono. This was the 5th Bi Annual Love Life Fono and I couldn't
have imagined a better way to spend my Labour (long) weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The purpose of the Love Life Fono as officially described on
the working committee's facebook page as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Love Life is about
acknowledging our cultural heritage and honouring the special people in our
communities. Whether you are mahu, vakasalewalewa, palopa, fa’afafine,
akava’ine, fakaleiti, fakafifine (MVPFAFF), or GLBTI, Love Life Fono is for
you. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LoveLifeFono/info">here</a>
for more information</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Love Life Fono was an amazing experience! Or should I
say Fa-fa-Faboulous!! It combined the beauty and pageantry of a fa’afafine
show, but most importantly provided a space where the MVPFAFF and GLBTI
community could come together to share their experiences, knowledges, values
and beliefs and provided a platform for many to begin to think how as a
community, we are able to collectively address issues that affect all of us on
the national level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Love Life Fono was a beautiful gathering of ‘Pacific
People’, people of and from the Pacific. Unfortunately, it also happened to be
a gathering of the most stigmatised and often ignored sector of the vast and
diverse Pacific community here in Aotearoa and the Pacific.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interestingly, Sua William Sio released a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/sua-william-sio/a-new-pacific-vision-for-new-zealand/10151738909136947">press release</a>
about his new vision for Pacific peoples in New Zealand. You have to wonder
who, and what (arbitrarily) determines who is in this Pacific Community and
also what it looks like. The fact that most Pacific Members of Parliament (bar I
think Charles Chauvel and Kris Faafoi) voted against Marriage Equality highlights
who they believe they supposedly represent. The traditional, conservative
church going Pacific people – but this very narrow understanding and surface
level view of what constitutes Pacific peoples in Pacific communities further
isolates those who do not fit into those particular categories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then have the issue of poor youth engagement in this
country. Is it any wonder given all the fantastic youth I met over the course
of the love life Fono (there were over 100 participants the entire weekend)
felt misrepresented, underrepresented, and were particularly disappointed in
the leaders whose self -proclaimed task is to supposedly ‘Advance Pasifika’.
Who are they advancing? And in what ways?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite the shortcomings of our community and political
representatives, what all participants of the Fono were very sure of, is that all
of us are an important part of the Pacific Community. Despite the alienation
and subjugation, we are also from/of the Pacific. And we are most definitely a
valid part of the Pacific community! And we are here to stay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the outcomes of the Fono was the establishment of a
National Coalition of ethnic specific Pacific representatives, a body which
will work towards representing and advocating for Voices of the Third Spirit,
on issues that affect our communities, and also other members of the Pacific
community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The opportunities for networking, building
social/professional relationships were one of the highlights. I have left the
Fono feeling empowered, feeling refreshed and renewed about my social
obligations to my community. As a newly appointed representative to the
National Coalition I look forward to devoting what skills and talent I have to
further advancing and advocating for voices of the third spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the
organisers of the Love Life Fono 5 Committee; Elton Raharaha, Cindy Of Samoa, Frances Anderson, Jaroncye
Lole, Tanu Gago, Phlyesha Brown- Acton and all those who supported, for not only their hard work in organising
and executing this Fono, but their continued service and dedication to
advancing and advocating for the voices of the ‘Third Spirit’. I look forward
to all the work ahead.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*Please note
that these are my own individual/ random thoughts about my experience of the Love Life
Fono, and are not an official representation from the organising committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-82177961938596476772013-01-18T00:28:00.001+13:002013-01-18T16:07:04.515+13:00It started off with an article on climate change.....<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Works been so busy lately that I haven't had time to post any articles, or do my rants about the government (yes I can hear the sighs of relief lol)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I haven't written in my blog lately, so I thought i'd vent here instead of writing essays on my FB status. So here it is my first entry for 2013. And on such a positive note lol....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But as I'm reading this <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10859781">article</a> I am critically questioning NZ and it's role as a supposed leader in the Pacific, and wonder if most people know that this government, has pulled NZ out of the second stage of the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/kyoto-protocol/news/article.cfm?c_id=244&objectid=10852998">Kyoto Protocol</a>. (Probably wouldn't have because of the holidays). Purely based on the fact that "well Australia and the USA haven't signed up so why should we". National Government logic has done wonders for our public service. Just look at how perfect Education and Welfare are doing.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder how this makes people feel, especially our Pacific people. Especially given that a lot of us have witnessed first hand the terribly significant devastation natural events have caused to our homelands in the Pacific, which have no doubt been further intensified by processes of global warming and climate change. And yet we have a situation here where developed nations (including NZ) are refusing to commit to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint/levels of emissions basically because it isn't economically viable to do so. When it comes down to it, it's always about money and power!