The Pacific environment is the focus of a Greg Urwin Award now underway at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Mr Taniela Faletau of Tonga is one of the five awardees for 2010, but the second recipient ever to implement the award which funds short term placement at a Pacific regional organisation of choice. While this is the second induction of five candidates since the Greg Urwin Awards were launched in 2009 other recipients are still currently undertaking their studies.
Mr Faletau has spent the past four years pursuing his doctoral studies on 'Addressing the environmental impact of a strong development paradigm in small island developing states in the face of climatic change'. Having completed theory work, he is now learning 'on the job' about sustainable development and climate change adaptation at SPREP.
Taniela Faletau (left) & Espen Ronneberg (right)
"The liberty of these Awards is being given the opportunity to choose from a range of regional organisations. I chose SPREP as I know they are at the forefront of environmental management in the Pacific. It is here that major Pacific environmental policy is made determining outcomes for many Pacific island people," said Faletau.
"In that context I knew that coming here would help with my specialized growth as an aspiring environmental professional. The technical staff here are highly proficient in carrying out their prescribed duties and the prospect of working alongside them, learning of the best you might say, was a privilege I was not going to let, pass me by."
11 years ago Mr. Faletau completed a Bachelor of Resource Studies majoring in Environmental Policy and Planning, following this he worked in Tonga helping to form the first Lagoon Management Plan before completing his Masters in Environmental Studies majoring in Environmental Sustainability.
Now one month away from completing his PhD studies, Faletau is based in Apia, Samoa until September, learning from staff of the Pacific Futures programme at SPREP.
"We welcome the opportunity to work with Taniela during his months here with us at SPREP. He has brought a fresh perspective to our discussions and is knowledgeable about the climate change issues in the region. It is encouraging also that he picked SPREP over the other regional organizations. Hopefully both Taniela and SPREP will gain a great deal from his placement with us," said SPREP's Climate Change Adviser Mr Espen Ronneberg.
The Greg Urwin Awards were established in memory of the late Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, with the support of the Australian Government. They are made available to Pacific students who show potential to become prominent leaders in their chosen field.
The first candidate to implement the Greg Urwin Award was Superintendent Michael So'onalole who spent time with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The candidates were selected from those undertaking higher level academic studies as part of the Australian Leadership Awards scholarship programme on an annual basis.