Project News

Tuvalu is divided into the eight regions. Each region is reigned a traditional leader. From 8th to 12th of November 2010, the Tuvalu island leaders' assembly was held in Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu.

When the day of their arrivals from each island arrived, Funafuti town was full of the atmosphere of welcome. All the Funafuti resident cleaned and decorated the town with flowers and grasses. The island leaders met the important people like the Governor General, Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs. Furthermore, they visit some notable facilities of Tuvalu. It was very honor that the foram sand project site was chosen as the first visiting point. We nervously looked forward to welcoming them. Every island leader arrived in their own car with an attendant all led by police cars.

(Left) living foram
(Right) sand of Tuvalu

They visited the foram culture aquarium after a general explanation.

Afterward, they compared living foram and Tuvalu sand through the microscope.

They were surprised that their island was made with such a living thing's shell. They started thinking about the relations between biology and coastal management because this land can't maintain without this creature's breeding.

Mr.Paeniu, our counterpart who has just come back from a training in Japan guided the tour. He explained about foram culture with the information he learned in Japan. This was also an occasion to see his improvement as the project counterpart.

Wording responsible: Fumiko Matsudate (project coordinator)