[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Kirk Huffman on Vanuatu’s Diabetes rating

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Diabetes: the bad side of 'Progress' and 'Development' Kirk Huffman The news that Vanuatu has the 6th highest rate of Diabetes type 2 ( sik blong suga) of any nation in the world (as in Vanuatu Daily Digest of 16.11.15, based on a report in the Independ" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Kirk Huffman on Vanuatu’s Diabetes rating by bobmakin Diabetes: the bad side of 'Progress' and 'Development' Kirk Huffman The news that Vanuatu has the 6th highest rate of Diabetes type 2 ( sik blong suga) of any nation in the world (as in Vanuatu Daily Digest of 16.11.15, based on a report in the Independent of the 14th) should be another wake-up call to Vanuatu, to other Pacific nations, and to those foreign nations and organizations concerned with Pacific 'development'. 'Development' is supposed to be good, not bad. Unfortunately for Pacific islanders, many foreign organization and nations - and certain Pacific nations themselves - are often following aspects of development models that are not only unsustainable and short-sighted but also often have, because of the 'baggage' that comes with them, certain results that are downright dangerous. Health is a case in point. In 2006, the late Jean-Marc Pambrun, then Director of the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands, in Tahiti, told me 'Le developpement nous tue' ('Development is killing us'). He meant literally what he said. The extremely rapid and massive increase in Diabetes type 2 amongst the Polynesian population in Tahiti at that time was debilitating (and killing) significant numbers of his people and was closely linked with the rapid introduction (and promotion) of poor-quality 'fast food' and the promotion of an unhealthy 'western' lifestyle of the type also promoted as part of the 'modern way to go'. Developments seem to be leading to similar health results in Vanuatu and in many other areas of the Pacific. Unfortunately, although local and foreign governments, medical services, and aid agencies seem to periodically recognise these dangers, they also often seem to only pay lip service to the need for care and caution, and then seem to lapse into accepting and promoting the continuation of the same dangerous models of 'progress.' By doing so, they unfortunately are often, unknowingly, aiding and abetting what one might call a slow form of 'benign genocide'.... Diabetes type 2 can be easily avoided if one lives a proper island lifestyle on a proper island diet. Pacific islanders have been told this many times (but not necessarily by those promoting the wrong development models). Here is an example from a 2005 Vanuatu/UNESCO publication: "A Matter of Life and Death: Diabetes'. There is a practical health issue associated with all this ('Development'). This project (the Traditional Economy/Kastom Ekonomi) aims to support aspects of the traditional life and value systems particularly in the outer islands of Vanuatu. A hopeful, beneficial, side-effect of this project is that it may help to minimize urban drift to the capital. An active, rural, lifestyle, on traditional foods, is a lot healthier than an office job in the capital. A rapidly increasing health risk for ni-Vanuatu is the much-feared 'sik blong suga', Diabetes Mellitis. Medical studies done in the Pacific have indicated that Melanesians and Polynesians have a high ethnic susceptibility (Polynesians more so than Melanesians) to developing diabetes if they change from a traditional, active. lifestyle with a traditional diet to a western type inactive lifestyle and a western diet. Recent medical studies with urban and rural Melanesians in New Caledonia clearly point this out, and a 1996 (French) medical report (there) concludes 'This finding confirms the deleterious (dangerous) effect of western life in the population subject to rapid modernization'. Sipos yu wantem livem wan gudfala longfala laef, maet igud blong tingbaot blong lego Vila, gobak long aelan mo leftemap pig, mat, shel mani, yam, kava o wanem we yu gat blong yu save gat wan rij mo longfala laef! (If you want to live a good, long, life, if might be good to think about leaving Vila [the capital], going back to your island, and promoting pigs, mats, shell money, yams, kava and whatever else you may have so that you can live a rich and long life!)." (Text taken from Huffman, K., Traditional Money Banks in Vanuatu, Port Vila (Vanuatu National Cultural Council and UNESCO), 2005, page 35). bobmakin | November 21, 2015 at 3:35 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-F9 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1QzzpWe Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 21 Nov – the Bribery Appeals

