Audrey E. Kitagawa, J.D.
President and Founder
"In the seemingly ordinariness of daily living is the power of transformation. Individual transformation arises out of awareness, and a willingness to change to become a better person right where we are. We each have personal responsibility and collective responsibility to make positive changes here and now."
Background
Upolu Vaai is Principal and Professor of Theology and Ethics of the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, the first degree offering regional institution in the Pacific owned by 20 churches spread throughout 16 countries in the region. He is an educator with both a Master and a PhD from universities in Australia. A pioneer and innovator of movements and initiatives, such as the relational renaissance movement, the ‘whole of life’ model of learning, the communities-based model of development, climate change and indigenous knowledge, reclaiming indigenous philosophies, and the leadership for justice vision. Dr Vaai works in the field of theology and ethics, indigenous epistemologies, indigenous philosophies, climate change and climate justice, alternative development paradigm, decolonization, transformational leadership, ecological wellbeing, ecumenism, regionalism, whole of life research and learning, interfaith, and how these shape a new Pasifika consciousness that is resilient, holistic, and ground up. He has work affiliation with organizations and initiatives such as the Anti-Corruption Academic Initiative (ACAD) of the UN Office for Drugs and Crimes; Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture, and Pacific Studies of the University of the South Pacific; Laudato Si Research Institute at Oxford University, Oxford Institute for Methodist Theological Studies; G20 Interfaith Summit; South Pacific Association of Theological Studies; TODA Research Institute; Pacific Island Forum Secretariat; Globethics; Pacific Conference of Churches; Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) of the World Council of Churches; Theological Education for Economy of Life (TEEL) of the Council for World Mission; and Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. He is worldwide keynote speaker, writer, reviewer, and international assessor of PhDs. He is originally from Samoa. Married with 4 children.
Background
Audrey E. Kitagawa, JD, is the President/Founder of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation, the President of the Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family, the former Advisor to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict at the United Nations.
She is a United Nations Representative for the United Religions Initiative, and Chair Emerita of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, A Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. She has been enstooled into the royal family as the Nekoso Hemaa, (i.e. Queen Mother of Development), of Ajiyamanti in Ghana, West Africa, and has a school which she helped to build named after her in her African name, the Nana Ode Anyankobea Junior Secondary School.
She wrote the chapter, Crossing World Views, The Power of Perspective in the Hawaii Japanese American Experience, which was published in a book about multiculturalism, communication and Asian women entitled, Learning In The Light. Her chapter, Globalization As The Fuel For Religious And Ethnic Conflict has been published in the book, Globalization And Identity, Cultural Diversity, Religion and Citizenship. Her article, The Role Of Identity In The Rise And Decline of Buddhism In Hawaii, The 50th State Of The United States Of America, has been published in Sambodhi, a Buddhist Journal. She published articles in World Affairs The Journal Of International Issues, entitled, The Power of Om: Transformation of Consciousness, and Practical Spirituality. She wrote the chapter, The US In Foreign Affairs: Source of Global Security, Or Source of Global Fear? in the book, America & The World The Double Bind. She is currently writing a chapter on Space Ethics for a legal, academic book on Space Law.
She has been listed in Who's Who Of American Law, Who's Who Of American Women, Who's Who In America, Who's Who In The World, and Prominent People of Hawaii. She is the recipient of the Medal “Pride of Eurasia” and a Diploma from the Republic of Kazakhstan Ministry of Education and Science L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University for her outstanding contribution to the development of spiritual culture and education in Eurasia. She is the recipient of the Spirit of the UN Award which is given to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated the vision and spirit of the United Nations as expressed through the UN Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She was conferred an Honorary Interfaith Minister degree by the New Seminary.
“…we have succumbed to the shadows of a one-sided story, a story that focuses entirely on the secular physical dimension with the spiritual lost beneath a one-dimensional umbra. My belief is that this neglected dimension holds the key to constructive and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.”
Biography
Upolu Vaai is Principal and Professor of Theology and Ethics of the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, the first degree offering regional institution in the Pacific owned by 20 churches spread throughout 16 countries in the region. He is an educator with both a Master and a PhD from universities in Australia. A pioneer and innovator of movements and initiatives, such as the relational renaissance movement, the ‘whole of life’ model of learning, the communities-based model of development, climate change and indigenous knowledge, reclaiming indigenous philosophies, and the leadership for justice vision. Dr Vaai works in the field of theology and ethics, indigenous epistemologies, indigenous philosophies, climate change and climate justice, alternative development paradigm, decolonization, transformational leadership, ecological wellbeing, ecumenism, regionalism, whole of life research and learning, interfaith, and how these shape a new Pasifika consciousness that is resilient, holistic, and ground up. He has work affiliation with organizations and initiatives such as the Anti-Corruption Academic Initiative (ACAD) of the UN Office for Drugs and Crimes; Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture, and Pacific Studies of the University of the South Pacific; Laudato Si Research Institute at Oxford University, Oxford Institute for Methodist Theological Studies; G20 Interfaith Summit; South Pacific Association of Theological Studies; TODA Research Institute; Pacific Island Forum Secretariat; Globethics; Pacific Conference of Churches; Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) of the World Council of Churches; Theological Education for Economy of Life (TEEL) of the Council for World Mission; and Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. He is worldwide keynote speaker, writer, reviewer, and international assessor of PhDs. He is originally from Samoa. Married with 4 children.
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