Organization supports youth in New Zealand

The Pacific Islander Association and Pacific Wave Media Network hosted a seminar involving PowerPoint presentations, video clips and personal experiences.

Four men from Otara, Manukau City and South Auckland, New Zealand, presented information to the Pacific Islander Association and the Pasefika Men Against Violence on Tuesday evening.

The New Zealanders explained their nonprofit organization, Respect All People — Whakamana Tangata (RAP), which works to progress the daily life of troubled youth in South Auckland.

They traveled from New Zealand to Cal State Long Beach and other campuses, such as UCLA and UC Berkeley, to spread violence awareness and prevention.

They also collaborated on research projects; one of their projects was called “The Cultural of Cool.” They asked 18- to 24-year-old South Pacific men what it is to be a man, getting both positive and negative responses.

Another group that started from RAP is 274, a group set up in 2005 in response to rising gang violence in the area. The name comes from the Otara area code.

Lua Maynard, RAP health promoter, discussed the top-five factors to reduce and replace violence. This consisted of building knowledge, having purpose, managing environment, giving leadership and being a role model. If one is able to apply this in their daily life, a reduction in violence is possible.

“Violence is a learned behavior and once it happens,” Maynard said, “it is hard to re-connect.”

JC Ramos, a senior cultural anthropology major and president of the PIA, was satisfied with the seminar.

“Having people from the community come out made it a successful event,” Ramos said.