The Independent Diplomat has appointed Dr. Mahendra Kumar, as Climate Diplomacy Advisor, to assist the RMI with efforts in its “New Climate Diplomacy” strategy, aimed at mainstreaming climate change into its foreign policy.  Dr. Kumar is currently working at the Office of the President and will assist the Office of the President, relevant Ministers and senior Government officials with preparations for RMI’s hosting of the 2013 Pacific Islands Forum Summit, in particular aspects relating to climate change, energy and sustainable development.

The President last Friday declared a disaster under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as amended, due to the ongoing severe drought in the northern half of the country.

Darlene Keju was not unlike other young Marshallese of the‘60’s -‘80’s who left the Marshalls to get a college degree in the U.S. The difference is in what she did after she returned. 

Don't Ever Whisper, Darlene's soon-to-be-released biography, "tells the powerful story of a woman from a tiny Pacific island who championed the cause of nuclear weapons test survivors when others were silent, and who later implemented unparalleled community health programs and services that gave hope to a generation of troubled youth," says author Giff Johnson.

During a presentation of credential ceremony at the Cabinet conference room Thursday, President Christopher J. Loeak accepted the Letter of Credence of French Ambassador Gilles Garachon. The special ceremony was witnessed by members of the Cabinet, government officials, and the Honorary Consul of France.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a $100,000 emergency grant to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to help fund drought relief efforts in the northern areas of the Marshall Islands. On 19 April 2013, the Government declared a state of emergency for the northern islands, which was later elevated to a state of disaster on 8 May, in response to the persistent drought which has exhausted rainwater supplies and made groundwater from wells unsafe to drink. Water scarcity has also contributed to outbreaks of water-borne disease.

Earlie Carter Bing, who works at the Office of the President, represented the Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. He graduated May 8 from the APCSS. Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation and  received his certificate from Dean of Academics, College of Security Studies, Ambassador (Ret.) Lauren Kahea Moriarty.

Marshallese students, parents, teachers and service providers in Honolulu are invited to attend the 6th annual Marshallese Education Day this Saturday, May 11, at the New Hope Leeward Church in Waipahu. The yearly event, which began in 2008, recognizes Marshallese honor students, encourages parents to become more involved in education, and challenges students to aim for college.

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics collected in 2010, as many as 6,316 Marshallese are registered as living in Hawai‘i. And yet within the crowded, busy city of Honolulu, few opportunities arise for our Marshallese community to come together and celebrate our common goals and culture. The Marshallese Education Day is one of those few opportunities.

Marshall Islanders Abacca Anjain-Maddison and Tina Stege showcased the community-based work of the Rita Reimaanlok committee at the Milstein Science Symposium in New York City.  Held at the American Museum of Natural History April 9 - 11, the conference brought together local resource managers, scientists, policy makers and other leading conservation practitioners to present and analyze real-world case studies of social and ecological resilience on islands.  

Severe drought conditions in the northern islands/atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has prompted the Government to issue a State of Emergency. After relevant action plans were formalized, President Christopher J. Loeak signed the declaration on April 19, 2013, for the immediate mobilization of people and resources to mitigate the impact of drought in the affected islands/atolls.

A major collaborative effort has resulted in twelve new Marshallese-English children’s books. These twelve books, created through The Unbound Bookmaker Project, were written and illustrated by 211 students of the Marshall Islands. Each of the children involved in the project are receiving a copy of the book they worked on. The books have also been made available to the general public at only the cost to print and distribute them.

The Historic Preservation Office (RMI HPO) is currently soliciting proposals for the development of a Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) State Historic Preservation Plan.

Request for Proposal, from Historic Preservation Office, RMI Ministry of Internal Affairs, follows:

WUTMI (Women United Together Marshall Islands) released the following job announcement for the iBRAVE project to end violence against women/domestic violence. Deadline for submissions is April 26, 2013.

JOB TITLE:   Legislative and Policy Coordinator
PROJECT:  Initiative for a Better Response to Address Violence Everywhere (iBRAVE)

For twenty years the College of the Marshall Islands has proudly carried out its mission as the national college of the Republic.  There have been changes over the decades since the College of Micronesia established an extension campus on Majuro and then transfer of the Nursing School from Saipan to Majuro.  CMI has moved from small business offices to the old Majuro Hospital finally into new and modern facilities and with more resources than anyone could have imagined twenty years ago when CMI was formally established.  In addition there are important programs and activities taking place at Arrak and soon the launching of Distance Education Centers on Ebeye, Jaluit and Wotje.

The World Bank launched its first Country Partnership Strategy with  the Government of the Marshall Islands, beginning its support to strengthen the Pacific Island nation’s economy and reduce poverty. The Bank’s Board of Directors discussed the strategy today and approved its first project, a $3 million plan to help reform the telecommunications sector and boost access to mobile phones and internet for the country's 53,000 people.