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we're not talking just money here, we're talking about the state of our planet, we're talking about the kind of world we want our future generations to inherit, but we're also talking about current peoples lives. We don't have to look far to see how this is impacting on our people. We only need to look at what is happening with <a href="http://www.thesinkingoftuvalu.com/">Tuvalu</a> sinking, increasingly consistent and severe droughts in Samoa, <a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-03/08/kiribati-buys-land">Kiribati</a> having to buy land in Fiji to relocate it's entire population in anticipation of the inevitable. Then there is the story of one women, Ursula Rakova, and her mission to save the people of the <a href="http://janeintheworld.com/main/2012/letter-from-the-pacific-islands-1/">Carteret Islands</a> (which up until this point I knew never existed) from rising sea levels. You'll notice that all of my links are not mainstream media links, why would they even bother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But you start to see a general pattern emerging. And the sad thing is, the stories are becoming more frequent. The government needs to be held accountable. And we as the people need to be asking the hard questions! The government does after all represent us (however I want to make it clear I did not vote for any of these fools), and therefore what our government does, we bare some of the responsibility for the actions of our country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I saw and heard a whole lot of my own people, yapping away after Cyclone Evan, complaining that they were not going to donate because of all the corruption, misuse of funds that occurred during the Tsunami Relief effort in 2009.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I even heard one person say they wanted receipts for everything Samoa purchased through financial aid. At first I thought SHUTUP! I still do. But then I thought about it again, and was amazed at how quick the Samoa NZ community jumped to immediately condemn, and then demand transparency from the Government and people of Samoa. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interestingly though, we're not as quick to demand accountability and transparency from this government on most matters. And especially on such a critical issue of global warming/ climate change, given what we know about it's devastating impacts on our islands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't have the answers. It continues to baffle me today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I'm hoping that by writing this, that it will get people to start taking this issue seriously. Or even just to get some people thinking about it. That would be a start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-66483380159362136342013-01-17T22:41:00.001+13:002014-03-31T01:34:42.945+13:00The Epidemic of Truthiness<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It really upsets me sometimes how judgmental some people can be. And it's not always explicit. It's implicit in some of the things we say and so sometimes people can be cruel or patronising without even knowing the impact their words can have on others. Over the course of the last few days, there has been much discussion about how the vast Samoan Community here in NZ is going to respond to the devastation of our home land by Cyclone Evan. A whole heap of discussions on the radio. Comments on my news feed and discussions in general, and it would appear that most of us have become blinded by "truthiness" - or common/ popular understandings around particular situations, to which we know nothing about personally. But heard from so and so that this is what it is, and then, without critical thought, adopt it as truth and knowledge. Tapu Misa tells us that <b>"Truthiness"</b>, according to the American comedian Stephen Colbert, who coined the word in a pilot episode of his hit TV show back in 2005, is "the truth that you feel in your gut regardless of what the facts support".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 2009 the NZ response (particularly that around the "financial aid", "donations" from the community) to the Tsunami that devastated much of the East Cost of Upolu, was dogged by much controversy and anger over the "apparent" lack of transparency in terms of where money went, fueled by the somewhat (petty) semi-reliable investigations of John Campbell. It would appear that people still have not got over that (nor have they bothered to do any of their own research) and have accepted this is absoloute truth, or truthiness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst the general desire of people here in NZ is to "help" and to "give", it isn't always that easy to understand it as such, especially when discourses around it are structured in a way that establishes an uneven, unfair and detrimental power relationship between 1. those who help and give and 2. those who need help and receive. This is a deficit lens approach which typically assumes our people are stupid. Have no idea what they are doing. We have no faith in Samoa's government. They will take advantage of those most vulnerable - the poor. The uneducated. Ultimately then, following this line of criticism, we have no faith in the ability and capacity of the people of Samoa to function.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not that most people outrightly say these things, but it is implicit in the way we continue to criticise and lament at the ability of our people to get the job done. Who is helping who here? I know friends in Samoa hold back from lashing out. One they're too busy getting on with it. Two, taking time to acknowledge stupidity, only fuels it even more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now one cannot have a conversation about "aid" or "assistance" without the accompanying calls for transparency. "We need receipts" some say. And fair enough. Transparency is a critical part of any organisation, government working with/ or for people. It's what gives people confidence that these institutions are working in the best interests of all involved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this new found championing of transparency in this "community" is inconsistent! Where was the call for transparency when NZ decided it would not be party to the second stage of the Kyoto Protocol? When we know, our Pacific islands are suffering because of the results of poor environmental management by developed countries. Where is the call for transparency from the so called developed Nations who have pledged time and time again, millions more money in development and aid, climate financing, and have not fronted up with it? Where are the calls for transparency, when every time this government changes something that impacts negatively on Pacific people in NZ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And yet, when it comes to our own people we are we so quick to criticize, and chastise them, at a time when they need us most.