The female traditional leaders of the Republic of Palau held the 31st Mechesil Belau Conference on September 30. Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur of the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) led a delegation of Taiwan’s Indigenous female talents to attend the opening ceremony and was invited to give a speech, followed by a presentation by CIP on Taiwan’s policies and measures for promoting Indigenous health.
CIP explained that Palau is a matrilineal society, where female traditional leaders of the clans have the authority to appoint or remove male traditional leaders. Each year, these female traditional leaders convene a national women’s conference, bringing together women from across the country to discuss social and regional issues such as language, culture, education, environment, immigration and migrant workers. The conference also engages local and international experts from both government and non-government sectors. The consensus or outcomes from these discussions are provided to the Palauan government for policy consideration. Over the years, this annual conference has become a significant event in the Micronesia region. This year’s conference theme is “Lifestyle Changes for a Better Health,” with policy and thematic keynote sessions held in the morning, followed by a health fair for exchange in the afternoon.
In his speech, Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur emphasized that one of the keys to maintaining good health is to lead a life filled with joy, as mental well-being affects physical health. Therefore, it is vital to find ways to stay happy. His remarks received enthusiastic responses from the attendees and aligned with the core theme of the conference.
In the evening, the Mechesil Belau Conference dinner was held in conjunction with a national banquet commemorating Palau’s 30th Independence Day. The banquet’s food and entertainment were organized by the female traditional leaders, once again highlighting Palau’s strong emphasis on culture and the role of women in tradition. Additionally, performances at the banquet included Taiwan’s Naluwan Dance Troupe, a Japanese singer, and the U.S. Navy Band, all of which were met with great enthusiasm, making it a joyous event for both hosts and guests.