Topic: RMINews

Marshall Islands Report Emphasizes "Holistic" Approach in Education

A summary report and action plan of last year's Rethinking Education in the Marshall Islands conference was submitted to the Marshall Islands Government by Secretary of Education Biram Stege in February 2008. Conference participants agreed that skills and knowledge are needed to be globally competitive in the 21st century, but equally important was education that promotes and preserves the Marshallese identity.

"Several projects are expected to start soon, including incorporating Marshallese skills into our regular academic programs in elementary and secondary schools, and major improvements to the materials provided for our Marshallese Language Arts classes," reported Secretary Stege on behalf of the Conference Committee.

MORE:
• Rethinking Education in the Marshall Islands - Summary Report and Action Plan

Marshall Islands Tourism Agency Announces Upcoming Events

Last week, the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority (MIVA) announced its programs and tourism-related events for April through June. Highlights include the nation-wide Constitution Anniversary (May Day) Festivities on May 1-3 and the famed Ailinglaplap Canoe Race and Fishing Tournament on May 9-10. The Marshalls will also host several meetings, eco-tourism groups, and media visits.

MORE:

• 2nd Ailinglaplap Traditional Trolling Fishing Tournament
• Marshall Islands Visitors' Authority Calendar of Events

Republic of the Marshall Islands Recognizes Kosova

According to KosovaPress, on April 17, 2008 the Pacific Islands' nation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) officially recognized the newly-founded Republic of Kosova.

The RMI is the 37th out of the United Nations 192 countries to officially recognize Kosova since its declaration of independence from Serbia on February 17 of this year.

Marshall Islands President Makes First Official Visit to Japan

Japan-Marshall Islands Summit Meeting - Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Litokwa Tomeing at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.

Japan and Marshall Islands Leaders - Photo: RMI President shakes hands with Japan Prime Minister

Visit to Japan of President Litokwa Tomeing - State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Prime Minister

Marshall Islands Backs Japan's "Cool Earth" Initiative - Marshall Islands faces the threat of climate change

Japan to help island nations tackle climate change - Fukuda's said initiative will help islands, and Tomeing expressed support for Japan's research whaling activities

Appointment of Marshall Islands Ambassadors and Other Government News

Marshall Islands Name New Ambassadors - virtual clean sweep reflects the change in government here

Visit of H.E. Ambassador Richard James Rudy - Acting President Loeak welcomed Malta Ambassador

Water lab gets US stamp of approval - RMI certification to analyze drinking water.

Record no. of allies to attend inauguration - RMI President to attend Taiwan Inauguration May 10

201 nations, organizations confirmed to join 2010 World Expo - With the written confirmation from the Marshall Islands

Istanbul Declaration - on Promoting Cooperation Between Turkey and The Pacific Island States, Istanbul, Turkey 9 April 2008

Marshall Islands Strengthens Tobacco and Alcohol Import Policy

Countersigning of entry declaration forms for cigarettes and alcohol and their related products will now be required in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The new policy becomes effective April 1, 2008, according to the notice issued by the RMI Assistant Secretary of Finance for Customs, Treasury, Revenue and Taxation on March 13.

"Ideally, such new procedure will help to strengthen our internal control also help to prevent illegal activities from transpiring, thus leveling out the playing field," said Assistant Secretary Bruce Bilimon.

Hearing for NGO Regulatory Legislation Scheduled for Thursday

The Marshall Islands' umbrella organization for non-governmental organizations (NGO's) is asking the nation's parliamentary body to defer introduction of legislation that would affect the incorporation and operation of NGOs in the small, Pacific nation.

A public hearing, on the Nitijela Bill No. 8, "Incorporation of Non-governmental Organizations and such other Not-for-Profit entities Act, 2008," is scheduled on Thursday, March 13, in the Nitijela conference room. Members of the Marshall Islands Council of Non-Government Organizations (MICNGOs) will be asking the Standing Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Relations to table the bill until the next legislative session.

Marshall Islands President Tomeing Arrives in Taiwan for 5-Day State Visit

Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) President Litokwa Tomeing was welcomed with a 21-Gun Salute upon arrival in Taipei early this week. Although this is President Tomeing's third trip to Taiwan, the five-day visit will be his first as RMI President. The remarks of Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian during the March 10 ceremony follow:

Marshall Islands Rugby Club Wins Guam Tournament

Marshalls win True Grit XI - Marshall Islands Rugby Club won Para Todu Rugby Club 15-5 -PHOTO MARSHALLL ISLANDS TEAM

Marshall Islands wins True Grit Tourney - Marshall Islanders, were big, fast, hard hitting

Marshall Islands Rugby Club Visits RMI President's Office - MIRC receives check in support of sport in Islands

Forum Team Releases Report on 2007 Marshall Islands Elections

The Pacific Islands Forum Team which observed the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ (RMI) 2007 Nitijela election publicly released its report on 28 February 2008. The public release of the report is in accordance with usual practice for Forum election observer missions, and follows official submission of the report to the President of RMI on 21 February 2008.

The report sets out in some detail the Team’s observations on key issues arising in the 2007 election. The Team expresses the view that the electoral system used in RMI is fundamentally sound, and that the existing electoral laws provide most of the fundamental provisions necessary for effective and credible elections.

Marshall Islands President Indicates Remedial Measures Coming to Ebeye

Republic of the Marshall Islands' President Litokwa Tomeing attended the Kwajalein Liberation Day celebration on Ebeye earlier this month and promised to stand with the people in their quest to secure better conditions for themselves and their future generations. "I reaffirm my pledge that the government will do everything in its power to improve the welfare of all Marshallese," said the President.

The delegation from Majuro, which also included RMI Cabinet Ministers, toured public works facilities and held a meeting on Monday with community leaders to discuss the issues and problems unique to Ebeye.

College of Marshall Islands Continues on Warning Status

The regional accrediting commission for community and junior colleges, in its January meeting, commended the College of the Marshall Islands for its meaningful progress, but continued the College on warning status.

In a letter to CMI President Wilson Hess from Dr. Barbara Beno of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the College was informed that there were still deficiencies in regard to three of the seven recommendations noted in the last year's action letter.

Agency Announces Marshall Islands Tourism Awareness Week

The Marshall Islands Visitors Authority (MIVA) has designated the week of March 10-15 as Tourism Awareness Week. "This is the first ever of its kind to take place in the Marshall Islands and we are hoping for full community support and participation," says Dolores deBrum-Kattil, General Manager.

The opening ceremony will take place on March 10 at the International Conference Center with a guest speaker from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Micronesia Chapter.

Project Seeks to Strengthen Regional Cooperation among Forum Island Countries

As part of efforts to further develop implementation of the Pacific Plan, a regional Technical Assistance (TA) team will be on Majuro, Marshall Islands, from February 18 - 22. The project is sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in cooperation with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, and implemented by Business and Government Strategies International, Inc., USA.

Emphasis will be placed on working with Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) planning and finance personnel so that regional and subregional development initiatives are integrated into national level planning, budget and management cycles.

Marshall Islands' Communications Director Resigns

Bob Jericho, Director of Communications for the Office of the President, submitted his resignation earlier this week. In letters to Republic of the Marshall Islands' (RMI) President Litokwa Tomeing and the Public Service Commission, the PR Chief said he was resigning from his post effective January 31, 2008 to attend to his newborn son’s medical needs.