[Meeting-announcements] No. 08/01 - Twenty-first Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts

[Efi Rex]

43508
TO:
Representatives of Governments and Administrations of the following countries and territories who are members of the Council of Pacific Arts:  American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, Vanuatu, Hawaii, Norfolk Island, Easter Island, Australia, New Zealand, France.
No.:
08/01


FILE:
PRO 128/4/2/1
DATE:
12 February 2008


SUBJECT:
TWENTY-FIRST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PACIFIC ARTS
(Pago Pago, American Samoa, 31 March - 2 April 2008)


BACKGROUND

1. The Council of Pacific Arts was established to oversee the operations of the Festival of Pacific Arts. The Council of Pacific Arts comprises the twenty-two Pacific Island countries and territories that are members of SPC, with the addition of Hawaii, Easter Island and Norfolk Island and the founding members, Australia and New Zealand. The SPC Human Development Programme will serve as Secretariat for the Council of Pacific Arts under the leadership and guidance of the HDP Adviser (Culture).

2. The Festival of Pacific Arts was first held in 1972. Since then it has continued to grow, becoming the most important cultural event of the Pacific Islands region. Held every four years, the Festival is a unique celebration of Pacific cultures involving more than 2000 participants from 25 Pacific Island countries and territories and Australia and New Zealand.

3. The 10th Festival is being held in American Samoa from 20 July - 2 August 2008. The government will host 27 delegations united in their purpose of gaining respect for their own culture and appreciation of others in the context of a changing Pacific. The theme is "Su'iga'ula a le Atuvasa: Threading the Oceania 'Ula". The 'ula or necklace is an adornment that is always representative of a celebration or festive occasion - it symbolises the coming together of the Pacific family.

4. The main objective of the 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts is to enable delegates to review the host government's preparations and their own preparations for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts. Delegates will also be able to make site visits.

VENUE AND DATES

5. The 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts will take place in Pago Pago, American Samoa, from 31 March to 2 April, 2008.

PARTICIPANTS

6. Governments and administrations are invited to nominate a country representative who plays a significant role in the formulation and/or implementation of cultural policies in their country or territory and/or is closely involved in Festival preparations.

NOMINATIONS

7. Governments and administrations are invited to send the name of their nominated representative, together with their full postal address, fax number and e-mail address by 25 February 2008 to SPC at the address given on the following page. We apologise for the short response time but we need to be able to confirm logistical arrangements with the host government within a short time frame. Please fill in the attached nomination form (Annex 2) and return it duly completed by 25 February 2008.

8. To facilitate the exchange of information, Elise Huffer, HDP Adviser (Culture) will contact participants directly. We will assume that this procedure is acceptable unless advised to the contrary.

AGENDA

9. A provisional agenda for the 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts is attached to this announcement as Annex 1.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

10.	SPC will provide return air fares (in economy class or at excursion rates, by the most direct route) to American Samoa for one government-nominated Council of Pacific Arts representative from the following countries and territories: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, and Vanuatu.

11.	Daily subsistence allowances (DSA) will be paid at SPC official per diem rates for the duration of these delegates' stay in American Samoa and for any necessary stopovers. SPC will prepay for accommodation in American Samoa. The DSA takes into account this pre-paid accommodation.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

12	A Prepaid Ticket Advice (PTA) for confirmed travel will be arranged by the Secretariat for the nominated representatives and forwarded to the government and administrations concerned. Alternative bookings will be at the expense of the governments or administrations concerned.

13.	If participants choose to fly by an alternative route to that provided by SPC, the participant or their government or administration will be responsible for any additional cost.

14.	Those governments or administrations wishing to purchase tickets for their nominated representative directly, instead of using the PTA, may do so. However, the amount that will be reimbursed by SPC will be the PTA equivalent. You will be reimbursed after arrival in American Samoa.

VISAS

15. Visas are required for entry into American Samoa.

16. A visa to enter Samoa is not required for a stay of up to 60 days; however, you must have an onward or return ticket and valid passport (six months or more).

ACCOMMODATION

17. The Secretariat will make the necessary arrangements for accommodation for the nominated representatives to the 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts (unless delegates specifically inform the Secretariat to the contrary). Upon request, the Secretariat may also make the necessary hotel reservations in Pago Pago on behalf of other delegates or observers.

18. Delegates transiting in Apia will have to make their own arrangements for their accommodation. A list of hotels and rates in Apia is attached (Annex 3).

TRANSPORT

19. Transport to and from American Samoa Airport will be arranged for nominated representatives to the 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts.

INTERPRETATION

20. Simultaneous interpretation and translation services will be provided in English and French.

MEETING ARRANGEMENTS

21.	The American Samoa Government is responsible for providing the meeting venue, service facilities and support staff, and security arrangements for delegations generally.

Meeting venue - The 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts will take place at the Lee Auditorium in Pago Pago.

22.	SPC is responsible for the 21st Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts, including preparation of agendas, meeting papers and all secretarial services for the meeting.

INSURANCE

23. SPC does not insure participants. SPC also declines any personal financial responsibility in the event of disease, injury, disability or death.

