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Island leaders meet at East-West Center
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Posted on Jan 12 2001
By Al Hulsen
HONOLULU, Hawaii (PIDP/CPIS)-The heads of 22 nations and territories in the Pacific Islands region are preparing to convene at Hawaii’s East-West Center at the end of the month for the 6th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) meeting.
Center President Dr. Charles Morrison said the theme of the summit, January 30-31, is “In an Era of Globalization: How Do We Care For and Share with Others?”
“The presidents, prime ministers, governors and ministers will devote most of the two-day session to considering globalization and governance matters,” he said.
Among the specific matters to be considered are:
•Tensions between global and local cultural values
•Enhancing development efforts
•Managing the requirements of globalization
•Taking advantage of new information technology opportunities
•Governance in an era of globalization Scheduled to chair these and other discussion sessions are Kiribati President Teburoro Tito, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse and Federated States of Micronesia President Leo Falcam
In addition, the leaders, who meet every three years, are scheduled to determine research and training priorities for the East-West Center-based Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) – which also serves as PICL secretariat – conclude work on a draft PIDP strategic plan and implement an operational memorandum of understanding with the East-West Center.
President Morrison said PIDP’s Director, Tongan economist Dr. Sitiveni Halapua, will conduct a special session on sustainable development in Fiji. Halapua’s holistic development model is people centered, stressing such matters as culture, religion and the environment as well as business and economics.
Former Fiji President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara is expected to convene the leaders’ meeting. One of the first orders of business will be the selection of a new PICL chairman, succeeding former Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
This month’s meeting will mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Conference.
Prior to the full Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders meeting, the group’s Standing Committee will convene on January 29 to make final agenda preparations.
