Programme – Institute for Mission and Research

“Vakatabu: Ask for the Ancient Paths and Walk in it.”

Vuca: Our Context of Decay and Rebirthing

Day One - July 31, 2023

8am - 9am

Registration & Opening

Conference Opening by Minister for Itaukei Affairs, Culture and Heritage Colonel Ifereimi Vasu

Devotion
Garlanding and Sevusevu
Opening Speech
Vote of Thanks

General Introduction and Brief to the Conference

9.30am - 11am

Vucu Vakavanua

The Nana Technology Presentation by Sitella Rasiga

Keynote Speaker – Archbishop Dr Peter Loy Chong

Keynote Speaker – Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba

Morning Tea

11.30am - 1pm

Presenter – Professor Jonathan Osorio

Presenter – Rev. Dr. Faafetai Aiava

Poetry reading/song

Lunch

2.30pm -4.30pm

Panel: Rev. Dr. Faafetai Aiava, village elders and the youth

Evaluation

Day One Ends

Each participant will need to register for the day’s programme.

Facilitators for the day (to do the brief for the day)

These introduce the concept of vakatabu and the conference theme: “Vakatabu: Ask for the Ancient Paths and Walk in it.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

See the conference booklet for the keynote speakers abstracts.

This session is open for anyone who wishes to perform a poem, song or an art representation of the conference theme.

This session will be structured as a ‘talk-show’, and organized as a conversation about the theme for the day, between the young people, one or two elders from the villages, and one of the keynote speakers. This hosted by a moderator. It will be livestreamed for online reactions, questions and feedbacks.

Vakabulabulataki: Our Context of Decay and Rebirthing

Day Two - August 1, 2023

8.30am - 9am

Registration

Devotion and brief for the day

9am -11am

Keynote Speaker – Rev. Professor Upolu Luma Vaai

Keynote Speaker – Dr. Sereima Naisilisili

Keynote Speaker – Professor Kabini Sanga

Morning Tea

11.30am -1pm

Presenter – Dr. Subashni Kunar and Mrs. Runaaz Sharma

Dr Eci Naisele

Poetry reading/song/art presentation

Lunch

2.30pm -4pm

Panel: Dr. Eci Naisele, village elders and the youth

Evaluation

Day Two Ends

Each participant will need to register for the day’s programme.

Facilitators for the day.

See the conference booklet on the abstracts of their papers.

This is an open session for anyone who wishes to present a poem, song or an art representation of the theme.

Bulabula: Our Context of Decay and Rebirthing

Day Three - August 2, 2023

8.30am -9.30am

Registration

Devotion and brief for the day.

9am - 11am

Keynote Speaker – Professor Joeli Veitayaki

Keynote Speaker – Professor Anne Pattel-Gray

Keynote Speaker – Professor David Gegeo

Morning Tea

11.30am -1pm

Presenters – Dr. Seu’ula Johansson-Fua, Mr. Albert Seluka and Associate Professor Frances C. Koya Vaka’uta

Group work

Lunch

2pm - 3.30pm

Plenary: Draft outcomes statement and post-conference plans

4pm

Presentation of the outcomes statement to the government – Ministry of ITaukei Affairs, and Culture, Heritage and Arts

6pm

Conference closing

End of Vakatabu Conference

Each participant will need to register for the day’s programme.

Facilitators for the Day

See the conference booklet for the abstracts of their papers.

See the conference booklet on the abstract of their paper. The paper will be presented by Mr. Albert Seluka and Associate Professor Frances C. Koya Vaka’uta.

The group work will particularly look at what is required in government, education institutions and civil society organizations to pursue the vakatabu consciousness in their (a) policy planning; (b) strategies; and (c) methods of implementation.

The draft outcomes statement will be presented and discussed at this session. This includes the post-conference plans.

This involves the acknowledgements, entertainment, arts presentations, dinner, vote of thanks and devotion to close the conference