French Ambassador visits NGOs

The Ambassador of France to Vanuatu, Mr. Robby Judes paid a courtesy visit to the Vatu Mauri Consortium, Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition and Vanuatu Young Women For Change (VYWC) on Monday, February 4, 2019.

The Executive Board and members of the three Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) gladly received the French Ambassador. The chiefs, women leaders and Youth leaders showed their appreciation by warmly welcoming Ambassador Judes with fresh salusalus, a mat and calicos.

In his remarks, Ambassador Judes said he is interested in the work of Women and Human Rights.

In his remarks, Ambassador Judes said he is interested in the work of Women and Human Rights.

During the discussions, Ms. Anne Pakoa Acting CEO of the Vatu Mauri Consortium and CEO of the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition and Technical Advisor for the VYWC briefed Ambassador Judes of the different programs and activities each of these organisations work on which includes the upcoming manioc project for the Tokoshefate Farmers Association, the Rights of victims of displaced people and communities and the VYWC ‘Storian Insaed Long Nakamal Project’ which is a project led by VYWC and over 18 chiefs to ensure women representation in the National Parliament in 2020.

During the discussions, Mr Joe Kalo, CEO of the Vanuatu National Youths Council (VNYC) raised the importance of VNYC taking lead on the celebration of La Francophone activities while Mrs Alice Kaloran, President of Tongoa Shepherds Women Association spoke about the work they do on empowering women economically.

Ambassador Judes said he is looking forward to a concept note to be provided to him by Ms Pakoa which should incorporate current programmes and activities of these NGOs.

Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

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Pacific Islands Forum SG to speak at symposium today in Port Vila

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, is visiting Vanuatu this week.

Dame Taylor says her visit to Vanuatu is to consult with various arms of the Vanuatu Government as well as speak at a symposium at the University of the South Pacific about China in the Pacific.

“I’ve had meetings with both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

“I’ve also sat down with key government officials to look at key issues that are of concern to them.

“This for us is a way of getting and understanding of what is the thinking of people in the region.

“We’ve also had a team here with us to looking at the governance arrangements and the functional aspects of the Pacific Resilience Facility.

“This is a Fund that the Finance Ministers want set up and it has been endorsed by the Leaders.

“That is to raise a substantial amount of money that we would, as countries, as private sector and also communities to be able to utilize to ensure that we are investing in infrastructure that will be able to withstand climatic impacts.

“Also to refit old infrastructure,” she told Kizzy Kalsakau from 96 Buzz FM.

Dame Taylor says Vanuatu is important in such conversation because after Cyclone Pam 64% of the GDP of this country was lost.

“That cannot happen again.

“We have to make sure that we find instruments so that Vanuatu protects itself and takes action for itself,” the Forum Secretariat SG said.

The Forum SG says she is also here because she has been invited to speak at a symposium on China in the Pacific at the University of the South Pacific’s Emalus Campus today.

“For us it is very important because of a number of our member states that recognize the People’s Republic of China.

“The challenges, opportunities- so I’ll be addressing that tomorrow (today) morning at the University of the South Pacific.”

Source: DailyPost

news@dailypost.vu

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ February 6, 2019 NEWS Bad places turned good: security in Melanesia's settlement communities devpolicy.org Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s it was rare to read anything about PNG without being confronted by warnings about the dire law and order ... Flag as irrelevant Crocs, cassowaries and kangaroos at the best zoos in the Far North The Cairns Post Cassius, the largest crocodile in captivity in the world, is being fed a turkey on his 118th birthday at Marineland Melanesia, Green Island. Flag as irrelevant Crocs, cassowaries and kangaroos at the best zoos in the Far North The Advertiser MARINELAND MELANESIA. Where: Green Island. What: a family owned and operated business on Green Island, making it the only coral cay with ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ January 30, 2019 NEWS Archbishop George Takeli steps down as Primate of the Anglican Church of Melanesia Anglicannews The Primate of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, Archbishop George Takeli, will stand down in March at the age of 60 – the compulsory retirement ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ January 16, 2019 NEWS PNG bishop calls for respect of Melanesian attitude to land Radio New Zealand The Catholic Archbishop of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea says people need to use land in a respectful manner, consistent with the 'group ethic' of ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

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Nine New Zealand MPs head to Melanesia

Nine New Zealand politicians are preparing for a six day trip to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu next week.

Trevor Mallard Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox

Speaker Trevor Mallard, along with five women and three male MPs, will meet with parliamentarians, NGOs, businesses and women's groups in both countries.

The visit will focus on New Zealand's development programme, building relationships with parliamentary colleagues, and exploring trade and investment ties.

Mr Mallard said the women MPs will have discussions with local women leaders about the contributions they can make in Parliament.

Mr Mallard said the Pacific region is incredibly important to New Zealand and the travelling MPs have a wealth of parliamentary knowledge and experience to share.

He said he also expects the programme will help identify mutually beneficial business opportunities in the Pacific.

Source: https://www.radionz.co.nz

Medicinal marijuana in Vanuatu could impact food security says farmer

Vanuatu Geography Map lahistoriaconmapas.com 

A farmer in Vanuatu says he's concerned about the negative impacts growing medical marijuana could have on the country's agricultural sector.

The government is looking to legalise growing medicinal marijuana to help boost the sector.

While smoking marijuana will still be illegal in Vanuatu, the new crops would be exported for medical use overseas.

The National Farmers Association's Peter Kaoh said while it could have economic benefits, he worries many farmers could switch from growing food to cannabis.

Mr Kaoh said he's concerned about the impacts it may have on food security.

"If everyone is going into Marijuana, who is going to plant for them? That's my biggest worry, they might get into the farming if the price is good and then they ended up importing lots of food," he said.

Source: https://www.radionz.co.nz/