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-78146760067192169412012-08-08T10:58:00.001+12:002012-08-08T14:00:48.989+12:00Marriage Equality; an attempt at a balanced view of both sides of the coin.<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Actually, it's not really an attempt to produce a balanced a view between those in support, and the naysayers. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can clearly distinguish for myself the difference between the spiritual dimension of marriage from the temporal dimension - which are the legal rights that are granted to couples once married. I see much of the debate being surface level, as it currently stands, and of a philosophical nature, with the potential to go on and on and on, because of the way in which it has been framed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The discussion and debate around Louisa Wall's Marriage Equality Bill has caused quite a stir in the 'Pacific Community'. For those of you who haven't seen the discussion pop up (the Olympics distraction and what not) here is a very short summary of the basics; thanks to friend and lawyer Reece Autagavaia who tells us:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>" The legal implications of the bill will mean same-sex
couples can have civil marriages, or religious marriages if the celebrant
accepts to conduct the ceremony. No celebrants will be forced to conduct
marriages against their belief. One of the moral implications, as many
Christians will argue, is the fundamental changing of the definition of
marriage, which is meant for a man and a woman."</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like most people I assumed that this issue had been sorted by the Civil Union Act 200. But, as it appears, it falls short of giving those who choose to have a Civil Union the same rights as those who choose to be 'legally' married, particularly around the area of adoption. The obvious issue that initially strikes me is the desire for equal rights. We live in a day and age where human rights protect the freedom and diversities of the many people, families and communities that make up this world, from what ever creed, race/ethnicity, color, religion and so on, to live their lives freely and happily sans discrimination. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I did not want do get into the entire debate. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I understand this is an important issue, but I honestly feel that in the context of things, there are just as many more important issues (potentially even more so) that currently hinder this society from progression, that require just as much discussion, impetus and input from all peoples of this country. The Economy, Education, Health, Welfare, Housing, poverty, these are all very pressing issues which require the urgent attention of everyone in this country if we are going to create the kind of society we all want for future generations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
I am only now just speaking out about this, because I'm worried that a lot of people take for granted the fluidity and diversity of our communities, and make a whole series of judgments on a few assumptions, or on the view of the few. I'm all for freedom of speech/thought, but I am also for the freedom of ensuring that what you speak and think is well researched, critically considered, and throughly thought out first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
People talk about the Pacific community like we're one big homogenous group. Most times, its a deficit lens approach. We beat our children up. We fail in school. We commit crime. And other times it's positive (borderline patronizing), we're all really talented, we can all sing and dance, we all play rugby, and we're all Evangelical Christians who share the same views. Having said that, there are many things that unite us. Our cultural values, we share mutual goals, have similar aspirations, but have very different ways/understandings/views and beliefs in terms of how we should go about achieving this. One only needs to look at the constant struggle of <b><i>SOME </i></b>(key word some) parents accepting the idea, that their child is not pursuing the life that they had ever so carefully planned out. It happens a lot in our community. It could be a child's choice of education, occupation, or, as in this case, love interest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Our Pacific community is diverse in itself, made up of men, women, elders, church goers, non religious people, boys, girls, fa'afafine/fakaleiti, youth, lawyers, doctors, teachers, artists, single mothers, solo parents, the sick, the disabled, the unemployed and the list can go on and on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Labour MP Sua William Sio last night, wrote a status on his Face Book page that he would not be voting on the Bill because he represents the conservative view of the Mangere Electorate, and that this could potentially hurt the community and cost him and the Labour party the next election <a href="http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=151622&fm=newsmain,nrhl">(see here)</a>. He was rather straight forward with his position, and wanted to make it clear, rationale and all, so people understood where he was coming from. I found his position a tiny bit odd, mostly about the reference to representing the views of the entire Mangere Electorate. I say a bit odd</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> considering there were no surveys in my mailbox asking me what I or others thought about the issue. His stance does make sense though. I think about the large amount of community work he has to do, the Church Leaders and Elders he