Articles Search

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Forum
Tonga offers to host 2018 Asia Pacific Energy Forum meeting

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, June 3, 2013) – Tonga's Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano attended the inaugural Asia Pacific Energy Forum (APEF) 2013, held in Vladivostok, Russian Federation, from May 27-30, where Asian and Pacific energy representatives talked about energy security and its sustainable use in the region.

APEF, attended by ministers of energy and representatives of 34 countries from the Asian and the Pacific regions, adopted the "Vladivostok Declaration" to guide stakeholders on regional cooperation from 2014-18.

Shunichi Murata, the Deputy Executive Secretary for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), reminded delegates that "the vision of energy security and its sustainable use for Asia and...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Advocacy
TAPOL: human rights lawyers intimidated in West Papua

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, June 3, 2013) – Two human rights lawyers from Indonesia’s West Papua region have been honored at a ceremony in the Netherlands.

An expert jury placed Olga Hamadi and Gustaf Kawer third on the shortlist for the Lawyers for Lawyers Award won by Russian human rights lawyer, Magamed Abubakarov.

The London-based human rights group TAPOL nominated the two lawyers and says the award is deserved international recognition of their dedication to legal advocacy on behalf of indigenous Papuans.

The Coordinator of TAPOL Paul Barber says the Indonesian government should take notice and take a firm stand against attempts to intimidate and obstruct lawyers in their valuable work in West Papua.

He says...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Begins
Justice official: registration ‘apolitical,’ all parties benefit

By Mereani Gonedua

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, June 3, 2013) – New measures have been put in place to prevent abuse of process as phase three of voter registration begins today in selected areas around Fiji.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Justice Mohammed Saneem says those seeking to register must have valid identification.

"Anyone found using a false ID or to attempt to register more than once will be in violation of the crimes decree, specifically, giving false information to a public official, and possibly face prison time and/or fines," Saneem said.

Registration resumes in areas of Ba, Macuata, Naitasiri, Rewa where a large number of Fijians are still to be registered.

Saneem further said the process will continue till every...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Non-Compliance
Almost 200 did not meet certification requirements with BOE

By Moneth Deposa

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, June 4, 2013) – Nearly 200 employees of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) were issued pink slips after being found non-compliant with the licensure and certification policy of the Board of Education.

Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, Ed.D., confirmed with Saipan Tribune yesterday that PSS' Human Resource Office issued the 90-day non-renewal notices to mostly classroom teachers.

Sablan said the Board of Education requires five types of certificates: basic 1, basic II, specialized, standard with endorsement, and professional. Of these five certifications, three are renewable while two are non-renewable.

Any employee who does not meet these...