Meetings, conferences, seminars – not a week goes by without hearing about them all over town and in the villages. But are they just talk fests without tangible outcomes or are they valuable opportunities for the sharing of information leading to real change and improvements? Ilia L. Likou asked people in today’s street talk and this is what they said:

Lauao Taualagi, 

Moamoa, 26

Our country spends too much money on useless seminars and meetings. They should save some money to pay for pipelines of those families in rural areas who are desperately looking for water every day.

So’otaga Sasalu, 

Si’usega, 30

I am not sure why we’re having so many meetings in Samoa and yet our people are still suffering because they don’t have jobs. Those attending meetings every week are enjoying themselves, with special treatment, eating, chatting, collecting their allowance at the end. Still, nothing is happening.

To’aono Fa’aui, 

57, Vaie’e

I think it would be much better for our government to lessen the numbers of meetings every year. They spend too much time sharing their high opinions but no one seems to care about the difficulties faced by the many families in rural and urban areas. Their problems are the high cost of living and the increasing numbers of unemployed in Samoa.

Tausilenu’u Tulima, 

31, Malie

Too many meetings, conferences and seminars in the country is really worrying. Our people are very good in talking, but when it comes to actions, it takes 10 to 20 years. We need a government that puts every single thing into action.

Auava Fruean, 

51, Faleula

The government should look into those meetings and seminars as to whether they’re making a change for the people of Samoa or not. If not, then why spend taxpayers’ money on them?