Pacific Anglican leaders will gather at the Mission Centre of the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji this week for the second ‘Moana: Water of Life Talanoa conference’, which centres on the theme ‘From Lamentation to Hope: Building Resilience’. 

Bishop of Polynesia, Archbishop Sione Silongo Ulu’ilakepa is keen to see talanoa that will move the region towards shared Pacific ways of sustaining a healthy future in the context of climate change.

"Our journey from lamentation to hope is not just a pathway, but a sacred duty to our people and our planet," said Archbishop Sione Uluilakepa this week.

This week’s Talanoa in Suva will continue conversations begun in 2019 at the inaugural Moana Water of Life conference held in the United Kingdom by the Diocese of Lincoln. 

This week’s talanoa is co-hosted by the Kurahautū - the Archbishops’ Wayfinder Unit, and the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, and welcomes participants from theological colleges in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, and climate justice advocates from the Diocese of Lincoln and Diocese of Sheffield.  

“With the urgent need for climate action being more critical than ever, this conference aims to bring together diverse voices to explore and develop practical solutions for building resilient communities and ecosystems.” said Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi from the Diocese of Polynesia today.  

This week’s Moana Water of Life gathering will feature expert speakers and thematic sessions designed to take place in talanoa format, which is a traditional Pacific method of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. Talanoa allows for deep listening, sharing, discerning, and acting together, which fosters a collaborative environment for all participants. 

The ‘Moana Water of Life II: From Lamentation to Hope: Building Resilience’ talanoa will welcome an array of expert voices. Highlights include:

Indigenous Approaches to Resilience

Insights from Archbishop Don Tamihere, highlighting indigenous stewardship and resilience practices and Dr. Elizabeth Holland, who will explore the scientific underpinnings and practical applications of resilience. 

Faith-Based Perspectives

Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain from the UK Diocese of Lincoln will reflect on resilience through faith and community, and Archbishop Emeritus Winston Halapua will discuss the integration of traditional Polynesian voyaging practices with modern environmental strategies in his presentation "Our Mana Our Vaka: Navigating in the Crises and Threats to our Planet." 

Ecumenical Cooperation 

General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches Rev James Bhagwan will connect climate change and theology, emphasising the role of collective action and spiritual resilience. Rev Dr Cliff Bird will present "Re-Weaving the Ecumenical Mat," an initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration among faith-based organisations in the Pacific region.

Indigenous Theologies

Rev Dr Lusama Tafue will explore the relationship between indigenous spiritual beliefs and environmental stewardship, advocating for the integration of indigenous knowledge in global environmental efforts.

Ocean Resources and Geopolitics 

Ocean Champion and lead advisor, Taholo Kami will discuss sustainable ocean resource management and the potential for innovative partnerships. Paul Roughan will reveal the complex interplay of political, economic, and environmental factors in Pacific Ocean geopolitics, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for island nations. 

Community Resilience Initiatives 

Pacific experts in the Community Integrated Resilience Assessment (CIRA) will present the CIRA toolkit which offers practical ways to build community resilience within faith-based organisations, empowering churches to better prepare for and respond to climate-related challenges.

Anglican Taonga will share more from the Moana: Water of Life conference through this and next week.