Segments 1 and  2:

·         Bestina Benjamin Hagberg, President, Women's Cooperatives of Nukuoro, Federated States of Micronesia; and

·         Lisa McFarren Polgar, Vice President, PanAmerican-PanAfrican Association. 

Segments 3 and 4:

·         Erik Hagberg, CEO, Pacific Aquaculture Cooperatives International (PAC).

This program features the extensive "best practices" that have been developed by formal research, international evaluations, and practical projects to meet human and environmental needs in the South Pacific.  The Federated States of Micronesia is one of 38 official United Nations SIDS (Small Island Developing States).  As part of the U.N. Economic and Social Council such nations are identified as:

Low-lying coastal countries that share economic, environmental, and civil society development issues that include, but are not limited to, small but growing youth populations, limited natural resources, extreme remoteness, susceptible to catastrophic natural disasters, few alternatives to imported fossil fuels, dependency on importation of natural resources, food, and manufactured goods, along with deteriorating environmental conditions including rapid sea level rise along with massive coral reef destruction.  The common challenges for sustainable development include:  few high-speed communications systems; lack of emphasis upon developing renewable energy sources; irregular transportation services combined with exorbitant travel costs; local and national governments struggle to provide adequate infrastructure in remote locations; and few full-time employment opportunities.  

This program features two organizations which have invested intensive resources and personnel to create active "best practices" which can address many of the limitations identified by the U.N. ECOSOC.  The representatives will be sharing their extensive empirical research findings, successes among various practical projects implemented with both local and international funding sources, and how the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation, among many other international bodies need to be actively engaged in expanding technologies, funding, services, and expertise for this nations as these serve as the proverbial "canary in the coal mine" to identify the issues and realities of violent climate change.  

Founded in 1968, the Panamerican-Panafrican Association, Inc. (the Pa/Pa) is a cultural, educational and economic exchange foundation and has organized many United Nations programs to encourage cultural understanding; promote the rights of indigenous peoples and women; and support the development of sustainable technologies to address climate change.

The establishment and expansion of Pa/Pa ITCG Affiliate organizations in Tanzania, Japan and Micronesia confirms the belief of the Foundation’s founder, Dr. Robert Pritchard, II that cultural, economic and educational exchange promoted by Civil Society is the underpinning that can promote better understanding and good will between peoples of the United States and members of the international community.

Since the late 1990’s, the Pa/Pa has expanded its work in the Far East and the Pacific Islands through private sector involvement in sustainable development to foster food security around the world,  adaptation to climate change as a means of economic empowerment, and cultural heritage preservation. In 1995, the Pa/Pa became an NGO in Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social 

Council.

PAC International combines vast academic and indigenous knowledge, with proven farming methods resulting from ten years of research, development, and application.   PAC’s rearing and processing technologies for sea cucumbers are transferred to native communities through educational training programs, launch of new farm sites, and sustainable development programs.  PAC was established in 2005 and is an affiliate of the PanAmerican- PanAfrican  Association Inc., an NGO in Consultative Status Accreditation to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.