Protests in West Papua this Wednesday (photo by @SocialPowerOne1 shared on Twitter)
Politics, Social

Protests for human rights crushed in blood in West Papua

In the fight to finally end the subjugation of Pacific people by colonizing powers, West Papua is the last active front. And the fight for freedom by the native Papuan people kicked into higher gears this last two weeks, as massive protests for human rights and self-determination ignited across the cities of the province. According to the Time Magasine, the most recent unrest appears to … Continue reading Protests for human rights crushed in blood in West Papua

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Culture, Politics

Is it time for the Cook Islands to change its name?

What is in a name… Take the case of the Cook Islands. This Polynesian nation is an archipelago of 15 islands stuck between French Polynesia, Niue and American Samoa. It is inhabited by only 12 000 people. Its name comes from the British explorer James Cook. The official Cook Islands website says it was Russian sailors who popularized the usage of the Cook Islands name in … Continue reading Is it time for the Cook Islands to change its name?

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Politics, Social

How Mama Keneseli has changed Tuvalu

Sixty-three year old Mamao Keneseli has made significant contributions to community development on Nui atoll, one of nine districts in Tuvalu, for close to four decades. Her story is representative of a number of women community leaders in Tuvalu, now in their 60s, 70s and 80s, who have worked to improve the status of women and girls in Tuvalu despite facing numerous challenges. Ms Keneseli … Continue reading How Mama Keneseli has changed Tuvalu

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Politics

Ngedikes: portrait of a politician from Palau

Her Excellency Ngedikes Olai Uludong, 39, is Palau’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Palau’s Ambassador on Climate Change. She explains her philosophy to the SPC: “If my parents were strong and aggressive enough to fight for the rights of Palau, then I can carry this legacy on. Just because I am a woman doesn’t mean that I can’t participate in negotiations, seen as predominantly … Continue reading Ngedikes: portrait of a politician from Palau

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Culture, Environment, Geek, Lifestyle, Politics, Social

New Techs are revolutionizing life in the Pacific- part 2

Last week, we explored the revolutionary change blockchain technology was bringing to the world, and even more to scattered populations like the islanders of the Pacific Ocean, or the coasters of the Asian, American and Oceanian continents. Now, let’s check out the second great disruption in the decentralization revolution: the energy decentralization, triggered by some of the greatest game-changing technologies currently developing at high speeds: … Continue reading New Techs are revolutionizing life in the Pacific- part 2

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Politics

How the first female taxi driver of the Marshall Islands became a Senator

Marshall Islands Senator Daisy Alik-Momotaro has spent a number of decades working in community development as well as advocating for the rights of women, youth and children. In 1984, she participated in the country’s first Women’s Leadership Workshop organised by the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), which led her and nine other women to travel to all of the country’s outer … Continue reading How the first female taxi driver of the Marshall Islands became a Senator

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Culture, Environment, Geek, Lifestyle, Politics, Social

New Techs are revolutionizing life in the Pacific- part 1

After the latest industrial (19th-20th century) and information revolutions (brought by the Internet in the 20th-21th century), the next one is coming. It might be dubbed the Decentralization revolution, and it has already begun, boosted by the rise of several new technologies, like photovoltaic, blockchain and VTOL aircrafts. These are already spreading in places where they are the most useful. The scattered lands across the … Continue reading New Techs are revolutionizing life in the Pacific- part 1

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Politics

She led the way for women in Tahitian politics

In 1976, Béatrice Vernaudon, then a young social worker, was selected to serve as French Polynesia’s representative at a Pacific Community (SPC) meeting in Suva to determine the course curriculum for the organisation’s Education and Training Centre. “That’s when I first developed political awareness by working alongside women committed to obtaining independence for their countries and by being criticized myself for the nuclear testing in … Continue reading She led the way for women in Tahitian politics

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Politics, Sports

She made French Polynesia a strong nation in athletics

Titaua Juventin is a long-serving and respected member of the athletics community in the Pacific. She has a broad background in teaching and coaching, having worked in teacher training with the Ministry of Education in Tahiti. Ms Juventin’s passion is athletics, especially with young people and children. She successfully adapted the International Association of Athletics (IAAF) Federation’s children’s program in Tahiti and also introduced a … Continue reading She made French Polynesia a strong nation in athletics

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Politics, Social

The midwife who became the fist woman in government in Wallis and Futuna

Esitele Fuluhea Lakalaka knows firsthand the struggles of women in her native Wallis and Futuna. She began her career at a young age in the late 60s in the French territory’s health sector, firstly as a secretary and interpreter, then as a midwife delivering births at Sia Hospital, then finally as an management executive at the hospital. Ms Lakalaka then became interested in public affairs … Continue reading The midwife who became the fist woman in government in Wallis and Futuna

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