Conference looks at civic education and its challenges in Tonga [1]
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 10:37. Updated on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 16:50.
At a two-day conference in Nuku'alofa this week civil societies and other community organisations are presenting their reports on a Reconciliation and Civic Education Programme that has been funded by the European Union in Tonga.
Participants, including policy makers, church leaders and civil society organisations, will hear reports from nine civil societies involved in the project.
The conference, held at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre, is hosted by the Government of Tonga with support from the European Union.
Grievances
The Head of Delegation of the European Commission for the Pacific, Ambassador Wiepke Van Der Goot said in his opening address on February 25 that the Tonga Government had envisaged reconciliation and civic education to support the people of Tonga in their efforts to overcome their grievances following the events of November 16, 2006.
"To come together as a unified nation, discuss differences and find ways to master the challenges ahead in this difficult but challenging transition towards a more representative and democratic state."
He said that even though law and order were quickly restored after the 16/11 riots, the restoration of trust, reconciliation and peace building in the communities took much longer as they had to start at an interpersonal level between human beings with faces and names.
Fading respect
Commenting on the programme, the MC, Viliami Afeaki, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Reconciliation and Civic Education, said that following the riots of 16/11, "there has been much disagreement among our people.
"With funding from the European Union, we have in the past 18 months conducted a reconciliation program aimed at restoring and reinforcing back into the people our Tongan heritage of respect and honour, something that is fading after the riots caused much grievance," he said.
Foreword
The Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele stated in a foreword to the conference programme that the project funded by the European Union had been part of the reconstruction effort "following the unfortunate and senseless burning of Nuku'alofa in late 2006.
"The nation has been confronted with the additional heavy responsibility of rebuilding Nuku'alofa and Tonga. The physical reconstruction is underway but the rebuilding of a new Tonga is a more difficult task especially in trying to restore the old social and political relations that were severed as a result of the riot and to rekindle the trust and new relations essential for a vibrant Tonga."
He said the conference would present reports from civil societies and "will also address the pressing needs in the kingdom for civic education and its challenges. Specialists on the subject will present updates on civic education from the region as well as success stories from New Zealand and other parts of the world."
Pespectives
During the two day progamme religious and church perspectives were to be presented by Rev. Tevita Tonga Mohenoa Pulka, Bishop Soane Patita Pani Mafi, and Rev. 'Ofa Fatafehi.
Cultural and Government perspectives were presented by Dr Viliami Fukofuka, Mrs Tuna Fielakepa, Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu, 'Aminiasi Kefu, and Mele Tupou.
Speakers on civic education included Savelio Lavelua, counselor for the Salvation Army Alcohol and Drug Awareness Centre; Jessica Begg, Tonga Youth Congress; Sione Faka'osi, Tonga Community Development Trust; Rev. Fili Lilo, Tonga Life Line Ministry; 'Uheina Kalaniuvalu, Langafonua 'a Fafine Tonga; and Peaua Heimuli, Ministry of Education Women and Culture.
Speakers from civil societies and EU grant recipients included Rev. Siketi Tonga, General Secretary Tonga National Council of Churches; Betty Blake, For Women and Children Inc.; 'Emeli 'Esau, Tonga Community Development Trust; 'Ofa Likiliki, National Center for Women and Children; and Siale 'Ilolahia, Civil Society Forum Tonga.
Guest speakers included Anthony Haas speaking on the New Zealand Civic Education Model; President Lynn C. McMurray, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, LDS Mission; and Mike Aulu, UNDP (Suva),
MPs missing
The organisers said that only one member of parliament, 'Etuate Lavulavu, attended the opening of the conference.
The National Conference on Reconciliation and Civic Education ends this afternoon, February 26.