Best thing about the conference so far……….

Ms. Mereseini Marau, journalist and mentor with student journalist Ms. Wati Talebula from FNU.

4 December 2013, Suva, Fiji - We hear from the journalism students providing you with coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Ms. Justine Mannan, 24 years, journalism student, FNU

“…..walking around the environmental booths inside the Vodafone Arena, trying to look for stories, I stumbled across the Birdlife International booth where I learnt just how important birds are to our environment. Birds tell us just how healthy our environments are and it is interesting because most people overlook the role birds play in our islands. They are pretty to look at or can be annoying sometimes but they are actually vital to biodiversity and they are becoming endangered due to deforestation and invasive species such as rats who eat them.“

Ms. Josephine Navula,  21 years , journalism student, FNU

 “……the presentation by the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network's Semisi Meo, when he talked of the skills of traditional fishermen, or gonedau, and how their knowledge included the ability to “sense” when a sea storm was about to happen. I think it would be good for the people with those talents to share their knowledge in order for the community to prepare themselves for such natural disasters."

Mr. Edward Tavanavanua, 19 years, journalism student, USP

”… hearing the inspiring success stories of small Pacific Island nature conservation initiatives and the air-conditioned media room! "

Ms. Priya Chand, 22 years, journalism student, USP

"….. access, through presentations and seminars, to in-depth information on various environmental issues that the Pacific Island countries are facing, thus being able to better develop skills in environment reporting."

Mr. Eroni Tuinaceva, 22 years , journalism student, FSM

"……. stipends aside, would be working with the mentors. Having experienced journalists giving first-hand guidance to us has been very enriching and inspiring and I hope I have been doing enough so far to get good references."

The students make up the Media Team providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS).