Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Merana Kitione

Journalist & Mentor: Merana Kitione

Merana trained as a broadcast journalist, working with radio and television in Fiji for 14 years. From news reporting, to editorial duties and then managing the News, Current Affairs and Sports team at Fiji TV, Merana always had a passion to coach, mentor and train people. She worked with Training and Development for the Fiji TV Group before leaving to manage a media development project in Vanuatu. As Team Leader of the Vois Blong Yumi Program (funded by Australian Aid and managed by the ABC) in Vanuatu, Merana worked with the national broadcaster on media strengthening initiatives from content development, professional attachments, programs for national elections, strategic planning and strengthening partnerships with provincial governments for program content and disaster management stakeholders on emergency broadcasting plans and facilities. She currently works with the regional media development initiative, PACMAS, a funder of this media initiative for the Nature Conservation conference.

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Priya Chand

Age : 22

Programme of study: Journalism and Management and Public Administration , USP

“I simply hope to get a better understanding of the environment around us, the issues and ways of how we can deal with it. The signs of environmental change are all around us. Thus, by attending the 9^th Pacific Island conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas, I hope to get a better insight of finding solutions on how Pacific Island countries can cope with the environmental challenges they face.

Especially after doing a Climate Change project for our Television unit this year, I have gained more exposure on the issues around us. As a reporter in training, I hope to gain valuable knowledge about the environment at large, and raise awareness on the importance of conserving nature.“

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Justine Mannan

Age: 24 years old

Programme of study: Journalism student at the Fiji National University

I am honoured to be a part of this event as it is my first time attending a large conference and being part of a media team. I hope to gain a wide range of knowledge and understanding from the conference itself, as well as working with other student journalists and senior journalists. Nature conservation is important because we need nature to survive and protect certain areas and species which is essential for human survival. Caring for the next generation and ensuring they grow up in a safe, clean and prosperous environment, we need to act now to conserve nature.

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Wati Talebula

Age: 22 years old

Programme of study: Media and Journalism student, Fiji National University

This conference will broaden my knowledge on issues that we should highlight as citizens of the Fiji Islands. I hope to know about environment related issues and how I as a student journalist will be able to help and share my knowledge to my families, friends and community as a whole. I think nature conservative is important because Fiji is a developing country and we need programs that will highlight issues that are related to climate change, climate monitoring, waste management and biodiversity. This conference will be a source of knowledge to me, because I will be able to learn more about what nature conservation is all about and how a country such as Fiji should be able to focus its priorities in regards to this.

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Eroni Tuinaceva

Age: 22 years old

Programme of study: Journalism student at Fiji National University

Malo Bula! I am currently a journalism student and hope to have a career in political journalism. Through attending the Conservation Conference and being part of the media team, I hope to broaden my knowledge on environmental conservation, especially in relation to climate adaptation. Coming from an island nation where many fragile ecosystems are still largely undisturbed, nature conservation plays a big part in making certain that many of the unique and fragile species that inhabit these ecosystems can continue to not only exist but flourish. With the growing threat of rising sea levels and temperatures, it is vital now, more than ever, that we work to protect and preserve many of our terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. Educating the community on the importance of nature conservation is what I hope to take with me after the conference and to share it with my family and friends.

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Shahani Mala

Age: 20 years old.

Programme of Study: Certificate IV in Media and Journalism at Fiji National University.

Being part of this activity will be a wonderful experience for me because I will get to learn a lot about nature conservation as Pacific Island countries are often affected by environmental problems such as climate change, sea level rise, availability of resources, population, cutting down of trees and soil erosion.

Apart from this, as a student journalist I will learn how to cover stories on environmental issues that affects Fiji and Pacific Island countries.

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Edward Tavanavanua

Age: 19 years old

Programme of study: Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Sociology, University of South Pacific

"Bula Vinaka! I know that being a part of this activity will deepen my appreciation for the natural world around me and serve as a platform to address and, hopefully, resolve current and future environmental problems in Fiji and the rest of the Pacific.

Also, I feel that as much as our country and people want to develop, economically and ideologically, we will ultimately fail in our pursuits if our environmental issues are left untended to.

I believe that sustaining the natural world is the key to sustaining the human race."

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Maryanne Lockington

Programme of Study: Undergraduate University of the South Pacific student studying law and journalism.

“I study Journalism at the University of the South Pacific. In addition to this, I’m also a creative writer, poet, human rights advocate and blogger. I hope to go into the field of human rights, NGO work and media in the future. I found that this forum activity would be a great opportunity for me, not just as a student but also because of my interest in the environment and conservation. In addition, I wanted to meet and learn from those that will be present, as well as, contribute something positive to this activity. Nature conservation is an important issue globally but I always think it has a special place in the hearts of the people in the Pacific region. I think it’s important that we protect our environment so that we have a safe and secure future to look forward to.”

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Josephine Navula!

Age: 21

Programme of Study: Certificate in Media and Journalism, Fiji National University

“By being part of this activity, I would like to achieve a wider knowledge about our environment and what the people are facing, in terms of the problems and challenges that our natural surroundings face.

From my point of view, I think we should practice nature conservation ourselves, to help our environment – the living things as well as we all depend on it, so as human beings, we must also learn to take care of our surroundings.”

Meet the Media Team at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation: Carolyn Kitione

Age: 20

Programme of Study: B.A double majors in Journalism and Psychology, USP

“As a student studying both Journalism and Psychology, I believe it's important to facilitate discussions and establishcritical thinking on issues that are important. A prominent issue here in the Pacific that has become a fundamental subject all over the world is the change in our natural environment. The truth is, the Pacific can't grow economically if natural resources are not protected. For a region that heavily depends on nature to sustain their lifestyle, we need tohelp increase awareness on the extreme environmental changes and why it is happening. By being involved in the media team for this conference, I want to be able to increase my own understanding of the importance of nature conservation and at the same time identify and establish the link between the growing economy and a sustainable natural environment."