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Donate nowMedia - Pacific Trade Justice Speaking Tour Nov 2009
Date published: 25 Nov 09
In November 2009, two leading campaigners for trade justice in the Pacific visited Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney to speak about the implications of PACER-Plus on Pacific Island economies and communities. See here for media coverage of the tour.
Pacifc Trade Justice Tour Speakers:
* Maureen Penjueli (Fiji) - coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), which links regional community, church and women’s organisations to raise awareness about the social, cultural and economic impacts of PACER-Plus and free trade in the Pacific.
* John Salong (Vanuatu) - director of the Vanuatu Women's Development Scheme (VANWODS), a non-government microfinance group, which provides disadvantaged women with access to credit and income earning opportunities. John has been active in the debate about remittances, seasonal labour mobility and development options for rural communities in Vanuatu.
See below for links to media coverage of AID/WATCH's Pacific Trade Justice Speaking Tour
PACER-Plus; Should we have free trade in the Pacific?
‘The Wire’ – Australian Community Radio, 16 November 2009
Produced by Marcus Coombs
On an Australian wide speaking tour John Salong and Maureen Penjueli will argue the Pacific Nations will not benefit at all from free trade with Australia and New Zealand. The possible agreement is known as PACER-Plus. Why is it that prevailing economic orthodoxy which endorses free trade, could be inapplicable in this case? Featured in this story: Maureen Penjueli, Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation and John Salong, director of the Vanuatu Women's Development Scheme.
Click here to listen to the show
Regional activists caution about PACER-Plus
Radio Australia – Pacific Beat, 16 November 2009
Presenter: Bruce Hill
With Pacific island nations currently in discussions on a proposed free trade deal, PACER Plus, and both Australia and New Zealand having launched temporary guest workers schemes for Pacific islanders, globalisation is a hot topic. Joining Bruce Hill to discuss these issues are two activists from the region. Maureen Penjueli from Fiji is co-ordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), which links regional community, church and women's organisations to raise awareness about the impacts of PACER-Plus. And John Salong from Vanuatu is director of the Vanuatu Women's Development Scheme, a non-government microfinance group, which provides disadvantaged women with access to credit and income earning opportunities. John has been active in the debate about remittances, seasonal labour mobility and development options for rural communities in Vanuatu. They're in Australia sponsored by the aid NGO Aidwatch, and will be meeting with government, union and community groups to talk about labour mobility and development issues.
Click here to listen to the show
Tuesday Hometime
3CR, 18 November 2009
Presenter: Jan Bartlett
Includes interview with Maureen Penjueli of Fiji and John Salong of Vanuatu regarding PACER Plus.
Clcik here to listen to the show
Asia Pacific Currents
3CR, 21 November 2009
Presenters: Pier, Kavitha and Jiselle, Diana and Budi
Includes interview with with Maureen Penjueli of Pacific Network on Globalization, John Salong of Vanuatu Women’s Development Scheme, and Australian independent journalist Nic Maclellan.
Click here to listen to the show
