Talanoa & Development Project

Richard A. Falk, Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University, speaking about talanoa at the International Studies Association Annual Convention, Montreal, 18 March 2011:

“... talanoa, which I think is an extremely valuable way of conceiving of both conflict resolution and communication, in various types. Of communication that is preoccupied with how those with different cultural and historical and identity differences – how can they talk productively together. And I think one of the insights in this idea of noa – which is in a way, to me anyway, is the most creative aspect of this – is that it provides an instructional perspective on how to listen [so] that communication can really take place. Unless one learns to listen – and this is particularly important in communication that is contaminated by hierarchy, and particularly the hierarchies of the west and the non-west, where the Imperial heritage and predispositions of the west are to talk, but not to listen; to have things to tell the other, but nothing to learn from the other. So I think that what this talanoa does is to create potential conditions for communication based on a terrain of mutuality.”

Richard Falk is Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University and Visiting Distinguished Professor in Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has authored and edited numerous publications spanning a period of five decades, most recently editing the volume International Law and the Third World: Reshaping Justice (Routledge, 2008). He also served a six year term as a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.

Hu Hao, Deputy Director General, China Center for Contemporary World Studies during The Party and the World Dialogue 2014”, hosted by China Center for Contemporary World Studies, Beijing, China:

"As for the definition of consensus, I tend to agree with the congressman from Tonga in saying consensus means social stability. This represents the ancient wisdom of Tonga, which is consistent with that of China. Why do I get such an understanding? Well I think China is good at learning from its own history and the experiences of other countries as well."

Vaka Fanāua

Vaka Update

Donations

Our current development project involves building a prototype sailing passenger/ cargo boat for the Niua islands communities of Tonga to run and maintain.

1. -A community driven project, involving the Niua islands communities
   

1. -Promotes economic self-sufficiency and sustainability
   

1. -Promotes environmental conservation
   

1. -An innovative development prototype for other Pacific island communities
   

Talanoa ‘a e Kafataha

Understanding Tonga is key to doing business 

Pacific Cooperation Foundation presentation 4th November 2016, New Zealand Tonga Business Council (NZTBC)

Sitiveni Halapua 2015. “Talanoa: Measure of Relative Human Values in Global Cooperation” In Jan Aart Scholte (ed.) Global Cooperation Through Cultural Diversity: Remaking Democracy?

Global Dialogues 8, Käte Hamburger Kolleg /Centre for Global Cooperation Research, Duisburg 2015

Sitiveni Halapua 2015. Reform with a Plurality of Divergent Inter-generational Freedoms (Opportunities) To Achieve in Dialogue “China’s New Reforms: the Role of the Party. Papers from ”The Party and the World Dialogue” 2014, China Center for Contemporary World Studies & China Center for Peace and Development,

pp 247-258.

How can the CPC Handle Future Challenges?

Interview 24-11-2014, China Radio International

Talanoa in Building Democracy and Governance

By Dr Sitiveni Halapua

Presented at the Conference of ‘Future Leaders of the Pacific’ Pagopago, American Samoa, February 4-7 2013

WIthout Vision Where is Political Reform Taking Tonga?

20:40 Monday April 16 2012 Matangi Tonga Online

Dr Sitiveni Halapua: Pacific’s diversity key to finding peace and prosperity

5.30 AM Friday September 9, 2011 New Zealand Herald

International Studies Association Annual Convention

18.3.11 ‘Building Global Democracy as Talanoa’ was presented as part of a panel of BGD authors, with Richard Falk of Princeton University as discussant. More

More about the Building Global Democracy programme

Global Democracy as Talanoa: A Pacific (Outsider) Perspective (FULL PAPER)

Halapua S., and Peau Halapua (Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association Annual Conference “Global governance: Political Authority in Transition”, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel, MONTREAL, QUEBEC,CANADA March 16 2011)

East West Center ‘State of the Pacific Dialogue’

25-26.1.2011. A Talanoa based private ‘State of the Pacific Dialogue’ brought representatives from Pacific Island nations, Australia, Japan and the U.S. among others. More

More about East-West Center