Pacific Diplomacy Students in Geneva (16-26 June 2014)
Eleven Pacific Islanders were awarded DiploFoundation Fellowships to visit International Geneva Organisations at the conclusion of a capacity building programme for the Pacific, organised by the Diplo Foundation of the University of Malta. The diplomacy areas covered included Trade, Health, Environment, Humanitarian, Human Rights and Internet Governance.
The eleven students, including two PICISOC Board members, came from 5 Pacific nations. They were Maureen Hilyard, Eirangi Marsters and Sandra Tisam (Cook Islands); Anju Mangal, Ratu Eroni Duaibe, Florieann Wilson, Setaita Tupua-Kalou (Fiji); George Hoa’au (Solomon Islands); Jackson Miake and Steve Siro (Vanuatu); and Anna Main (Samoa).
The ten-day programme began with a meeting with the Director of the DiploFoundation and noted expert in Internet Governance, Dr Jovan Kurbilija; plus a session on the role of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN. Day Two included lectures at the University of Geneva on Jurisdiction in relation to Internet Privacy and Defamation, and Intellectual Property. A second group attended the UNCTAD – Third Geneva Dialogue relating to Trade and sustainable development goals, which was held at the Palais de Nations. Day Three included a discussion of humanitarian diplomacy at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and a study of environmental diplomacy via the Global Framework for Climate Services and a visit to the World Meteorological Organisation. The Geneva programme continues until the 26th June and will include Global Health Diplomacy and a visit to WHO; and attendance of a SIDS workshop covering economic and environmental sustainability, and future approaches for Small Islands Developing States.
The Pacific team: From back: Steve Siro and Jackson Miake; George Hoa’au, Anju Mangal, Maureen Hilyard; Eirangi Marsters, Anna Main & Sandra Tisam; Eroni Duaibe, Setaita Tupua-Kalou and Florieann Wilson.
Internet Governance Panel discussion – Anju Mangal (SPC), Christina Wini (Solomon Islands Permanent Mission in Geneva), Jovan Kurbilija (Director, DiploFoundation), Tomas Lamanauskas (Corporate Strategy Division, ITU) and Jackson Miake (Vanuatu Government).