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The Republic of Nauru since becoming independent on 31 January 1968 has relatively been self sufficient with little or no reliance on external assistance. This was made possible through revenue received from the mining of rock phosphate which since the early 1900s was the single key activity driving the economy of Nauru. In fact in the 1970s and 80s, Nauru had the highest per capita income making it the richest country in the Asia Pacific region.

The Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop on Rainwater Harvesting took place in Vava'u, Tonga from 12-15 May 2004. Involving community extension workers from the Village Women's Development Programme (VWDP) of the Tonga Community Development Trust (TCDT), the training was based on a participatory approach that emphasised 'learning-by-doing'. Using a step-by-step process, workshop participants were introduced to various participatory tools and took part in participatory activities and exercises that they could potentially use during future training on rainwater harvesting in communities.

In mid 2006 a comprehensive review of environment related laws was undertaken for the Department of Commerce, Industry and Resources in the Republic of Nauru. At the same time a review of environment related International Conventions was also undertaken with a view to identifying the legislative reforms that are required for the Government of Nauru to achieve compliance with the obligations that arise under these Conventions. Both of these Reviews have identified a range of legislative areas related to issues of environmental management and protection where legislative reform is warranted. In some cases this would involve the making of new laws, by Act or Regulations, to cover areas which do not have effective laws in force. In other areas this would involve amendments to existing laws.

To be able to continuously grow the necessary food crop, the soil has to be replenished with nutrient from organic matter or chemical fertilizer. Water is also necessary for good plant growth from sowing/transplanting until the end of the crop. Protecting the crop from pests and diseases, wind damage and animals will help the plant produce the quantity required. Grow different types of crop to have continuous food supply.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are very vulnerable to global warning and the impending sea level rise. Lack of energy security combined with but not limited to, High per capita use. lack of widespread renewable energy technologies, remoteness, limited funding, and high fuel prices, make pacific SIDS especially vulnerable to energy security/supply issues.1 This paper presents strategies that the Government of Nauru (GoN) can implement to face these challenges. Appropriate legislation and development of social programs focused on the utilization of renewable energy technologies, energy conservation measures, capacity building across all sectors. These strategies will help Nauru transition from being entirely reliant on imported diesel fuel to run generators towards a more sustainable energy system that incorporates the use of renewable energy into the existing grid system and strategic conservation measures. Essentially, this paper continues the goal of the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) by providing a clear and pragmatic plan to enhance the use of renewable energy technologies and to limit demand side energy use.

At the 3rd World Water Forum held in 2003 in Kyoto, Pacific island country ministers, delegations and representatives of civil society, reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and Targets of halving by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation and the World Summit for Sustain- able Development (WSSD) Plan of Implementation.

Tuvalu is comprised of nine small islands, six of them being atoll islands (with lagoons) namely Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae. The remaining three, Nanumanga, Niutao and Niulakita are raised limestone reef islands. None of the islands are more than three metres above sea level, with the biggest island, Vaitupu, having a land area of just over 1000 acres. The total land area is approximately twenty-six square kilometres with a sea area of 900,000 square kilometres. During the pre-independence period, 1938 - 1978, Tuvalu was a British Colony called the "Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony (GEIC). The islands are located between latitudes 5 degrees and 11 degrees south of the equator and between longitudes 176 degrees and 179 degrees east of Greenwich. To the north, about 1400 km is the Republic of Kiribati and to the south, 1100 km is the Republic of Fiji.

The following is a transcript and a report of lectures/training delivered In Tarawa, Kiribati on Guidelines for Monitoring and Evaluating Beach Erosion and Shoreline Dynamics. The training/lectures are part of in-country training and capacity building on Coastal Processes. These lectures were delivered between 14-16 March 2000, at the Otintai Hotel, Tarawa, Kiribati. The lecture discussed the need for understanding beaches, beach dynamics and neashore processes within the framework of coastal hazards and risks. Erosion and erosion processes were discussed, as wells as the hydrodynamics aspects of nearshore environments. Engineering In the coastal zone was presented, within the framework of the coastal project cycle. Examples of coastal engineering projects were discussed, with reference to current port and harbour development. In south Tarawa and the Nippon Causeway. In addition, coastal protection structures were examined in the field and Issues related to the appropriateness of these were highlighted. Construction material used along the shorefront were discussed, In particular concrete and Its performance In coastal environments. Issues related to optimum coastal management and engineering were also discussed. A full list of up-to-date and state-of-the-art references on the subject is also given and is Included in this report.

Nauru is a country in post-phosphate transition. After years of high economic growth fuelled by booming but unsustainable phosphate exports (and looming resource exhaustion), the economy of Nauru has, over the past decade, experienced an unprecedented economic downturn. The downturn has been characterized by mounting domestic and external debt service payments, falling revenues, high and unsustainable government expenditure, and a liquidity crisis in the financial sector (including the near collapse of the Bank of Nauru), that threatens the economic and financial stability of the country. The country and the citizens of Nauru (pop. 11,845). are currently experiencing a steep decline in GDP per capita, falling employment opportunities, a concomitant decline in income earning opportunities, and emerging hardship and social problems. Moreover, at the time of writing, unsatisfactory growth prospects pose a serious and palpable risk for sustainable human development.

Estimates vary but Nauru has probably been occupied for at least 3000 years. Although the people are considered Micronesians. the island was probably discovered by different ethnic groups at different times - there are indications of both Melanesian and Polynesian influences - and their descendents combined to form today's ethnic Nauruans. The language of Nauru is unique and gives few hints of its origins. Traditional Nauru society is matrilineal and is based on 12 tribal grouping.