Faustina K. Rehuher-Marugg | |
---|---|
Minister of State | |
In office 13 June 2017 – 21 January 2021 | |
Prime Minister | Thomas Remengesau Jr. |
Preceded by | Billy Kuartei |
Succeeded by | Uduch Sengebau Senior |
Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs of Palau | |
In office 2009–2012 | |
Personal details | |
Political party | Independent |
Alma mater | University of Hawaiʻi |
Faustina K. Rehuher-Marugg is a Palauan curator and politician who served as the State Minister of Palau from 2017 to 2021. She was Director of Belau National Museum from 1979 to 2009.
Career
Rehuher-Marugg holds a master's degree in Pacific Island Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi and the East-West Center.[1][2] She worked for as the Director and Curator of the Belau National Museum in Koror for thirty years between 1979 and 2009.[3] During her time as a curator, Rehuher-Marugg promoted Palauan culture to regional and international organisations including ICOMOS and UNESCO.[3] In addition to this, Rehuher-Marugg served in leadership roles in many Pacific cultural organisations, including the Pacific Islands Museums Association, the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives, as a co-founder of the Palau Conservation Society, the Palau Resources Institute, and the Palau Chamber of Commerce.[4][2]
In 2009, Rehuher-Marugg resigned from the Belau National Museum after being nominated to serve as the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs by President Johnson Toriblong; she was subsequently appointed to the role by a unanimous vote by the Senate of Palau.[3] During her term, Rehuher-Marugg was successful in getting the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[5][6] Rehuher-Marugg left the role in 2012.[5] That same year, Rehuher-Marugg was recognised for her contributions to the promotion and development of the arts, culture and history of Palau by the Legislature of Guam.[2]
In June 2017, Rehuher-Marugg was elected to serve as the State Minister in the Cabinet of Thomas Remengesau Jr, replacing Billy Kuartei.[7] Remengesau commended her "wealth of experience in public service [and] the preservation of Palau's heritage and history".[7] She was sworn into office by Judge Rosemary Skebong.[8]
In 2018, Rehuher-Marugg was instrumental in securing a $60,000 grant from the Australian government to support Palau's eco-pledge initiative where all visitors promise to respect the environment.[9] The same year, she represented Palau at the Pacific Islands Forum, held in Nauru, where climate crisis was the focus of the agenda.[10] In 2019, she led a delegation from Taiwan, including President Tsai Ing-wen.[11] In 2021 she negotiated a grant aid programme with Japan to the value of $4.8 million in order to enable the government of Palau to detect illegal shipping.[12]
References
- ↑ Pacific Media Network (15 February 2021). "Faustina Rehuher Marugg - Mironesian states withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum". Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- 1 2 3 Won, Judith T. (2012). "I Mina'trentai Unu Na Liheslaturan Guåhan" (PDF). Guam Legislature Archives.
- 1 2 3 "Faustina Rehuher-Marugg Appointed as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs by ROP President". Belau National Museum - Ngesechel a Cherechar. 2009. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ "Directors and Founders – Palau Conservation Society". 2021-10-01. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- 1 2 Reklai, L. N. (26 May 2017). "Faustina Marugg appointed to Ministry of State". Island Times. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Rock Islands Southern Lagoon". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- 1 2 Office of the President (14 June 2017). "Faustina K. Rehuher-Marugg Swears in as Minister of State". Palau Gov. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ "Faustina K. Rehuher-Marugg Sworn In As Palau Minister Of State | Pacific Islands Report". 2021-10-01. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ "Australia's FM Julie Bishop presents US$60,000 for Palau Pledge Initiative". 2021-10-01. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ "Australia relationship with Pacific on climate change 'dysfunctional' and 'abusive'". the Guardian. 2018-09-05. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ "President Tsai meets delegation led by Palau Minister of State Faustina Rehuher-Marugg". 2021-10-01. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ↑ Island Times (2021-01-21). "Japan and Palau signed approx. $4.8 million Grant Aid Contract for the Improvement of Maritime Domain Awareness in Palau". Island Times. Retrieved 2021-10-01.