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The convictions and sentences of all the fourteen Members of Parliament of Vanuatu now being held by Correctional Services, as already reported this morning, were upheld by the Appeals Court late yesterday. The Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 21 Nov – the Bribery Appeals by bobmakin The convictions and sentences of all the fourteen Members of Parliament of Vanuatu now being held by Correctional Services, as already reported this morning, were upheld by the Appeals Court late yesterday. The Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (Paclii) has distinguished itself by placing all the Appeal Court's decisions on line already, and the general public can now access their adjudication of the bribery cases by using the Vanuatu paclii.org drop down menu. The major case in question is Kalosil v Public Prosecutor [2015] VUCA 43; Criminal Appeal Case 12 of 2015 (20 November 2015). There was ample evidence before the trial judge, Justice Sey, that the advances of VT 1 million to MPs were indeed bribes. The direct evidence of seven of the accused in the original trial was that joining the Green Confederation was required for the 'loans' thereby bringing its leader Moana Carcasses Kalosil to power. The Trial Judge's rulings, yesterday's judgement states, contained adequate reasons for her decision amd there were no errors of law or reasoning. The so-called loan agreements which became part of the case were described by the Appeal Court as "making no commercial sense." Core facts demonstrated in the trial are said to include the following ... On 21 October, 2014, Mr Fong Man Kelvin of Hong Kong arranged transfer of the equivalent of USD 500,000 into a Westpac account of Pacific International Trust Company (Pitco). The reason for the transfer was stated to be the purchase of shares in European Bank Limited, agreed by only one person, a Mr Thomas Bayer. Westpac carried out due diligence and subsequently filed a Suspicious Transaction report. Several days later Pitco made other transactions to MP Kalosil's bank account with the ANZ Bank. That bank, too, conducted due diligence. The background to the criminal charges of bribery is said by the Public Prosecutor to indicate a conspiracy. A Preliminary Investigation into Conspiracy has been lodged with the Magistrates' Court and will be heard on Monday in the capital where it will be decided if the matter is to be transferred to Vanuatu's Supreme Court. bobmakin | November 21, 2015 at 3:18 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-F8 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1OXin4i Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Convictions and sentencing upheld

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The MPs in gaol remain there, both the convictions and sentencing of the trial judge upheld. The MPs lose their seas in Parliament and it is now imperative Parliament meets immediately to choose a leader, although the Appeals Court, of course, made no sta" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Convictions and sentencing upheld by bobmakin The MPs in gaol remain there, both the convictions and sentencing of the trial judge upheld. The MPs lose their seas in Parliament and it is now imperative Parliament meets immediately to choose a leader, although the Appeals Court, of course, made no statement in that regard. They did, however, decide, too, that the pardons liberally handed out by (former) Speaker Pipite were of no effect. The Appeals Court bench said a more detailed summing up would be available to counsel and media participants in a packed court room Friday afternoon. Nothing was said by Radio Vanuatu News this morning, but it is hoped your Digest will be able to offer more today. More news later. Gud wiken. bobmakin | November 21, 2015 at 6:52 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-F7 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1T4DG2B Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 20 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Daily Post leads today with a new Office for the Prime Minister, also covered by Radio Vanuatu. A VT 700 m complex is planned and signed for between China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd and the DG of the PMO. In the story today it is said the pr" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 20 November 2015 by bobmakin Daily Post leads today with a new Office for the Prime Minister, also covered by Radio Vanuatu. A VT 700 m complex is planned and signed for between China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd and the DG of the PMO. In the story today it is said the present Prime Minister's Office will be demolished. However, in another place the report says "the U-shaped building which currently houses the Prime Minister's Office and departments under it will remain." There is an illogicality in this project when the main government building opposite Port Vila Market is condemned, many staff moved to temporary locations, and departments are awaiting permanent housing. Also the country has been expecting a new court house complex for many years. The existing PMO does not appear to have suffered much in the passage of cyclone Pam whilst the other locations have needed restoration for a long time. The Oceania De-Colonisation Committee has decided the issue of West Papua must go to the International Criminal Court. The President of the Committee, Shem Rarua, has issued a press statement in the matter