keeps in contact with, and serves. In fact he referenced it was the concerns of this particular section (the conservatives) of the Mangere Electorate which has lead him to not support the Bill. They are entitled to their views and I respect that. Having grown up as a Samoan around the Church, such views are embedded and entrenched within you. Interestingly, h</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">is opening statements however, indicate that personally he has nothing against it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do however feel that the critical voice of our youth has been somewhat left out in Sua's equation. In fact, when I think about a lot of the reforms this government has made this appears to be a major issue, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and I make the point in referencing the last election; the lowest voter turn out rate since the Second World War, and an ever declining rate of youth participation, and in particular the highest non voting rate of Maori and Pacific Youth. This I feel is a real issue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back to my point about the fluidity of our communities.I don't believe that <b><i>EVERYONE</i></b> in Mangere thinks the same. I also do not believe that every Pacific person is as conservative as they are assumed to be (and if they are, good on them.) However, the problematic thing about this particular issue is in how it has been promoted and discussed. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's all in the way it has been framed. As an outspoken young Pacific person, I cannot claim to represent the view of all youth. However, m</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">any of the young people I talk to agree with the need for equal rights, in terms of the entitlements and rights people are accorded when married. Most of the time anyways, and only, and especially when the discussion is framed around the discourses of equal rights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You put 'Gay' and 'Marriage' together and all of a sudden you have everybody (well most Church going conservative people in my community anyway) quoting every Bible passage they can think of, in a bid to protect [the spiritual dimension] of marriage. And rightly so. It is as much their right to protest this from their understandings and beliefs as it is the right of anyone else to reference every Human Right Act they can think of in support of 'Marriage' Equality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What the Member and Parliament should have done was a thorough analysis of</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> alternative options and models </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">available; thought </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">critically and genuinely about the way in which this should have been framed</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> and then canvassed the public to see what their thoughts are on the issue which I believe </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">would have depoliticized the issue, or at least minimized the amount of blind and uninformed hate which is currently all over my news feed. The Civil Union Bill was able to achieve this because it was promoted as ensuring basic rights to all people who chose not to get married, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">passed with a minor flurry of protest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I understand the process for Members Bills are different, but I think if this was such a priority issue for the Member and certain sections of the party, more work should have gone into how this was framed and an impact analysis should have been conducted. Mr Autagavaia tells me that,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"One solution, used in parts of Europe, is for the
State to not regulate marriage, and make it purely a civil contract. After
registering their civil contract with the State, couples, whether same-sex or heterosexual, can then go and perform whatever ceremony they want. That way the State
doesn't need to define marriage, and couples are free to celebrate their union
however they want."</i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also think that the argument that this will be the 'straw that breaks the camel's back', in relation to the relationship between the Labour Party and the 'Pacific Community', or will cost the Labour Party the next election is somewhat narrow minded. Many more of us are actually more concerned about how the party seeks to urgently address key issues around the Economy, Education, Health, Poverty, Welfare and Housing, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when and if, it will go on to form the next government.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-44336636528555106572012-08-03T00:12:00.000+12:002012-08-03T00:26:59.264+12:00Hold the Pisupo! Let's not celebrate just yet<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key announced a $5 million dollar package in Education Aid to pay for the school fees of more than 16,000 high school students in Samoa. While most of my friends on Facebook were celebrating what on the surface level appeared to be a very generous and kind hearted gesture to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between the said countries, I held back from peeling open that can of pisupo (I ran out of wine, shush) in celebration of the said gesture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've posted a few articles I have found which confirm my suspicions, and not that you need a PHD in Puliliness to understand it; you either have to be interested/ passionate in/about these sorts of issues or have done some random paper at University which briefly covered the topic (Pac 204, anyone?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My initial reaction was that this was a well timed PR gimmick, typical National Party show and tell, but it reminded me of some of the more poorly informed, backward reforms this government has made in relation to Aid, or Overseas Development Assistance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only was this act a facade, highlighting so many things wrong this particular administration, it does show that they are good at one thing: blinding the public with a whole lot of gimmicks - and people lap it up - naturally given preference for feel good stories with only a sound bite of background information- no one wants to get into the nitty gritty of at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, in situations like this, it is important that we do. For several reasons. The main one (for now) being that we don't jump up and down screaming 'Hercules, Hercules', when there is much more to the story than meets the eye.