Apia Office quarterly newsletter - Unesco

Apia Office Office for the Pacific States Quarterly

NEWSLETTER

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

January—March 2015; Issue 7

Editorial

Inside this issue: From Director’s Office:  UNESCO and Pacific Partnership in Action Education:

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3 –4

 Education for All  Kiribati  Teacher Education

Unfortunately some bad news followed in March with Cyclone PAM devastating Vanuatu and severely affecting Tuvalu and Kiribati, among others. It was followed later by severe destruction in FSM. Our thought are with all those affected by these disasters and who are suffering from losses and sadness. UNESCO Apia is involved in the recovery in Vanuatu. Our culture team played a key role in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment on culture, a basic requirement to mobilize national and international support for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage and other cultural assets.

Module

 JFIT Projects  Education for Sustainable Development Sciences:

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 Climate Change Adaptation

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2015 UNESCO year started with a major event for UNESCO in the Pacific: the meeting of all the National Commissions with the theme of “Moving forward – UNESCO and the Pacific, Partnership and action”. It was organized at the invitation of the Cook Islands National Commission and held in Auckland, New Zealand. A big “thanks” to our friends from Cook Islands for the perfect organization and substantial content of this strategic meeting. Thanks also to the New Zealand National Commission which helped in ensuring the participation of high level speakers, from the Pacific but based in Auckland, who inspired us in our deliberations. The outcomes of the meeting will be reflected in the UNESCO plan of action for SIDS which will shape the UNESCO programmed in the Pacific for the years to come.

This newsletter is giving updates on the ambitious Pacific EFA Review, to be produced soon as a major working document for the forthcoming Pacific Heads of Education meeting in October this year. The following pages will introduce our new programmed on “Loss and damages from climate extremes and climate change”, “Voices of athletes”, “Comprehensive sexuality education” and “Gender-based violence training for journalists”, to name only a few.

Man and Biosphere

In our next issue, we shall report on the celebration of World Press Freedom day on 3 May 2015.

Youth Social Inclusion Doping in Sports

Culture:

Best wishes to all. 6– 7

 World Heritage  Intangible Cultural Etienne Clement Director and Representative UNESCO Office for the Pacific States

Heritage

 Post Disaster Needs Assessment Communication & Information:

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 Gender Based Violence Training

Pacific Member States: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau (Associate), Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Apia Office Quarterly NEWSLETTER

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From Director’s Office UNESCO and Pacific—Partnership in Action Moving Forward – UNESCO and the Pacific, Partnership and Action Outcomes The National Commissions of 10 Pacific sub-regional Member States, having met in Auckland, New Zealand from January 26th-28th 2015, reaffirmed their commitment to working with UNESCO at a sub-regional, regional and international level to achieve the goals of the Organization and contribute to the sustainable development of member countries. Recalling that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to which most Member States belong, have priority in the 37C/4 as an overarching objective for the Organization; Supporting UNESCO in developing a response to the resolution (V) adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 37th session with respect to reinforcing UNESCO’s strategy on SIDS; Appreciating the financial support received for this meeting through a regional Participation Programme; Recognising the different national development priorities and individual country circumstances and legislation; 1. Call for support from across all areas of UNESCO expertise to support Pacific SID member states to: i) Improve learner participation, retention and outcomes through: a) The review of curricula at all levels of education to ensure they are contextually relevant to young people in the 21st century. This includes ensuring the integration of Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education, supporting the strengthening of indigenous knowledge and cultural programmes, and increasing the access to and scope of Technical and Vocational Education and Training; and b) Building the sustainable capacity of teachers to utilise student driven pedagogies. ii) Build the capacity of youth to positively and creatively contribute to sustainability through: a) Supporting youth driven initiatives that address identity, wellbeing and livelihoods; and b) Providing and resourcing genuine, inclusive opportunities for youth to build networks across cultures, countries and languages that encompass the programme areas of UNESCO.

ii) build the capacity of SIDS to sustainably manage their environment and natural resources by strengthening scientific institutions, ensuring quality science education and research, mentoring young scientists, enhancing community participation and engagement, and sharing knowledge and networking. iv) Reinforce SIDS resilience in the face of environmental degradation and change, including climate change, and impact on oceans, freshwater, biodiversity and natural resources by: a) Drawing upon the strengths of the intergovernmental scientific programmes (IHP, IGCP, IOC, MAB, MOST); and b) Building synergies between scientific and indigenous knowledge. v) Preserve and promote heritage and creativity through; a) Addressing the barriers faced by Pacific Member States to ratify and meet their ongoing responsibilities to UNESCO Cultural Conventions; and b) Networking, sharing, valuing and celebrating creativity in a way that allows for the telling of a multiplicity of authentic stories across a range of genres (“building bridges and making mirrors”).

