As the world marks Human Rights Day on 10 December, let us celebrate the efforts of Pacific governments, civil society and individuals to advance human rights in our region.
Pacific cultures value fairness, equality, protection of the most vulnerable, helping and serving others, participation, dialogue and consensus building. These are human rights values and principles that are not foreign but embedded in Pacific beliefs, laws, policies and in international human rights instruments.
Whether we realise it or not, human rights considerations cut across priority sectors, including economic, social and cultural rights, as well as political and civil rights and freedoms.
The Pacific Community (SPC) is committed to the principles of good governance and to the defence and promotion of human rights. For 20 years, through our Human Rights Programme, SPC has been deepening relationships of trust with governments, judiciaries, parliamentarians, non-governmental, faith and community-based organisations. Via our Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT), we encourage the interpretation of international human rights in the context of Pacific cultures and way of life.
We support our country and territory members through training, technical support, legislative drafting, policy advice and advocacy services to policy and decision makers, government service providers and civil society organisations. This includes assisting lawyers, magistrates, members of parliament and key implementing agencies to apply human rights standards to their work.
One recent outcome in this context is the Denarau 2015 Declaration on Human Rights and Good Governance signed by 19 Members of Parliament from 13 Pacific Island countries, who pledged to respect, fulfil, protect and promote the inherent rights of all peoples in the Pacific.
Acceding to treaties shows commitment to human rights standards for the delivery of services and opportunities for all citizens to access basic rights and freedoms that enable development outcomes. SPC provides training and ongoing mentoring in the process of treaty ratification and reporting, together with technical assistance for national legislative alignment to international human rights standards.
Pacific Island countries are reviewed every four to five years on their human rights records by a United Nations mechanism called the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In the first round of UPR reporting, SPC assisted Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu with their reviews. The UPR has now entered its second reporting cycle and, so far, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and have received our support.
The theme for Human Rights Day this year is “Our rights. Our freedoms. Always”. Fundamental to ensuring the protection of human rights is the promotion of legislative reform. SPC assists Pacific states with drafting legislation and policy, and ensuring international human rights standards are infused into programme planning, policy development and legislative reform in human rights priority areas, such as gender equality, disability, the rule of law and climate change.
Recent research by the United Nations in six Pacific countries shows the prevalence of violence against women is among the highest in the world, with two out of three women having experienced violence, too often at the hand of an intimate partner or family member. Highlighting the urgency of ending violence against women has been the focus of “16 Days of Activism in the Pacific”, a campaign led by SPC and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat that culminates on Human Rights Day.
SPC provides technical support to its members in the preparation, enactment and implementation of domestic violence legislation. This includes the creation of domestic violence protection orders, responsibilities of the Police and service providers, and the introduction of preventative measures, education and monitoring mechanisms.
Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands are in the process of moving from “Act to Action”, ensuring that women are aware of, and able to access, the protections provided for in their respective national legislation. SPC is also supporting the development of new domestic violence legislation in Nauru and Niue.
Formed in 1998, our partnership with the University of the South Pacific (USP) to promote effective leadership and governance, has seen more than 880 law students from across the Pacific complete a Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Legal Practice. The 22-week course prepares students for entry into legal practice and equips them to apply a human rights and gender-sensitive lens to access to justice. Additionally, 1061 students – 57 per cent of whom are women – have passed through a jointly run Diploma in Leadership, Governance and Human Rights, introduced in 2013.
SPC is able to contribute to such outcomes thanks to the support of the Australian Government, the European Union and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Our 26 members strongly endorsed the Pacific Community Strategic Plan 2016-2020 at our Conference held in Niue last month. This plan reinforces our commitment to the defence of human rights and ensures the needs of the most vulnerable in our societies will remain at the forefront of SPC’s work.
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ReplyDeleteThe Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Capella University is designed to cultivate advanced practice nurses who can lead transformative change in healthcare. Through a sequence of integrated assessments — including NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 5, NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 6, NURS FPX 9010 Assessment 1, and RSCH FPX 7868 Assessment 3 — students progress from research preparation to project completion and dissemination. These assessments build leadership, scholarly inquiry, and evidence-based implementation skills essential for doctoral-level nursing professionals.
DeleteNURS FPX 9000 Assessment 5: Implementation of the DNP Project
At this stage, students move from planning to executing their DNP project. Assessment 5 focuses on implementation, where learners put their evidence-based intervention into practice within a clinical or organizational setting.
Key steps include:
Applying the intervention or practice change based on previous project proposals.
Collaborating with stakeholders such as administrators, clinicians, or patients.
Monitoring progress through structured data collection methods.
Ensuring adherence to ethical and institutional review standards.
This assessment demonstrates the nurse leader’s capacity to operationalize theory and research into practical solutions. It reflects advanced competencies in systems leadership, quality improvement, and clinical transformation. Successful implementation at this stage sets the foundation for evaluating outcomes in later assessments.
NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 6: Evaluation and Dissemination of the DNP Project
The final phase of the DNP project — represented by NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 6 — centers on evaluating results and disseminating findings. Students analyze the effectiveness of their implemented interventions using both qualitative and quantitative metrics.
Components include:
Outcome analysis: Comparing pre- and post-intervention data.
Evaluation of objectives: Determining whether desired goals were achieved.
Dissemination plan: Preparing professional presentations or manuscripts for publication.
Reflective evaluation: Assessing professional growth and leadership development through the DNP process.
This assessment demonstrates the learner’s ability to measure, interpret, and communicate project outcomes — a hallmark of doctoral-level nursing practice. It also reinforces the commitment to evidence-based improvement and the ethical dissemination of findings that contribute to the broader nursing community.
