(o) Fiji's Geographic Importance

On cue to reinforce Fiji's geographic centrality and ease of access (and, incidentally, cause further misgivings about its suspension from the PI Forum) comes the news that all UNESCO National Commissions within the Pacific region will convene for a week-long meeting in Nadi on Monday. They will discuss issues and papers for the 2009 General Conference in Geneva; UNESCO programmes and budget for 2010-2011; regional submissions for funding ("collectively, as small island states, they can make an impact with a loud and clear voice"); further uniting regional educational systems; and the development (sic!) of UNESCO's Suva office.