CONTACT INFORMATION

24. The technical meeting organiser is Ms Elise Huffer, Human Development Programme Adviser (Culture), who will be responsible for the overall conduct of the meeting. The meeting secretary will be Ms. Evelyne Kaspan, Project Assistant, who will be responsible for administrative arrangements. The contact details for these SPC officers are as follows:

       Ms Elise Huffer or Ms Evelyne Kaspan
       Human Development Programme
       Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
       B.P. D5
       98848 Noumea Cedex - New Caledonia
       Telephone:	(+679) 337 0733 or (687) 26.01.33 (direct line)
       Fax:		(+687) 26.38.18
       Email:		Eliseh at spc.int or Evelynek at spc.int



Richard Mann
for Director General

Original text:  English

Attach.	
Circulated with
SPC/Meeting Announcement No. 08/01


Annex 1


SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY

TWENTY-FIRST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PACIFIC ARTS
(Pago Pago, American Samoa, 31 March - 2 April 2008)


PROVISIONAL AGENDA


1. Official opening

       Election
a) Chairperson
b) Vice-Chairperson
c) Drafting Committee

2. Working hours

3. Adoption of agenda

4. Session 1 - The 10th Festival of Pacific Arts

a) General Festival programme and organisation
b) Roles and responsibilities of delegations
c) Visits to a number of Festival sites and venues

5. Session 2 - Reviews and reports

a) Country reports on Advancement of Culture
b) The Human Development Programme

6. Session 3 - The Council of Pacific Arts

a) The 20th meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts
b) The 5th meeting of the Executive Board of the Council of Pacific Arts
c) Media rights, copyright issues, fees, agreements and ownership (WIPO, CARICOM)
d) Review of the Council of Pacific Arts Constitution
e) Other issues

7. Outstanding and other matters

8. Dates for next Council of Pacific Arts meeting

9. Consideration and adoption of the report.



________________________


Circulated with
SPC/Meeting Announcement No. 08/01


Annex 2

SECRETARIAT OF THE
PACIFIC COMMUNITY
BPD5
98848, Noumea Cedex
New Caledonia

TELEPHONE: +687 26.20.00
FAX: +687 26.38.18
E-mail: spc at spc.int
1

SECRÉTARIAT GÉNÉRAL DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ DU PACIFIQUE
BPD5
98848 Nouméa Cedex
Nouvelle-Calédonie

TÉLÉPHONE: +687 26.20.00
TÉLÉCOPIEUR: +687 26.38.18
Mél : spc at spc.int



TWENTY-FIRST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PACIFIC ARTS
Pago Pago, American Samoa, 31 March - 2 April 2008


NOMINATION FORM

Last name: Ms/Mr/Dr

First Name:

Position:                                                                      Ministry:

Government or Organisation:

Address:

Telephone:					Fax:
Email:

	YES, I will attend				NO, I will not attend		

Accommodation: 
SPC will make your hotel bookings in Pago Pago	
I wish to make my own arrangements			
For delegates making their own travel arrangements, please indicate your travel details below: 
Arrival in Pago Pago:
Date : DD/MM/YYYY              Time: 00.00am/pm                          Flight number:

Departure from Pago Pago:
Date : DD/MM/YYYY              Time: 00.00am/pm                          Flight number:
Passport details 
Place and date of birth:
Nationality:
Passport no.:				Date & place of issue:				Expiry date:

(Please e-mail a scanned copy of the first page of your passport to Evelyne Kaspan at evelyneK at spc.int)

PLEASE SEND THIS NOMINATION FORM BY 25 FEBRUARY 2008 TO:
Ms Evelyne Kaspan, Fax (687) 26 38 18 E-mail: evelyneK at spc.int


Circulated with
SPC/Meeting Announcement No. 08/01


Annex 3

HOTELS IN APIA, SAMOA

Hotel
Rates
Rates
Number of Rooms Booked

Standard Room
Superior Room

Hotel Kitano Tusitala
P.O. Box 101
Sogi
Ph: (685) 21122
Fax: (685) 23652
Email: kitano at kitano.ws

Garden Rooms
Single US $60
Twin US $68

Standard Rooms
Single US $72
Twin US $96

All rates are tax inclusive
Deluxe Rooms
Single - US $88
Twin-US $118
60 Rooms

Total Garden Rms: 31
Total Standard Rms: 28
Total Deluxe Rms: 1
Hotel Elisa
P.O. Box 1233
Sogi
Ph: (685) 21116
Fax: (685) 20536
Email: reservations at hotelelisa.ws
Standard and Sea View Superior Rooms
US $85

All rates are tax inclusive

10 Rooms
Apia Central Hotel
P.O Box 1299
APIA
Ph: (685) 20782
Fax: (685) 26206
Email: ahkams at lesamoa.net
Standard Single  Rooms
USD$50 

All rates are tax inclusive

16 Single Rooms
Pasefika Inn Hotel
Vaisigano
Ph: (685) 20971
Fax: (685) 23303
Email: info at pasefikainn.ws
Standard Single Rooms
USD$64


All rates are tax inclusive

13 Single Rooms
Eden's Edge Hotel
Togafuafua
Ph: (685) 26202
Fax: (685) 23627
Email: info at edensedgesamoa.com
Standard Single Rooms
SAT$100 Fan/Shared Facilities/Single Bed
SAT$150 AC/Self Contained Rooms

All rates are tax inclusive