A new civil society organisation has opened its doors in Samoa to strengthen community resilience to climate change and believes in prioritising environmental education.

It is called Live and Learn Environmental Education Samoa (LLEE Samoa). It said education as a national agenda was more critical than ever to build the resilience of Pacific Island communities

“This will support them to prepare for a changing climate, improve food resilience and protect ecosystems for future generations; All doing so through a mix of traditional knowledge and new technology,” the organisation said in a statement.

Live and Learn is a network of civil society organisations with an autonomous governing Board of Trustees, established to provide guidance and due diligence as a legal identity under the Samoa legislation.

Live and Learn Environmental Education Samoa (LLEE-Samoa) has had several meetings with its Board of Trustees since the beginning of 2024, with a priority to appoint and confirm Board Members. Each board member has brought with them vast experience in managing the impacts of climate change by way of ecosystem management, community engagement, food systems transformation, as well as legal implications for biodiversity and conservation management.

The LLEE-Samoa Board of Trustees have appointed Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo as its first Chairperson. Since this was time they have set up the governance structure of the CSO and started a strategic plan, a work plan and the formation of partnerships with international climate finance organisations.

“These outcomes will lead to work with communities on programs and activities for environmental education and community resilience building,” LLEE said.

The principal environmental education process developed and promoted by LLEE is the innovative Climate Resilient Islands (CRI) Programme, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of foreign Affairs and Trade.

“The CRI approach looks closely at the interdependence of people and ecosystems, that people are part of nature, not separate,” said the manager of CRI programme in Samoa, Pouniu Stephen Hazelman.

“It explores ecosystem complexities; patterns and connections to further understand and address the impacts of climate change.

“It identifies short and long-term priorities for adaptation and resilience, and to develop plans and activities which contribute to the community’s vision of future resilience.”

CRI Samoa is housed in the LLEE-Samoa Office at SPREP Headquarters, Vailima.