July 11, 2023

At a special ceremony held at Sia’atoutai Theological College Hall on the 3^rd of July 2023, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Acting CEO for the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), officially launched three reports on the  ‘Development of a Climate Resilience Curriculum for Sia’atoutai Theological College’, as part of the Strengthening Adaptation Planning in Tonga Project (SAPT): The following reports were launched:

1. Course Outline & Assessment Guide
2. Academic Policies & Procedures
3. Community Engagement Guide & Implementation Plan

The SAPT Project, executed by the Department of Climate Change at MEIDECC, is funded under the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, National Adaptation Plan funding modality in collaboration with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and Sia’atoutai Theological College. The first phase of the Project was completed in 2021, which was to review the academic and ministerial curricula of Sia’atoutai Theological College (STC) to integrate Climate Change and ecological issues. The second phase aimed to develop an accredited course module on climate change, disaster preparedness, environment, and theology. These modules will be offered at Sia’atoutai Theological College as part of its academic and ministerial curricula, along with community-based resilience training for existing church leaders and ministers.

The two consultants responsible for implementing the first and second phases of the project were Rev. Dr. Nasili Vaka’uta, Principal of Trinity Theological College for the Methodist Church in New Zealand, and Rev. Dr. Jione Havea, a research fellow at Trinity Methodist Theological College in New Zealand and the Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre in Charles Stuart University, Australia.

Figure 1: Lauching and Handover of the Reports on the Development of a Climate Resilience Curriculum for Sia’atoutai Theological College from Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet and Acting CEO for MEIDECC to Rev. Dr. Paula Latu, Principal of Sia’atoutai Theological College

While presenting the reports to the Principal of Sia’atoutai Theological College, Rev. Dr. Paula Latu, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u acknowledged the role of the late Dr Netatua Prescott Taufatofua, Rev Dr ‘Ungatea Kata, and the Director of Climate Change, Lu’isa Tu’i’afitu Malolo, in developing the project. He emphasized the concept of ‘resilience’ as the project’s essence, noting that while there is no single Tongan term that perfectly encapsulates it, some have used the term ‘tu’utai,’ which carries biblical connotations and represents the ability to stand strong despite challenges.

Figure 2: Rev. Dr. Jione Havea, Rev. Kalolo Fihaki, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet and Acting CEO for MEIDECC, Rev. Dr. Nasili Vaka’uta and Rev. Dr. Paula Latu, Principal of Sia’atoutai Theological College after the launching event.

In the presentation of their Reports, Rev.Dr. Havea and Rev.Dr. Vaka’uta stressed the importance of the FWC constitution in regard to Climate Change and focused on the FWCT, Constitution 2005, XI.I, p.88 in which it reads “Everything in the Creation, is of God, and it is up to us to think about its utilization, or we may be accused of misusing it. It is therefore important to keep and protect it, and take note of the value of every aspect of the Creation, because it was created by God. Included in this, the water, the air we breathe, the land, the sources of power, the flora, the animals and the atmosphere.” They highlighted the church’s responsibility toward life, environment, and societal changes, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and preserving the natural beauty of the universe.

The FWC President Rt.Hon. Rev.Dr. Tevita Koloa’ia Havea, in his speech, thanked MEIDECC for the successful collaboration emphasizing that this is an important milestone for Sia’atoutai Theological College. He acknowledged the initiative would have far-reaching impacts on future generations, raising awareness and knowledge among students and local church ministers regarding the prevalence and manifestations of the climate crisis. He further noted that leveraging the church as a mechanism to support community uptake of climate adaptation practices extends the impact of the project beyond its implementation phase, as the church is deeply embedded in the daily lives of Tongans. He concluded his speech by emphasizing the significance of Implementing, and Monitoring and Evaluation stage of the project to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Figure 2: Rev. Dr. Jione Havea, Rev. Kalolo Fihaki, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u, Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet and Acting CEO for MEIDECC, Rev. Dr. Nasili Vaka’uta and Rev. Dr. Paula Latu, Principal of Sia’atoutai Theological College after the launching event.

In closing the launch event, Rev. Dr. Paula Latu, the Principal of STC, emphasized the importance of protecting the environment by practicing what one learns about climate change. He announced that Sia’atoutai Theological College would begin adopting eco-friendly lifestyle.

The launch ceremony was a joint event with the Department of Climate Change of MEIDECC and received tremendous support and coordination from the staff and students of Sia’atoutai Theological College.

The END