<div dir="ltr">thank you so much solo for providing these weekly update <div>this is well received with many thanks </div><div>all best </div><div>kindest regard:</div><div>Beia Temango </div><div>office manager </div><div>KABVI OPD </div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Sep 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM Soloveni Vitoso <<a href="mailto:Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org">Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-2515846529334111376">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0cm;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>Pasifika Weekly E – News</b></div>
<div style="text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0cm;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b> 12 September 2025</b></div>
<div style="text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0cm;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b><br>
</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b> 1.</b> <b>‘Youth – Leaders of Tomorrow’ – 2025 Fiji Youth Parliament Opens</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
‘You—the youth—are our leaders of tomorrow; and you are in the periphery of that role, today. You carry with you not just energy and enthusiasm, but a sense of purpose, a commitment to service, and a bold vision for the future.’</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
These were the sentiments highlighted by the Speaker of Parliament the Hon. Filimone Jitoko whilst opening the 2025 Fiji Youth Parliament at Holiday Inn last night.
<a id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA0f542cec-fdc7-4ac0-2889-2ab2ec554e64" href="https://www.parliament.gov.fj/youth-leaders-of-tomorrow-2025-fiji-youth-parliament-opens/" target="_blank">
Read More</a></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>2.</b> <b>WASLI Oceania Conference 2025</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
The Pacific Disability Forum was honoured to attend and support the WASLI Oceania Conference 2025, held under the theme “One Ocean, Many Cultures.”</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
This important gathering brought together sign language interpreters, Deaf leaders, and partners from across the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to strengthen regional interpreter capacity and highlight the vital role of sign language
in ensuring accessibility and inclusion.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
The conference reinforced that sign language interpreters are a bridge to equality — opening access to education, healthcare, justice, and community life for Deaf persons in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
We celebrate this milestone for the Pacific and commend WASLI Oceania for leading efforts to build stronger networks, professional training opportunities, and a future where Deaf persons are fully included across our region</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>3.</b> <b>Conducting access audits of churches in Vanuatu</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
To create more accessible and inclusive places of worship, the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) and the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) have partnered on a joint initiative. Recently, they collaborated in Espiritu Santo to provide training and support to
the Vanuatu Disability Promotion & Advocacy (VDPA), a member organization of PDF.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
This initiative is focused on empowering the VDPA to conduct access audits of churches identified by the Vanuatu Council of Churches (VCC) as well as tabulate reports of findings and recommendations to be shared with PCC.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
The goal is to promote disability-inclusive church practices for persons with disabilities in their communities.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
This work was made possible through funding support provided by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>4.</b> <b>Programs to advance disability rights</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
The National Council for People with Disabilities (NCPD) has launched initiatives to create clearer pathways for employment and improved accessibility for persons with disabilities. According to Nina Tokadavou, Initiative Lead for the council’s job discovery
program, several key programs have been introduced to advance disability rights in Fiji.
<a id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA3d3e3a02-1790-7ced-6efe-3c2b4f1989d3" href="https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/programs-to-advance-disability-rights/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMtmMBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkjaaR2Koeva5WIGuj4G-pOWaaVDe-RoFwHIqESGp7L3IbpmJbrps3hI2Ao5_aem_y5nkx0lsWp6iEiMI9rDdNw" target="_blank">
Read More.</a></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>5.</b> <b>Psychiatric Survivors Association Recognised at 21st Anniversary Celebration and Book Lunch</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Sashi Kiran, officiated at the 21st Anniversary celebration of the Psychiatric Survivors Association (PSA) Fiji and launched two of their publications, Expecting Mothers with Psychosocial Disabilities
and Children Living in Psychosocially Affected Families. <a id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA968f5852-1ecd-9fd3-70c8-653a3163f373" href="https://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-Centre/News/PSYCHIATRIC-SURVIVORS-ASSOCIATION-RECOGNISED-AT-21?fbclid=IwY2xjawMwlHJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSTjc5RjlhMnlFanhSaXhtAR4LlrWWnXbpq1bRJqJ3BStahYCrY0aNVMruZK0NtOoghP13bsuBANM1JPlENQ_aem_EXoobB-oc1L_6pusyQ1tRw" target="_blank">
Read More</a></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>6.</b> <b>Timor-Leste certified malaria-free by WHO</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free, a remarkable achievement for a country that prioritized the disease and embarked on a concerted, nation-wide response shortly after gaining independence in 2002.
