Topic: PublicServiceAnnouncements

Micronesians Plan to Fight New Basic Health Hawaii in Class Action Suit

Marshallese and Micronesian groups in Honolulu are joining forces in a fundraising effort to secure legal representation (lawyers) to fight the State's new Basic Health Hawaii plan. According to the newly formed Micronesian Health Advisory Coalition (MHAC), the BHH "targets Micronesian citizens (in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment to the US constitution, among others."

MHAC says that the State's administrative act, effective July 1, 2010, severely limits health care benefits to just the bare minimum thus seriously risking the many health of Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens whose very lives depend heavily on State assisted medical services.

"COFA citizens find this administrative directive by the State unjust and discriminatory in view of the countless sacrifices and contributions of COFA citizens to Hawaii State and the United States."

Final Communique of the 41st Pacific Islands Forum

The Forty-first Pacific Islands Forum was held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from 4 to 5 August 2010 and was attended by Heads of State and Governments of the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga and the Republic of Vanuatu. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade represented Australia and the Minister for Planning and District Development represented Papua New Guinea. Solomon Islands and Tuvalu were represented by Special Envoys. New Caledonia and French Polynesia attended the formal session as Associate Members. Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna, the Asian Development Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations attended as Observers. Forum meetings were convened at the Le Lagon Resort in Port Vila and the Forum Retreat was held at the Havannah Resort, Samoa Point.

Pacific Partnerships for Development and Security Partnerships signed at Pacific Islands Forum

Today at the Pacific Islands Forum in Port Vila, Vanuatu, the Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith signed Pacific Partnerships for Development with President Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia, President Toribiong of the Republic of Palau, and Foreign Minister Silk of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

He also signed Pacific Security Partnerships with President Tong of the Republic of Kiribati and Prime Minister Tuilaepa of Samoa.

Marshall Islands Holds First National NGOs Conference

The Marshall Islands Council of NGOs is hosting the first ever National Conference, for non-government organizations, community-based clubs and chapters, next week in Majuro. The three-day conference, “Learning Together for a Better Tomorrow” (Katak Ibbendron Nan Juon Ilju Eo Emman), will be held August 9-11, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the International Conference Center.

• RMI National NGO's Conference - Workshops Grid

Presidents Come Together as One United Voice at 10th Summit

President Mori of the Federated State of Micronesia, President Jurelang Zedkaia of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and President Toribiong of the Republic of Palau, held their 10th Micronesian Presidents' Summit (MPS) in Palau on July 30, 2010, with representatives from Nauru, to discuss vital issues affecting the four nations and the Pacific Region as a whole. Toribiong welcomed the Presidents and expressed his hope that as a result of the MPS, the future will be more secure, peaceful and prosperous for the entire region.

The MACIMISE graduate program kicks off in Saipan

The Mathematics and Culture in Micronesia: Integrating Societal Experiences (MACIMISE) inaugural Institute was held in Saipan from July 4–15 at Saipan Southern High School (SSHS). Attending were 18 Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Hawai`i, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau.

According to Dr. Sandy Dawson, MACIMISE Project Director, “The first goal of the project is the development of elementary school mathematics curricula sensitive to local mathematical thought and experience. A necessary prerequisite for the achievement of this first goal is to recapture and honor the mathematics developed and practiced in the various communities.”

Australian Medical Team to arrive in Majuro in August

A medical team from The Pacific Islands Project (PIP), which is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and managed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), will be arriving in Majuro in early August to volunteer their services at the Majuro Hospital.

The team consists of Dr. Roger Butorac, who specializes in orthopaedic surgery, Anaesthetist Dr. Colin Chilvers and Nurse Mr. Paul Van Nynanten, who all hail from Launceston, Australia.

Taiwan Announces ROC-RMI Youth Ambassadors’ Exchange Program

Based on the successful experience in 2009 when the fist Youth Ambassadors’ Exchange Program was held, the 2010 ROC-RMI Youth Ambassadors’ Exchange Program, sponsored by R.O.C (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-organized by R.O.C. (Taiwan) Embassy and College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), will be held in Majuro from July 22 to July 31, 2010.

Taiwan Invites Marshallese to Apply for 3 Language Scholarships

In order to enhance the bilateral cultural exchanges, friendship and increase mutual understanding between the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and that of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is offering to sponsor 3 Marshallese citizens to participate in its Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship (HES), which will begin from September 1st, 2010 to August 31st, 2011.

• Introduction to the Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship

McREL opens Pacific Center for Changing the Odds

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) opens its new office, The Pacific Center for Changing the Odds in Honolulu, Hawai‘i in July 2010.

“McREL’s commitment to the entire Pacific educational community through its Honolulu-based center represents an expanded opportunity to assist educators in their efforts to change the odds for all children and youth,” said John Kofel, founder and former CEO of PREL and President of the JoDoCo Group.

College of Marshall Islands Seeks Input for Land Grant Program

The College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) invites your input into what program areas the Land Grant program should be looking at as CMI begins the process of hiring two new researchers and a new extension agent. We would also like to hear your reasons for your suggestions as we document the needs of the RMI for possible future work in aquaculture and agriculture. We encourage you to provide this input for these positions ASAP or no later than Friday 30 July, 2010.

PREL Names Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber To Serve As President and CEO

Pacific Resources for Education and Learning’s (PREL’s) Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber as the nonprofit organization's newly elected President and Chief Executive Officer.

Marshall Islands: Tourism Industry Training Offered

The Univerity of South Pacific (UPC), Majuro Campus, is offering a tourism business course, June 2-25, 2010. The coursework focuses on how to start businesses or improve existing businesses in the tourism industry, including B&B's, restaurants, cottage and amimono shops.

The class, which is offered free to Marshallese citizens, is part of a sixth-month Tourism/Hospitality Training Level 2 Program funded by the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) National Training Council.

ABC Radio Australia's Pacific Break Holds 2010 Music Competition

ABC Radio Australia has just kicked off its music competition, Pacific Break, searching for the best unsigned musical talent across the Pacific. Pacific Break has been running for two years and in that time they have received hundreds of entries from all over the Pacific, but not yet one from the North Pacific. In the first year, the winning act – 26 Roots – came from Vanuatu and last year’s winner, Emmanuel Mailau, was from PNG.

Regional Leadership Development Program Underway in Pohnpei

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), through its Pacific Police Development Program (PPDP) in partnership with the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) is currently holding its first Micronesian Leadership Development Program for middle-ranking officers at the College of Micronesia-FSM national campus in Pohnpei from 11-21 May 2010. This program follows the PPDP holding executive level workshops in Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).