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The $5 million dollars was part of an already existing Aid Budget, which NZ provides to Samoa and other countries in the Pacific through it's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Short story, real Aid from NZ, whilst it has confusingly increased in this terms Budget, has decreased in real terms, and has a very bleak future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 2002 NZ, with most of the international community were party to the Monterrey Concensus (and several other international agreements) in which developped countries would commit 0.7 of it's GNI (Gross National Income) to Development assistance, as part of the international bid to eliminate poverty by 2015. I'm sure we've all heard of the Millenium Development Goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In typical National fashion, their friends in the Business community of New Zealand have dictated their policy, where they would rather the government reduce it's ODA budget, and help them by “removing barriers and smoothing the way” to offshore investment. Neo-colonial rape anyone? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In response National has </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">slashed $133 million over three years of the Aid Budget, putting us even further behind other countries in the OECD. By 2014 New Zealand will only be </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">committing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 0.24 of GNI, the lowest amount it has committed in the history of NZ overseas development assistance. Great friendship huh? This comes at a time in which we've seen remittances from NZ drop, a weak demand in Samoan exports and the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">excruciatingly</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> high prices for imported food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are very real things we need to be concerned about. So tell me again why are we celebrating?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other side, the Treaty provides grounds for dialogue on ways in which the friendship can be improved. But it will take all of the might of our people, in both Samoa and NZ, to push these issues, and to not jump up and down everytime the (former) master throws us a biscuit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tim Baice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pulili News.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810364837834991460.post-61542572041432069322012-07-01T22:12:00.002+12:002012-07-01T22:28:26.729+12:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">The Memoirs of An Imperfect Einjo</i></b><span style="color: white;">.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's in a title? A whole lot apparently, according to the guide to writing blogs which I read before creating this lol. Yes I consulted the manuel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a twenty something year old, Samoan based in Aotearoa/New Zealand, who constantly uses his Facebook timeline to protest against the great atrocities that often take place in this country, and the Pacific region. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUT, I also like to take time to profile, highlight and celebrate the many things that make us as Samoan (and Pacific) people unique. Yes the Memoirs is a direct copy and paste of Mariah's 2009 'The Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel', with the word Angel being ever so subtly replaced by the word Einjo, which in a strange way, says a <b>little</b> bit about who I am.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dr Emma Kruise Vaai will no doubt have a more academic and thorough articulation of the history of this word (see <a href="http://www.wheelers.co.nz/books/225461-producing-the-text-of-culture-the-appropriation-of-english-in-contemporary-samoa/#desc">"Producing the text of Culture"</a>) but for now we will take the definition produced by our fellow Einjo Sefa Lematua: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.63636302947998px; text-align: left;">Einjo means Hell Yeah! LOL. Samoan word ioe (yes), then became eio, then became einjo. other variations of it are Einko, Einkorina, Einkolee & Einjoriken. LOL!</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all it's just a little fun. :) They say blogging, like anything is a rare art, that only the most creative, word savvy amongst us should dare to share their thoughts. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've seen some amazing bloggers and know I could never compare, and then I've seen some other bloggers who no one reads and thought why not join them :) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blogging is after all a creative outlet for the amazing geniuses who keep us clinging on to every word they write, eagerly anticipating their next posts. People like the inspirational </span><a href="http://sleeplessinsamoa.blogspot.co.nz/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lani Wendt Young</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://polyanarchist.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patrick Thomsen Noa</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> who never cease to amaze.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's also a place where you can speak your mind freely, and if people don't like what you have to say, you can address....... delete them! lol. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Channeling</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> my thoughts into a blog also saves many of my personal friends who have lamented at my save the whales/world/platypus-like statuses that have often consumed my timeline - that and Mariah songs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So consider this official notice. Lot's of great things going on at the moment. I am here to blog and share my thoughts as a citizen of the world! Einjo lol.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13502712235423192248noreply@blogger.com2