“Sports Update – 2014 Micronesian Games – Spear Fishing, Micronesian All-Around And Va’a (Outrigger Canoe)”
By Jim Tobin Sport Director, 8th Micronesian Games Organizing Committee
This is the last article updating the status of the sports to be played at the 2014 Micro Games. The last few issues of KPress have updated Athletics (Track and Field), Swimming, Basketball, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Fast-Pitch Softball, Baseball and Football.
This article will update the sports to be played in the ocean. The sports are Spear Fishing, Micronesian All-Around and Va’a (Outrigger Canoe). The 8th Micronesian Games will be held on Pohnpei from July 20 – 30, 2014. Participating in the games is CNMI (Northern Marianas), Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and the four Federated States of Micronesia states (Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap).
Filipino Community of Pohnpei goes all out for 116th Philippine Independence Day
The United Filipino Community of Pohnpei (UFCP)
The United Filipino Community of Pohnpei (UFCP) spearheaded the celebration of the 116th Philippine Independence last June 15, 2014 at the Etscheit Badminton Complex in Sokehs. Aside from the throng of Filipinos, the said celebration was also attended by the Members of the Diplomatic Community in Pohnpei including Chinese Ambassador & Mrs. Zhang Lianyun, Japanese Ambassador & Mrs. Masaki Sakai, United States Deputy Chief of Mission & Mrs. Michael Ordonez, Australian Consul & Mrs. Neil Young, Spain Honorary Consul Maria Linda Mendez, Pohnpei State Governor John Ehsa, and IOM Country Director and Mrs. Ashley Carl. UFCP, the mother organization of Filipinos in Pohnpei, annually commemorates the Philippine Independence Day.
Read more: Filipino Community of Pohnpei goes all out for 116th Philippine Independence Day
Investigation into missing thousands of dollars at Pohnpei Supreme Court (2)
By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press June 23, 2014 Pohnpei, FSM—
In February, Pohnpei auditors discovered that the Pohnpei Supreme Court had remitted to Pohnpei Treasury only $302 of the $29,614.50 it collected in fees. The discovery came as part of a surprise cash count inspection of the Pohnpei “collection points”—the units where revenue is collected. Of the six Pohnpei collection points, including Pohnpei’s Treasury, only the Department of Agriculture revolving fund was excluded from February’s surprise inspection.
Pohnpei’s Office of the Public Auditor (OPA) had already conducted and released an audit report that showed discrepancies in that department. The cash counts for the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Pohnpei State Hospital, and Community Health Centers came up clean. “Admirably so,” said Ihlen Joseph, Pohnpei’s Public Auditor.
Read more: Investigation into missing thousands of dollars at Pohnpei Supreme Court (2)
FSM’s achieves a new bench mark for its anti-human trafficking efforts
By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press Junes 23, 2014
Federated States of Micronesia—
Last week the U.S. Department of State released this year’s Trafficking in Person’s report on world efforts to combat human trafficking. For the first time FSM’s efforts have been upgraded to the Tier 2 list status from the Tier 2 Watch List rating it has received for most of the time it has been listed on the report. Tier 2 is the highest status the FSM has ever achieved for its efforts to curb human trafficking.
The Tier 2 rating is given to countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards. Of the 187 countries reviewed on the report, 89 were placed at Tier 2. Only 31 countries were placed at Tier 1 including the United States. The report said that Tier 1 does not mean that there is no problem with Human Trafficking in those countries. On the contrary, it means that the countries have recognized the problem and are actively combating it. 44 countries were placed on the Tier 2 Watch list and 23 were at the lowest ranking of Tier 3.
FSM’s efforts against human trafficking were first rated in the TIP report in 2009. FSM debuted on the Tier 2 Watch List, the next to the lowest tier in the system. It remained in that tier through 2010. In 2011 the FSM slipped to the lowest tier, Tier 3. In 2012 and 2013 it was again on the Tier 2 Watch List.
Read more: FSM’s achieves a new bench mark for its anti-human trafficking efforts
IOM gives disaster response training to Camp GLOW participants
By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press June 14, 2014 Pohnpei, FSM—
For many years, U.S. Peace Corps volunteers have been conducting camps for girls in the countries in which they serve. The FSM is no exception and this year in Pohnpei, due to the large number of girls participating in Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) they held two of them.
Read more: IOM gives disaster response training to Camp GLOW participants
FSM Congress recognized for Climate Change Act
June 25, 2014 Mexico City, Mexico—
The FSM was awarded a GLOBE award for its Climate Change legislation during a meeting of more than 70 parliaments and houses of Congress in Mexico City. On June 6-8th, Senator Yosiwo George, Senator David W. Panuelo, and Senator Berney Martin represented the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia at the GLOBE International World Summit of Legislators in Mexico City.
GLOBE International (Global Legislators Organisation) is a non-profit political organization that seeks to advance law on climate change, national capital accounting, and forests. During the 2nd World Summit of Legislators meeting, Congressman Panuelo co-chaired a parallel session with a legislator from Bangladesh. The session addressed Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. At the end of the summit two awards were presented for efforts on climate change policy and adaptation.
