Bottom Up Approach

Taiwan trains PM’s guards

Taiwan trains PM’s guards Submitted by Arthur Wate on 19 January, 2007 - 1:17pm. Nation

TWELVE police officers are in Taiwan to undergo training in close personal protection. It’s not immediately clear whether the group’s exercise in Taipei poses any immediate threat to the current PM’s bodyguards, who are mostly RAMSI officers. Sources told Solomon Star that the group is expected to undergo very intensive training, which could also involve arms. Police said yesterday that discussions are continuing between the government and police on the re-arming of the Solomon Islands Police Force. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has publicly revealed his desire to have the officers guiding him armed. He stated earlier that he would like to see Solomon Islanders take on the role saying that he was not comfortable being surrounded by RAMSI officers. This idea was heavily criticised by civil groups in Honiara. Solomon Islands National Council of Women last month urged the government to reconsider its decision and think wisely for the safety and well being of the citizens of this country. “We strongly feel that this is a matter that Solomon Islanders both from abroad and here must discuss because it infringes and revolves around our security and safety,” NCW president Hilda Kari said then. The Police Media Unit yesterday said the officers that departed for Taiwan on Monday and will undertake a two-week training programme fully funded by the Taiwanese Government. It said police personnel selected for future duty with the Close Personal Protection Unit would receive training in security movements for VIP’s, specialist driving skills, firearms, and selfdefence. “It is planned to send up to 50 police officers to Taiwan to undergo the training designed to provide a group of officers capable of providing security and protecting the Prime Minister and other dignitaries,” the unit said. However, a statement from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canberra yesterday said firearms shooting training has been removed from the training program. The statement signed by Dr Gary Song-Huann Lin also said Taiwan would not provide firearms to re-arm the Solomons police force. The force is currently unarmed with only members of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) allowed to carry firearms in the country. Meanwhile, the first group of police officers will return to the Solomon Islands in the first week of February.

Educators conclude virtues workshop

Educators conclude virtues workshop Submitted by Arthur Wate on 19 January, 2007 - 12:44pm. Nation

By MOFFAT MAMU SEVENTEEN local educators have completed a two-day workshop yesterday in Honiara on the Virtues Project. The Virtues Project is a programme to assist the implementation of the National Framework for Value Education. A visiting master facilitator spent the last two weeks in the country conducting the Virtues project in Auki and in Honiara this week. Shidan Toloui-Wallace who is originally from Iran but now lived in Australia conducted the workshop at the CYP conference room. Speaking to Solomon Star yesterday at the closing Ms Wallace stated that virtues are good gifts and character that people are empowered with. “It’s a gift we are born with and hard to give it away, it’s within us and we have to develop these good virtues.

“These virtues are love, respect, honesty, confident, self esteem, kindness, joy, patience, tolerance trustworthiness and many others. “There are 52 virtues, which the project have identified which must be promoted and followed every week throughout the year,” she said. She pointed out that these virtues are very important for person in order to balance. “There is a need to educate the mind, and heart so that a person can be honest, trustworthy, patient and kind,” she explained. In Honiara this is the third time for such a project to be held after the founder Dan and Linda Kavelin-Popov introduced it in 1995. Ms Wallace said that project offers personal and professional development programs, training, and materials which are helping people around the world to create a culture of character in homes, schools, prison and corporations. She said it helps the children to be good and learn well in school, if they have the virtues. Six schools in the country have undertaken the project which teachers have implemented it in the classroom. “Teachers are being targeted so that they teach their students these virtues and make shape their hearts develop good attitude,” Ms Wallace said. These schools include Woodford International, Chung Wah, St Nicholas, Auki Community High, Bita’ama and Twaimare Community high. One of the workshop participants Michael Oritaimae said the workshop helped him understand the right way to teach his students and kids. “By adopting the virtues, I will be able to help change the character of a child into good,” Mr Oritaimae said. The Virtues Project is being used successfully in all states and territories of Australia and in many other countries around the world. Participants said this project also help us raise children of integrity and compassion, develop a culture of character in our schools and build foundations for safe and caring communities. The virtues project complements existing programs. It supports teachers without disrupting existing busy schedules. It is values education for Australian Schooling as identified in the National Framework, it was highlighted. The five strategies of the project are speak the language of virtues, recognise teachable moments, set clear boundaries, honour the spirit and offer spiritual companioning. The strategies are being widely applied for prevention, intervention and healing. The final session of the workshop for the public is going to be held this weekend.

Bottom-up-approach

Bottom-up-approach Submitted by Arthur Wate on 19 January, 2007 - 12:20pm. Letters

THE PM’s Office’s Chief of Staff, Dr Leafasia’s punctuated spin on the Government’s bottom-up policy was quite interesting (See Star No. 3268 of Friday 12th Jan 2007). It was also encouraging to note that this Sogavare regime has repeatedly said that its policy is to bring development to our people in the rural areas. But the bottom-up approach may not be a new idea after all. As a matter of fact, since our country attained independence in 1978, successive governments have spoken about development in the rural areas for our people. Well, many years have come and gone. But one would be hard-pressed to see enough evidence of the results from such a policy or political rhetoric. It is safe to say that over the years, only Honiara and perhaps some politicians and their cronies have really benefited from a lion’s share of this country’s wealth, opportunities and

resources. We can only hope that the present government will not only talk about helping our rural people, but that they will actually do something about it. It is one thing to merely talk about policy and brag about all the work that has gone into formulating it. It is another thing altogether to implement it and see that it achieves its intended goals or results. Certainly my wantoks in East Kwara’ae, not to mention other Solomon Islanders in the rural areas would prefer the latter instead of the former. It has taken almost a year for this government to put the policy in place. How long will it take to implement it, another ten, twenty or fifty years? Meanwhile, the politicians have given themselves a huge pay increase, new luxury vehicles and renovated homes. And their RCDF funding is being increased. Patiently our people wait expectantly. We can only hope that our people’s patience is also matched by their good will. Anything less and they may become disgruntled. The bureaucrats of Honiara should not be alarmed when some of us speak up for our people. Many of us may be living in Honiara but our links and roots go back to our people and land in the rural areas. Many rural people are not renown for their outspokenness for obvious reasons. Hence, the simple dynamics of the wantok system compel some of us to speak up on issues of interest to them especially coming from their government. We have seen how the previous Kemakeza regime was so gullible in the face of dubious money schemes and ghost universities. This present regime could do better, but only time will tell. Just as Christians invoke the Almighty to give them their daily bread in their prayers, let our rural people demand that our government deliver on its promises. Gary Fa’aitoa Central Honiara