𝐌𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐈: 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑳𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆: 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

The Moana Water of Life Conference II, organized by the Archbishop of the Diocese of Polynesia, culminated in engaging talanoa panel discussions involving 70 participants from various backgrounds. Throughout the three-day program, the participants delved into indigenous approaches to resilience, stewardship, and the interconnectedness of climate change and theology. Distinguished speakers such as Archbishop Sione Silongo Uluilakepa, Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Winston Halapua, Dr. Elizabeth Holland, Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain, Reverend James Bhagwan, Reverend Dr. Cliff Bird, Reverend Dr. Lusama Tafue, Mr. Paul Roughan and Mr. Taholo Kami shared their insights with the attendees. The conference focused on the theme of climate resilience and emphasized the collaboration between science and the church in building resilient communities and ecosystems. Importantly, the event acknowledged and honored the Moana Voice by highlighting the ancestral wisdom, lived experience, and flourishing faith of the people of the Pacific region. This conference, the second of its kind, served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration between scientists and theologians, following the success of the first Moana Water of Life Conference held at Lincoln University in 2019.

Additionally, it was an incredible opportunity for St. John the Baptist Theological College students to attend and be exposed to this forum and conference. The students gained valuable insights from the engaging Talanoa panel discussions and learned from the distinguished speakers. This experience allowed them to broaden their understanding of indigenous approaches to resilience, stewardship, and the interconnectedness of climate change and theology, while also witnessing firsthand the collaboration between science and the church in building resilient communities and ecosystems. The conference provided the students with a unique platform for learning and inspiration, contributing to their overall growth and education.