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Sincha Dimara

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Environment

Niue’s Ocean Conservation

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Sponsor and Ocean - Niue

Niue, a Polynesian island nation located halfway between Fiji and Cook Islands has a population of over 1900.  The island is a raised coral atoll with an area of approximately 261 square kilometers.

It is renowned as of one of the largest related coral atolls in the world and boasts over 100 coral species. 

Niue hosts a diverse array of marine life including 300 fish species, sea turtles, dolphins, humpback and beaked whales and the world’s highest density of grey reef sharks. 

Aerial view of the Island of Niue. [[Photo: By NASA]]

It’s waters remain largely unexploited and pristine with the goal to conserve the ocean for the benefit of the people and environment.

Niue is a small island developing state (SIDS) in free association with New Zealand.  It has developed the Ocean Conservation Commitment or OCC Concept championed by local leaders along with a host of partner organizations. 

Niue dancers with faces painted black at Pasifika festival.
Niuean Dancing; [[Photo: By Rick Rowland]]

As a SIDS, Niue has limited resources to undertake marine conservation and resilience efforts however through the combined efforts of its government, local organizations and communities, it has made significant advancement in its commitment, policy development and actions. 

Niue is one of the first countries to protect 100% of its Exclusive Economic Zone and Territorial Sea under a comprehensive marine plan and 40% of the EEZ is marine protected area, a no-take zone.

After eight years of work, The Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Project has evolved into the Niue & Ocean Wide Trust (NOW Trust) its unique approach seeks to create funding and sustainable best practices including effective compliance, monitoring, evaluation, transparency and accountability. 

All these efforts to tackle climate change and create a resilient Blue Economy.

Niue Trust Logo
NOW Trust Logo. [[Photo: By Niue Ocean Wide]]

NOW Trust was created as a charitable trust under New Zealand Law.   One way of generating funds through OCCs is enabling sponsors to make a contribution of NZ$12.50/km2 (per square kilometer) each year for 20 years equating to NZ$250.00.  Sponsors receive information in the Annual Report and materials that provide impact stories from the communities.

This concept is advocated in Niue to encourage citizens to take ownership of protecting the ocean surrounding them.

As an OCC sponsor or NOW Trust Contributor, individuals or organizations will aid and empower the efforts of Niue to save its unique ecosystems.

JinNam Hopotoa, Project Communications Officer with NOW Trust makes a presentation on the Niue Ocean Wide Concept.
JinNam Hopotoa, Project Communications Officer with NOW Trust makes a presentation on the Niue Ocean Wide Concept, during PALM 10 event in Tokyo, Japan. [[Photo: Sincha Dimara/InsidePNG]]

JinNam Hopotoa is the Project Communication Officer at NOW Trust.  He recently made a presentation of their work during the Pacific Island Nations week in Tokyo in conjunction with PALM 10.

Organized by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Japan, island nations including Papua New Guinea showcased their products and culture to the Japanese people.  This was done in the heart of Tokyo where the punctual Japanese public made an effort to purchase memorable items or stopped by for a chat to broaden their knowledge of the Pacific.

Sasakawa Peace Foundation Building - host Pacific Island Nations Week in Japan
Sasakawa Peace Foundation Building – host Pacific Island Nations Week in Japan. [[Photo: By Sincha Dimara/Inside PNG]]

The two-week display (July 8 -19 2024) of dance and art cris-crossed the pacific with islanders representing Micronesia, Melanesia and furthest Polynesia.

Related Article –> Sponsor an Ocean! Niue’s plan to protect its slice of the Pacific

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International

PALM 10 Addresses Fukushima Reconstruction

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Country leaders in suits standing on a stage at PALM 10 meeting where Fukushima Radioactive waste is being addressed.

JAPAN, Tokyo – Japan is hosting the 10th Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) from July 16th to 18th 2024 in Tokyo.

Following his visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister James Marape and a government delegation are in Japan to join other Pacific Island leaders to discuss regional matters and to strengthen ties.

