Freedom of Religion
The Samoan government recently appointed a commission of inquiry to look into the issue of religious freedom in Samoa. Although freedom of religion is guaranteed in Samoa under Article 11 of the Constitution and Samoa has ratified the Unversal Declaration of Human Rights, it's fair to say that the inquiry does not hold a favorable view of religious freedom. There are some well documented cases of religious persecution in Samoan villages, particularly aimed at the Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) Church and members of the Baha'i Faith.
(My religious diversity collage with the commission notices in English and Samoan from the newspaper.)
(I made some prayer flags with messages of peace and tolerance from all different religions.)
Since I have a number of Mormon students and there is a Baha'i community in my district - and because I believe in basic human rights - I thought I'd try to instill some ideals of religious tolerance in my students.
(I had my Year 7 students research different religions in groups using Encarta.)
I also recently had a chance to visit the Baha'i House of Worship on Upolu. The grounds were beautiful and peaceful, and the temple was gorgeous too. I had a chance to speak with some of the Baha'i community leaders, and they were really interesting and, of course, eager to give me resources to help with my classes. My photos of the temple here.
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