Regional participants share on traditional knowledge learning

BCN News had a chance to speak with a few regional participants who were part of the  joint regional peer to peer learning on integrating traditional knowledge and gender into climate warning systems.

They shared highlights on the various key takeaways during the week.

For weather forecaster-Sakeasi Waibuta of the Fiji Meteorological Service based in Nadi, the learning’s have been very interesting as this is a new initiative for the Fiji Met Service to take on board.

“It’s very interesting in the Met space in Fiji it’s a new thing for us, although there’s already existing traditional knowledge in terms of weather, planting, and fishing which our forefathers use to do. Its a good way to learn from our Pacific neighbors who are well advanced in the program when it comes to traditional knowledge and its something we will take on board and learn from,” Waibuta said.

Representing grass roots women from the Cook Islands, Nga Teoa Papatua says she has been overwhelmed by the great hospitality shown by the Niue people. This is her first time being part of a regional training.

She has been particularly interested with the Pia Niue Project presentation by the Women of the Ekelesia Kerisiano Niue, adding there is more work to be done when it comes to traditional knowledge back in her island.

Papatua also thanked her team leader Tino Naea of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service who is here as well with her.

About 17 participants from 11 Pacific countries have been part of the week-long learning that ends today. 

The workshop is jointly hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac) Phase 3 project and the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Enhancing Climate Information and Knowledge Services for Resilience in 5 Islands Countries of the Pacific (CIS-Pac 5).