2. Request member states to maximise the opportunities provided by UNESCO through: i) Supporting and utilising the existing UNESCO networks across all programme areas to build awareness, develop capacity and identify local solutions e.g. ASPNet, World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Creative Cities Network ii) Better utilising the programmes and expertise provided by UNESCO Category II Centres and Institutes 3. Request the UNESCO Office for Pacific States to: i) Support networking amongst Pacific sub-regional member states in the context of these outcomes through social media and other means. ii) Provide support to Pacific Member States in the preparation and participation at the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference.


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Education Education for All (EFA)

Japan Funds-in-Trust: Improving educational outcomes

Seven Pacific Island Countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, PNG, Samoa and Vanuatu) have already submitted their final report on the EFA 2015 Review to UNESCO. Two PICTs (Nauru and Tuvalu) are making a final review of their reports, while Niue and the Solomon Islands require more time to finalize their reports. In addition, Australia and New Zealand have submitted their report to UNESCO.

The Japan Funds-in-Trust project is working on improving educational outcomes in the region by raising teacher standards and improving the level of school leadership through the development of professional standards for principals. In Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu the leadership standards for school principals have been agreed on and the next step is to build capacity in school principals and Ministries of Education to implement these standards and use them to raise the standards of school leadership to improve student performance. Due to the devastating impact of Cyclone Pam in March 2015 in Vanuatu this project is currently on hold as the Ministry of Education in Vanuatu works towards the rebuilding of the education sector.

Kiribati UNESCO is working with the Kiribati Ministry of Education in the framework of the Kiribati Education Improvement Programme (KEIP), funded by Australia. An updated proposal for UNESCO’s support to the Kiribati Ministry of Education in 2015 has been approved by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. UNESCO Apia Office is currently collecting information relating to cost estimates and work plans for several activities in order to prepare a new Implementation Partners Agreement. The total amount of the project is estimated to be around USD60, 000. The work relates to professional development for teachers and head teachers/principals, development of Year 5 and 6 syllabus and the strengthening of the Kiribati Education Management Information System (KEMIS).

Teacher Education Modules A joint meeting with the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme, UNESCO Apia and two writers of the Modules will be held in Suva in late June to discuss the future direction of the modules and how to align them to each other.

In Samoa and in the Solomon Islands one of the goals of the project was to provide teacher in-service training to uncertified or unqualified teachers in order to also impact on student achievement. The primary focus in Samoa was to target secondary school teachers of science and mathematics while in the Solomon Islands the focus is on increasing the numbers of certified teachers in two provinces. The project has been completed in Samoa with support from the National University of Samoa, it is yet to get underway in the Solomon Islands.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) A full time ESD project officer is currently in the process of being selected to work on projects supported by funding from the Malaysian Government. The project officer will primarily be concerned with the integration of issues relating to climate change and education for sustainable development into resource materials suitable for the classroom. The countries covered under this project are Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Niue and Fiji. In Niue, the Vagahau Niue literacy standard document has been completed. The final document is to be launched at the 41st Constitution Celebrations on 19 October 2015 in Niue. The regional synthesis report for ESD was launched on 24 March in Hanoi, Viet Nam at the seminar on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Education for Sustainable Development. Click here for more information.

Vagahau Niue literacy standard workshop © Niue Department of Education

EDUCATION

UNESCO Apia/UNESCO Institute for Statistics in collaboration with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Secretariat of the Pacific Commission (SPC) and UNICEF are working on collating a Pacific EFA 2015 review looking closely at information relating to 15 Pacific Island Countries and Territories, excluding Australia and New Zealand. This is undergoing its second review during April.


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EDUCATION

Education (con’t) UNESCO: HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS

The attitudinal survey reports on the delivery of HIV and sexual reproductive health education in school settings have been completed and are being distributed to the four participating countries: Nauru, Niue, Palau and Samoa. Electronic versions are also available on the UNESCO e-library site at http:// www.unescobkk.org/resources/e-library/publications/article/ attitudinal-survey-report-on-the-delivery-on-the-delivery-of-hivand-sexual-reproductive-health-educ-1/ and will be added to the UNESCO Apia webpage shortly.

The Global AIDS Response Programme Report for 2015 deadline has been extended from March 31st 2015 to April 15 2015. Samoa is expected to complete this before the deadline. Samoa is also working towards clarification of the Immigration restrictions relating to People living with HIV.

