Introduction.
The Secretariat of the Oceania Development Network (ODN) is currently based at the National University of Samoa (NUS). The Secretariat relocated to NUS in October 2007 which also coincided with the 2nd biennial ODN conference on ‘Security, growth and Development in the Pacific' which was held at NUS.
The primary objective of the ODN is to provide a platform for researchers in the region to interact with each other, share knowledge and skills to foster team research, and build and update regional databases. Such a platform will serve as a useful way to identify contemporary issues that underpin the development agenda in the Oceania region through high quality research, information dissemination and contribute to policies.
In line with the above objective, a number of key activities have been planned for the time of the ODN at NUS. These include: capacity building workshops for younger researchers, regional research competitions on contemporary issues, development research seminars and regional conferences. Please visit the ODN website regularly for more information about these future events and activities.
The current members of the Executive Committee of the ODN are: Billy Manoka (UPNG), Fikreth Shuaib (FDC), Pamela Thomas (ANU), John Overton (University of Wellington, Victoria), Vijay Naidu (USP), Joseph Foukona (Solomon Islands and Vanuatu), Wood Salele (National University of Samoa), along with representatives from AusAID and NZAID. The ODN’s representative on the GDN governing body is Professor Vijay Naidu (University of South Pacific, Fiji).
I would like to acknowledge the assistance of our sponsors – the Global Development Network (ODN’s parent body); Australian International Development Agency (AusAID) and the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID).
Thank you also, to all the supporters and well-wishers of the ODN and its activities.
Finally, please register yourself as members of the ODN by logging on to the GDN website (www.gdnet.org). Also, please register as members of the ODN and be in direct contact with us here in the Pacific.
You will benefit immensely from being engaged with the ODN and its and activities.
Afualo Dr Wood Salele
ODN Chair
National University of Samoa
Le Papigalagala Campus
Apia, Samoa