Pacific Islands Political Studies Conference
Monday, 23 November 2009, 1:00 pm
Press Release: University of Auckland
University Of Auckland Hosts Pacific Islands Political Studies Conference
Pacific scholars, policy makers and analysts from around the world will convene at The University of Auckland for the 11th Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) conference.
The theme for this year’s conference is Pacific Democracy: What’s Happening? The conference provides a forum to openly and critically discuss and re-examine the problems and issues that continue to shape the dynamics, culture and institutions of political governance and democratic rule in the Pacific.
Delegates from around the Pacific including Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, United States, Niue, Japan, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Solomon Islands will gather for the two-day conference, which will address a wide range of issues including human rights, political violence, military coups, constitutional change, traditional leadership, development and women’s participation. Sir Paul Reeves, former Governor General of New Zealand, distinguished statesman and eminent political mediator in the Pacific region, will open the conference. His speech will focus on problems of democratisation in the Pacific.
The keynote speaker on day two is Labour Party leader Phil Goff, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, who will present “Pasifika New Zealanders in the new political scene.” There will also be presentations by prominent Pacific academics on topics relating to constitutional changes, political violence, human rights, development, corruption, peace-building and conflict resolution, alternative political systems and parliamentary democracy.
“These are difficult times for the Pacific politically, socially and economically, and it is important to engage in wider discussion and analysis of issues in an open and critical way-- as well as to look for long term solutions. Unstable countries can lead to an unstable region; thus, both national and regional solutions must be sought with seriousness,” says Dr Steven Ratuva, political sociologist at the University’s Centre for Pacific Studies, chief conference organiser and president of PIPSA. PIPSA was established in Hawaii in 1987 as a forum for Pacific scholars, policy makers and analysts to engage in discussion, research and publications about political issues in the Pacific islands. The PIPSA general conference takes place once every two years in different locations around the Pacific, including Port Vila, Suva, Noumea, Queensland, Rarotonga, Honolulu, Christchurch and Guam. The conference has been made possible through the support of The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts, Centre for Pacific Studies and Equity Office; and the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project at the Australian National University.
Showing posts with label Tonga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tonga. Show all posts
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Pacific passport idea a focus at Auckland Polynesian meeting
Posted at 08:18 on 09 September, 2009 UTC
Creating passports for Pacific people travelling within the region is one of the aims of a group of Pacific leaders meeting in Auckland to discuss a single Government for the Polynesian Triangle.
This is a primary goal of the about 60 chiefs, or Ariki, and other leaders from Tahiti, Hawaii, Rarotonga, Tonga and Fiji who are meeting with their New Zealand counterparts.
The gathering at Whaiora Marae in Auckland is looking at how to unite Pacific people in a single indigenous Polynesian government.
A spokesperson at the event, Matt Seymor says current governance, like the issuing of passports, has taken away the natural cultural ties of Pacific people in the region.
“Settler’s law and colonialism have taken away their whakapapa. As like in New Zealand their right to come down on to Maui’s fish. As you have Samoans and Tongans who have to go through passport clearance to enter into New Zealand.”
Matt Seymor.
Creating passports for Pacific people travelling within the region is one of the aims of a group of Pacific leaders meeting in Auckland to discuss a single Government for the Polynesian Triangle.
This is a primary goal of the about 60 chiefs, or Ariki, and other leaders from Tahiti, Hawaii, Rarotonga, Tonga and Fiji who are meeting with their New Zealand counterparts.
The gathering at Whaiora Marae in Auckland is looking at how to unite Pacific people in a single indigenous Polynesian government.
A spokesperson at the event, Matt Seymor says current governance, like the issuing of passports, has taken away the natural cultural ties of Pacific people in the region.
“Settler’s law and colonialism have taken away their whakapapa. As like in New Zealand their right to come down on to Maui’s fish. As you have Samoans and Tongans who have to go through passport clearance to enter into New Zealand.”
Matt Seymor.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Heilala Tangitangi ‘o Salote Pilolevu
‘ATENISI LAUNCHES NEW PRESS AND BOOK HONOURING PRINCESS PILOLEVU
www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz
By Josephine Latu, Pacific Media Watch
AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Tongans gathered at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika today to celebrate the launching of a new book by Professor ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu entitled Heilala Tangitangi ‘o Salote Pilolevu.
The book studies 23 Tongan compositions - some by the late Queen Salote – and was published in honour of the King’s sister, Princess Pilolevu Tuita.
