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ERC Media Release
Copenhagen: A Peoples' Preparation - Across Rising Waters
Sydney - Sat, 3rd Oct 2009
Climate change advocates from within church groups in Australia are heading for the Pacific island nation of Kiribati to strategise with colleagues there, on how they will communicate the plight of the people of Kiribati at the UN Climate Change Summit when the two groups travel to Copenhagen together in December.
“The initiative is part of the efforts of the Pacific Calling Partnership to listen to calls from our low lying island neighbours in the Torres Strait and the Pacific about the serious threat that climate change poses to them,” said delegation leader, Sister Geraldine Kearney sgs, of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
“From this we seek to raise awareness of Australia's ecological debt to these peoples and works towards a sustainable future.” Sister Kearney said.
Made up of low-lying coral atolls, Kiribati is one of the nations most affected by the sea encroachments attributable to climate change.
“It is a great privilege to be making this journey to Kiribati, especially at this time when the world is wrestling with the reality of climate change and its impact on the lives of people.” said Edmund Rice Centre director, Phil Glendenning who is joining the delegation.
“The I-Kiribati and many other peoples in low-lying islands make minimal impact in causing rising sea levels but are asked by the rest of the world to pay the maximum price.” Mr Glendenning said.
“This visit will give delegates the opportunity to listen to the I-Kiribati people, to learn from them, and take those learnings with them into the Copenhagen Conference in December.” he continued.
“The future of Kiribati is at stake.” he emphasised. “We need to ensure that people like the I-Kiribati are not excluded from the climate change debate. The world must listen. By going to Kiribati we begin this process by beginning with ourselves.”This is the second time a Pacific Calling Partnership (PCP) group has visited Kiribati with a similar process undertaken in October 2007 - prior to the Bali UN Climate Change Summit.
“Upon their return to Australia, the 2007 group was able to assist in ensuring that a delegation was sent to the UN's Bali summit, with inclusion of representatives from the Torres Strait Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea's Cataret Islands as well as mainland Australians.” explained Jill Finnane, coordinator of the Eco-Justice Program at Sydney's Edmund Rice Centre.
“A further consequence of the growing relationship, was the visit of Kiribati President, Anote Tong, to the Edmund Rice Centre in June 2008 to meet with members of the Pacific Calling Partnership during a formal visit to Australia.” Ms Finnane elaborated
Conducted under PCP's Leadership Skills Exchange program, the group currently preparing for departure comprises 16 people from church-based PCP member organisations from NSW. They will leave Sydney for Kiribati on Wednesday, 7th October returning on Friday 16th October.
The group's schedule includes meetings with President Anote Tong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tessie Lambourne, government officials from the Kiribati Adaptation Program, and Australia's High Commissioner to Kiribati, Brett Aldam.
At the grass-roots level, ideas will be exchanged with church leaders, members of religious orders, education officials, school students and teachers from primary and secondary schools.
The highlight of the trip will occur when members of the Leadership Skills Exchange Program join with I-Kiribati climate activists to make preparations for taking their message to the world at Copenhagen.
The I-Kiribati delegates who attended the UNFCCC in Bali will speak about their experience in Bali and provide updates of their activities since that event. In particular the presentations they prepare will tell of the latest that has been happening in Kiribati.
“Discussions will take place as to how the PCP can best continue and develop the partnership relationship around climate change that began in 2006.” Sister Kearney said.“All of this follows up the work already commenced as a result of our very successful participation as official observers at the UNFCCC in Bali in 2007.”
“Our participation at Bali in 2007 certainly put us on the global map.”she continued.
“In 2008 and 2009 we worked extensively on our home fronts and consolidated our home projects and programs and instituted a Pacific Outreach program among Pacific Islanders resident in Australia.” she said.
“This has resulted in wonderful outcomes both locally and internationally.” Sister Kearney affirmed
For media comment contact:-
Phil Glendenning 0419 013 758
Maria Tiimon 0424 700499
Geraldine Kearney 0438 465 668
General liaison and comment in Australia whilst group travelling:-
Jill Finnane
Coordinator, Eco-Justice Program
Edmund Rice Centre
Ph: (02) 8762 4200
Mob: 0417 237 572
Email: jillf@erc.org.au
Web: www.erc.org.au
Photo-Call & Interview Opportunity:-
Location: International Terminal, Sydney Airport,
Departure: Wed, 7th October 2009
approx 12noon, at check-in gates (Air Pacific FJ910)
Please call Jill Finnanne for updates/liaison: 0417 237 572
Location: International Terminal, Sydney Airport,
Return: Fri, 16th October 2009
approx 1pm, at arrivals hall customs exit(Air Pacific FJ911)
Please call Jill Finnanne for updates/liaison: 0417 237 572
Background Notes:
The delegation will be led by Sister Geraldine Kearney sgs, of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, assisted by Maria Tiimon, who is from Kiribati and who now works at the Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) as the Pacific Outreach Officer for PCP. ERC director Phil Glendenning will also participate.
Three members of the PCP in Kiribati, Pelenise Alofa, Tangaroa Arobati and Sister Claire Anterea sgs are making all the in-country arrangements for the delegation.
Participants from the Wollongong Catholic Education Office include Religious Education Team Leader, Patricia O'Gorman, with seven teachers from that region who were selected from a large pool of applicants.
The NSW Ecumenical Council has nominated five committed people to participate.
The group's schedule in Kiribati will include a special planning day with local Church leaders and School personnel as to what solidarity can be built with youth churches and schools.
Early in the trip there will be capacity building workshops to clarify goals and outcomes for Australians and I-Kiribati.
These workshops will include input sessions on climate change and sustainability from both I-Kiribati and Australians along with opportunities for dialogue and discussion.
The visitors from Australia will also enjoy many aspects of Kiribati culture: the language, food, celebration, song and dance, and they will experience simple living as they are billeted with local families for part of the visit. The group will tour the islands of Tarawa and North Tarawa where they will be be able to see for themselves the effects of climate change.
Discussions will encompass perspectives on the recent development of a the trial labour scheme which is aimed at allowing I-Kiribati to Australia on special temporary work visas.
All parts of this project will be filmed and a documentary will be produced to educate Australians and I-Kiribati on the effects of climate change in their own localities.
Goals of Pacific Calling Partnership Leadership Skills Exchange to Kiribati:-
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create an opportunity for delegates from Australia to dialogue with people from Kiribati on the impact of climate change on their respective countries.
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raise the awareness of all involved about the global and local issue of climate change
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develop the leadership skills of the participants so that they will be able to exercise greater leadership in the community
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generate positive relations, understanding and cross-cultural exchange between Australia and Kiribati
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contribute to the PCP preparations for attending the UNFCCC conference in Copenhagen in December 2009
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create greater awareness of the imminent and long-term effects of climate change
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create greater understanding of the cultural and environmental backgrounds of each country
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build improved networks and connections between the people from the two countries
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develop leadership skills of Kiribati youth
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empower Kiribati youth to actively participate in decision making processes
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create greater links between education systems in Kiribati and Australia.
Style Notes for Editors
Country Name:
conventional short form: Kiribati
long form: Republic of Kiribati
(former: Gilbert Islands)
Nationality:
NB: noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)
NB: adjective: I-Kiribati
Pronuciation
NB: pronounced “keer-ree-bahss”
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