Pasifika Navigating Towards Safer Communities

Pacific Safer Communities & Crime Prevention Fono 2007

The theme of this fono was 'Pasifika Navigating towards Safer Communities' which draws on Pacific people's spirit and ancient skills of navigating through difficult and challenging time to safe shores.

The fono brought together people from diverse fields who are involved in preventing crime within Pacific communities. It provided opportunities to extend existing knowledge and continue to build and strengthen relationships.

The fono provided the platform for continuing discussion with Pacific communities, working more closely with government and other agencies in addressing the priority issues associated with offending by Pacific peoples.

The Government is committed to building strong sustainable, safe and connected communities and acknowledges the fono's role in finding and sharing the best solutions to address offending and victimisation in Pacific communities.

Community leaders, service providers and government officials had the opportunity to share their existing practice to help generate new action at the local level. There were also opportunities to discuss and debate potential new solutions as well as the need for increasing partnership between government and communities. The fono initiated discussions around a wide range of topics including sexual offending, problem gambling, youth gangs and other community based crime issues where Pacific organisations provide support and counselling services across the country. It also provided the forum to highlight examples of successful inter-agency approaches to Pacific Crime Prevention and illustrate local government and community initiatives that are positively impacting on Pacific communities.

Some of the key themes that came through at the fono were:

• Solutions to Pacific offending and victimisation need to be generated from within their own communities
• There is a need for strong role models for youth within Pacific communities
• That Pacific churches have a role to play in protecting and supporting Pacific youth and families.
• Increased funding is required to assist providers reduce re-offending in Pacific communities.

A Programme of Action for Pacific peoples has been developed by the Ministries of Justice and Pacific Island Affairs, drawing on consultation with key stakeholders. This programme is part of the Effective Interventions package and aims to reduce Pacific peoples over representation in the criminal justice system.

The Programme of Action was approved in December 2007, and implementation of initiatives under the programme is underway. From this work, key themes will be identified for discussion at a future national fono that will build on the successful June 2007 fono and will support the positive work occurring in communities nationwide.