EyeSpy News Briefs for Monday, 3 October, 2022
World Teachers Day was launched on Friday, 30, September at Taumeasina Island Resort.
Photos: Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture
3-DAY WORLD TEACHER’S DAY CELEBRATION LAUNCHED AT TAUMEASINA
World Teacher’s Day was launched on Friday during a festive gathering hosted by the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) at Taumeasina Island Resort.
World Teachers’ Day is co-convened in partnership with the International Labor Organization (I.L.O.), UNICEF and Education International (E.I.), according to a Friday, 30 September statement from M.E.S.C.
Held annually on the 5th of October to celebrate teachers around the globe since 1994, World Teachers’ Day is an event of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (U.N.E.S.C.O.).
M.E.S.C. has celebrated Teachers Day every year to show appreciation for the work of teachers, recognizing their struggles and celebrating their achievements.
“This year, a special program preceded the normal celebration to give special acknowledgment to honorary persons who had served and also those continuing to serve in the teaching profession,” said M.E.S.C.
This special ceremony was held at the Taumeasina Island Resort on Friday. Teachers who have retired from the field, School Inspectors and School Principals from around the country attended the event.
Special awards were distributed to honour educators who are 60 years or were born in 1962 and share the same birth year as the nation.
The theme is “The transformation of education begins with teachers”.
The program for Teachers Day 2022, a series of events that culminate with an event on 5 October is aligned with the Government’s theme for 60th Independence festivities: ‘Sail with Faith’ or ‘Folau ma le Faatuatua.’
The Acting Prime Minister (Deputy Prime Minister), and Acting Minister of Education, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio delivered the keynote address.
Acting Prime Minister Tuala commended teachers for the very important work they do.
There is no greater reward for a teacher to than to see a student do well, be it in sports as a representative of the country or serve as leaders in government, as a Chief Executive Officer or Cabinet Minister.
“Do good and good will come to you!,” the Acting Prime Minister, an attorney by profession, exclaimed.
Awards were presented to teachers who were born in the year 1962; school inspectors who made a difference in their districts; outstanding teachers and principals who were nominated by M.E.S.C. divisions to recognize the work they have done amid State of Emergency restrictions and the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The celebration included tributes to past educators who have contributed to building Samoa since Samoa won its sovereignty in 1962.
Tributes aligned with the ‘Folau ma le Faatuatua’ Independence theme were broadcast on various media stations.
The celebration continues with a Special Prayer Service that takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 2 October at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale Samoa.
Traditional activities and games are scheduled to close the World Teacher’s Day celebration on Wednesday, 5 October.
(Source: Ministry of Education, Sports and Education Press Release)
Her Honour Judge Ida Malosi Principal Youth Court Judge in New Zealand
Photo: Victoria University of Wellington
SAMOA LAW SOCIETY CONGRATULATES PRINCIPAL YOUTH COURT JUDGE IDA MALOSI
The Samoa Law Society has expressed their congratulations and extended blessings to Her Honour Judge Ida Malosi who has been appointed as Principal Youth Court Judge in New Zealand.
Judge Malosi established Samoa’s first Family Court and Family Violence Court and helped to develop the Youth Court in Samoa, according to a congratulatory press release from the Samoa Law Society issued on Friday, 30 September, 2022.
“The Samoa Law Society congratulates Judge Ida Malosi on her appointment as the new Principal Youth Court Judge in New Zealand,” the statement reads.
“Judge Malosi was seconded to Samoa as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Samoa from March 2013 to June 2014 and during her time on the bench; Judge Malosi established the country's first Family Court and Family Violence Court. Her Honour was also instrumental in the development of the Youth Court in Samoa.”
In 2016, Judge Malosi was a speaker at a joint conference held in Samoa and hosted by the Samoa Law Society and Maori Law Society.
“Even after her time on the bench concluded in Samoa, Judge Malosi kindly gave of her time and knowledge to members of the Society; in July 2016, the Samoa Law Society and Maori Law Society held a Joint Conference in Samoa where we were honoured to have Judge Malosi as one of our distinguished speakers,” the release states.
“Judge Malosi is an exemplar of humility, integrity and courage and she continues to light the way for Pasifika people in New Zealand. The Samoa Law Society is proud of her accomplishments and wish her the very best in her duties. Ia fa’amanuia tele Le Atua i lou tofiga ma lou vala’auina Judge Malosi ma ia malamalama ai pea ou ala.”
(Source: Samoa Law Society Press Release)
Women in politics: (Left to right) The first woman Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Samoa's first female Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mataafa and the first Samoan or Polynesian female Member of Congress from the South Pacific Aumua Uifaatali Amata Radewagen at the Speaker's luncheon in Washington D.C.
Photo: Aumua Uifaatali Amata Radewagen
SAMOA SIGNS HISTORIC 11-POINT U.S.-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Samoa is among the 15 nations that have signed the historic first ever 11-point Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership with the United States of America.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is one of 14 Pacific leaders who have signed the declaration with U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Pacific leaders who are party to the Declaration are: Prime Minister Mark Brown of Cook Islands, Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama of the Republic of Fiji, President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia, President Edouard Fritch of the Government of French Polynesia, Charge d’Affaires Josie-Ann Dongobir of the Republic of Nauru, President Louis Mapou of the Government of New Caledonia, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau, Prime Minister James Marape of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, President David Kabua of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa of the Independent State of Samoa, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni of the Kingdom of Tonga, Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu Ambassador Odo Tevi of the Republic of Vanuatu.
President Biden’s is the fifteenth signature on the Declaration that was signed on Thursday, 29, 2022 (Eastern Daylight Time) at the two-day Pacific Islands Summit held at the White House in Washington D.C.
“We—the governments of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the United States of America—meet on the occasion of the first-ever U.S.- Pacific Islands Summit, held at the White House in Washington, D.C. from 28-29 September 2022,” the Declaration’s preamble reads.
“Forged by shared history, sacrifice, and values, our partnership has contributed to prosperity, peace, and security in the Pacific Islands, the United States, and the world for generations. Today, in the face of a worsening climate crisis and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, we recommit ourselves to working together in genuine partnership to address the mounting challenges of our time.”
The Pacific nations and the U.S. have agreed to these 11 points: strengthening their partnership; bolstering Pacific regionalism; tackling the climate crisis and making a priority; enhancing cooperation to advance economic growth and sustainable development; supporting each other to better prepare for disasters; resolving to protect the Blue Pacific and its laws; maintain peace and security across the Blue Pacific; commit to a continued cooperation in addressing COVID-19 concerns and other health-related issues; expanding opportunities for all; affirmation of the commitment to address legacies and conflict and the promotion of nuclear nonproliferation, and a joint vision for the way forward and future implementation of the partnership.
(Source: The White House Press Release)