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Jul 25, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Eliana Viali |Ann-Tauilo Motuga
Pacific Kids’ Learning (PKL) continues to make significant strides in revitalising and strengthening cultural knowledge, language, and identity in children and young people. From their first digital showcase at the Mangere Arts Centre four years ago to a four-day showcase at HOYTS Cinemas, PKL has grown remarkably in its mission.
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Jul 21, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
Natural enemies play a crucial role in the biological control of widespread weeds, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides. When prioritising weeds for biological control, several critical criteria must be considered to ensure effective and sustainable management which are captured in a new resource guide to help Pacific battlers in their fight against invasive species.
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Jul 20, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
The Central Bank of Samoa has three monetary policy objectives: 1) to keep inflation low and stable, 2) to maintain a sufficient buffer of foreign reserves, and 3) to promote economic growth. It fulfils these by managing demand (spending) in the economy. To influence demand, it determines the level of lending rates required to achieve its objectives. It then works backwards to determine the policy rate and liquidity levels required to achieve the desired lending rates.
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Jul 20, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
A Sāmoan architect has revealed that a Kainga Ora-funded design project aimed at improving housing for Pacific people in Māngere has been “stalled” by the state agency. Lama Tone is an experienced architect and university lecturer who was brought on by former Māngere MP, Aupito William Sio to advise Kainga Ora’s on its massive Māngere Development - which was originally intending to build around 10,000 homes in the area.
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Jul 20, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
A Sāmoan music therapist is celebrating 50 years of the craft and the role her heritage plays in her work. Music therapy is the practice of using music to assist the growth or healing of a person and uplift their emotional, intellectual, physical, and social needs. The Wellington-based practitioner told Brian Sagala on Pacific Days that her Sāmoan culture is a key aspect to how she helps people, as it provides a “culturally grounded framework”.
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Jul 19, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
Talofa Samoa and welcome back to your weekly Physiotherapy column. Today’s column is brought to you by Barefoot Physiotherapy in Australia; enjoy!Most recent data (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017–18 National Health Survey (NHS) tells us that 16% of Australians experience chronic back pain. This is a significant contributor to decreased quality of life for individuals and disease, economic and productivity burdens on a national level.
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Jul 19, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
Matthew 23:27-28 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. Former President Donald Trump’s acceptance speech of his party’s nomination for the November US elections, was an hour and thirty-two minutes long, according to CNN. It was the longest acceptance speech ever, CNN said.
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Jul 12, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do." - Golda MeirOur TAKE this week is on old age and its implications and consequences. Those watching CNN, Fox News and the BBC will know why the subject is topical. Watching the debate between U.S.A. President Joe Biden and former President Donald John Trump were painful for the president’s supporters and no doubt a joy for his rival’s followers.
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Jul 11, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
The Pacific Community (SPC) presented the Pacific’s education progress in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 indicators at the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) held in London. SPC’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme’s (EQAP) Deputy Director, Seci Waqabaca, highlighted that the CCEM platform provides Pacific nations with the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from discussions on education policies and strategies.
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Jul 9, 2024 | 
samoaobserver.ws | Walter Vermeulen |Seuseu Fata Faalogo |Eliana Viali
Pacific women are breaking barriers by taking up more roles in science and technology, a field that men predominately occupy. The Pacific Community (SPC) works in the region to support women in science and technology through capacity development opportunities and continues to drive gender quality, disability, and social inclusion in its work, internally and externally. SPC’s Public Health Division also works in this space to ensure women are supported in their existing roles.
