International Women's Day: The Gender Agenda Gaining Momentum, 2013
"Increasing opportunities for women makes good sense for us at SPREP as sustainable development in the Pacific will not be achieved unless women are fully involved in all aspects of the management of our Pacific environment." - Mr David Sheppard, Director-General, SPREP on International Women's Day.
Meet some of our SPREP staff this International Women's Day!
Dr Netatua Pelesikoti, Director, Climate Change, SPREP
3 of your biggest achievements while at SPREP:
1. Raising the profile of SPREP using an integrated approach for climate change and disaster risk management
2. Increased SPREP climate change delivery and focus on national activities
3. Increased SPREP science and technical capacity to effectively respond to PICs climate change needs.
These achievements have been possible with support and input from staff in the climate change division, SPREP Management team and donors who have confidence in SPREP.
3 key highlights in your professional career:
1. Staying focussed on how to address priorities of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories
2. Experiencing the different cultures of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories and tasting their traditional cuisines.
3. The many friends and network I have secured throughout the years.
Words of advice and guidance you live by, which may be of inspiration for other women:
Use every opportunity to progress and help others - be happy!
Sili'a Kilepoa Ualesi, Project Manager of the Pacific Island Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP)
3 of your biggest achievements while at SPREP:
1. Becoming a manager of a regional project - this is something I never thought I could be for several years to come.
2. Working at SPREP this is a big achievement for me
3. My ability to manage 11 Pacific islands countries with Renewable Energy activities
3 key highlights in your professional career:
1. Improved service delivery to the 11 Pacific Island Countries that I work with
2. Able to work within a multi-national, multi-cultural organisation
3. Able to promote Renewable Energy activities through international arena such as the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties and others.
Words of advice and guidance you live by, which may be of inspiration for other women:
1. Put God first in your life, acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your path.
2. Be yourself! Aim High! Stand tall and be a woman of excellence!
3. Don't be selfish! But build up others along the way!
4. Don't ever forget your Family! There is nothing that can replace them!
Simeamativa Leota-Vaai, (second from left) Human Resource Adviser, SPREP
"I think my greatest achievement and highlight that I'm proud of at SPREP is being part of a team that help set up the Human Resources unit and strengthened the HR function within SPREP.
I like that I have been involved in the change management process particularly in the strengthening and improvement of policies, systems and procedures. I enjoy working with people from all over the world and also enjoy the challenges and dynamics involved with an international workforce."
Ms. Esther Richards, Solid Waste Management Adviser, SPREP
3 of your biggest achievements while at SPREP:
1. Coordinating the review of a major regional strategy for managing solid waste in the Pacific Islands
2. Conceiving and implementing a regional awareness campaign for waste management and pollution prevention
3. Collaboration with colleagues to secure over US$17.5 million in funding for projects to improve waste management in the Pacific Islands
2 Key highlights in your professional career
1. Working in the Pacific Islands among people with generous spirits and diverse cultures each with its own beauty.
2. Being part of a team that brought about positive changes in solid waste management in my native St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Words of advice and guidance you live by, which may be of inspiration for other women:
1. In all things, treat everyone with respect and as you would like to be treated.
2. There is no shame in not knowing, the shame lies in pretending to know and in not finding out.
Ms. Easter Galuvao, Biodiversity Adviser, SPREP
Your biggest achievements while at SPREP: Engagement in the Convention on Biological Diversity Process.
A key highlight in your professional career: Working with local communities and being part of a dynamic network of conservation professionals in the Pacific.
Words of advice and guidance you live by, which may be of inspiration for other women: With God on your side, anything is possible! Life is too short, enjoy every moment of it and spend quality time with your family.
Diane McFadzien (third from left) Climate Change Adaptation Adviser
Biggest achievements while at SPREP:
"Highlights for me will always be the national work – delivering negotiations training in Vanuatu and Palau, working on the Joint National Action Plan (JNAP) in the Marshall Islands and working towards delivering an outer island adaptation project in Kiribati.
For the more international work (i.e. United Nations negotiations on climate change) the highlight is again working closely with countries, but also with partners such as the Alliance of Small Island States, the non-governmental community and other regional and international actors."
Key highlights in your professional career:
"Working within the UN system (UNFCCC) – as it was a real eye opener in how we as Pacific Islanders could learn from other countries that are very pro-active at using their resources of such international secretariats to achieve their own causes.
Winning an international IUCN award for Women working on climate change.
The work that I was part of when I was in WWF Fiji, which piloted our first "Climate Witness" community based adaptation project in Kabara, in the Lau group of Fiji islands – particularly after long hours of team work and partnership building actually delivered upon the adaptation needs identified by the Kabara community. This model was later duplicated in other sites within the WWF international network."
Words of advice and guidance you live by, which may be of inspiration for other women: Always treat colleagues, friends and alike as you would like to be treated yourself, and lead by example, as actions speak louder than words.
Selesitina P. Meni - Reti, Internal Auditor, SPREP
Your biggest achievements while at SPREP:
1. Establishment of the Internal Audit Unit which may be a first in Pacific Regional Organisations.
2. Setting up the Audit committee within 4 months of commencing service and holding their first meeting in November, 2012.
3 key highlights in your professional career:
1. Serving in SPREP and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Being able to contribute to building the financial management and reporting capacity of our colleagues in the member countries that we assist.
2. Being the Chief Accountant in the Electric Corporation which was a male dominated organisation
3. Becoming the Internal Auditor for SPREP
Words of advice and guidance you live by, which may be of inspiration for other women: Always look for the positive and the "good" in other people and do not take work home! To observe, listen and learn from others.
Celebrate International Women's Day! The Gender Agenda Gaining Momentum, 2013!