Crucial on the agenda is the dumping of radioactive waste or ‘treated water’ into the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese government says the Advanced Liquid Processing System or what it calls, ‘ALPS treated water’ from the Fukushima disaster in 2011 has a radioactive concentration far below regulatory standards and views this as safe.

While Human Rights groups and NGOs have voiced concerns on Fukushima, the Japanese Government has been explaining to the international community based on scientific evidence from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it will ensure the nuclear treated waste will not cause harm to humans and the environment.

A major earthquake and tsunami occurred at Fukushima in 2011 destroying the nuclear power station.

Thirteen years on, the reconstruction of Fukushima is ongoing. Japanese citizens live normal in some parts of Fukushima while there are fewer restricted areas. This is essential for the decommissioning of the site and reconstruction of Fukushima.

Earlier in the evening (16th July 2024), Prime Minister James Marape, met with Japan’s Prime Minister, Kashida Fumio ahead of PALM 10.

Both leaders also discussed the ALPS treated water in which Prime Minister Marape again expressed his confidence in Japan’s measures to secure it.

The Japanese Prime Minister also extended his condolences to PNG for those whose lives were affected by the recent landslide in May and stated his wish to further strengthen bilateral relations towards Japan-Papua New Guinea 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

He expressed gratitude to PNG for ensuring stable access for Japanese fishing vessels in PNG waters, and conveyed the country’s decision to provide a fishery research vessel as well as fishery equipment.

Heads of 14 Pacific Island nations are in Tokyo for PALM 10, including Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is head of the Pacific Island forum.

He conveyed the forum’s collective views on bilateral relations with Japan, in particular the Blue Pacific 2050 strategy. He called for peace and security in the region to safeguard the ocean, lands and common heritage.

Palm or Pacific Island Leaders Meeting is hosted every three years and is the pillar of Japan’s foreign policy with Pacific Island countries.

The first PALM was hosted in 1997.

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News

“Trupla Sola” concept promoted at CANCONEX

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Trupla Sola Booth at CANCONEX

THE Community Affairs and National Content Conference Expo 2024 brings together resource industry experts, landowners, landowner companies and the business community to connect and discuss issues affecting and impacting communities in Papua New Guinea.

Together with daily scheduled meetings, booths were also set up by participating stakeholders to connect and provide information on their business and products.

One such booth displaying mostly solar lights was the USAID PNG Electrification Partership.

USAID has a five-year program, the USAID-PNG Electrification Partnership (PEP) Activity.

The project works in partnership with PNG Power and other stakeholders to ensure 70 percent of PNG households are connected to electricity by 2030.

Trupla Sola booth set up at CANCONEX.
Kavaea Evara, the Agriculture and Business Specialist answers queries from visitors and explains the Trupla Sola concept. [[Photo//Sincha Dimara, Inside PNG]]


The USAID is a result of 2018 APEC in which the US Government pledged to support PNG achieve its goal.

The project’s technical assistance supports 26 mini grids including 19 with co-funding.

USAID also partners with other major companies such as SANTOS Foundation, local MPs and District Development Authorities to conduct site assessments and pre-feasibility studies, engineering and design, financial modeling and advice among others.

The program is also providing opportunities for resource and energy companies to market their products especially in rural areas where hospitals, health centres and schools need electricity.

Under the Trupla Sola program, USAID is helping communities and MSME groups to buy and market quality-certified solar products.

US Aid’s participation at CANCONEX 2024 is a way of connecting with stakeholders both in the government and private sector to roll out the USAID-PEP program.

The annual event is the flagship of the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy (PNG CORE). The first CANCONEX event was hosted by the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe Province in 2023.

CANCONEX 2024 was hosted by the University of Papua New Guinea from the 1st to 3rd July 2024.

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News

ROTARIANS CREATE HOPE IN THE WORLD

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Rotary International is an international organization founded on principles of truth, fairness, goodwill and better friendships and operates around the world for its humanitarian courses. The organization has been in Papua New Guinea since 1967 through various rotary clubs.

