Pacific Islands Forum and related civil society events that are being covered by the Asia-Pacific Journalism students at AUT University:
Friday September 2: Climate change with Dr Jim Salinger, Prof Caroline Saunders and business journalist Rod Oram
4.30-6.30pm, Owen Glenn Building, Grafton Rd, University of Auckland. Contact: john.standfield@oxfam.org.nz
Saturday September 3:
• Pacific civil society dialogue. http://www.oxfam.org.nz/what-you-can-do/events/pacific-islands-forum/activities
2-5pm, Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
An informal get together before the Pacific Islands Forum to share experiences and views on civil society relations with the Pacific Islands forum, and to discuss our expectations and plans for the week ahead. Oxfam staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the forum.
• Oxfam New Zealand reception for Pacific island delegates.
5-8pm, Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
An informal social event to welcome Pacific civil society and other participants in the Forum events.
Sunday September 4:
• Pacific Least Developed Countries Forum, hosted by LDC Watch and Oxfam. Limited number of places.
9am - 5pm, Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
A follow up from the LDC conference held in Istanbul in May.
Sunday 4 September-Monday 5 September:
Pacific Islands News Association two-day media workshop. Contact: Makereta Komai pacnews1@pina.com.fj
Monday September 5:
• The Pacific Islands and the World: Realising the Pacific’s Potential, hosted by the Lowy Institute for International Policy
8.30am - 5pm, Hotel Pullman, Auckland
The conference will bring together key decision-makers, private sector representatives, civil society and academics, with the intention of broadening contacts between Pacific Island countries and other important players in the region and beyond. New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Murray McCully, will take part in the conference.
• Launch of the Pacific showcase (invitation only)
6-8pm, The Cloud, Queens Wharf, Auckland waterfront.
Tuesday September 6:
• West Papuan human rights activists at a two-day hui on AUT Marae
Organised by the Indonesian Human Rights Committee in partnership with WILPF, Peace Movement Aotearoa, Pax Christi, Corso and the Pacific Media Centre. Contact: Maire Leadbeater maire@clear.net.nz
• 10am powhiri
7.30pm West Papua public meeting at MacLaurin Chapel, Auckland University, 18 Princes St, Auckland (close to Link bus route)
Speakers: Dr John Ondawame (West People’s Representative Office in Vanuatu)
Rex Rumakiek (secretary-general, West Papua National Colaition for Liberation-WPCNL)
Paula Makabory (Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights-IPAHR)
• Gender and human rights WRAP event. Download the flier here (PDF, 430KB).
10-12.30pm, AUT Conference Centre, 55 Wellesley Street
A panel discussion exploring the necessary next steps to address sexual and gender-based violence in the Pacific. Leading Pacific women’s rights experts will contribute to this constructive regional dialogue to parallel this year’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.
10-11am: Press conference with Amnesty International chief executive officer Patrick Holmes to launch a new report “Where is the Dignity in That?”. In association with the Pacific Media Centre. The report profiles the impact informal settlements have on exacerbating sexual and gender-based violence in the Solomon Islands and includes guest speaker Joycelyn Lai from the Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA) in the Solomon Islands.
11.15-12.30: WRAP panel discussion - “Sexual and Gender-based Violence in the Pacific: Where to from here?”
Joycelyn Lai (Young Women’s Christian Association, Solomon Islands)
Edwina Kotoisuv (Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre)
Ema Tagicakibau (Campaigner/Researcher, Pacific Small Arms Action Group
• Pacific Trade Forum, coordinated by PANG and Oxfam.
9am - 5pm at Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
The Pacific is engaged in crucially important negotiations with New Zealand and Australia, the European Union and the World Trade Organisation. This forum is an opportunity to learn about the key issues and opportunities for civil society input.
• Pacific Islands Investment Summit hosted by Pacific Trade and Investment (invitation only)
8.45 am to 7pm, The Cloud, Queens Wharf
The Investment Summit is aimed at identifying investment opportunities in the Pacific. Oxfam New Zealand's Executive Director Barry Coates will be participating in the Social Entrepreneurship panel from 10.30-12pm
• Small Arms Control session hosted by Oxfam New Zealand.
3.30-5pm, Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
An information session on the UN Arms Trade Treaty from regional arms control advocates.
• Pacific showcase public opening
The Cloud, Queens Wharf: 10am - 5.30pm
• Small Island States Leaders' Meeting (closed)
Sky City Convention Centre
• Pacific ACP Leaders' Meeting (closed)
Sky City Convention Centre
• Informal opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum (closed)
7.30pm, The Cloud, Queens Wharf
Hosted by Minister of Foreigtn Affairs and Trade Murray McCully.
Wednesday September 7:
• Climate change event hosted by Oxfam New Zealand.
9am-3.30pm, Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
An opportunity for the peoples of the Pacific to have a conversation about the effects of and responses to climate change, with a focus on the role of youth.
Followed by a screening of The Hungry Tide, a film about rising sea levels in Kiribati. (Places for the film will be limited.)
• Pacific showcase public opening
The Cloud, Queens Wharf: 12 - 8pm
• Official opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum
The Cloud , Queens Wharf
• 42nd Pacific Islands Forum Plenary Session
Sky City Convention Centre (closed)
• Pacific Institute of Public Policy – side event on urbanisation
A public event at 7pm at the Rendezvous Hotel, cnr Mayoral Drive & Vincent St, Auckland City. Students and specialists will debate "That government focus should be on urban development to support economic growth."
• Women, politics and change. You can download a flier about the event here (PDF, 430KB).
4-6pm, Oxfam head office, Level 1, 14 West Street, Newton, Auckland
An opportunity for women’s rights activists from across the Pacific region to get together to discuss ideas and exchange experiences on the role of women in public and political life in the Pacific. Speakers will include Roshika Deo from Oxfam's partner FWRM, Helen Hekana from Bougainville’s Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency, and the Tuvalu National Council of Women.
• Pacific night-market
6-8pm, The Cloud, Queens Wharf.
Thursday September 8:
• Pacific showcase public opening
10am - 4pm, The Cloud, Queens Wharf
• Forum Leaders' Retreat (closed)
• Agriculture and GROW tour. Limited places available.
9am-4pm, Tupuanga Coffee and Affirming works Café, Otahuhu, South Auckland www.tupuanga.com
Hosted by Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community POETCom and Oxfam. Community gardens have experienced significant growth in recent years and are now recognised as an important component of the Public health work of NGOs.
The event will include presentations by POETCom, a Pacific food processing initiative, Organic Systems Ltd, a shipping and logistics specialist and Oxfam GROW. Lunch will be provided at Oxfam head office at 1pm (transport provided).
• Official side event, Sky City Convention Centre. By registration. To attend please register with Cameron Nobel on cameron.noble@undp.org
9-11am: Women, Peace and Security. Discussion on the implementation of UNSCR 1325, an opportunity for the Regional Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (co-chaired by UNDP/SPC/FemLINKPACIFIC) to present on critical country and regional issues as well as engage with officials.
11.30-1.30: Youth Matters Now (Pacific YWCA among the speakers)
2-4pm: Ordinance panel discussion
Friday September 9:
• 23rd Post-Forum Dialogue Partners' Meeting
Sky City Convention Centre (closed)
• New Zealand All Blacks vs Tonga
Rugby World Cup opening match (tickets sold out)
• On Friday 9 September, there will be an organics lunch with the partners in the post-Forum dialogue, and Samoa PM Tuilaepa will talk about the growth of Pacific organics, including Oxfam partner WIBDI 's work.
