UnitingWorld Pacific Partner Learning Forum, 2024
Rev. Taualo Penivao, General Secretary of our partner Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu, summed up the mood of the UnitingWorld Pacific Partner Learning Forum that was hosted by the Pacific Theological College in Suva:
“What we have done this week is very very important in supporting how we collaborate in the Pacific.”
Representatives from eight church partners from across the Pacific joined UnitingWorld staff, special guests from Pacific Conference of Churches, Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, the Uniting Church in Australia and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and other stakeholders to further develop and strengthen our partnerships in the region.
One of the major themes was climate resilience.
Church partners took time to hear each other’s stories and experiences before setting priorities for the future of our regional work addressing the challenges of climate change.
UnitingWorld’s partners in Vanuatu, Tonga and Fiji shared with us their responses to cyclones and tsunamis.
Two themes emerged: our partners’ sincere appreciation and gratitude for the support Australians have provided in responding to these emergencies; and the recognition of the strong bonds of solidarity and love between Pacific nations who supported each other in whatever ways they could.
Our partners pointed out that the churches are always the first to respond to emergencies as they are on the spot – they are in the community because they are the community.
From the lower lying, and therefore more threatened, nations of Tuvalu and Kiribati, we heard powerful and moving stories of the existential threat of rising sea levels.
For them, responding to climate change now includes preparations for their communities to move to other countries, as many already have.
Despite the sadness of this, partners shared words of optimism about a new start, which is an example of the great hope and strength our partners possess.
Underpinning all of their responses is the strong faith of the people and the humour and care for others exhibited in our discussions.
We’re grateful for the time spent with partners learning, sharing stories and communion, praying and seeking to walk more closely together to overcome the shared challenges facing our region and our world.