The Royal Oceania Institute: New Tongan think tank to advance fact-based, ethical research and foster dialogue Featured
Nuku'alofa, 30 March 2016. The Royal Oceania Institute (ROI), an independent Tongan think-tank is soon to be formally established in Tonga’s capital, Nuku‘alofa.
The ROI’s goals are to support and pursue Pacific-centered, ethical, fact-based research and analysis. It will also facilitate open dialogue on topics relevant to community, sustainable development, and regional relations.
The Patron of the ROI is His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ’Ulukalala. The Chair of the ROI, Lord Fakafanua, says, “We are grateful and privileged for the visionary efforts of His Royal Highness and the ROI team is ready to take on the challenge.”
The ROI grew out of an identifiable need for a non-partisan, permanent, accessible and reputable platform for building confidence and cooperation, and encouraging broad information sharing and understanding. One of the many advantages of this approach is that through better research and open dialogue, investments in development have a better chance of reaching their full potential, at the same time as minimizing unnecessary loss.
ROI Director, Mr. Tevita Motulalo, says this is an exciting new era for Tonga and the region, and the ROI should bring faith to the community in crafting a way forward for the country and the region. “The ROI looks to bring together government, private sector, CSOs, faith groups, and other stakeholders, with facts and ethical research to help build broad-based, resilient and sustainable solutions.”
Adds Lord Fakafanua, “Stakeholders involved in Tonga need independent and verifiable, fact-based research. One of our goals is to empower people with unbiased factually researched information and provide forums for constructive discourse. We hope to co-operate and complement existing efforts for sustainable development.”
A special area of interest for the ROI is the dynamic relationships in the region and the world, focusing on key topics including: Great Powers in the Pacific, the Environment and Maritime Security, Trade and the Economy, and Pacific Relations.
Discussions for collaborations with similar organizations in the region and further abroad are already underway.
The ROI is actively working on finalizing official registration, appointing a Board of Directors, and selecting an Advisory of Eminent Persons to help guide the Institution.
The ROI has not yet started accepting funding, and will stringently pursue a policy of independence. Funding will not influence the direction or quality of its research. The ROI is deeply committed to its vision for a strong, prosperous, secure and independent Tonga in a strong, prosperous and secure Pacific.
Inaugural event and Soft Launch
The ROI will host an inaugural event as part of its ‘soft launch’ this week, with a free conference for interested parties on “Negotiations and Public Affairs”.
The two-day workshop features Mr. Robert Valdmanis, former Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Rio Tinto Alcan, and current Professor at Concordia University, Canada.
Mr. Valdmanis explains that, “A key object of the exercise is to help parties craft sustainable and optimal outcomes from complex negotiations.”
In keeping with the ROI’s goal of providing practical information to support fact-based, independent analysis, the workshop will include hands-on scenario building exercises, conflict resolution exercises, confidence building measures, role-playing exercises, and war games.
A soft-launch reception will be held afterwards.
The Patron of the ROI is His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ’Ulukalala. The Chair of the ROI, Lord Fakafanua, says, “We are grateful and privileged for the visionary efforts of His Royal Highness and the ROI team is ready to take on the challenge.”
The ROI grew out of an identifiable need for a non-partisan, permanent, accessible and reputable platform for building confidence and cooperation, and encouraging broad information sharing and understanding. One of the many advantages of this approach is that through better research and open dialogue, investments in development have a better chance of reaching their full potential, at the same time as minimizing unnecessary loss.
ROI Director, Mr. Tevita Motulalo, says this is an exciting new era for Tonga and the region, and the ROI should bring faith to the community in crafting a way forward for the country and the region. “The ROI looks to bring together government, private sector, CSOs, faith groups, and other stakeholders, with facts and ethical research to help build broad-based, resilient and sustainable solutions.”
Adds Lord Fakafanua, “Stakeholders involved in Tonga need independent and verifiable, fact-based research. One of our goals is to empower people with unbiased factually researched information and provide forums for constructive discourse. We hope to co-operate and complement existing efforts for sustainable development.”
A special area of interest for the ROI is the dynamic relationships in the region and the world, focusing on key topics including: Great Powers in the Pacific, the Environment and Maritime Security, Trade and the Economy, and Pacific Relations.
Discussions for collaborations with similar organizations in the region and further abroad are already underway.
The ROI is actively working on finalizing official registration, appointing a Board of Directors, and selecting an Advisory of Eminent Persons to help guide the Institution.
The ROI has not yet started accepting funding, and will stringently pursue a policy of independence. Funding will not influence the direction or quality of its research. The ROI is deeply committed to its vision for a strong, prosperous, secure and independent Tonga in a strong, prosperous and secure Pacific.
Inaugural event and Soft Launch
The ROI will host an inaugural event as part of its ‘soft launch’ this week, with a free conference for interested parties on “Negotiations and Public Affairs”.
The two-day workshop features Mr. Robert Valdmanis, former Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Rio Tinto Alcan, and current Professor at Concordia University, Canada.
Mr. Valdmanis explains that, “A key object of the exercise is to help parties craft sustainable and optimal outcomes from complex negotiations.”
In keeping with the ROI’s goal of providing practical information to support fact-based, independent analysis, the workshop will include hands-on scenario building exercises, conflict resolution exercises, confidence building measures, role-playing exercises, and war games.
A soft-launch reception will be held afterwards.
