2011 gone 2012 is here
At the end of 2011, several things stood out for me from a global perspective: the Durban Climate Change Conference made no firm commitment to Climate Change as the most priority problem threatening the life of the planet; the Occupy Movement remained strong in the USA despite many threats from police and anti movement sources whilst protest and the Arab Spring movement also still intact in the Middle East; the War in Iraq and the occupation of Iraq by USA troops officially ended with troops re posted to bases in the Middle East, Afghanistan and home; war with Iran is eminent according to analysts; the global economic crisis continues with unemployment rates escalating, homelessness no better, people starving most notable in developed countries whilst developing, least developing countries rates are worse; earthquakes, droughts, floods, water shortage continue and populations still grieving from great loss related to such disasters ;USSR gained accession to WTO; China flexing her economic power in several regions including the Pacific; USA strengthens her presence in the Asia Pacific region; the dangers of the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown following the 9.1 earthquake and tsunami in Japan in march is still not widely known despite the conclusions by caring scientists that contamination is global.
Other global commons still unresolved like the war on drugs; the fight against global communicable diseases like AIDs, Bird Flu,and others in the context of budget cuts and hospital /community staff dissatisfaction; asylum seekers and economic refugees continue to seek places of refuge and economic prosperity around the world. Corporations and multinational companies have a dominant influence in political and economic decisions in countries and in the global economy with WTO, World Bank, IMF, as the main driving institutions.
From an end of 2011 global picture to my impressions of Samoa at the end of 2011, I see an obvious connection of the global economic system with the changes introduced by the HRPP government (crossing the international dateline, gain access to WTO and WB and ADB offices in Samoa and others). 2011 gives a picture of a nation even more dependent than ever on overseas partners and the sources of loans /aid (money and contractual consultancy)as opposed to developing self reliance and a community sense of providing paid employment to counter increasing poverty. Samoan people are burdened by church commitments, fa'alavelaves done under the pressure of the Matai system and resources, tax money, overseas loans been spent on government priorities that do not address/lessens the burden of the majority of the people. Samoan families have been faced with claims of their lands been taken from them without their knowledge. The issue of the Land Registration Act 2008 as unconstitutional exposes to me there is something "fishy" going on that the families and aiga potopotos are not fully informed.
In welcoming 2012 my wish for Samoa is to uphold the principles set out in the Constitutions as the basis of resurrecting a self reliant Samoa. More participation by civil society in the political process particularly as watchdogs and be alert to corruption, lack of accountability and transparency by government. Opposition Party to be more effective in giving the alternative view and challenging government policies.
God bless Samoa. May God's wisdom and love help Samoa in its efforts to be more christian, more democratic and more communitarian.
The most important issue that Samoans
Other global commons still unresolved like the war on drugs; the fight against global communicable diseases like AIDs, Bird Flu,and others in the context of budget cuts and hospital /community staff dissatisfaction; asylum seekers and economic refugees continue to seek places of refuge and economic prosperity around the world. Corporations and multinational companies have a dominant influence in political and economic decisions in countries and in the global economy with WTO, World Bank, IMF, as the main driving institutions.
From an end of 2011 global picture to my impressions of Samoa at the end of 2011, I see an obvious connection of the global economic system with the changes introduced by the HRPP government (crossing the international dateline, gain access to WTO and WB and ADB offices in Samoa and others). 2011 gives a picture of a nation even more dependent than ever on overseas partners and the sources of loans /aid (money and contractual consultancy)as opposed to developing self reliance and a community sense of providing paid employment to counter increasing poverty. Samoan people are burdened by church commitments, fa'alavelaves done under the pressure of the Matai system and resources, tax money, overseas loans been spent on government priorities that do not address/lessens the burden of the majority of the people. Samoan families have been faced with claims of their lands been taken from them without their knowledge. The issue of the Land Registration Act 2008 as unconstitutional exposes to me there is something "fishy" going on that the families and aiga potopotos are not fully informed.
In welcoming 2012 my wish for Samoa is to uphold the principles set out in the Constitutions as the basis of resurrecting a self reliant Samoa. More participation by civil society in the political process particularly as watchdogs and be alert to corruption, lack of accountability and transparency by government. Opposition Party to be more effective in giving the alternative view and challenging government policies.
God bless Samoa. May God's wisdom and love help Samoa in its efforts to be more christian, more democratic and more communitarian.
The most important issue that Samoans
posted by Meripa Weir at 9:18 AM
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