This acknowledgement by Pacific leaders, was very significant and has led to a growing number of “home-grown” Pacific climate change champions, employed and active in both public and private sector organizations, working to raise awareness of the threat climate change poses, to Pacific people.
Ms Winy Marango, USP alumni and currently a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the Corporate Services Unit of the Ministry of Climate Change in Port Vila, Vanuatu, is one of our home-grown climate change champions and we are happy to share her story with you today.
Becoming an economist having an office job was the vision however Winy’s first job was with Digicel Vanuatu, as a marketing executive. The marketing and communication skills she learnt on the job were invaluable and would stand her in good stead in later years.
Following this, Winy undertook a few volunteer and contracted roles in organizations such as International Centre for Democratic Partnerships, and CARE International before joining the Ministry of Climate Change.
These NGO roles developed in Winy a deep passion for the environment and its protection, implementation of sustainability practices because of climate change and the overall need to better protect and manage Vanuatu’s natural resources.
The work Winy undertook during this time also gave her a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in project management, policy development as well as monitoring and evaluation. And it also fed a deeper understanding and appreciation of climate change impacts, issues around gender parity, understanding and promoting social inclusion, the importance of being responsible when it came to the environment as well as raising awareness and advocating for supportive government policies that underpin these issues.
Describe a turning point or pivotal moment in your career.
A pivotal moment in my career was when I became a senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Ministry of Climate Change. This role allowed me to directly influence national climate policies and track the progress of the Vanuatu People’s Plan and core lead the review of the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan which was incredibly fulfilling and aligned with my passion for environmental sustainability.
Share any of your career highlights since graduation.
Some career highlights include working as a Senior M&E Officer for Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam response; being promoted to Project Coordinator for a climate change advocacy project.
Another highlight was managing the Ambae/Maewo Response, a unique event in Vanuatu when a whole island’s population was evacuated to three other adjacent islands due the threat of volcanic eruption. The estimated displaced population was about 11,000 people. Based on the Vanuatu government arrangements, the island of Espiritu Santo hosts the biggest number of Ambae island people while the rest moved to Maewo and Pentecost islands.
My role in this was to manage the 31 staff and volunteers who implemented 3 different gender and inclusive projects specifically Gender, Shelter and Resilience for CARE International funded through Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and CARE International’s Emergency Response Fund.
Another career highlight was becoming a Team Leader for an adolescent project called PACIFIC GIRL, that focused on supporting gender equality and participation at local and national level. And more importantly during this time, I also earned several Certificate IV qualifications in project management, procurement and supply, training and assessment, and climate resilience from USP TAFE.
What does it mean to you to be an alumnus of USP.
Being an alumnus of USP means being part of a community dedicated to making a positive impact in the Pacific region. It signifies a commitment to lifelong learning and contributing to the betterment of society.
What did you take from studying at USP which serves you in good stead today.
Studying at USP instilled in me a deep understanding of the unique environmental challenges faced by island nations, as well as the importance of local knowledge and community engagement in addressing these challenges
Do you have a favorite quote and what is the message you want to share through this quote, in relation to who you are today or want you leave behind.
One of my favorite quotes is by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote reflects my belief in the power of community and collective action in driving change, which is a principle I strive to uphold in my work and life.
