International Bulletin - December 1998
Cook Islands Chapter Report
 Clarissa Starey, Australia and Switzerland; Betty Carpenter, Cook Islands; Teresa Manarangi-Trott, Cook Islands, Theresa Santos, Tonga and Patricia Buckman, Hawaii enjoy each others company at dinner. |
Kia Orana to all our fellow PPSEAWA sisters throughout the Pacific and South East Asia. Much of the year has passed but we still feel inspired after our attendance at the 20th International PPSEASWA Conference in Kuala Lumpur. It was at the Kuala Lumpur conference that we were able to extend an invitation to you all to visit our island in the year 2000. The United Nations has recently declared that the Year 2000 will be the "Year of Peace."
For the Cook Islands Chapter, the next three years will focus on planning and preparation for the 21st International Conference to be held on Rarotonga from the 10 - 18 November 2000. An opportunity was given to the Cook Islands delegation prior to the Hawaiian Conference in August to put forward proposals for the Year 2000 Conference for Council consideration. They were: Paddy Walker, 2nd Vice President International; Teresa Manarangi-Trott, President Cook Islands Chapter and Programme Chair on the Council; and Betty Carpenter, Secretary Cook Islands Chapter.
It was agreed the theme for the conference would be "Ignite the Power of Peace." The Mission Statement extended this vision to show how we will achieve PEACE. The Mission Statement: "Empowering through Good Governance, Education and Understanding by sharing Values, Knowledge and Friendship." Teresa Manarangi-Trott as Conference Chair presented a proposed framework for the Conference, theme, dates and management planning. The Council members and country participants present expressed enthusiasm for the presentation and the professional manner of the delivery. The Council fully approved and endorsed the framework with some minor suggestions for change. The Conference Management team have already started work in their respective areas and the first six page brochure is expected to be completed and available for distribution at the PPSEAWA February Seminar in Singapore.
Our organisation held their Annual General Meeting on Monday 28th September. A new Executive was elected at this meeting, and this Executive will work towards the Year 2000 when the Cook Islands Chapter will be hosting the 21st International Conference.
The AGM provided a time for all present to view preparations and planning that has begun towards the International Conference in the year 2000. The expected 400 participants who will be attending the conference will be a major challenge for the Cook Islands. The Conference to be held between 9 - 18 November 2000 will include a Pre-Conference workshop and the Conference proper. World leaders are expected to be invited to Rarotonga to give keynote addresses and to take part in the workshops. It is hoped this will be a memorable conference for all.
The newly elected Executive will continue with the work that PPSEAWA Cook Islands has been involved in over the last two years. The next two years will consolidate the work with children and extend the branches to other Islands in the Cook Islands. It is expected to be very busy but productive years for this Association. The newly elected Executive comprises: President: Teresa Manarangi-Trott, 1st Vice President: Dorice Reid, 2nd Vice President: Helen Henry, Treasurer: Anna Koteka, Secretary: Betty Carpenter, Asst. Treasurer: Jessie Sword, Asst. Secretary: Mere Short, Committee: Jane Lamb, Pat Litherland, Helen Wong, Nikki Griffin. The size of the Executive has been increased to support the extra workload as the year 2000 draws near. The Patrons of the Association were re-confirmed: Lady Maui Short and Vice Patron Margaret Ariki Karika.
As well as preparation for the Year 2000, our Chapter is involved in continuing activities to advance the wellbeing of women and children. This year we started with a membership drive aimed at encouraging women with particular skills and an interest in the work of PPSEAWA to join our organisation. A meeting was held at the end of February. The theme for this meeting: "Pan Pacific Looks Ahead." Executive members gave their perspectives of our organisation, it's aims and objectives. Ongoing programmes this year have included our Library Reading Programme which takes place each Tuesday, catering for 3 to 13 year olds. This programme is also operating at Arorangi School. We are extremely fortunate to have had books donated by American authors through the hardwork of Cathy Adler. Last year a Youth Forum was held for young Cook Islanders; as an extension to this programme, we held a Young Adult Development Workshop at the end of April. This programme focussed on developing social and goal setting skills. As an extension of our "Growing in Peace" programme, which resulted in four videos being produced and screened in Rarotonga, we have funding to have this programme extended to our Northern and Southem Islands. The "Growing in Peace" programme objective is to promote child care and child development in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands Chapter has been heartened and grateful for the letters and contributions received from other chapters after the devastation left by cyclone Martin late last year. The island of Manihiki was almost totally destroyed and re-building of essential services is still continuing. We especially thank the American Samoan and New Zealand chapters for their contributions.
PPSEAWA Cook Islands will continue to work towards the objectives: "to strengthen the bonds of peace by fostering a friendship and better understanding among women in all areas of the Pacific and South East Asia." At the Kuala Lumpur conference the "shrinking" of the world and the rapid pace of technological advancement made us all realise more than ever that our social, economic and cultural progress can best be facilitated by cooperation and communication. We need to communicate frequently and regularly. We need to "talk and listen" to each other. In particular we are anxious to get your ideas to help us continue to plan for an exciting and challenging conference in the Year 2000. We have e-mail contact with USA, Taiwan, Samoa, Japan and Malaysia. To exchange ideas with other member countries your e-mail addresses are needed.
Our Conference theme is "ignite the power of peace" and to provoke early thought on this topic we must start thinking of the world, as it becomes truly planetary. This means the New World must be one of mutual respect and tolerance for all humankind. It is becoming more globally focussed and by working together we can make our world a better place. The collective views of human organisations and the consensus approach to world problems are becoming the norm.
The challenge for PPSEAWA members is to recognise the changed values of the next century and to ensure that we are all players on this new stage. In the Cook Islands we seem to be geographically isolated but with the aid of technology we are only minutes away from all our member countries.
We wish all our sisters love and peace and seek your many thoughts on our theme.
President Teresa Manarangi-Trott
E-mail: trott@gatepoly.co.ck or trott@oyster.net.ck
Fax: 682 27 007
PO Box 829
Rarotonga Cook islands
2nd Vice President, Helen Henry
E-mail: hhenry@gatepoly.co.ck
Report compiled by:
Betty Carpenter, Secretary PPSEAWA Cook Islands Chapter
E-mail: bettyc@oyster.net.ck
Last Modified: November 29, 2002