Upolu Luma Vaai: Developing a Pacific Ecorelational Approach to Climate Change

Episode Description

A discussion with Upolu Luma Vaai (Pacific Theological College) and Toda’s Kevin Clements and Volker Boege. They discuss the core principles of Pacific ecorelationality and their implications for climate change policies in the Pacific region, advocating for a ‘holistic gaze’ that overcomes anthropocentric understandings of climate change and climate policy. He explains the “Reweaving the Ecological Mat” project, an initiative which is a self-determination strategy aimed at weaving a Pasifika story of hope about genuinely Pasifika approaches to climate change, development, ecology and peace.

The Author

Upolu Lumā Vaai

Upolu Lumā Vaai is Principal and Professor of Theology & Ethics at the Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva, Fiji. He holds a PhD degree from Griffith University in Australia. He held board director positions in Samoa government ministries and also chair and member of many regional and international boards. He joined the faculty staff of PTC in 2014 as Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Theology and Ethics. Dr Vaai is a decolonial educator, theologian, and indigenous philosopher. A renowned international scholar and regional leading voice in reclaiming Pasifika ‘whole of life’ philosophies, theologies, and ethics to underpin a new development story, he is regularly invited by international forums to speak on Pasifika relationality, relational philosophy, relational hermeneutics, relational theology, and relational ways of knowing and being, which are ideas scattered throughout his many publications and research projects. His publications are mostly in the intersection of theology, development, and indigenous philosophies and how these contribute to reaffirming the ‘whole of life’ vision of development. His recent book co-edited with Aisake Casimira is titled: The 'Whole of Life' Way: Unburying Vakatabu Philosophies and Theologies for Pasifika Development (2024).

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Toda Peace Institute Public Conversations

The Toda Peace Institute is an independent, nonpartisan institute committed to advancing a more just and peaceful world through policy-oriented peace research and practice. Founded in 1996, the institute catalyses practical, policy-oriented conversations between theoretical experts, practitioners, policymakers and civil society leaders to discern innovative and creative solutions to the major problems confronting the world in the twenty-first century. These conversations, presentations and seminars are part of that endeavour. The views and opinions expressed on this channel are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Toda Peace Institute.

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