UNESCO and UNFPA are collaborating in order to continue with the Comprehensive Sexuality Education project via a joint programmed which will include ten countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu). The first joint programmed document draft will be completed by the end of April 2015. The Regional Consultation on Bullying in schools is scheduled to take place 15-17 June, Bangkok. Joey Mataele of the PSDN in Tonga and Lionel Rogers of the Drodrolagi Movement (LGBTI movement for USP students) have been nominated to represent the Pacific. A representative from the Ministry of Education in Fiji is expected to attend as well as the UNESCO Apia National Programme Officer.

Attitudinal survey reports

UNESCO Apia is also supporting the Ministry of Health in Samoa in the implementation of the G-SHS, GYTS, and the G-HPPS surveys for all secondary schools in Samoa which is due to take place in September 2015.

Social and Human Sciences Youth

Social Inclusion

As part of UNESCO’s effort to empower youth, siapo (tapa cloth) making and business training workshop for out-of-school youth will be organised in partnership of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Samoa Culture Centre from 27 April to 20 May 2015 in Samoa. Presentations on the history and value of siapo in Samoan culture and tradition, proverbs developed in siapo making, ICH safeguarding will be made to deepen understanding of the background of siapo. At the end of the training, participants will be trained as traditional Siapo producers as well as business owners throughout the 4 week training.

Within the programmed of addressing the needs of forced migration in the Pacific, a survey report on deportees in the Republic of Marshall Islands was drafted last year in partnership with International Organization for Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia. The report is now being reviewed by gender and human rights experts. The final draft is expected to be ready by July and submitted to the Marshall Island government for final endorsement in August 2015.

Voices of Athletes (VOA) ambassadors programmed will be organised in partnership with Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) for youth aiming for capacity building and awareness raising on HIV/AIDS, environment, health (NCD), and fair play at the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) to be held in Samoa in September 2015. VOA ambassadors will visit secondary schools in Upolu and Savai’i in Samoa in July and August as well as having short sessions at the CYG venue to deliver key messages and build the capacity of youth.

The Safe Man Safe Family Samoa workshop targeting a group of returnees and relevant stakeholders was opened by the Hon. Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoai and successfully completed at the end of March. The workshop was to review and think about their own behaviours at home and at the work place, to understand the causes and the impact of anger and violence. The trained returnees are expected to become advocates for delivering the key messages and provide mentoring for other returnee members and those who need counselling on their return to Samoa.


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Sciences Inter-Regional Dialogue on Loss and Damage from Climate Extremes and Climate Change

Climate Change/Climate Change Adaptation International Workshop on Sustainability Science for Sustainable Development

The International Workshop brought together hundreds stakeholders and scientists to discuss the current status sustainability science, globally, and in the Asia-Pacific region consolidate and strengthen already established networks experts, their approaches and methodologies.

of of to of

Expert panel discussion

Man and Biosphere (MAB) Pacific Man and Biosphere (PacMAB) Reserve Website and Facebook During the 4th PacMAB regional meeting in Nadi, Fiji 2014, participants expressed the need to collaborate actively for the strengthening of the Pacific Islands MAB Network (PacMAB) and to enable effective communication between PacMAB members via a website. UNESCO Office for the Pacific States is taking the initiative to develop and launch a PacMAB website and Facebook by mid-2015.

Participants of the International Workshop on Sustainability Science for Sustainable Development, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . Source: UNESCO Jakarta Office

Social and Human Sciences (con’t) The workshop also offered an opportunity for relevant stakeholders such as the police, probation officers, and social workers to deepen their understanding relating to anger management and violence to enhance their professional responsibilities as well as to strengthen their networks.

Doping in Sports UNESCO is providing technical advices and support for Oceania regional Anti-Doping Organisation (ORADO) to develop an application for anti-doping funds in Palau, Papua New Guinea and Samoa to support national efforts and activities in each country and the Pacific region. The final applications are expected to be ready for submission by August 2015.

SCIENCES

The Natural Science Programme specialist participated in the International Workshop on Sustainability Science for Sustainable Development from 4-5th March in Malaysia. The Workshop was organized by the UNESCO Office, Jakarta in partnership with the University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This workshop is part of follow up initiatives to the dialogue initiated in 2013 during a workshop on sustainability science in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to support UNESCO initiative on Sustainability Science. The event aimed to develop a common understanding of the "sustainability science" concept in the Asia Pacific region, to strengthen the link between science and policy and to develop a regional framework and tools to implement sustainability science, also within UNESCO-ASEAN framework agreement and lastly to position sustainability science as part of a national and regional science and technology policy. Loss and Damage associated with climate extremes and Climate Change were also an important agenda item at the Workshop.