NURS FPX 9010 Assessment 1: Initiating the DNP Project Course Series
After completing the foundational NURS FPX 9000 sequence, students transition into NURS FPX 9010, which represents the continuation or refinement of their DNP project journey. Assessment 1 typically involves further development of project dissemination materials or refinement of scholarly deliverables.
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Strengthening project documentation and outcome summaries.
Developing poster presentations, manuscripts, or conference abstracts.
Engaging in peer and faculty feedback for scholarly improvement.
Demonstrating alignment with AACN DNP Essentials and professional practice standards.
This assessment emphasizes lifelong scholarship — positioning the nurse not only as a clinical expert but also as a contributor to nursing science and professional innovation.
RSCH FPX 7868 Assessment 3: Research Design and Proposal Development
Before embarking on the DNP project, students must master research and evidence synthesis — a skill developed through RSCH FPX 7868 (Applied Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice). Assessment 3 focuses on designing a research proposal that integrates statistical reasoning and methodological rigor.
The Capella University Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program focuses on preparing nurse leaders to integrate evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and professional collaboration into healthcare systems. Three key assessments — NURS FPX 6116 Assessment 5, NURS FPX 6400 Assessment 1, and NURS FPX 6400 Assessment 2 — play an essential role in building leadership, research, and communication skills that drive excellence in clinical and organizational outcomes.
ReplyDeleteNURS FPX 6116 Assessment 5: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement
In NURS FPX 6116 Assessment 5, students synthesize leadership theories and evidence-based research to address a clinical or organizational challenge. This assessment focuses on implementing an evidence-based improvement plan designed to enhance patient safety, care quality, or workflow efficiency.
Key elements include:
Identifying a practice problem relevant to the student’s healthcare setting.
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By completing this assessment, nurses demonstrate their ability to apply evidence-based leadership in real-world contexts. The project bridges the gap between theory and practice, reinforcing the nurse’s role as a change agent in modern healthcare.
NURS FPX 6400 Assessment 1: Interprofessional Collaboration and Communication
The NURS FPX 6400 course emphasizes collaborative leadership across multidisciplinary teams to improve patient and system outcomes. Assessment 1 introduces the foundational concepts of interprofessional communication and teamwork in nursing leadership.
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Evaluating interprofessional collaboration models within healthcare systems.
Identifying barriers such as role confusion, hierarchy, or communication breakdown.
Proposing strategies to strengthen team coordination, conflict resolution, and mutual respect.
Reflecting on the nurse’s leadership role in fostering a culture of cooperation.
This assessment helps students understand that effective collaboration is key to advancing holistic, patient-centered care. It also enhances interpersonal and professional communication — critical skills for leading diverse healthcare teams.
NURS FPX 6400 Assessment 2: Leadership and Change Management in Nursing
Building on the principles from Assessment 1, NURS FPX 6400 Assessment 2 focuses on leadership theories and change management strategies that support healthcare innovation. Nurses are required to develop a leadership-based solution addressing an identified organizational or patient care challenge.
The Capella University DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program is designed to help nursing professionals develop advanced competencies in leadership, evidence-based practice, and scholarly inquiry. Within this program, NURS FPX 8008 Assessments 1, 2, and 3 form the foundation for integrating critical thinking, professional ethics, and research application into clinical and organizational practice. These assessments guide learners through the essential stages of scholarly and leadership development, preparing them to influence health outcomes on a broader scale.
ReplyDeleteNURS FPX 8008 Assessment 1: Exploring the Role of the DNP Nurse Leader
The journey begins with NURS FPX 8008 Assessment 1, where students explore the evolving role of the DNP nurse leader within today’s complex healthcare systems. This assessment emphasizes understanding how doctoral-level nursing leadership contributes to healthcare transformation through innovation, policy advocacy, and quality improvement.
Key focus areas include:
Analyzing the distinction between DNP and PhD roles in nursing.
Examining the impact of evidence-based leadership on patient care and organizational change.
Reflecting on ethical decision-making and professional accountability.
Evaluating strategies for integrating advanced clinical expertise into leadership and policy initiatives.
By completing this assessment, learners articulate how DNP-prepared nurses serve as change agents who bridge the gap between research, practice, and leadership. It lays the groundwork for developing a professional identity rooted in scholarly inquiry and transformative leadership.
NURS FPX 8008 Assessment 2: Applying Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Leadership
In NURS FPX 8008 Assessment 2, the emphasis shifts from theoretical exploration to practical application of evidence-based practice (EBP). Students identify a significant clinical or organizational issue and develop a strategy grounded in scientific evidence to improve outcomes.
Core components include:
Identifying a clinical problem or practice gap supported by current data.
Conducting a literature review to analyze peer-reviewed evidence and best practices.
Designing an evidence-based intervention plan aligned with DNP competencies.
Considering the ethical, legal, and policy implications of implementing EBP in real-world settings.
This assessment highlights the importance of translating research into action. DNP students learn to synthesize data, evaluate outcomes, and propose evidence-driven solutions that enhance quality and safety across healthcare systems. It underscores the nurse leader’s responsibility in advancing a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement.
NURS FPX 8008 Assessment 3: Scholarly Project Development and Integration
The capstone component, NURS FPX 8008 Assessment 3, requires learners to integrate knowledge from previous assessments to design a DNP scholarly project proposal. This project reflects the culmination of leadership, research, and practice integration, focusing on a problem relevant to nursing or healthcare delivery.