Australia's High Commissioner to Samoa, Sara Moriarty welcomed a number of Anglican school students to the High Commission this week.
Ten students from Australia were selected to take part in a service learning experience in Samoa through the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC).
The schools include Peter Anglican Community School in Perth, Esperance Anglican Community School (both in Western Australia), Trinity Anglican College of Albury (New South Wales) and Cathedral College, Wangaratta (Victoria).
Since 2018, the ASC has had a Memorandum of Understanding with the All Saints School in Apia, supplying learning materials and resources from Australia. This is the first time students have travelled to Samoa to experience the country first-hand.
Ms Moriarty said it was great to hear what the group had learnt about Samoa, and how the students were conducting service learning through teaching sessions at All Saints Anglican School in Moto’otua. “It was special that they highlighted the respectful Fa’a Samoa lifestyle and their friendlyintroductions to the Anglican church community,” Moriarty said.
“We welcome partnerships such as these, where Australian community bodies are working with local groups to strengthen the Pacific’s vision for a region of inclusitivity, sharing of knowledge and peace,”
“As part of the Blue Pacific, this region is our home, and our communities, schools, church communities and cultures are deeply intertwined, as is our future,”
The High Commissioner also highlighted Australia’s vision to stepping up its partnership within the region with new initiatives being rolled out.
“Last year, Australian Prime Minister the Honourable Scott Morrison announced a new Church Partnership Program with the Pacific, building on links between Australian and Pacific churches, and recognising that religion is an integral part of Pacific life,” Ms Moriarty concluded.
In addition to supporting church partnerships, Australia provides support to the Pacific through a number of development programs, police and defence assistance, access to Australian markets, jobs and scholarships, and through emergency assistance following natural disasters.
Photo supplied Caption;Students of the Anglican Schools Commission visit the Australian High Commission