UNESCO Apia took the opportunity to launch an inter-regional dialogue on Loss and Damage from climate extremes and Climate Change at the International Workshop on Sustainability Science for Sustainable Development in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 4-5th March 2015. The panel discussion consisted of national experts from Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Malaysia.


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Culture World Heritage

Outcomes

The government of Tuvalu, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Rural Development, organised a World Heritage Convention Workshop in Funafuti, Tuvalu, on 11 March 2015 with financial assistance from UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust. Tuvalu is one of the two countries in the Pacific which has not yet joined this important and well-known Convention.

The Workshop resulted in the enhanced awareness of Tuvalu's natural and cultural heritage among the Workshop participants. Having listened to the presentations by international and national experts, the participants had a better understanding of the World Heritage Convention. They also concluded that the process of joining the Convention should be an inclusive one, involving all stakeholders in Tuvalu, from all concerned departments and communities. They expressed their support for Tuvalu to join the Convention.

CULTURE

The workshop The objective of the Workshop was to introduce and promote the World Heritage Convention through: i) raising awareness of the importance and benefit of ratifying the World Heritage Convention, ii) encouraging dialogue among government staff, heritage professionals, NGOs and local communities, and support community participation in all stages of the World Heritage process, iii) supporting the identification and protection of the country's outstanding cultural and natural heritage to the global community, and iv) facilitating the ratification process of the World Heritage Convention.

The Workshop participants also developed an Action Plan, to be promoted and lead by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Rural Development and implemented by all concerned stakeholders. The action plan covers the formalization of a national culture policy, the identification of important natural and cultural heritage sites, the awareness of local communities and the launching of a consultative process to join the World Heritage Convention, hopefully by the end of 2015.

Summary of discussion The Workshop took place at the Conference Room of the Government Building in Funafuti. In total, 25 participants attended the Workshop, covering all departments of the Government (Education, Culture, Environment, Attorney-general's Office, Home Affairs, Women's Affairs, Foreign Affairs, etc.) as well as the Representatives of the various communities from the several atolls forming Tuvalu (each atoll including a number of islands and islets). The Workshop was opened by Mr. Kilifi O'Brien, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Rural Development, followed by a keynote presentation on the World Heritage Convention by Mr. Etienne Clement, Director and Representative, UNESCO Office for the Pacific States.

Several participants made presentations on Tuvalu's cultural and natural heritage. The presentations also covered the gender perspective of the preservation of cultural and natural heritage and an analysis of the potential of World Heritage listing on tourism in Tuvalu (which is currently an insignificant part of the country's economy but with a very high potential in term of income for local populations). Representatives of the islands and atolls strongly advocated for the importance of continuing to ensure the close association of their communities and the protection of the Tuvalu heritage. They also requested that they be involved and consulted in the process of ratification of the Convention, on the preparation of a tentative list and on possible requests for nomination of World Heritage sites.

Intangible Cultural Heritage The government of Marshall Islands has been strengthening its efforts in the safeguarding of its intangible cultural heritage since the national consultation held in Majuro in 2012 that brought together representatives from most of its atolls. More recently, the Director of the UNESCO Office in the Pacific organised a training session on the UNESCO Convention during his visit to the country in October 2015. This has resulted in the adoption by the RMI Parliament of a resolution approving the ICH Convention in March 2015. Once the Instrument sent to UNESCO headquarters has been officially acknowledged, RMI will become the 9th state party to the ICH Convention from the Pacific.


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Culture (con’t) Post Disaster Needs Assessment for the Culture Sector following Tropical Cyclone Pam Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu from 10 to 14 March 2015, and had a devastating impact on the country. The Flash Appeal was launched on 24 March 2015, identifying the need for humanitarian assistance amounting to US$ 29.9 million. At the request of the Government of Vanuatu, UNESCO Office in Apia provided the Vanuatu government with assistance to conduct an assessment of damages and loss sustained by the cultural heritage and cultural facilities in Vanuatu by the cyclone. This was carried out as an integral part of the government-led Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) carried out with assistance of UN and WB from 7 to 27 April 2015. The PDNA for the culture sector was led by the Vanuatu Culture Centre (VCC) and it was supported by local and international experts including from ICOMOS Australia and Japan.

The PDNA for the culture sector recommends that VCC and cultural facilities in Vanuatu develop a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Plan with DRR strategy in co-operation with professional organisations such as ICOMOS and its ISC for Risk Preparedness (ICORP), ICOM, ICA and IFLA and Blue Shield.

