Koror, Palau – The Rubekul Belau, Palau’s Council of Chiefs, is gearing up for its second Traditional Leaders’ Forum, scheduled for July 3-4, 2024, at the National Gymnasium in Koror.
The forum, themed “Honor, Respect and Preserve our Basic Traditional Values,” aims to address the decline of traditional practices due to the fast pace of modern life.
Focus on Strengthening Community Values
The forum will bring together chiefs from all 16 states of Palau and their communities to discuss ways to strengthen core societal values like respect and honor. These values, organizers say, are essential for maintaining peace within families and clans, potentially reducing reliance on costly and time-consuming legal solutions.
“The Rubekul Belau seeks to reinforce existing cultural and traditional practices by promoting respect and consideration within families, clans, and villages,” said High Chief Reklai Raphael B. Ngirmang.
One strategy for achieving this, according to the Council, is to empower existing men’s and women’s groups. These groups, which represent all village ranks, play a crucial role in organizing community activities and safeguarding traditional values.
Forum Details
The Second Traditional Leaders’ Forum will be held on July 3-4, starting at 8:00 am each day. The forum will conclude at noon on the second day. Invitations and programs are being distributed through the Rubekul Belau chiefs.