3. Developing resource materials into charts and diagrams and then translated into the vernacular
made a difference in the learning and understanding of participants. It appears that the elderly
in particular can follow and understand better the discussions/presentations.
4. Grouping the participants together from the beginning (not men together, women together,
youths together and church elders together) eased their overall understanding from the
beginning of the program.
5. Splitting participants in focus groups helped encourage discussions from different groups such as
women, whose voices may not otherwise be heard.
6. It helps the team plan and focus when there is constant and consistent team briefing and debriefing.
This also helps to ensure each team member is aware of their allocated task/roles.
7. It was observed during the project that grouping all three villages to carry out one HRCLD project
may not have been ideal because as the project progressed it was observed that:
•
one village later wanted a different human rights issue to address,
•
the three villages were competing to host each engagement,
•
the Commission team had to work with a larger group of village reps rather than a few.
Ofisa o le Komesina Sulufaiga Office of the Ombudsman of Samoa
1. A human rights community-led approach is acceptable and relevant to the Samoan way
of negotiating.
2. Not all issues were shared during Fa’asoa
(discussions). Some serious issues were
shared on an anonymous questionnaire.
3. Climate change and village governance
issues were not the only human rights
issues raised.
4. Human rights education is recommended
by community people. (this was the first
human rights programme for A’ana 1)
5. There are still barriers in sub-village
settings.
6. Appropriate timing should be considered.
7. A communication strategy is needed
for village level.
8. Internal community structures need to be
taken in to account, such as the village
council vs Fono Fa’avae.
9. HRCLD should be rolled out in all
communities of Samoa.
Collateral developed by the Samoan Office
APF HRCLD Guide
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