Chief’s Nakamal in Port Vila before Cyclone Pam © VCC

The performance of traditional structures (nakamals) during Tropical Cyclone Pam demonstrates how traditional knowledge is practiced and why it remains relevant. Notwithstanding, some have been damaged and are repairable. The Chiefs’ Nakamal, a national treasure and significant cultural icon, sustained significant damage to its thatched roof and walls while the lightweight the materials and thatching methods allowed the main structure to survive. Damaged nakamals need to be properly documented to enable restoration and the preparation of a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategy. Traditional building skills and knowledge associated with social rituals and traditional craftsmanship need to be preserved as part of living heritage. Chief Roi Mata’s Domain, Vanuatu’s only World Heritage site, is a cultural landscape covering three sites (Fels Cave, Mangaas settlement site and the burial island of Artok / Retoka). The values of the site are sustained by the knowledge and practices of the local Lelema community (Lelepa and Mangaliliu), which manages the site and its cultural tourism enterprise. All have been affected badly by Cyclone Pam. Fallen trees and landslips have restricted access to Fels Cave and Mangaas and have prevented a more comprehensive damage assessment for all three sites. Suspension of cultural tours has caused a downturn in incomes and there has also been significant damage to crops and fresh water sources. Damage sustained by church buildings in Port Vila is not significant but requires repair. There are some 60 churches and western-style historical buildings registered in the National Heritage Registry managed by VCC. An assessment survey of a selected number, which was conducted for the PDNA for culture, provided an opportunity to use additional data to update the

Chief’s Nakamal in Port Vila after Cyclone Pam © VCC

CULTURE

The cultural survey covered selected traditional structures (nakamals), western style buildings of historical significance, including former residences and churches, Chief Roi Mata’s Domain, World Heritage site, as well as arts and cultural centres in the country.

Registry.


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COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION

Communication and Information Gender Based Violence Training for Journalist A glossary poster as an outcome of the gender-base Violence Training for Journalists organised by the UNESCO in November 2014 was officially launched in March of this year. This glossary of terms or words to better report on gender based violence cases has presented in an A3 size poster format, and its printing was made possible by the Head of Mission Fund of the New Zealand High Commission in Samoa. New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa, Jackie Frizelle who officially launched the glossary poster, said the glossary is a positive step for the media in Samoa. “I believe this initiative is valuable and a practical contribution to addressing gender violence.”

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Gender based violence is a global problem. The glossary poster will guide the work of Samoan journalists to describe this issue in Samoa and to influence the negative attitudes that foster sexual attacks. Tofilau Merita Huch, said that ‘up until now, we always use different words especially in Samoan when it comes to gender-base violence issues. She added that the glossary will help journalists in translating terms so that they don't use words which are misleading and do not quite reflect the meaning of the English terms.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the UN and works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. UNESCO in the Pacific will contribute to the construction of peace, human development and intercultural dialogue for sustainable Pacific through E du cat io n, the Scie nce s, Cu ltu re, Communication and Information. For more information about the work of UNESCO in Apia, please visit www.unesco.org/

Our Team Director’s Office: Mr Etienne Clement Director

Culture: Ms Akatsuki Takahashi Programme Specialist (Culture)

Ms Nifo Onesemo-Simaika Secretary to the Director

Ms Perelini Hamuferi Secretary

Education: Mr Toshiyuki Matsumoto Programme Specialist (Education)

Communication & Information: Ms Aterina Samasoni-Pele National Professional Officer, CI

Ms Brenda Sherley CapEFA Programme Assistant

Ms Ruta Tupua Secretary

Mr Andrew Peteru HIV/AIDS Education National Programme Officer

Administration & Finance: Mr Yogendra Chhetri Finance & Administration Officer

Ms Ruta Tupua Secretary

Contact Information: Mailing Address: PO Box 615 Matautu-uta, Apia, Samoa Office Email Address: [email protected]

Ms Vaotupu Sufie Administrative Assistant

Sciences: Mr Denis Chang Seng Programme Specialist (Natural Sciences)

Mr Boniface Posese IT Assistant Ms Telesia Faalogo Receptionist

Mr Rajendra Prasad UNESCO/IOC Programme Officer (based in Suva, Fiji)

Mr Pouleta Asalemo Driver

Mr Yusuke Nii Social and Human Science Consultant

Mr Bryan Soonalole Cleaner

Ms Perelini Hamuferi Secretary

Phone Number: +685 24 276 Fax Number: +685 26 593

Editor-in-Chief: Etienne Clement Drafter of this newsletter: Nifo Onesemo-Simaika based on inputs from all UNESCO Apia team