USP hosts gathering for Pacific Artists

One of the biggest gatherings of Pacific Island artists, musicians and scholars is set to take place during a Conference next month.

Hosted by the University of the South Pacific at its Laucala Campus in Suva from July 3 to 7, the conference, dubbed Vaka Vuku – Navigating Knowledge, brings together about 150 delegates from New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the Northern Pacific region.

Aside from the presentation of papers, a Pacific film and arts festival will be among the highlights of the week.

The director of the conference, Larry Thomas, says the idea emerged in 2004 when USP academics raised the need for a forum to discuss issues relevant to the Pacific.

He says it's a celebration and a way forward of knowing and discussing what’s happening around the world and in the region.

The event would allow Pacific scholars to discuss different ways and manners of approaching Pacific knowledge as compared to European knowledge.

He says the event would not only benefit the participants but also USP in terms of raising its academic profile.

News source: http://www.sibconline.com.sb/main.asp