Members of the Sāmoa Fa'afafine Association (SFA) now have a better understanding of the basics of climate change, climate risk, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation options, thanks to a one-day workshop hosted by the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) at Vailima.
Held on Friday, 29 October 2021, the workshop came about as a result of a consultation between PCCC and SFA held on on 1 July 2021 to which artist Yuki Kihara was a catalyst in bringing them together into a talanoa.
During the opening session ‘Ofa Ma’asi-Kaisamy, Manager, PCCC and Gender Champion, SPREP, emphasised that everyone is affected by climate change, one way or another.
She said tackling climate change was necessary to create a world where people and nature thrive.
She commended Kihara whose major exhibition entitled ʻParadise Campʻ presented at next yearʻs Venice Biennale sheds light on the experience faced by Faʻafafine & Faʻafatama communities in rebuilding their lives in post-tsunami disaster of 2009 through fictional storytelling.
Fagalima Tuatagaloa (Vice-President, SFA) welcomed the workshop as a way to build and maintain a strong partnership with the PCCC. It helps Members of the Sāmoa Faafafine Association to build capacity and encourage action on climate change. The participants were encouraged to strive to become a climate change champion and agent of change, wherever they are.
Discussions centred around understanding the basics of climate change, understanding climate risks and vulnerability, options and practical examples of both adaptation and mitigation, and a way forward. All sessions were interactive with a large component set out for group work and presentations, and participants were encouraged to ask the presenters for clarification where needed.
As a wrap-up, participants were inspired to participate in the #Flexfor1pt5 Campaign, a major Pacific-wide initiative, to show their support and solidarity for the Pacific voice in the Conference of the Parties (COP26) United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The workshop was conducted in both English and Samoan.
The Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) is the regional centre of excellence for climate change information, research and innovation, hosted at SPREP. As a centre of excellence, the PCCC is mandated to provide practical information, support, and training to address the adaptation and mitigation priorities of Pacific Island communities.
The PCCC is underpinned by strong partnerships with Pacific Governments, applied research institutions, donors, civil society, and the private sector. The PCCC is a partnership between the Governments of Japan and Samoa. It is funded under grant aid through JICA for Samoa as the host country of SPREP.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
Main image credit: Yuki Kihara.
