Small islands must help themselves
Samoa deserves all the credit for successfully pulling off the third United Nations Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) conference in Apia last month. It was the biggest event of its kind to be ever held in the
Whispers
Pigs can fly: Judging from the number of conspiracy theories that were being bandied about in Samoa last September during the country’s successful hosting of the United Nations Conference for small island
Pacific voice grows in NZ
Islanders influence election outcome Auckland: Over 330,000 Pacific people living in New Zealand now have a bigger voice in parliament following September’s General Election which saw the National Party re-elected
World Bank leads charge for reform
Plans attempt to lift lifestyle Imagine a region where mobile phones and internet access are as common as public buses. Also for a moment picture a region where words like obesity, poverty, illiteracy and gender
Vulnerable states qualify for special privileges
Assistance packages support lending rates Graduation of least developed countries is no conspiracy by bigger and wealthier developed states to absolve them from helping countries that are in need of special assistance,
University makes its mark at regional showcase
The University of the South Pacific is clearly making its mark in the development of the region across all aspects ranging from Education, Renewable Energy, Research, Pacific Cultures, Agriculture, Learning and Teaching
Reflecting on the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States
Samoa showcased to the world a people united when they hosted over 4,000 delegates to the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Hailed as the best United Nations conference ever, UN
Spare a Tala for grassroots wisdom
TThe longish drive from Faleolo Airport to downtown Apia is always a great opportunity for a grassroots view of the goings on in Samoa – especially when your driver, even if loquacious, is eloquently so. Views
Confusion causes skepticism and policy paralysis
What outcomes should the world’s small island states that are congregating in Samoa realistically hope for at the conclusion of the conference in early September? These island states, joined at the hip by the
Nauru, Cook Islands elect women MPs
The Pacific Islands region has often figured at the bottom of global gender parity statistics. The region has the fewest women parliamentarians, at no time in their histories since independence more than a handful
Seasonal worker programme shows promise
One of the two biggest income earners for most Pacific Island countries, particularly in Polynesia, is remittances – the other being tourism. Vast numbers of Pacific Island people live and work mainly in
