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UNESCO Implementing Mauritius Strategy |
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| UNESCO at Mauritius '05 | |
| From Barbados'94 to Mauritius'05 | |
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| | Vaka Moana – the Ocean Roads |
In the Pacific region, one of UNESCO's principal contributions to the World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1997) was the Vaka Moana initiative, embedded in the culture and traditions of the Pacific and its peoples.
The name 'Vaka Moana' comes from the widespread use in the Pacific of the words 'Moana' for ocean and 'Vaka' for canoe. Vaka enshrines many associated meanings, including various dimensions of traditional and contemporary culture, as well as those associated with sea voyages for exploration, migration and trade. The intention of the planners of the Vaka Moana programme, however, was that it should address a broader range of activities, including the study of traditional and contemporary cultures, the reinforcement of traditional links, the conservation of resources and traditions, and economic development based on careful use of the region's resources. Fundamental to the philosophy of the World Decade for Cultural Development and to the Vaka Moana programme was a commitment to the recognition of cultural, spiritual and social values in the development process.
Thus, the development objectives of Vaka Moana were set with a view to gaining a better understanding and appreciation of the cultural heritage and diversity of the Pacific peoples, as well as the development of cultures and attitudes which build on that heritage while taking advantage of contemporary technologies and opportunities. Also with the aim of promoting a greater understanding of, and tolerance for, the values, practices and attitudes of others.
The programme also set five operational goals:
- Reinforcement of links between Pacific peoples through a better knowledge of their common historical links and dependence on the ocean;
- Promotion and dissemination of all forms of knowledge, both traditional and scientific, concerning the sea and its resources;
- Conservation, management and appropriate use of these resources for the benefit of the region;
- Promotion of all forms of art including craft which have the common theme of the sea;
- Involvement of all peoples of the various island countries of the Pacific, including those from non-independent island communities.
There were four central themes:
- Peopling of the Pacific, which covered linguistics, archaeology, anthropology (including biological anthropology), belief systems, social systems, migration including land and sea uses, oral history/tradition, and re-establishing links;
- Culture and Tourism, which included traditional and contemporary art forms, performing arts and visual arts, ecotourism, marketing and promotion of the Vaka Moana programme, and museums;
- Culture and Science, incorporating activities in marine resources, traditional land and sea uses, medicine, conservation and technology;
- Contemporary Pacific Societies, which addressed activities in such fields as economic, political and other structures, cultural pluralism, law and society, communication, religion and culture, and education.
In terms of outcomes, Vaka Moana contributed to a cultural renaissance in the Pacific. It served to highlight the need to revitalize indigenous languages and the importance of cultural practices such as traditional currency of exchange, arts and crafts, music and dance, and the important link between traditional and scientific knowledge. Vaka Moana also consolidated the recognition of framing any development from cultural dimensions. Since the termination of the World Decade for Cultural Development, many activities launched within Vaka Mona have continued at institutions such as the Canoe Institute in Majuro (Marshall Islands), Sculpture and Fine Arts School in Apia (Samoa), Department of Arts and Culture, Fiji Institute of Technology (Fiji) and others. Support from UNESCO's Participation Programme has enabled the completion of such projects as the Monolingual Dictionary in Samoa and the Draft Model Law for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture for the Pacific.
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Start date
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10-10-2005 2:00 pm
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End Date
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10-10-2005 2:00 pm
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CHAPTERS
