Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696587838363.pdf (Vanuatu)
awareness of the RIGHT TO INFORMATION LAW PAAMA ISLAND 20 - 23 January 2020 Right To Information Unit Department of Strategic Planning, Policy & Aid Coordination Ministry of the Prime Minister Republic of Vanuatu Right To Information Unit Brief Paama island is about 8 km from north to south and only 5 km or so at its widest point.

The island is dominated by hills, rising to a height of around 550 m in the north.

The main means for transport in the island is by vehicle or by boat and canoe.
There are currently only two vehicles on the island.

Communities on Paama Island were introduced to the Right to Information Act for the first time in January 2020, following the first community engagement activities conducted by the RTI Unit this year.

RTI Unit Manager, Harold Obed and RTI Unit Publication Officer Kevin Henry touched down on the island on the 19th of January for the four-day RTI awareness activity.
In partnership with the Paama Area Council Secretary, Mr Cyrus Willie, we were able to conduct five awareness in the centres of the four areas, Northeast, North, Central, Southwest and South.

The trip to Lulep in the Northeast, side of the island was the most challenging where we had to walk up the steep terrain to the top, looking over to the volcano Island of Lopevi and then headed downhill with nervous chuckles at about 45 degree slope, to conduct the awareness at Lulep-Netan village.
Then we made the most difficult decision to return the same day that caused upper thigh pain due to muscle injuries, and ligaments in the thigh that did not go away for at least three days.

It did not stop us though from moving on to the next village the following day.

Awareness featured RTI law, benefits of the law, how to use it, exemptions, and MP entitlements.
Messages were projected onto the walls and portable speakers were used so that those who could not find time to come, can still listen from their thatch-roof houses.

MALAMPA Province Paama Island In all 5 venues, some 340 people came to listen, however the heated interest generated from discussion surrounding MP entitlements left us in no doubt that the message would be replicated to many more.

The worthwhile and successful 5-day trip had costed RTI Unit budget VT119,520.
20 - 23 January 2020 Summary: Right To Information Public Awareness on the island of Paama.

The Right To Information Unit held 5 public awareness sessions on the island of Paama from the 20th to the 23rd of January.

The awareness program was conducted in partnership with the Area Administrator of Paama.

Population 1,720 Province MALAMPA Population Reached 340 * 20% of the population on Paama.

22 JAN 101 people from the Liro Are attended the RTI Awareness at Liro village.
21 JAN 65 people from the Tahi Are attended the RTI Awareness at Tevali village.

23 JAN 62 people from the Vauleli Area attended the RTI Awareness at Vauleli village.

101 65 62 23 JAN 29 people from the South Paara Area attended the RTI Awareness at Vutokai village.

29 20 JAN 83 people from the Nuvil Are attended the RTI Awareness at Lulep village.

83 340 people attended the public awareness sessions on Paama.

The awareness sessions were conducted for 4 days.


The 5 Area Regions of Paama received the RTI public awareness.

Right To Information Unit Department of Strategic Planning, Policy & Aid Coordination Ministry of the Prime Minister Republic of Vanuatu Right To Information Unit Department of Strategic Planning, Policy & Aid Coordination Ministry of the Prime Minister Republic of Vanuatu Published in Feburary 2020