FRANCE
French-speaking Adventist Radio Stations in Reflection: Uniting Voices to Serve Better
About 15 leaders and stakeholders from Adventist radio stations gathered on May 18 at the headquarters of the coordination of French-speaking Seventh-day Adventist radio stations at the Franco-Belgian Union (FBU) near Paris, France. “This meeting took on a special character, welcoming representatives from Switzerland, French Guyana, and even Polynesia, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate beyond the borders of our union,” regional church leaders said.
At the heart of the discussions each participant had the opportunity to share news from their local radio station or institution. “Confiding in one another, discovering that one is not alone in facing difficulties, and, above all, exploring solutions developed by others, provides a source of encouragement and mutual inspiration,” organizers said.
Several strategic questions animated the debates, including how to better work together, harmonize formats, and improve production quality. The goal is to pool strengths for a greater impact, leaders said.
Another important discussion axis concerned the specific role of radio in the evangelistic process, event organizers said. Participants explored ways to strengthen the bridges between radio media and local churches to ensure follow-up and support for listeners interested in a faith journey.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Pacific Adventist Biofuel Initiative Gains Interest From Global Climate Fund
Pacific Adventist University (PAU) is advancing its commitment to sustainability through a biofuel project that has attracted attention from international climate organizations. Representatives from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Climate Change and Development Authority, and the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Science and Technology Secretariat visited PAU’s Koiari Park campus near Port Moresby on April 25 to learn more about the university’s biodiesel initiative. Led by PAU’s School of Science and Technology, the project involves collecting used cooking oil from local restaurants and hotels and converting it into clean biodiesel.
During the visit the delegation toured PAU’s existing biofuel facilities, reviewed the current operational capacity, and discussed potential plans for commercialization. According to the university, the visit was part of a broader assessment process related to regional climate mitigation funding.
PAU is reportedly the first university in PNG to lead a project of this nature. The initiative is being considered part of GCF’s broader investment in Pacific climate change response, including billions of US dollars allocated to support the region’s sustainability goals, school leaders reported. “The university views the project as a practical contribution to climate change mitigation and economic development in Papua New Guinea,” they said.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Hope Radio Obtains FM Frequency as It Readies to Broadcast
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has just written a new page in its media engagement in Côte d’Ivoire. Thanks to the signing of a historic agreement with the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), Hope Radio officially obtained its FM frequency and is preparing to broadcast messages of hope, peace, and development in that African nation.
Broadcasting from Bouaké on 100.00 FM, Hope Radio promises a rich and varied program, combining faith, education, health, and personal development. But the ambition does not stop there: thanks to a dedicated web application, the station will be able to reach listeners all over the world, making this initiative a true project without borders, station leaders said.
In the presence of church leaders and key media players, Southeast Côte d’Ivoire Conference president Konan Kouadio, on behalf of the Adventist Church, expressed his gratitude to the HACA and its president, René Bourgouin, for their support. He also pleaded for an extension of the signal to Abidjan to broaden the impact of the radio.
For his part, Bourgouin praised the commitment of the Adventist Church in “the moral and spiritual edification of society.” He reaffirmed the willingness of the HACA to support this project and to study favorably a future extension.
PERU
Adventist Students Plant More Than 300 Trees in the Jungle
With the aim of strengthening environmental awareness among its students and actively contributing to the care of the natural environment, Moyobamba Adventist School recently held a reforestation day in their city in the Peruvian Amazon, in coordination with the local city government. During the initiative high school students planted more than 300 cedar seedlings, thus contributing to the recovery of green areas and the promotion of environmentally responsible citizenship, school leaders said.
The initiative is part of the wholistic vision of Adventist education, which integrates academic development with spiritual, social, and ecological values, school leaders explained. “Reforestation not only represented a concrete action on behalf of the environment but also a significant teaching experience for students,” they said.
Activity coordinator Margarita Vásquez Alvarado emphasized that this type of activity is part of the institutional commitment to transformative education. “In our classrooms we don’t only promote acquiring knowledge but also being committed to protect the environment. Teaching to take care of the earth is to develop citizens with conscience and hope,” she said.
Primary school students also participated in practical workshops and activities on recycling, waste separation, and protection of biodiversity.
PHILIPPINES
Adventist Medical Center Expands Patient Care With 26 New Beds
The Adventist Medical Center-Bacolod (BAMC), Negros, expanded its health-care capacity with the addition of new hospital beds to its Patient Care Unit 5 and Intensive Care Unit. The hospital dedicated the new equipment on May 21 before placing it into service.
The upgrade includes 21 Versa Hillrom automatic beds for Patient Care Unit 5 and three Linet Eleganza beds for the Intensive Care Unit. The new beds feature advanced functions, including in-bed weighing, adjustable positions, and lateral tilting for improved patient care and safety.
Sherwin Lowe B. Rodrigo, BAMC president and CEO, said the additional beds reflect the hospital’s ongoing commitment to quality service and compassionate care. “As we welcome the arrival of our new sets of hospital beds, let us be reminded of our shared commitment to provide the highest standard of care to every patient who enters our doors. These new beds are more than just equipment—they are a symbol of our hospital’s dedication to patient comfort, dignity, and recovery. Let us continue to serve with excellence, kindness, and professionalism. Every smile, gentle touch, and attentive moment makes a difference,” Rodrigo said.