Culture and heritage go hand in hand with sustainable development

 
Apia, 3 September 2014
The Tokelau Minister of Education was impressed by the SIDS side event that focused on strengthening the inclusion of culture and heritage in our islands; the focus underscores the advancement of sustainable development. This event was a good networking opportunity for Tokelau.

Speakers included the Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Pacific (USP), UNESCO specialists for culture, the Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission, and the Human Development Advisor of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

The Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage 2003 has only been ratified by 24 of the 52 SIDS countries. The speakers made presentations to promote the importance of this Convention. Culture and heritage should be included into national sustainable development plans, and in particular in the SIDS-SAMOA pathway outcomes document, they stated.

With the impact of climate change threatening the existence of small island nations such as Tokelau, it is critical that the culture and heritage are recorded and preserved for future generations.
tuluma26aug14JJ-300

The tuluma, a cultural icon of Tokelau worth preserving.