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GPS 2012 - Growing Pacific Solutions for our families

GPS 2012 - Growing Pacific Solutions for our families national fono.3-4 April 2012
Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland

This conference provides a unique opportunity to bring together champions that lead innovative and evidence-based integrated solutions to meet the needs of our Pacific families in New Zealand, particularly across the mental health, addictions and disability sectors.

We are delighted to introduce our international keynote speakers Professor Joseph Betancourt (Harvard) and Professor Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa (University of Michigan). We also have esteemed local guest speakers Dr Mary English, Jeremy Stanley and Alex Fala, with more to be announced!

Read our latest news about the fono and how it will bridge gaps for the disability sector.

GPS Conference video

The theme

"Navigating uncharted waters with ancient knowledge and contemporary technology, discovering new points of destinations for Pacific, new leaders and new ways of working."

The networks of stars adorning the evening sky were a celestial blueprint for ancient Polynesians. The light we see today emitting from these heavenly bodies are actually echoes of light from the past that reach us often millions of years later. In turn, these ancient lights emitted by the stars were used by our ancestors to triangulate and traverse the endless expanse of Moana Nui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean) millennia before Columbus or Cook. We had names for these stellar manifestations that include Matariki (Pleides), Toloa (Southern Cross) and the mischievous twins Ma’afu Lele and Ma’afu Toka (Megellanic Clouds). The seasons for planting vital crops and for harvesting the riches of the seas were also governed by the global position of certain heavenly bodies. This system of interconnected relationships or 'Va', points to a divine and omnipotent creator. This conference draws from the knowledge of our ancestors whose voices from the past now act as our points of reference today, to guide us in contemporary society and into the future.

Outcomes

GPS 2012 will:

  • identify evidence-based integrated solutions across mental health, addictions, disability and general health that demonstrate effective translation of policy into practice
  • validate Pacific solutions and ensure a more responsive, timely and integrated health and disability system capable of meeting the needs of Pacific communities
  • showcase innovative leadership in managing change, strengthening a flexible and mobile workforce and improving value for money
  • facilitate relationships across boundaries and build new capacity across sectors.

Further information

For more information, please contact:

Anne Fitisemanu, conference organiser
Phone +64 21 0200 9665
Email anne.fitisemanu "at" leva.co.nz 

Or contact Monique Faleafa, national manager Le Va.

 

Page last updated: 21 February 2012