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My name is Felicia Brown. Acton. Um, I am the programme coordinator for international development at the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. But I'm not here in the capacity of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. I'm here as a Pacific delegate. Key points that I touched on this morning during my plenary keynote session was, um, one about the inclusion of culturally appropriate identity terms that refer to us in the Pacific. Secondly, was around proper Pacific representation on Asia Pacific and global forums. Um, and thirdly, [00:00:30] it was just more so to talk about the future and where we're at and, um, why we think it is something very important in terms of having that voice from the Pacific. Would you mind just going through those three points and just expanding on them a little bit? Sure. Well, the first point kind of because I think there's been a lot of emphasis on um, what I stated was MVPFF, which is [00:01:00] those traditional terms to us in the Pacific, actually have a place within the home within society. They are terms that we identify, and they're actually within our language prior to colonisation. So they have a lot more. I would say the feeling and the spirit behind it actually has a lot more meaning to it to us as as to whether we come from the Pacific. Now the LGBTI, [00:01:30] um, term doesn't actually relate to us in the Pacific one. The word lesbian was obviously created because of the sexual act between two women. Gay not even referring to what a gay man is or states in the dictionary that it's something to refer to as quite, you know, um, friendly or fruitful as you do. Um, and with transgender, it's a medical something created medical to explain cross sexes. Um, so I don't [00:02:00] see the relevance in identifying terms that really are not within the language, not within the spirit. And it doesn't capture the very essence of them. So that was kind of the main focus behind it. Now, in order for us to actually achieve things like signing joint statements, um, we need to have the cultural reference and relevance included under the LGBTI umbrella or alongside it, so that when we put pressure on our governments back in the Pacific [00:02:30] that they are actually they see the need for it. It's almost like a father saying that his child or her child or or or his you know, her child, um, actually need support in some sense now, I'm not saying that that's going to break barriers and pull, pull down barriers and break boundaries. But if there's a cultural reference to us, then of course it's important within our countries. And it's important for us to take responsibility and voice that to our government so that they can see the need [00:03:00] and the justice in it. So that kind of really was the focus around that part. The other part is around the representation now, in terms of representation on Asia, Asia and Asia Pacific and the Global Forum. There is very little Pacific representation, but I made a key point around the 22 Pacific island countries and territories and that when coming to factor things like, um, joint statements and stuff one. The vote does [00:03:30] count, um, and the importance behind the vote and that voice, but also that the representation needs to be there. Now if you're voting on Asia Pacific things and if there is votes from certain Asian countries or other countries and there is no vote for Pacific people. How can we call it Pacif Asia Pacific when there was no inclusion and it didn't really touch too much on it? But that's kind of the, um, the other view around it, but also the fact that the [00:04:00] name Pacific Pacific Rim Pacific peoples, the South Pacific there is a lot that defines the Pacific. Now, if it's not Pacific in relation to Pacific peoples, then be specific about what part of the Pacific you're representing now. We're really thankful to the Kingdom of the Netherlands also, because they've given us this opportunity to to be a part. And I think it's probably for me in in the last 12 years of working in this, um, this sector, it's [00:04:30] the first time I've actually seen really good representation the inclusion of the American Samoan um association. So, um, that is a voice that we have never, ever heard before. But because of that funding system through the Kingdom of the Netherlands, they have allowed for that opportunity to happen now. There should be representation of 22 Pacific island countries and territories here, and that goes to say that in terms of the inclusiveness of Asia Pacific everybody [00:05:00] needs to be involved from no matter where they come from within that region. And it's a responsibility that of those that are making the decisions, to make sure that these people are involved from its conceptual stages, right to the very end and inclusive also in the decision making. And that's my point around the, um the the um proper representation specifically with our specific peoples on these levels. [00:05:30] And there was a third point, and the third point also captures it was capturing the whole first point and the second point that making a bold statement and also touching on what Marilyn Waring said in her keynote earlier this week. And that was around. Don't be afraid. Use what you have to use and for us. We want people to use our terminology, which we identify to. We want people to make sure we are represented, but also the fact that she stated that the LGBTI [00:06:00] movement could also jeopardise others movements. And it could affect our movement in general within the Pacific, Um and then also making the bold statement around representation. So that's kind of the third point was around more so. The conclusion and the conclusion in itself. I mean, my presentation had nothing to do what I spoke about today coming here. But because of the keynote from car in and we we look there [00:06:30] and because of all the discussions here amongst all the Pacific people, it actually created some kind of a movement. And obviously, if it was movement building for change, the movement happened here for us in the Pacific. And that's what we wanted to voice across. Um, and that's kind of like where my direction came from being the last keynote speaker. Unfortunately, I had to conclude, and it wasn't. I wasn't here today to talk, to make people laugh. I wasn't here today to talk, to make people cry or [00:07:00] disrespect anyone or any group because we know we're a part of the Rainbow family. But again, our street community, they don't get LGBT back in the Pacific. What they get is our cultural references to us or terms. Um, so yeah, that's kind of where the ending sort of went forward on. And how was that plenary received? Um, actually, I think I did quite well because I got quite a lot of applauses right there. and I don't know whether you measure it up home applauses. But, you know, amongst the [00:07:30] LGBTI community, the fabs is what rains superior. So I think we from the Pacific actually came forward with some very