Challenging time for Tonga, Princess tells Tonga Research Assoc. Conference [1]
Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 14:45. Updated on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 11:08.
Tonga faces a challenging time of reconstruction and reconciliation, as well as the individual challenges faced by Tongans, HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita told the opening of the 12th Tonga Research Association Conference in Nuku'alofa on Wednesday morning.
The Princess noted that under the theme "Tonga: its Land, Sea, and People" there were a wide range of discussions on the four day programme, July 11-14, with speeches ranging from historical subjects to "How Climate Change will affect Tonga, and other environmental issues," and also covering use of technology and the impact of diabetes, in papers presented by "an array of distinguished and talented academics and historians."
"It is a very challenging time for His Majesty whereby the King of Tonga has a daunting task of reconstruction and reconciliation not withstanding the challenges we as individuals are faced with, she said, in thanking the Prime Minister and his collegues "for their understanding perserverance and commitment to the people of Tonga."
Princess Pilolevu noted that the Tonga Research Association had evolved from a purely academic origin since its beginnings at Foa in in 1989 and said "it has become a more far- reaching being touching on issues of importance to a great variety of Tongans."
The Princess is Patron of the association. The conference opening was attended by four Tongan Princesses, including HRH Crown Princess Nanaspau'u a member of the Conference Organising Committee, her daughter Princess Latufuipeka, and Princess Siu'ilikutapu who has encouraged some of Tonga's important archaeological research at Lapaha. Also attending were the Tongan Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feletic Sevele, members of the diplomatic corps and Tongan scholars and visitors from around the world.
In 2005 the name of the association was changed to "Tonga Research Association" in order to better reflect the multidisciplinary nature of it membership. Members represent a wide range of academic fields, including history, geography, anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, and others. The association's conferences, held every two years (alternating between Tonga and overseas) are an opportunity for scholars - many of whom are Tongan - to share their knowledge on a wide range of issues related to Tonga and its people.
Book launching
During the evening a new book was launched. Called "Tonga and the Tongans: heritage and identity", the book published by the TRA and edited by Elizabeth Wood-Ellem, contains essays written by an eclectic mix of writers on a variety of topics. Contributors include HRH Crown Princess Nanasipau'u, 'Aioema 'Atiola, David V. Burley, Sioana Faupula, Gareth Gainger, Bruce Hill, Phyllis Herda, Adrienne L. Kaeppler, Helen Lee, Christine Liava'a, Kalafi Moala, Guy Powles, Maureen Powles, 'Asinate Samate, Tangikina Moimoi Steen, Siupeli Taliai, Pasemata Vi Taunisila, Filipe and Hilary Tohi and Elizabeth Wood- Ellem.