One of these clubs is the Boroko Rotary Club. The organization recently elected president Stanley Arua [2023/24] who takes over from Joselito Tubon. The position of the President is a one-year tenure and Stanley says this is a big shoe to fill following on from his predecessor.

Stanley Arua works in the Prime Minister’s Department as Director Works & Infrastructure in charge of Connect PNG Policy while his services with Boroko Rotary Club is voluntary, helping to better the lives of ordinary Papua New Guineans. Mr Arua, 51, is a entrepreneur, teacher, diplomat and a career public servant.

Stanley Arua President Elect of Rotary Club Boroko

Recently (July 29th 2023) the Boroko Rotary Club held a dinner to hand over the reign from Joselito Tubon to Stanley Arua. Held at the Crowne Hotel in Port Moresby it was also a night to showcase what the Club has done and is doing to honor community obligations, present financial report and as always a fun night of fund raising.

Handover takeover of Rotary Club Boroko Presidency by Joselito Tubon (Left) to Stanley Arua (Right)

Funds are raised through various donations from business houses which are then channeled through to charitable causes. The club has helped communities and individuals in need of basic necessities in health, and education. From wheelchairs to hospital beds, birth kits, reading glasses and books, these donations bring a sense of gratitude and happiness to recipients. Major projects include donation of school desks to a number of schools in Port Moresby and Central provinces, Sogeri Community Water project and the Yule Island Water project where villagers have been supported with four 10,000 liter tanks to help them access clean water. Another initiative, the Teacher in a Box Project server is specifically designed to function without internet connectivity instead provides a Local Area Network (LAN). This facility is beneficial to rural villages and 3 primary schools in Central Province have been identified as recipients.

Reflecting on the achievements of the club, Past President Joselito Tubon thanked the executive members of his team that made significant achievements in community service while the new President has vowed to continue the good work and also to combat climate change within the coastal communities through seawall projects.
He also echoed the words of Rotary International President Gordon McInally urging members to promote peace in troubled nations.

Related: https://insidepng.com/news-march22-rotary-club-of-port-moresby-supports-st-john-ambulance/

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Environment

RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION OF PNG’S BIODIVERSITY

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Nestled in the heart of Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province is the Research and Conservation Foundation (RCF). It was established in 1986 first as a facility to manage the Crater Mountain Wildlife area, the second largest conservation area in PNG bordering Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and Gulf provinces. It is second to the Tonda Wildlife Management Area in Western province.

The Crater Wildlife Management Area was created in 1992 and through donor funding, the operations of RCF was moved to Goroka from Port Moresby. Enabling work to progress with locals especially those interested in conservation work.

An RCF officer holding a rare Bird of Paradise Species, one of many found in the Crater Mountains Conservation Area.

For over 20 years the Foundation has been collaborating with educational institutions providing learning and research aimed at protecting unique species such as the Bird of Paradise as well as several species of mammals and birds in the Crater Mountain Wildlife area.

Research and Conservation Foundation currently has two main programs, the National Resources Management Program and the Conservation Education Program. 

RCF’s passionate environment educator is Dr Sangion Tiu.  As a secondary school teacher back in 2000, she joined RCF to help set up the Resource Centre and create educational programs. Dr Tiu is the Director of RCF together with a dedicated team of 20 staff they manage the day-to-day affairs of the organization. As an NGO, Research Conservation Foundation relies on donor funding however it also has a guest house and conference facilities to help sustain its operations.  Local and international scientists as well as tourists are regular visitors where information on PNG’s biodiversity can be sourced.

RCF Director Doctor Sangion Tiu at work in her office.

In partnership with Balob Teachers College, Simbu Teachers College and the University of Goroka, RCF is able to take the message of conservation from the field into the classrooms. This week in Goroka, RCF together with Conservation Forum of PNG and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program hosted SGP grantees from the Highlands region.  The participants received training on management and leadership, project designing, proposal writing and effective communication strategies.

