‘All in the same canoe’ – the place of resilience

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2023 03 Chris-Fiji AG-Vili-Fiji Minister-Ken-1940pxL-R: Christopher Ward, Communication Specialist at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development; Honourable Siromi Turanga, Attorney General of Fiji; Lau Dr Vili Iese, Senior Research Fellow - Drought Resilience & Climate Studies, and Associate Director – Drought, Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub; Tomasi Tunabuna, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Fiji; and Dr Ken Cokanasiga, an agriculture expert from Fiji.

Bula vinaka! This week, Vili Iese, the Vic Hub’s Associate Director – Drought (pictured in the middle above), is in Fiji attending the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF).logo Pacific Week of Agriculture & Forestry

Hosted by the Government of Fiji, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community, the bi-annual event brings together leaders, experts and stakeholders from agriculture and forestry across the Pacific region to discuss key challenges and opportunities facing these sectors.

Vili says the title of his presentation today is a mouthful, but the topic is important: “All in the same canoe: Impacts of cyclones and droughts on farmers and fishers’ livelihood and income, and strength of resilience in Vanua Levu, Fiji.”

Yesterday he caught up with friends, associates and former colleagues, including Fiji’s Attorney-General and the nation’s Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways (see picture and caption). He said events such as these are a great opportunity to share information, insights and learnings.

(“Bula” means ”helllo”, while “bula vinaka”  essentially wishes a person good health and life. It’s an expression we hear often from Vili at the Vic Hub. Travel safely Vili, and we look forward to hearing what you learnt and shared.)