OBJECTIVES

The meeting in Samoa is to bring participants together for a forum on water ecosystems, with presentations reflecting particular fields of activity and expertise. The forum will provide the opportunity to share knowledge and experience, identify shared goals and support beneficial collaboration in ongoing projects and research.

Expectations for Meeting
We envisage that at the meeting in Samoa participants will give a presentation based on their field of work relating to the health of water systems. The meeting will include provision for discussion, questions, and for interdisciplinary dialogue.

We are aware of the large scope of the Across Oceania imaginary, and want to emphasize that we are not seeking to be inappropriately ambitious: rather that participants will contribute in a way that is integrated with work commitments and that reflects a realizable project. A project may not be complete in the time nominated and could be ongoing. An evaluative report during a period of up to 5 years will be a welcome contribution to the initiative.

Some specific objectives for the meeting
· A forum for exchanges of knowledge of aquatic ecosystems of the region
· The wisdom of elders to be shared and for an intergenerational dimension of knowledge exchange to be supported

· Building the capacity for those from non-indigenous cultures to work respectfully with indigenous world views and knowledge.

· Participate in nurturing a ‘mind of the land and of water’ and of social systems that are integrated with this world view.

· An interdisciplinary forum for various interests in water are brought together

· Beneficial exchanges of experience and knowledge between participants

· Identification of case-studies or action research projects

· Formation of a steering group(s) for supporting follow up and implementation

· Cultivation of an ethos of responsibility for aquatic biodiversity in Pacific sites

· Nurturing an oceanic imaginary

Case Studies and Action Research following the Samoa Meeting
It is envisaged that case studies or action research projects which correspond with customary and/or professional interests and commitments, may be undertaken over 5 years or so. Case studies will link with work already being done such as the NOAA marine reserve and Indigenous National Monument, in Hawaii, Mataitai in NZ and marine reserve at Mapua, the Nari Nari role with the Murrumbidgee River and legal research on aboriginal water management in Australia, Along with continuity with existing work there will be the likelihood of innovations coming through the Samoa meeting and follow up process, with the possibility of emergent projects. It is imagined that case studies and research will engage with the potential indigenous knowledge such as mãtauranga Mãori, as well as with science for the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems in the region.

Objectives for case studies
· Elevation of indigenous knowledge of water ecosystems in practice, governance and management

· Building the capacity for those from non-indigenous cultures to work respectfully with indigenous world views and knowledge for environmental outcomes

· Participate in nurturing a ‘mind of the land and of water’ and of social systems that are integrated with this world view.

· Systems which advance the health of water ecoystems

· Examples of the integration of environmental and social dimensions in governance and management of water

· An account of projects through reporting and/or meetings would be part of the expectation, to correspond with reporting on project undertakings – in a chosen medium (writing, photography, art forms).