11th April, 2019 Local journalists are participating in two-day Pacific Media Revolution Training facilitated by the Pacific Island Food Revolution in collaboration with the Pacific Environmental Journalists Network Tonga at Davina House. The training was opened yesterday morning by a celebrity chef Mr Robert Oliver who developed the initiative.
The initiative is a social movement that aims to transform people’s eating behaviour by using TV, radio and social media. The Revolution is expected to promote local “local cuisine knowledge” to show that “eating fresh, local, indigenous foods is the answer to good health.” The reality TV programme features Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa – in 12 episodes.
Oliver told participants in a video that the “South Pacific is in a crisis.”
“Non-communicable diseases are decimating Pacific Island populations due to poor food choices encouraged by massive marking campaigns of fast foods.”
“These foods – sugary drinks, instant noodles and more are replacing the traditional diet of the South Pacific, causing devastating levels of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and heartbreak. Where once Pacific Island populations used healthy traditional foods to create their diet, a mind-set of overseas food being better has all but eliminated them from today’s diets.”
Through the training, local journalists learn about behind-the-scenes insights, practical skills and strategies used by the Revolution.
The initiative is co-funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.