The Role of Local Village Governments in Ensuring the Success of the Samoa SIDS Conference

During Father’s Day celebrations on 9 August, two key champions and advocates of preparation for the SIDS conference, spent over an hour with the Sui o Nuu (village mayors) at the Tooa Salamasina Hall, discussing and deliberating on matters relating to the SIDS Conference and how they as fathers could mobilize their families, communities and the nation, to support this very important common goal.  A week from the actual conference, signs of such support and understanding were visibly shown by village communities across Samoa, and not solely focussed on the location of the conference venue. 

This paper is about the support provided by our local communities and village governments to ensuring that as a host nation, the S.A.M.O.A Pathway is driven from the hearts of the nation.  The support of our communities was portrayed in more ways than anticipated.  However, only three will be mentioned to demonstrate that local governments played a pivotal role in the success of this phenomenal event.  In mobilizing our local communities, the whole of Samoa was involved. 

Firstly, beautifying Samoa was the utmost priority of the local village governments.  Visitors were greeted to flying banners and colourful flags from the time they arrived at Faleolo International Airport.  Even coconuts were painted in different colours and placed on the roadside.  There were numerous banners welcoming visitors in different languages across the main island of Upolu.  Even the furthers places from the SIDS Conference at Lalomanu displayed their support and welcoming spirits, by beautifying Samoa.  Even villages at the main island of Savaii were decorated although it was only visited by tourists.  Fine mats, one of our most treasured asset, were used in some places; while two villages put up Samoan fales on the road leading from the airport.  The sight at Nofoalii shores at night was spectacular, in which a boat was decorated specifically to welcome visitors.  Even the non traditional villages were mobilized to beautify their villages – to which the commitment and dedications of individual families is highly commended.

Secondly, Village Governments ensured that Samoans were at their very best.  Like fine mats, carefully interwoven by the Samoan women for special purposes, so were our local village governments in ensuring that “our Sunday best were always worn on our sleeves.  Therefore, Samoans very best, as always, was worn throughout while entertaining and providing the necessary services to diplomats and heads of governments, as well as tourists that were visiting our shores. Samoa as the treasured islands of the Pacific, demonstrated and showered visitors with their best attitudes, best smiles, best friendliness, best services, and definitely the best of their very best in all the social and behavioural modes.  No words could describe the absence of any major incident in any of the villages in Samoa, where Samoans best behaviour were shared with visitors.  Even chiefly titles were bestowed on two renowned diplomats during their visits to Saleaaumua and Saleapaga respectively.  The traditional tattoos were also shared with visitors, who were willing to master the pain of getting a tatau (tattoo).

Thirdly, village governments, as is the normal practice across Samoa, provided extra security in the Apia area.  The villages of Vaimoso, Apia and Matautu in particular, which are located within the vicinity of the Central Business District, were at the forefront of ensuring that diplomats, tourists and delegates were secured and protected.  Their assistance through all night curfews were highlighted and praised by the Commissioner of Police.  This was also seen in places far from town, in which young men and chiefs were on the road to remind drivers to drive safely, protect pedestrians on the road and ensure that evening prayers to the Almighty for his guidance and protection, were offered on curfew times in the evening. In mobilising these extra assistance from the villages, the Police were able to concentrate their services and resources to where they were urgently needed, especially at the Conference venue.

Samoa has been praised for its commitment and dedication to the success of the SIDS Conference.  The Pacific region is definitely proud of how Samoa has shown the Pacific spirit to the delegates from the Caribbean and Mauritius and across the world.  The government of Samoa on the other hand has been grateful to all its citizens and people that a thanksgiving church service was held at the Catholic Church on Sunday, 7^th September, while a national holiday was declared on Monday, 8^th September, 2014.  This was an opportunity also for our local governments and village councils to reflect on their invaluable contribution to the success of the SIDS Conference, and declare with confidence, “we did it!”  Consequently, championing local governments has produced outstanding results that ultimately led to the realization of the outcomes of the S.A.M.O.A Pathway.