Conservation International (CI) Samoa continues to support Samoa through a partnership with Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS) a non-government incorporated society in Samoa to commit and collaborate to secure healthy oceans for Samoa. The purpose of the MoU is to facilitate cooperation and partnership between both parties in environmental education and awareness, especially in areas related to research, training, extension, collaboration, and community engagement.
The Conservation International Oceans Director- Leausalilo Leilani Duffy-Iosefa and the President of SVS, Memea Lyvia Seiuli Black, officially signed a 3-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this week for this purpose.
The partnership will guide the SVS objectives, specifically for engaging people and reintroducing traditional navigational and sailing methods of canoes, and it recognizes the support of CI in increasing environmental and voyaging literacy for the youth and communities. The MoU further supports outputs and activities under the Manaaki Project which engages the sailing of the Gaualofa around five selected sites in Samoa.
SVS acknowledges this support from international partner in funding their ongoing and future activities and for the continuation of the Guardians environmental awareness campaign targeted at district level schools.
About Conservation International
Conservation International is a non-government organisation that works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides for humanity. The non-profit has worked in the Pacific Islands region for more than 20 years. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
About Samoa Voyaging Society
The “Aiga Folau o Samoa” or Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS) is a Samoa-registered non-profit organisation established in 2009 for the purpose of reviving Samoan cultural traditions related to ocean sailing and navigation as well as the promotion of the wise stewardship of the Pacific Ocean. Our goals are to encourage and develop traditional Polynesian voyaging, navigation and maritime skills among Samoans and other Pacific Islanders, encourage conservation, protection and awareness of the Pacific Ocean and island environments and to undertake open ocean voyages to contribute to the revival of traditions including historical links between islands.