Tag: 2023

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Solomon Islands Participate at the 2023 Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting in Vanuatu 

Solomon Islands participated at the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) in Port Vila, Vanuatu from 20-25 November 2023 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The Solomon Islands delegation was led by His Excellency, Robert Sisilo, the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia.

A two days’ workshop and 3 different labour  mobility related meetings were held over the five days conference, to give an opportunity for all 10 Countries participating in the Australia and New Zealand Labour Mobility Schemes, as well as all key stakeholders across the region, to come together to discuss issues on Labour Mobility and find collective commitments to address issues affecting pacific workers, approved employers, and governments of receiving and sending countries.

Discussions on the PLMAM 2023 focused more on sustainable Reintegration approaches featuring dialogues on economic, social, and psychological reintegration, regional initiatives and learning best practices from ASEAN guidelines.

Solomon Islands acknowledged the ongoing support from Australia and New Zealand governments on implementation of the RSE and PALM scheme to reach the 2023 milestone targets and committed to supporting employers to meet worker demands.

Accompanying the Solomon Islands High Commissioner were officers from the   Department of External Trade and Labour Mobility Unit, National Development Division/Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority as well as an officer from the Solomon Islands High Commission in New Zealand and Solomon Islands Country Liaison officer in Australia.

MFAET PRESS

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2023 Melanesian Festival Aotearoa a Success

21.10.23 Communities in Aotearoa New Zealand gathered on Waitemata Rugby Club Grounds in Auckland, to celebrate their Melanesian identity.

Inaugurated in 2022, the Melanesian Festival Aotearoa is an opportunity for community members from Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu to celebrate their heritage as well as showcase their respective cultural performances, cuisines, while actively engaging with the wider community. The day’s festival included a line-up of vocal artists from Melanesia; amongst them were Fiakal, Stegga Boi and DJ Baka Solomon from the Solomon Islands.

Key sponsors for the 2023 Festival were Creative New Zealand and Pacifica Arts Centre.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand – H.E. Eliam Tangirongo – commended sponsors and organizers in his key address during the official opening ceremony, reinforcing the increasing need for similar cultural platforms for Melanesians in Aotearoa.

As a minority group in Aotearoa, the Melanesian diaspora has struggled to make their voices heard in political spaces. High Commissioner acknowledged the work of Melanesian advocates in Aotearoa, and urged them to keep the solidarity with the Tangata Whenua, Pasifika and other minorities that need their support. His Excellency expressed his pride in the Melanesian diaspora for their resilience, perseverance, and robust sense of community; urging them to continue to keep the spirit of Melanesia alive in Aotearoa.

The Melanesia Festival Aotearoa  is envisaged to be held annually, and anticipated to grow in the coming years as more Melanesians settle, study, work and participate in seasonal labour in New Zealand.

The High Commission congratulates leadership from the Solomon Islands Auckland Wantoks Association, President Florie Dausabea, Vice-president Lazarus Loloselo and all members for hosting a successful Festival.