(Photos: PICASA)

(Photos: SRU)

SAMOA: Samoa U20 Finally Home
Source: Samoa Rugby Union Press Release
 
After a lengthy spell abroad and a long haul flight, the Samoa U20 team finally made it home last night (Wednesday, 25, June 2008).

A crowd of supporters clapped as the Samoa U20 team and management walked out the Faleolo Airport International Arrivals. Their fellow colleagues from the Licensed Training Centre held up a ‘Welcome Home’ banner as congratulatory hand shakes and back slaps made the rounds. The players were just glad to be back home after boarding the flight from Heathrow, Singapore, to Auckland and finally Apia.

Ranked Seventh in the World ahead of Pacific neighbours Tonga and Fiji, who are 13th and 14th respectively, coach Sogi Meleisea and Assistant Coach Matthew Vaea are proud of the boys. Asked what’s next for the U20 and Team Manager Namulauulu Leota Sami stated the boys will go back to the Licensed Training Centre at Alafua to continue their training and development.

The Junior World Cup campaign has given them exposure and experience, challenging them to put their all on the line for their country. They now know where they are at, and what they need to improve on. The SRU is also aware of their potential, as every player beats a path to the road to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

Leota thanked all those who greeted them at the airport upon arrival. He also thanks the tapuaiga of the Head of State, the PM, their families, and the nation. The emails and faxes that they received throughout their Junior World Cup campaign gave spiritual encouragement to the boys. He also thanked the SRU and its family of sponsors particularly PUMA and SIFA [Samoa International Finance Authority].

As for their first weekend back home, the management and players are looking forward to just spending quality time with family.

Photo Captions: U20 Team and Management upon arrival at Faleolo International Airport.
 

AROUND THE WORLD: National Commissions for UNESCO
Source: UNESCO Press Release
 
UNESCO is the lead-agency for the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD 2005 – 2014). The aim of the Decade is to integrate into all aspects of education and learning the principles, values and practices that can fulfill the world’s present needs without compromising the future of humankind.

Sustainable development is a difficult phrase as it has many meanings. It could refer to resources such as water, food, shelter and energy. It involves economic development/poverty reduction and good health practices. It is also about the decisions of world and Pacific leaders, their agreements, and actions.

For more information on the Decade for ESD, please visit:
http://www.unesco.org/education/desd"www.unesco.org/education/desd

Together with many Pacific partners, the UNESCO Pacific Office in Apia has prepared a Pacific DESD Framework and Action Plan. A critical component of the DESD Action Plan is to provide training and assistance to the media to more accurately and more frequently report both on issues of sustainable development as well as regional efforts to integrate sustainable development into educational and learning frameworks.

Climate change (CC) is an integral component of the DESD Framework. UNESCO is proposing to conduct an intensive Training Workshop for Pacific media organizations on climate change. The Workshop is tentatively scheduled from Mon 20th – Wed 22md October, 2008 in Nadi, Fiji.

The training will be based largely on the UNESCO ESD Media Kit.

UNESCO will be working with UN/Pacific agencies relating to climate change and sustainable development.

We hope to secure attendance of up to 2 media representatives from 8 – 12 Pacific Island Countries. Delegates will be selected based on the submission of a brief report on:

* Your media organization’s current/planned reporting commitment on climate change/sustainable development including example article/broadcasts;

* Existing training on climate change/sustainable development;

* Comments on the UNESCO ESD Media Kit especially Pacific examples

UNESCO believes in gender equality and encourages women to apply.

We look forward to hearing from you and request if you could please REPLY ALL.

We are sending this message to all Pacific media and National Commission contacts in our Contacts Database. We apologize if this message is not relevant to you or if you have received multiple copies. We would greatly appreciate it if you could please forward the message to a media organization in your country. Please also don’t hesitate to forward the contact details of other members of your organization to add to our database.
 

(Photos: Joanna)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Papua New Guinea Athletes Commission (PNGAC)
Source: The SPORT For HIV Newsletter Press Release

Contributing to the national response to HIV, the PNG AC has looked at ways to Incorporate HIV and AIDS awareness into their activities.

The first of these activities happened on World AIDS Day 2007 with the PNG AC invitin g PNG’s Ambassador of Hope and Person Living with HIV, Mr. Peter Momo to address the athletes at its Athletes Forum. The athletes listened attentively as Mr. Momo delivered his message that each
individual is responsible for their own actions and that athletes often find themselves in situations which makes them vulnerable to HIV infection and need to be careful in their decision making as it will effect their dreams of becoming top athletes.

I appreciate my doctors, my friends and my family but my life is in my hands”.

More recently the PNG AC hosted their first informal gathering for elite PNG athletes. Over 80 elite athletes were present from different codes including; Soccer, Netba l l , Rugby Union, Weightlifting, Aussie Rules Football, Hockey , Outrigger Canoeing, Darts, Swimming, Power lifting, Volleyball, Bodybuilding and Squash. The aim of the gathering was to give athletes the opportunity to get to know each other , to encourage greater interaction amongst athletes and to increase the visibility of the PNG AC amongst the athletes. As presentations are not always the most effective way to get messages across to athletes, the PNG AC took the opportunity to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS issues through games.

The first game Don’t trust your eyes dealt with the message that HIV can be transmitted to anybody and you cannot tell if somebody is HIV positive just by looking at them. HIV positive individuals can look and feel completely healthy.

The second game, HIV Tag tested the athletes’ knowledge on how they can protect themselves from HIV infection. The games were followed by a group discussion to highlight the messages of the games and answer any questions. The active learning approach was appreciated by everyone who took part as it allowed for the athletes to have fun, get to know each other and increase their knowledge all at the same time.

The PNG AC will continue to look at ways HIV and AIDS awareness can be mainstreamed into their activities as part of ensuring athletes’ performance and well-being are looked after.

Photo Caption: Papua New Guinea Athletes.