Vanuatu

Vanuatu media in unchartered territory as Freedom of Information laws become a reality

David Robie is a professor of journalism at Auckland University of Technology and the director of the Pacific Media Centre.

He says the new laws are a step in the right direction, but it will also take a change in mindset from the government to make sure Freedom of Information requests are taken seriously.

“This is a tremendous encouragement for the media in Vanuatu, also for NGOs and other people seeking information and it’s a tremendous boost for the whole of the Pacific because Vanuatu is now the second country to follow on from Cook Islands,” Robie said.

Scheme to lift productivity of Vanuatu public servants

RNZ reports Charlot Salwai launched the programme in Port Vila on Tuesday in front of more than 500 public servants.

Mr Salwai said it was important to drive the performance of all public servants so they can improve their productivity and service delivery.

He said after 36 years of independence he was very happy to see the public service embrace innovative programmes to help achieve the government's priorities.

Right to information becomes law in Vanuatu

RNZ reports the Right to Information Act was gazetted yesterday establishing an Information Commissioner and putting Vanuatu alongside 105 countries around the world with similar legislation.

The Media Director of the Vanuatu Daily Post Dan McGarry said he had asked his journalists to test the system and to put in requests for information.

He said questions still hung over how the law will be implemented and there was a possibility bureaucrats could drag out requests.

APTC welcomes over 700 students

The orientation sessions at APTC campuses in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on January 16 and 17, provided valuable information to new students on APTC facilities, student support services, regulations, and their responsibilities.

APTC is an innovative development program funded by the Australian Government, delivering internationally-recognised Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers for skilled workers across the Pacific.

Vanuatu heightens dengue concern

RNZ reports this comes after over 1,000 suspected cases had been reported.

The Health Ministry has started a media blitz to encourage the public to report to the nearest health centre when a person is suspected to be sick with dengue.

A dengue zero tolerance campaign was launched last month.

     

Ol bikpela Vanuatu gavman projek na Port Vila Community Sanitation

Em i wankain long ol setolmen long ol bik ples olsem Mount Hagen, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Honiara na Port Vila.

Tasol long ol setolmen raon long Port Vila, bik taon blong Vanuatu, gavman i nau wok long bildim ol Community Sanitation Facilities long dil wantaim dispela isiu.

Dispela projek i kam aninit long Vanuatu Project Management Unit we i ronim 5 pela bikpela projek blong gavman we i kostim 26 billion vatu.

Remote island community in Vanuatu making headlines after declaring war on foreign "junk food"

Tourism leader, Father Luc Dini, says they want the population of Torba to embrace local organic produce instead and protect themselves from the illnesses associated with western food.

He has had junk food removed from the shelves of local stores and from holiday bungalows, and tourists are being served only locally grown products.

Tony Wilson, the editor of the Vanuatu Independent, which broke the story, says it's been picked up by news outlets all over the world.

Van2017 on the hunt

On Wednesday 8th February, Van2017 is holding a Business Open House event to provide an update to the local business community in Port Vila on the upcoming procurement (tender) opportunities with the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Sponsors announced for 2017 Pacific Mini Games

Eight sponsors were announced, which represent 60% of the target number of sponsors and approximately 75% of the earmarked sponsorship revenue target.  CEO of Van2017 the organizing committee for the Games said that the organization is thrilled to have the support of these companies who will provide their time, money and resources to help deliver a great event.  Mr Flood indicated that one of the key elements that sponsors also provide is the increased awareness of the Games through their marketing campaigns that they will undertake to promote their involvement with the Games. 

Vanuatu's top judge wants progress on court buildings

He said plans for a new Hall of Justice for Vanuatu have been in front of the government for years.

Vanuatu Digest reports all the Government has done since the arson is to provide the inappropriate Dumbea Centre as a temporary court and to set up a committee that has achieved nothing.

Chief Justice Lunabek, speaking at the opening of the 2017 judicial year, said a new Hall of Justice was long overdue.