strong statements. And I love the fact that, um, Marion Street, the who um, chaired the plenary session actually stated straight after I speak that she doesn't think there will after this conference, that there will be another conference ever the same. I think that's what she said I couldn't catch. I was too emotional. Um, but this strong statement around from what [00:08:00] she said actually captures She's actually right. It needed to be heard. It needed to be said, And this is what everybody is saying. I still see a few people noses up in the air. Um, but, you know, that could just be me taking it wrong. Um, but also, um, I think it was well received, and I and I hope it does get heard, and I hope it does, um, make change in in terms of the way people perceive us and see us because we want to be as much involved in the process as everybody else's [00:08:30] you. You've just come out of the Pacific caucus. What were the recommendations from that? The recommendations were, um, one A balance of issues. Whether they be sex work, um, lesbian or trans. They felt that, um, those issues were kind of not so many. So they would like to see, um, a balance of issues at future, um, out games, conferences or human rights conferences. Um, the other one was funding, um, the need for funding in order for Pacific, [00:09:00] um, community, uh, Pacific island community groups or people to actually attend in the future because it is a downfall for us. Um, the other one was, um, further Pacific forums for us to continue communicating amongst one another in forums to discuss, um, human rights relevant to us in the Pacific so that we can align, align them to international human rights and also to future, um, out games, human rights conferences. Um, [00:09:30] so that was another one. There also, um, was the recommendation around the culturally appropriate, um, references or terms MVPFF and out of this caucus, we've managed to, um, note key peoples as representatives for those countries. So, um, we have represented a representative from Fiji, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu in the Cook Islands. And this is to continue for the dialogue, [00:10:00] Um, and to discuss it at another level about how we can start to implement these recommendations. Um, and make sure that they're continued on and not sort of just left here in Wellington for you personally. Have there been any surprises or challenges from this conference? No, I actually, um if I was to say that it was absolutely wonderful and the experience was amazing and everything ran smoothly, I'm sure everything behind the scenes didn't go so wonderfully. [00:10:30] Um, my only my only view would be that there would be more contingency plans, especially with some of the sessions or workshops. Um, that didn't go forth. Um, because of I don't know whether it was communication with people key people that were meant to be here presenting. So I see that it should be Instead of cancelling these the workshops, something else should be put in place. Um, but besides that, I think it's, um, for us. The main thing is that we had representation here and had a voice, [00:11:00] so I can't moan about anything else. Maybe probably a bit more food because we are Pacific Islanders and we love to eat and maybe somewhere to sit when you eat. Because in our Pacific, um, and in our culture it's rude to stand and eat. Um, we like to sit and eat and communicate and around food because it's the very I mean we Polynesian, the melanesians and obviously the mess are a lot smaller, but we're big people and big eaters. What about in [00:11:30] terms of, um, differing views or speakers? I mean, have there been any ideas that have challenged your way of thinking They wouldn't voice that publicly? I can say that. And I and I honestly say that there was, um, a couple of people that actually came out to try and challenge what I actually stated today. What it comes back down to is our names existed prior to colonisation. We have that right. We must stick to that right and the identity, and we are not going to allow anyone to tell us otherwise [00:12:00] because that would be going against the very fabrication of who we are as Pacific Island people. And I guess that's because it's a ignorant perception of who we are in the Pacific and that they do have their own agendas. Um, and obviously the relationships between certain Asian countries and Pacific countries is not right. Um, but unfortunately, a lot of that does come down to the push strings and who is competing for [00:12:30] funds of whatever they may be? Um, and I understand that, and I see that, but in the same sense Pacific people being left out because other people are taking on taking money on their behalf, but not including them. Um, and I've sort of that's my overview. In terms of the the conversations, I've had one on one, but in general, I think everyone has received what has been said is [00:13:00] a right for us to actually voice that concern. But whatever anyone else's political agenda is, if it's not going to benefit the collective, the Pacific is not interested. So just so I clarify, So was the challenge that I can call you LGBTI because I can. The actual challenge was, why should we include MVPFF? Are you telling the United Nations to list every single cultural identity or term [00:13:30] when they address the LG LGBTI collective? I said, why can't they. That's what they're paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to do. Why abbreviate us under an umbrella term? Because they don't have enough time to mention or come up with? I'm not saying things to be creative, but if it doesn't have any cultural reference, this is exactly what I will continue to voice. Then it has no relevance to us. And that's the underlying factor [00:14:00] to why we voiced what we voiced. Um, and don't continue to put us in labels and fit us within labels because eventually what happens? People get left out. If somebody was hearing this tape in 30 years time or when they do, what would you say to that person? I would like to hope that that their approach within whatever they work is as simple as possible. Don't let [00:14:30] whatever directs you be dictated to you because of funds, because the measure is not fit enough because the measure is not of interest, because the measure does not fit the interests of your group if you have a genuine interest of the human right for whatever community you work in. The main factor is that the community is [00:15:00] what what matters. The most. And for me, I think that should be what drives your passion. That was what drives you to get out of bed every day to do the good work that you do. And to be honest about it, because you're not only answerable to, um your CEO or people above you, you're not only answerable to a report around being accountable and transparent, you're accountable to your very own people and the community that you serve. And without them, there [00:15:30] would be none of these positions ever created.
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