which the Digest hopes soon to bring to the attention of its readers. (Radio Vanuatu) The Port Vila Urban Development Project got high attention in Radio Vanuatu News this morning. The government of Australia and Asian Development Bank are giving massive help. VT 3.35 billion is needed. Phase 1 covers roads and drainage, footpaths and street lights. Contracts are expected to be out next month. Daily Post tells us that maritime boundary negotiations between the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have been successful after 32 years. This concerns the area where their 200 mile nautical zones over-lap. President Baldwin Lonsdale is still expecting the Government and Opposition to come to an amicable political solution by Sunday to take the country out of its present political impasse. Prime Minister Kilman has been holding political reform meetings with a Legal Working Group to try to reduce the number of motions of no confidence through legislation before the next elections. The Acting Speaker has decided to summon Parliament next week. However, the Opposition's call for a constitutional application for an official Summons of Parliament with dates is still before the court. bobmakin | November 20, 2015 at 10:47 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-F6 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1S7DwXp Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 19 November 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Apart from the filing of the urgent constitutional application news already sent... Daily Post today has the Shanghai Group completing piling on the Luganville Wharf Project a month ahead of schedule. This is the same project as saw the Public Works Mini" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 19 November 2015 by bobmakin Apart from the filing of the urgent constitutional application news already sent... Daily Post today has the Shanghai Group completing piling on the Luganville Wharf Project a month ahead of schedule. This is the same project as saw the Public Works Minister Don Ken on Monday outraged at the demolition of two steel bridges worth VT 260 million which were being used on the wharf project. No explanation has been offered. Radio Vanuatu News began this morning with a complex story concerning the issue of an "illegal licence" to a fishing vessel, the walk-out from a Tuesday meeting with the minister by senior Fisheries staff and an apology. No further explanation was given although an investigation is still to take place and will make use of the police. Vanuatu and other MSG countries are negotiating a strong trade agreement. Last week Vanuatu representatives were present at a meeting to take the discussions further in Noumea. Radio Vanuatu News said the views of all MSG countries must be co-ordinated by the end of the month. Kirk Huffman responds to the appalling news of the diabetes type 2 incidence in Vanuatu (we are 6th worst country in the world) today in Daily Post. He urges a return to an active, rural lifestyle based on the consumption of local foods. bobmakin | November 19, 2015 at 11:23 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-F5 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1HZuje6 Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Constitutional challenge has come

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The MP’s of the Opposition yesterday afternoon filed an urgent constitutional application with the Supreme Court to order the Speaker to call the 2nd Ordinary Session of Parliament for 2015. The Constitution requires two ordinary meetings every year and s" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Constitutional challenge has come by bobmakin The MP’s of the Opposition yesterday afternoon filed an urgent constitutional application with the Supreme Court to order the Speaker to call the 2nd Ordinary Session of Parliament for 2015. The Constitution requires two ordinary meetings every year and so far there has been only one. The Government side has many of its MPs imprisoned and unable to attend. The Prime Minister is going to Paris next week. The First Applicants in the case are the 24 MP’s of the Opposition. The Second Applicant in the case is MP-elect Kenneth Natapei, who although declared elected by the Electoral Commission last month already has not yet been sworn in (which needs to happen in Parliament) and as such has not received any of his MP allowances or MP allocation. The First Respondent is the Speaker of Parliament and the Second Respondent is the Republic of Vanuatu. bobmakin | November 19, 2015 at 10:05 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-F4 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1OfMkcA Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ November 18, 2015 NEWS The Interpreter Pacific Island links: Aust aid challenged, Fiji's police chief controversy, El-Niño and more The Interpreter Two advocates for traditional landowners in Vanuatu explain why the Western model of development promoted by Australia through its aid program is ... 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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