BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE President of East West Centre in Hawaii arrived in Honiara last week to encourage progression of the Pacific Islands Leadership Programme in Solomon Islands.

EWC President PhD Richard R Vuylsteke arrived two days after PILP celebrated its first alumni in Honiara and community workshop last week, where more than 30 participants attended.

Mr Vuylsteke said he came to Solomon Islands is because it’s his job as president of EWC to make sure PILP have good staffing, monitoring and look for opportunities to run the training effectively to Pacific islanders including the Solomons.

He adds, coming to Solomon Islands as part of the PILP delegation is to support the sequence of PILP training which will see Taiwan and EWC work together and building up things really needed in various islands they deal with.

In addition, Vuylsteke said other reasons of coming here is because Solomon Islands is in his bucket list which he would like to visit.

Meanwhile, opportunities young generation of Solomon Islands needs to tap in is the PILP trainings which covered important topics ranging from community development, disaster management and education.

Young leaders also undergo trained in environmental protection, green energy, health care, indigenous culture, industry revitalisation, international cooperation, nongovernmental organisations and vocational training.

With such training opportunities, Vuylsteke said they are looking at increasing the use of social media and information technology (IT) connectivity.

“One interesting thing is, I will try to encourage progression of the programme and increasing use of social media and IT connectivity,” he said.

He said this will boost interaction and connectivity among PILP participants to communicate and doing projects in their home countries progressively and effectively.

“The idea of EWC is, if you going to address agricultural, health and urban problem, we need to work together not just in your home country but learn lesson from different places,” Vuylsteke said.

On Friday, the PILP participants visited the Taiwan Technical Mission farm at KGVI School.

They were introduced to three main projects run by Taiwan through TTM which comprise of crops, horticulture and piggery.

THE Canadian community in which Guadalcanal’s Ms Grace Delight will live in have welcomed her with gifts to help her settle in her new home.

“We are a great nation that is built by people from around the world. Each year we welcome thousands of new immigrants who come to Canada with one dream and that is to call Canada their new home. Grace Delight we welcome you to your new home and we are proud that as a new immigrant you have already started to contribute to our economy, community and country by providing and adding your skills to our labour force. Welcome to Canada,” CITREC Chairman Ashwant Dwivedi said reacting to the surprise event organised by Church members, community and Grace Delight’s employer who all gathered to give free items to help Grace settle her into her new home in Canada.

CITREC-Guadalcanal Graduate, Ms Delight, who recently arrived in Canada under permanent residence nomination a few days before Christmas of last year, was surprised by her employer, community and church members as everyone gathered to help Grace settle into her new place of residence. They provided her with almost everything she needs to begin her new life in Canada for free.

From groceries to even light bulbs and lamps were provided to Delight by the community and Church members and her employer.

“The table was over flowing with groceries. I was really surprise. I never expected this. Canadian people are so kind and helpful,” Delight said.

Delight said that “My Boss and workmates, the Anglican church, my first land lord, some friends all put up their time and effort to help me set up my new place. She said that after the church service she was surprised when a cake was brought out for her and then she was presented with household items as gifts.

“I surprised them and said thank you in Solomon Island Pidgin and when I translated what I said into English they were really amazed and excited. They all gathered to welcome me to their community, province and country Canada,” Delight said.

Delight said that she explained to them why she was here in Canada and how the CITREC partnership is changing the lives of people in Guadalcanal province.

“Everyone was really excited and very happy to have me here with them in the church and community,” Delight said.

“I was requested to get a Solomon Islands Pidgin bible for the church as a present, which I already arranged for my husband to bring when he travels to join me in Canada in the coming months,” Delight said.

“I really want to thank the Chairman of CITREC Mr Dwivedi and the Provincial government of Guadalcanal, for this great opportunity. Without CITREC-Guadalcanal partnership I could have never been in Canada. Thank you, Canada, and thank you All. Thank you CITREC,” Delight said.

Early this year Canadian Immigration authorities approved another Guadalcanal person into Canada under the Permanent Resident nomination programme.

Mr Thomas Tangithia Mike is in Canada under the Permanent Resident Programme.

Mr Mike said this is a dream come true for him and his family.

“I have never thought that I will be able to come to Canada. Few years back Canada and America were only a dream. Then came hope through the CITREC programme. Today because of CITREC and its partnership with the Guadalcanal Provincial government I am here,” an emotional Mike said.

He told Dwivedi that he has always prayed to be given an opportunity to be one of those to be chosen by God to work in Canada under the GP-CITREC partnership.

“Every morning in my prayers I would ask God to make me the chosen one to be selected. Today when Canadian officials stamped my passport and handed me over the immigration documents I was in tears. I thanked God for all that I have achieved to-date,” Mike said.

He thanked the Provincial Government of Guadalcanal and its Premier Anthony Veke and current GP executives and GP Education authority for its support.

“I know this is a new beginning for me and my family members. I will always remember that I am here today because of opportunity that was presented to me by the GP Provincial government. I will always promote GP and make sure that I perform to the best of my ability and make GP and Solomon Islands proud,” Mike said.

–CITREC PRESS

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

WOMEN working in the maritime industry now have the Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association (SIWIMA) as their mouthpiece in terms of advocating issues.

This is according to Captain Tim Harris, Director of Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA).

He said the establishment of this association has now created a platform for women to advocate and push for issues concerning them (women), who are engaged in the maritime industry.

“Some of the issues this established association will work towards and advocate for is the spaces where nursing mother can feed their babies in peace and comfort abroad the ships, separate convenient rooms for women seafarers on board and separate sleeping cabin,” Capt Harris said.

This association was launched last week, and will be implemented later.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MINISTER of Infrastructure Development, Stanley Sofu has called for more women and young people to start venturing and get engaged in Maritime industry.

During last week’s launching of the first-ever women’s maritime association (SIWIMA), he said more women and young people needs to join the pioneers to help lead towards autonomy and that the expertise of the Maritime sector would become ever more important.

“We encourage women and young people, not just the men, to gain a good education and take up the opportunities that we have in an industry that is one of Solomon Islands major employers.

“Our domestic shipping is a good place especially for women to be employed. On some shorter ferry boat they can leave and return on the same day,” Mr Sofu said.

He said in terms of the gender balance it is heavily weighted in Solomon Islands in favour of women.

“Hence we must look to encourage as many women as possible into this industry,” Sofu said.

In relation he said there are also opportunities in international trade; especially cruise liners, which Solomon Islands female maritime personnel can fill some of the vacant positions advertised for various liners overseas.

ENDS/////////////// with Hon Stanley Sofu’s photo.