Valenicina shines a light on disaster preparedness
15 minutes’ drive from the heart of Fiji’s capital city, Suva, lies the community of Valenicina. Under the watchful eye of one of its residents, Mosese Sereivalu, this community recently worked together to
Dynamic Shift in Teaching Methodology at the University of Fiji
The University of Fiji has recognized the need to adjust to the ‘new normal’ where minimal physical interaction and an increased reliance on technology have become necessary in educational institutions and
Community Developer at HEART
Having seen firsthand the utter devastation disasters like the Aitape tsunami inflicted on rural communities of Papua New Guinea in 1998, Tevita Ravumaidama insists on incorporating disaster risk
Samoan Head of State calls for fresh elections
Samoans woke up to the news today that they will go back to the polls in just over two-weeks’ time, on 21 May 2021. Calling for fresh elections was the best legal way forward for the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano
World Tuna Day: What does it mean for the Pacific?
Recent years have seen a power shift, with Pacific Islands Nations gaining greater control and revenue returns from their Tuna fisheries. This has been the result of cooperation and hard work. This article will show
Jobs, consumption, investment continue to be subdued:RBF
The Reserve Bank of Fiji says recent locally transmitted cases and containment measures will prolong already subdued economic activity in the country. The RBF’s April statement reports that visitor arrivals were
Tributes and warnings on World Press Freedom Day
The Pacific Islands News Association has paid tribute to media workers covering the COVID-19 pandemic, recognising their commitment and the “great sacrifice” they have made.
ADB predicts modest growth for Pacific economies this year
The Asian Development Bank expects Pacific Island economies to return to positive growth this year, although at different rates, and with a great deal riding on successful vaccine roll-outs. Pacific economies contracted
MEET THE MENTOR NEELAM MAHARAJ: BUSINESSWOMAN AND MENTOR
Businesswoman Neelam Maharaj is a mentor with South Pacific Business Developments’ Fiji Bloom program. With her sister Neelma, she has built up three businesses from scratch learning many valuable business lessons
Sope’s history lesson
Vanuatu’s former Roving Ambassador and former Prime Minister, Barak Sope, has disputed claims that the late Sir Michael Somare was a supporter of West Papua. Sope says it is important that original political leaders
Vale mine in New Caledonia
After months of political dispute, the Brazilian corporation Vale has finally sold its Goro nickel smelter and other assets in New Caledonia’s Southern Province. The new owners Prony Resources and Trafigura have
Saving for a rainy day
It is well understood that the Pacific Islands is one of the least insured regions in the world, with some estimates putting the penetration rate at just 3.6%. These figures are particularly sobering given our
Palau travel bubble hits a snag
The travel bubble between Taiwan and Palau is in danger of popping following low interest from Taiwanese tourists to take a holiday from a year of COVID-19 border restrictions. In an effort to revitalise
Training Coalition faces a reckoning
A multimillion-dollar program aimed at supporting “a more prosperous Pacific driven by a skilled, competitive and productive workforce” is undergoing controversial changes which could have significant impacts on the
Near horizons: Vunilagi’s community literacy efforts
Our children are valuable and we have the responsibility to ensure that they are educated; that they have the basic needs to go through school.” That’s the firmly-held belief of Vunilagi Book Club founder
Tuvalu’s ‘Mother of all information’
On any given weekday afternoon, the small Tuvalu National Library and Archive building on Funafuti is a hive of activity. Under the leadership of Chief Librarian and Archivist, Noa Petueli Tapumanaia, the library offers
Opinion: Forum’s moral failure for Melanesians
During the recent crisis over the appointment of Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s new Secretary General (former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna), much public debate occurred over the supposed
The Low-down on USP
In drawing to conclude ‘What Is to Become of USP?’ (see Islands Business August 2020), I acquiesced to the prospect that the University may already be undergoing transition from a ‘public good’ to a ‘club
Pacific Islands need technology more than travel bubbles
A pathway to reopening Pacific Island tourism in parallel with the roll out of NZ’s COVID-19 vaccination programme in 2021 would be a significant economic boost for the region. While NZ
