Pacific Disability Forum Governing Board Convenes Its Annual Meeting Virtually

8/4/2020
With the successful completion of the 2020 Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Board election last month, the PDF governing Board begins its annual series of meetings today, Monday, 03 August 2020. This will be spread over four days ending on Thursday, 06 August 2020.

This event is held annually and attended by the members of the PDF governing Board in-person in Fiji. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and like most other regional and international meetings, this meeting is being conducted virtually over the next four days; thanks to Zoom and internet connectivity.
 
The PDF CEO, Mr. Setareki Macanawai served as Returning Officer for the PDF Board election and together with Ms. Rose Wilkinson, CEO of Blind Citizens New Zealand, they constituted the election Scrutineer Committee. “WE are delighted to share with you the outcome of the 2020 Board election” stated Mr. Macanawai.
  1. Co-Chairperson (Female) – Ms. Villaney Remengesau, Omekesang, Palau
  2. Board Member – Ms. Samantha French, PWD Australia
  3. Board Member – Ms. Melita Delaibau, Fiji Association of the Deaf
  4. Board Member – Mr. Ofeina Leka, Tonga National Visual Impairment Association
  5. Board Member – Mr. Teweiariki Teaero, Te Toa Matoa, Kiribati
Congratulatory messages were sent to the above individuals for taking up their positions in the PDF Board effective from August 2020. The Scrutineer Committee also thanked all voting delegates for exercising their constitutional duty in electing the female Co-Chairperson and four Board Member positions identified above. They will join the following serving members of the Board whose positions will be open for election in 2021:
  1. Co-Chairperson (Male) – Mr. Latoa Halatau-Talagi, Vision Pacific Charitable Trust, New Zealand
  2. Board Member – Ms. Mataafa Faatino Utumapu, Nuanua o le Alofa, Samoa
  3. Board Member – Mr Mataiti Mataiti, Cook Islands National Disability Council
  4. Board Member – Ms Jacqueline Garoau, Papua New Guinea Assembly of Persons with Disabilities
Pacific Disability Forum has 5 women and 4 men in its 9 member governing Board who are all persons with disabilities, representing the following 9 countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga. Apart from attending to organisational business matters, the PDF governing Board will also discuss over these four days partnership and working relationship with several key partners such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Government of Australia; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of New Zealand; CBM Australia and CBM New Zealand as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.