Thursday, September 25, 2014

Makerusa Porotesano joins his wife Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner on UN stage after she reads CLIMATE POEM for daughter Matafele Peiman

http://www.mvariety.com/regional-news/69488-world-leaders-cheer-small-island-speaker =========================World leaders cheer small island speaker ====================By Giff Johnson ====================MAJURO ======================Before hundreds of world leaders at the United Nations in New York City Tuesday, Marshall Islander Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner delivered a memorable oration for climate action in the form of a poem to her daughter. Her eloquent words and forceful delivery sparked the delegates to rise in the staid General Assembly hall for an extended ovation at the conclusion of her remarks that ended the opening ceremony of the U.N.’s Climate Summit. She was joined at the podium by her husband, Makerusa Porotesano, with their baby daughter, Matafele, in his arms. ============================= She was wrapped in a “jaki-ed,” the finely woven traditional clothing mat that is a signature product of Marshall Islands weavers.================ She said she was speaking not only as a Pacific islander but as a mother representing the world.================ “The price of inaction is so high,” she said in her opening remarks. “It is mothers like me who are standing up (for climate action).” She asked world leaders to “take us along for your ride,” and promised, “we won’t slow you down.”================== She then stepped down from the podium used by the previous speakers to a microphone specially set up for her performance of the poem to her daughter. Without notes, she delivered a two-minute poem to her daughter that spoke to the world about her fears of climate change and the need to fight through roadblocks that are preventing action to solve climate problems. The ovation that followed recognized the impressive performance from the 26-year-old poet and teacher who has already challenged people’s comfort zones with her video performances of “History Project,” “Tell Them,” and “Lessons from Hawaii.” During Tuesday’s presentation at the U.N., Jetnil-Kijiner looked world leaders in the eye and challenged them to action. “We deserve to do more than just survive,” she said. “We deserve to thrive.”======================== Closing her poetry oration to her daughter, she said lovingly: “Close your eyes in peace, we won’t let you down.” World leaders stood and cheered.=============================== But will they take the action that Jetnil-Kijiner, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and others at the summit opening asked for?================================= Following Jetnil-Kijiner’s speech, the one-day summit immediately broke into smaller groups where country leaders were expected to issue statements of their commitments and plans to deal with climate. Ban said he hoped Tuesday’s summit would help world leaders gain momentum to forge a meaningful plan of action when they meet in Paris for climate negotiations next year.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Makerusa Porotesano

bio

Director of Student Activities and Leadership Programs at Chaminade University

所在地點
Hawaiian Islands
隸屬產業
高等教育
現職 Chaminade University
曾任 Samoan Pacific Development Corporation, Portland Community College Sylvania Campus, Portland Community College
學歷 Portland State University
個人網站 公司網站

223 位聯絡人加入 LinkedIn 便可查看Makerusa的完整檔案。免費註冊!
加入 LinkedIn,便可與全球 3 億專業人士交流想法和機會。
•查看共同聯絡人
•徵求引薦
•直接聯絡Makerusa
查看Makerusa的完整個人檔案個人背景專業簡介
I have spent the last five years working in higher education to improve the educational value for our students, primarily our students of color. I spent two years working with Men of Color through a groundbreaking program at Portland Community College(PCC) known as the Men of Color Mentoring Program (MOC). Through this program, which was funded by the PCC Multicultural Center (MC), I was also able to become the Assistant-coordinator of the MC.

Currently I live in O'ahu, Hawai'i and I work at Chaminade University as the Director of Student Activities and Leadership Programs. I hope to continue my work in High Education and foster great leaders.Through my work at Chaminade I have been able to connect with various community organizations that service our Pacific Islander communities and our at-risk youth.

I am the founder of the Pacific Islander Student Alliance of Oregon. I worked extensively with Pacific Islander students and creating a socially conscious community ready to take on issues that affect our communities.

My goals are to finish my MA in Pacific Islander studies and M.Ed and continue to work in Higher Ed. and community organizing.