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Samoan Prime Minister Opens Conference

Tuesday, November 2, 2004

'As I am, so is my nation' was the theme of an Initiatives of Change conference in Samoa, opened by the Prime Minister Download an 8-page color report of this conference A huge banner hanging on the fence of the Fetumolemoana building in the heart of Apia, boldly announced the “Moral Re-Armament - I of C International Conference - As I am, so is my nation. Change starts with me” 20th to 24th October, 2004. In a flower-decked room that doubled as dining room and meeting hall, the Catholic Archbishop of Samoa prayed for God's blessing at the opening dinner.

The Samoan Prime Minister, the Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, reads the report of the 'Winds of Change' conference in the Solomon Islands in June.

After a generous meal, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, opened the conference. With the daily paper's headline “Corruption Crackdown”, the Prime Minister said, “Through the reform programme we have tried to bring ‘integrity’, to use the ‘action word’ of your conference, to the business of government. We have been guided by practices in other democratic nations of the world and in the knowledge that without applying the principles of good governance we could not hope to achieve sustainable development for our country.”

A song written for Samoa was sung by all generations and the evening finished with the spirited Lota Nuu, a rousing national song.

The TV and press were present and returned the next day for a panel interview. The TV broadcast twice during the four days.

Overseas participants came from eight countries. Two of the overseas guests, the Hon Joses Tuhanuku, MP, and Johnson Fangalasu, Director of Education for the South Seas Evangelical Church, came from Solomon Islands. They were at the heart of the “Winds of Change Conference” last June and are part of the on-going programme following that conference.

The daily plenaries were addressed by both local and overseas speakers. Ulamanaia Faaiu Sialaoa, Principle Immigration Officer, speaking on “Clean Hearts”, shared two of his own integrity models. “In the world of corruption, the most endangered species is an honest man/woman.”

Joses Tuhanuku followed, spelling out how corruption, the coup and ethnic tension had brought his country to its knees. He also spoke of the hope that the population wants clean government and, with an election approaching there is a chance for the people to speak.

The session, “The family as a peace maker” was given wide perspectives from Fr Penitito, a Catholic priest and scholar, Johnson Fangalasu, who recounted the effect of the “Winds of Change” conference on him and his family and Keren Maposua, of the Bahá'í community, who started by saying, “Families hold the world together. The conditions surrounding the family, surround the nation.” An Islamic perspective was given by Mohammed Laulu Tavielu Stanley.

Walda Blow addresses the Samoan conference

Personal experiences were given by Mina Umar and Daniel Prassad who have each married into a different culture, and they spoke of the realities of “Partnership of Races”. “We can strengthen through cultural diversity”, said Mina. With an Aboriginal flag adorning the lecturn, Walda Blow, an Aboriginal Australian spoke most movingly of the history of her people at the hands of White Australia, “I am not bitter – I don't want guilt trips but to learn to forgive, work in partnership and make sure history never repeats itself again.”

Workshops on “Resolving Conflict Creatively” - Neichü Angami (Nagaland) and “Sowing the Right Fruit Equals Peace” - Tuilimu Solo Brown (Judge for the Lands and Titles Court of Samoa), left everyone energised and inspired.

In a live half-hour broadcast the Catholic Radio, 90.5FM, interviewed Fetu Paulo, the instigator of the Samoan conference, and eight overseas guests. A number of calls were received by the radio station in appreciation of what was said and the programme was re-broadcast.

Liz Weeks

Download an 8-page color report of this conference