RCF is a current recipient of the Small Grants Program, implementing a project and assessing the effects of climate change on biodiversity in the Crater Mountain Wildlife area.  

Related: https://insidepng.com/transforming-papua-new-guinea-into-a-force-of-nature/

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News

National Planning Department Bilateral Meeting with European Commission HQ

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The Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Koney Samuel, said the European Union is one of Papua New Guinea’s traditional development partners.

During a bilateral meeting between the European Commission HQ and officers from the National Planning Department recently (Tuesday, February 2) discussions centered around ongoing cooperation with the European Union to identify areas of intervention and investment in development cooperation.

The meeting also discussed how best Department of National Planning and Monitoring can be integrated under the arrangement of the Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP) 2021 – 2027.

Secretary Samuel thanked the EU for the good number of key sector interventions through the years and recently the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) in particular the STREIT PNG (K365 million, WASH Part 1 (K123m) and WASH Part 2 (K40m).

He said going forward the DNPM would like to work closely with the European Union on biodiversity and climate change to ensure that the program has targeted interventions and that the impact of the program is felt by the people.

The Secretary emphasized that all development partner interventions must align with the Government’s development priorities.  This was reiterated by Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General, she explained the changes made to the EU development cooperation policy adding that both parties have moved from a more donor recipient relationship to real partnership.

Secretary Samuel said going forward, Vision 2050 remains the country’s road map and the goals cannot be achieved without the valuable support of PNG’s Development partners.

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News

Enhancing Leadership Roles in PNG

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UN Women in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology and individual changemakers produced 13 digital stories around the topic of women in leadership.  The digital stories support the outreach and advocacy of the Women Make Change Initiative.

Following the 2017 national general election, Papua New Guinea became one of only three countries in the world with no women in Parliament.  In the 2022 National General Elections, two women were elected to Parliament, Rufina Peter – Central Regional MP, and Kessie Sawang – Rai Coast MP.

Since gaining independence in 1975 only nine women have been elected to Parliament.

The challenges facing women’s equal and meaningful political participation and leadership in Papua New Guinea are due to a variety of structural, systemic, and cultural factors.  Gender stereotypes that relegate women to supporting roles and diminish their ability to serve as political leaders mean PNG is missing out on the positive impact women’s leadership has been shown in different sectors around the world.

Research on women’s political leadership suggests that women are more likely to address issues that directly impact the broader community including employment, infrastructure, education, family policy, and social insurance. The United Nations Women Make Change aims to highlight various ways in which women are serving as leaders in their communities across the country.  The 13 digital stories produced by the UN Women project are critical to changing perceptions of women’s leadership while encouraging the support of male advocates to create a more equal society for both men and women in Papua New Guinea.

Following the release of the digital stories, a workshop was held recently at the APEC House in Port Moresby for participants including facilitators to analyze the data collected from the screening of the stories.

The aim of the project is to increase knowledge levels around women’s leadership, create awareness and support networks, and for the individual storytellers to reflect on any actions taken that can support women in leadership.

The digital stories can be viewed on the link below.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/womenmakechange

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Education

Perseverance to Improve Education

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Herman Namora, 21, is a 3rd-year student studying Literature at the University of Papua New Guinea. He is from Madang and is passionate about the importance of education.

Having made it thus far to the highest learning institution prompted him to help those less fortunate.  He was concerned about so many Grade 8 and 10 school leavers pushed out of the education system with no hope of advancing their career paths and returning to the village where social issues impacted their way of life.

His concerns started back in 2019 after completing Grade 12. He had returned to the village during the holidays to find out that one primary school had enrolled 60 Grade 8 students only to pass out 13 while 47 were back in the village.

 This scenario experienced in most rural schools persuaded Herman to do a survey with primary school teachers. The teachers expressed concern that students struggled with English and faced difficulties with reading and comprehension.

Herman Namora meeting with Teachers during his survey.

Herman decided then to help in any way he can. He gathered young adults in the community and conducted awareness on the importance of early childhood learning. With the help of the Catholic Diocese and Madang Teachers College, 14 school leavers were taught Phonics to be able to return and serve their communities.