The event also doubled as the official opening of the fledgling company that printed the book, ‘Atenisi Press.
‘Atenisi representative Palupula Sailosi presented a copy of the book to Princess Pilolevu’s daughter, Lupepau'u, as guest of honour.
Commending Helu on the achievement, she said: “It is by no means a small feat to dwell and analyse on what is hidden in the composition in tis book, especially by those by her majesty Queen Salote.”
The title translates loosely as “Weeping blossoms for Salote Pilolevu: An analysis of songs, poetry and love songs”.
Although Helu was unable to attend the launch, his appreciation was conveyed in a letter to the audience. This was read out by senior education lecturer Dr Linita Manu’atu, of AUT University.
Helu’s son Niulala also spoke as an agent of ‘Atenisi Press.
Niulala said ‘Atenisi Press planned to provide an equal opportunity for any Tongan to publish his or her work.
The press will also be able to produce local material that readers would not be able to find elsewhere.
He said the idea originally emerged as a way for ‘Atenisi University to make some extra income.
The independent educational institution, founded by his father in 1963, continues to struggle financially.
Although ‘Atenisi has traditionally been snubbed by Tonga’s elite classes, the press project was ultimately backed by a welcome donation from Princess Pilolevu.
Currently, works are being printed in Hong Kong, but edited in Tonga and New Zealand by Siaosi ‘Ilaiu and Wendy Pond.
Dr Manu’atu welcomed the publication of Helu’s book in the Tongan language, and hailed the ‘Atenisi Press plans to print in Tongan as well as English.
She said this enabled Tongans to access their own histories and literature in their native tongue.
“If the Tongan language cannot be used in print culture, then we have a long way to go,” she said.
Other works by Helu include Art of the community – The people’s art and critical essays.
He is currently working on Ko e Mo’ui faka-Tonga, about the lives and customs Tongans in their homeland and abroad.
Josephine Latu is a Masters in Communication Studies student at AUT University who is attached to the Pacific Media Centre as contributing editor for Pacific Media Watch.
www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz
By Josephine Latu, Pacific Media Watch
AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Tongans gathered at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika today to celebrate the launching of a new book by Professor ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu entitled Heilala Tangitangi ‘o Salote Pilolevu.
The book studies 23 Tongan compositions - some by the late Queen Salote – and was published in honour of the King’s sister, Princess Pilolevu Tuita.
The event also doubled as the official opening of the fledgling company that printed the book, ‘Atenisi Press.
‘Atenisi representative Palupula Sailosi presented a copy of the book to Princess Pilolevu’s daughter, Lupepau'u, as guest of honour.
Commending Helu on the achievement, she said: “It is by no means a small feat to dwell and analyse on what is hidden in the composition in tis book, especially by those by her majesty Queen Salote.”
The title translates loosely as “Weeping blossoms for Salote Pilolevu: An analysis of songs, poetry and love songs”.
Although Helu was unable to attend the launch, his appreciation was conveyed in a letter to the audience. This was read out by senior education lecturer Dr Linita Manu’atu, of AUT University.
Helu’s son Niulala also spoke as an agent of ‘Atenisi Press.
Niulala said ‘Atenisi Press planned to provide an equal opportunity for any Tongan to publish his or her work.
The press will also be able to produce local material that readers would not be able to find elsewhere.
He said the idea originally emerged as a way for ‘Atenisi University to make some extra income.
The independent educational institution, founded by his father in 1963, continues to struggle financially.
Although ‘Atenisi has traditionally been snubbed by Tonga’s elite classes, the press project was ultimately backed by a welcome donation from Princess Pilolevu.
Currently, works are being printed in Hong Kong, but edited in Tonga and New Zealand by Siaosi ‘Ilaiu and Wendy Pond.
Dr Manu’atu welcomed the publication of Helu’s book in the Tongan language, and hailed the ‘Atenisi Press plans to print in Tongan as well as English.
She said this enabled Tongans to access their own histories and literature in their native tongue.
“If the Tongan language cannot be used in print culture, then we have a long way to go,” she said.
Other works by Helu include Art of the community – The people’s art and critical essays.
He is currently working on Ko e Mo’ui faka-Tonga, about the lives and customs Tongans in their homeland and abroad.
Josephine Latu is a Masters in Communication Studies student at AUT University who is attached to the Pacific Media Centre as contributing editor for Pacific Media Watch.
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