Author Archives for [email protected]

Korova Struggles Continue

By Shivika Mala After attending several climate change summits and conferences across the globe, members of Korova Settlement are still struggling to adapt to the direct impact of sea level rise and improper access to electricity. Korova, a small squatter settlement with not more than seven (7) houses, is located behind the Fiji School of Maritime along the Queen Elizabeth Drive, Suva. This is the same village where the movie makers of Disney film Moana had set foot to learn the tradition and culture of Camakau (traditional canoe which can be seen in the movie) building, as told by the…

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CORRECTION

Wansolwara Editorial Staff In the April edition of Wansolwara, an opinion piece entitled Concern Over 'Isolated' Nukefetau Minority appeared on Page 20. The opinion stated that the Tuvalu Member of Parliament, the late Honorable Lotoala Meita, was removed temporarily from parliament. This statement is entirely false. The petition presented to parliament in 2010 was rejected. Meita would go on serve until his passing in 2012. The Wansolwara editorial board would like to add the reconciliation process in the Nukefetau community in Tuvalu has shown great promise. The error is reply regretted. Wansolwara sincerely apologises for any inconvenience  caused by this editing error.

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Climate and Health Initiative

By Mereoni Mili  (Bonn, Germany) A new initiative to protect people in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from health impacts was launched yesterday at the COP23. The initiative is between the World Health Organisation, the United Nation Climate Change secretariat and the Fijian COP 23 Presidency. Speaking at the launch the Prime Minister and COP23 President Voreqe Bainimarama said "We all know that climate change will have a seriously increasing effects on the health of our people and create some serious challenges for our health system and infrastructure". “I am especially pleased that this initiatives is not a gift to SIDS,…

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Pacific Island Warriors Present Declaration at COP23

By Mereoni Mili (photo courtesy of Asia Pacific report) Bonn, Germany - The Pacific Climate Warriors delivered the Declaration on Climate Change to Pacific island leaders and members of the delegation at the Talanoa space in the Bonn zone this past week. The declaration is in the form of signatures and an online campaign called #haveyousei where people shared stories of how climate change has impacted people’s homes and the realities of climate crisis. More than 23 thousand people signed the declaration which was printed on a tapa cloth and presented to the leaders including former President of Kiribati Anote…

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Marshallese Push For Nuclear Free

The Marshall Islands Student Association is campaigning for a Nuclear Free Pacific. The group "MISA4thePacific" is collecting signatures for the Hibakusha International Appeal for a nuclear ban. This story by Ana Civavonovono.

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Documentary: Staying in Nabukadra

Nabukadra in a coastal village in Ra to north of Fiji's largest island Viti Levu. Having been battered by severe tropical cyclone Winston the community are at crossroads and a generational split. Its a story that will resonate across the Pacific as people leave their ancestral lands in search of higher ground. A Film by: Telstar Jimmy, Salote Qalubau, Miriam Naikatini and Mereoni Mili

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Documentary: Tide of Change

The people of Natawaru Settlement have seen their humble livelihoods grow more precarious as the effects of climate change take their toll. From rising seas, depleted fish stocks and rising temperatures, the community is faced with a struggle for survival. A Film by: Koroi Tadulala, Aachal Chand, Mitieli Baleiwai, Venina Rakautoga and Kaelyn Dakuibure  

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Documentary: Flying Solo

The story of the Solomon Islanders of Fiji is undersold. Brought to Fiji in bondage their labour has had an indelible impact upon the country. Now the community of Wailoku are seeking acknowledgment and secure land tenure for future generations. A Film by: Laiseana Nasiga, Josefa Kotobalavu, Semi Malaki, Chris Harabe and Elizabeth Osifelo

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Documentary: Canoe Culture, A Revival

Our USP students travel to the Lau islands far to the east of Viti Levu. Lau is a pacific crossroads renowned for its great canoe builders and navigators. This documentary looks at Uto Ni Yalo Trust's efforts to preserve the skills and customs of canoe culture. A film by: Nanise Sivo, Drue Slatter, Kritika Rukmani, Virashna Singh and Ana Civavonovono

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The Struggle For Land Rights

By Linda Filiai  More than one hundred thousand Fijians live every day with the insecurity that comes with being an informal settler. Many are trapped into unsatisfactory conditions by the high cost of living. The Fiji government and civil society organisations have new programs to address informal settlements. Some are creating hope that a transition to legal tenancy may be possible. The struggles for informal settlers are many. The Director of Peoples Community Network (PCN) Semiti Qalowasa says most informal settlers are living in the settlements under the sympathy of the landowners. Director of Peoples Community…

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