<a id="m_-9089376750084426354OWAe957d1d2-465d-5ac3-be48-2e030cc78327" href="https://www.who.int/news/item/24-07-2025-timor-leste-certified-malaria-free-by-who" target="_blank">
Read More</a></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>7.</b> <b>Papua New Guinea eliminates trachoma as a public health problem</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
In a landmark public health achievement, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause
of blindness, no longer poses a public health threat in the country. <a id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA844a3df8-8f4f-acdb-3383-e913ff26d9db" href="https://www.who.int/news/item/19-05-2025-papua-new-guinea-eliminates-trachoma-as-a-public-health-problem" target="_blank">
Read More</a></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<b>8.</b> <b>Strengthening Vanuatu's health resilience with better data collection</b></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
Vanuatu’s islands are known for their rich cultural heritage, but beneath this beauty lies a pressing challenge: the country faces persistent public health threats, exacerbated by limited infrastructure, frequent disasters, and the growing impact of climate
change. As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, Vanuatu is highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks, which can quickly overwhelm its health-care system
<a id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA0daa99a5-015f-ff17-5c26-94a928d3cc3f" href="https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/strengthening-vanuatu-s-health-resilience-with-better-data-collection" target="_blank">
Read More</a></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<i>Have a blessed Weekly!</i></div>
<div style="font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">
Kind Regards,</div>
<div id="m_-9089376750084426354Signature">
<div style="font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">
<b><br>
</b></div>
<div style="font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">
<b>Soloveni Vitoso | Interim Public Relations and Communications Officer</b></div>
<div style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:2px;padding:6px 12px 12px;border-width:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:transparent;border-radius:4px" id="m_-9089376750084426354x_focused">
<div style="margin:12px 16px 0px 52px;padding-bottom:2px" id="m_-9089376750084426354x_UniqueMessageBody_106">
<div style="margin:0px" id="m_-9089376750084426354x_x_Signature">
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:black">
<img style="width: 228px; height: 245px; min-width: auto; min-height: auto; margin: 0px;" size="71076" height="245" width="228" id="m_-9089376750084426354x_x_image_0" src="cid:ii_19946b83044cb971f161"></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:black">
Pacific Disability Forum | Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:black">
GPO Box 18458 Suva, Fiji</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:black">
Phone (landline): (+679) 7730200, 3312008, 3310469</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:black">
Phone (Mobile)(+679) 8990134</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:black">
Email: <a title="Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org" id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA98d4858f-3f06-4723-ac63-10bb4f68b291" href="mailto:Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org" target="_blank">
Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org</a></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">
<span style="color:black">Website: </span><span style="color:rgb(149,79,114)"><a style="color:rgb(149,79,114);margin:0px" title="http://www.pacificdisability.org/" id="m_-9089376750084426354OWA73d227b2-71d3-3420-2c16-ce325f9e580d" href="http://www.pacificdisability.org/" target="_blank">www.pacificdisability.org</a></span><span style="color:black"> </span></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">
<b>Organisation in special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Commission since 2012.</b></div>
<div style="direction:ltr;line-height:normal;margin:1em 0px;font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">
<span style="font-size:14pt;color:black"><i>The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee(s). If you
</i><b><i>are</i></b><i> not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it, including any attachments. If you receive this email in error please notify the sender immediately</i> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color:rgb(250,250,250);margin:2px;padding-right:12px;padding-left:12px;border-width:0.666667px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(235,235,235);border-radius:4px">
<div style="margin:0px 9px 0px 52px;padding-top:14px">
<div style="margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline-block">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
_______________________________________________<br>
Dpo-officemanagers mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Dpo-officemanagers@lists.pacificdisability.org" target="_blank">Dpo-officemanagers@lists.pacificdisability.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.pacificdisability.org/mailman/listinfo/dpo-officemanagers_lists.pacificdisability.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://lists.pacificdisability.org/mailman/listinfo/dpo-officemanagers_lists.pacificdisability.org</a><br>
</div></blockquote></div>