A PACIFIC Heritage Hub has been launched at the University of the South Pacific.
This was possible with the assistance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Australian government and stakeholders to initiate a "Pacific Heritage Hub".
USP vice chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra said the opening of the new hub was a testimony to USP's commitment to the development of Pacific arts and culture and the understanding of our society.
With the support of the Australian government, he said they gave life to the dreams of the Pacific and its people to showcase the Pacific culture and heritage to the rest of the world.
"The Pacific might be small, vulnerable and isolated but there are many things in our culture that can teach the rest of the world and it is this dream that the government of Australia has funded," Prof Chandra said.
He said the funding should be combined with passion and commitment of the people for the development of this fantastic idea — the Pacific Heritage Hub.
The hub will act as an interactive knowledge management facility with a view to enhancing information sharing and strengthening heritage management capacity.
The hub would focus on Pacific cultural and natural heritage and facilitate networking across areas including biodiversity, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, arts and languages.
It also brings together donors and Pacific proponents to fund worthwhile heritage projects in the Pacific.
Prof Chandra said the hub would also give pride to the people of the Pacific of their identity and the courage to have deeper understanding of their culture and identity.
Speaking at the launch last Wednesday, Acting High Commissioner for Australia, Suzanne Wilson said the hub was indeed a history for the Pacific people in creating a focal point for the entire heritage in the region.
Covering 22 Pacific Island countries, Ms Wilson said the hub would be the link between UNESCO, Pacific government, institutions, organisations and indigenous communities. The launch was also a breaking barrier to showcase the Pacific heritage to the world.