Their work is voluntary and for two teachers who returned to Dallam they faced challenges such as setting up a classroom and sourcing materials coupled with ethnic clashes which hindered the progress of their teaching but all was not lost, the community realized the keen interest in learning by children aged 3 to 5 years and decided to build a classroom.

After two years and sheer determination, the first batch of graduands from the Early Childhood Learning school will be certified at the end of this month.

There is still more work to be done but excitement is in the air for Dallam village as they prepare for graduation day.  For Herman and the teachers, all the work is voluntary and they hope to seek funding for learning materials and reading books for the children.

The first batch of students. The classroom was built by the community.
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News

Transforming a Nation through Women Leaders

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On the eve of Repentance Day in PNG, 26th August 2022, a Christian Women’s Magazine was launched, appropriately titled “EVE’’.

It had been in the making about five years ago, at a time when a lot of violence against women was being reported in the media; sadly the violence is rampant today, particularly sorcery related violence against women in PNG.  The latest in July, four women killed in Enga province while five sustained serious injuries. They were accused of sorcery and causing the death of a well-known businessman.

Eve Magazine is founded by Priscilla Raepom and Imelda Griffin.  Priscilla Raepom currently works at the National Parliament.  She was the founding editor for Newagewoman, PNG’s first Women’s Magazine launched in 2000.  While Imelda Griffin is a Communications Specialist. Both women decided that a women’s magazine will give voice to the womenfolk to inspire and equip them and give hope through Christian principles and belief.  They launched their publication on Thursday August 25 at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby.  The breakfast meeting was effectively titled, Breakfast with a Lady and the theme, ‘’Transforming a Nation through Women Leaders.

In reference to the breakfast’s theme, Guest speaker, Lady Emeline Dadae, the spouse of Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae said, “transforming a nation through women leaders was not only thought provoking but timely as well, at an age where PNG is going through its own transformation politically, socially and from unique cultures to one that is embracing the modern way of life.” She also paid tribute to the two newly elected women in Parliament, Rufina Peter, Governor for Central Province and Kessy Sawang the Member for Rai Coast.

Four esteemed women leaders with shared Christian values made up the panel at the breakfast meeting.

There was Lesieli Taviri, known for her many leadership roles in the corporate sector, she is currently the Executive General Manager for Kina Bank, however, she credits her most important role to that of being a Sunday School teacher in her local church and quoted a bible verse ‘teach your child how they should live and they will never depart from it.’

Another panelist, Ruth Kisam Tindiwi is recognized for her work in Sorcery Related Violence against women in PNG, her tireless efforts are also recognized globally.  While it is stressful and challenging knowing the statistics of women being tortured and murdered and children sexually assaulted, Ruth draws her strength from God. She says, a personal relationship with God will cost you time and rearranges your focus. 

“It’s either the world or the word, we as leaders are competing against a world that is relentless to destroy the lives of young people and women but when there is so much darkness, there is grace, “she said. 

Esther Igo the 3rd Panelist contested the Wewak Open Seat in the 2017 National General Election. She is a Strategist Advisor and sits on various boards and brings perspective of women to candidates who want to represent women in Parliament. When asked to name a woman she looked up to in the bible, Esther said, ‘’Ave Maria’, she bore a leader.”

The final panelist, Imelda Griffin is a communications specialist and one of the founders of Eve Magazine, when asked why the name ‘EVE’, Imelda said, it all goes back to the bible, the blue print of why a woman was created.  She is also inspired by the story of Miriam in the Bible who she said is the strategic thinker, a teenage girl that brought redemption to a people nation, the Israelites. 

The women captivated the audience with their messages of transformation and hope for more women leaders to rise up and address issues affecting them. 

The Christian Women’s Magazine is a quarterly publication with a limited edition released on the 25th of August 2022.  If you are interested in a copy, you can subscribe via email evemag.png@gmail.com or go the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EVEmagazine.

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