There is very exciting news to report from PIRG. In November, PIRG (Pacific Islands Regional Group) became APIRG (Asia & Pacific Islands Regional Group), to reflect the growing number of group members based in Asia. The name change was first discussed at a PIRG meet up during the 2020 IAMSLIC Conference. After that discussion PIRG representative Hannah Russell queried the group for new name suggestions, and then put together a short poll with two questions – a yes or no on a name change, and then a vote between seven names suggested by members. The vote to change PIRG’s name was unanimous, but it was very close between the two frontrunners for the new name, so a second poll was created just between these two. The results were very close again, but APIRG was the slim winner in both votes. Hannah presented the new name to the IAMSLIC Executive Board meeting on 13th November, and the board voted in favour of the new name. Thank you very much to Dorene Naidu who suggested the name, and to everyone that voted (twice!).

-Hannah Russell, APRIG Regional Representative