Profile Series: Lilian Tine Fighting to Preserve Tuvalu’s Identity Amid Climate Change

Lilian Tine speaks with quiet resolve, her words resonating Tuvalu’s past, present and future. She was born in Kiribati, an island country in the central Pacific Ocean, during the colonial days when the region was still known as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Her life has been a journey of triumph, resilience and passion for her people, and her identity. 

“I was born in Kiribati, but Tuvalu is my heart,” she begins. “My father is from Nukufetau, and my mother is from Nanumea. I grew up here, in Funafuti, after my parents brought us home.” Lillian’s voice carries the weight of her love for the islands she calls home. She has dedicated her life with decades of service to her people. 

Lilian’s journey began with her pursuit of higher education in Fiji and a return to contribute to Tuvalu’s development. As a young woman, she dedicated herself to reviving and re-establishing the Tuvalu National Council for Women. She worked with women who, despite their limited education, shared her vision. Together, they turned this ambition into a reality. “It was inspiring, working with the women to get the council up and running. Back then, many women hadn’t finished high school or attained higher education, but we were determined,” Lillian recalls. Their efforts eventually bore fruit, with Tuvalu ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). “At the time, there was no dedicated gender department, just one staff member in a small office. The council, became the driving force behind our progress.” 

Today, opportunities for women in Tuvalu have expanded. “Now, women can access scholarships. It was never like that in the past,” she says with a proud smile. However, Lillian herself has chosen to stay rooted in her community despite her resources and ability to live elsewhere. “You have to be passionate and have the drive. For my generation, it’s about giving back and helping the next generation understand the journey we’ve come through,” she shares. 

Tuvalu’s communal spirit is a source of strength for Lilian. “We are a very community-based society,” she explains. “Here, it’s ingrained in our way of life for men, youth and women to support each other. Our extended families are close-knit, and everyone has a role to play.” 

“We women of Tuvalu don’t go marching and demanding things. During time of crisis, our husbands, cousins and the youth in our community ensure that women, girls, the elderly and people with special needs are the first to be taken care of,” Lilian states.  

Yet, as much as she celebrates Tuvalu’s unique culture, Lilian carries deep concerns. She worries that migration, driven by climate change and economic pressures, is reshaping her people’s identity. “When our people go overseas for work, many are not prepared for the challenges they face. It’s not the greener pastures they expect," she explains. "It’s a culture shock, and some come back empty-handed, broken by the experience.” 

Lillian’s fears extend to her own family. “I worry about losing our identity. My children, as third-culture kids, already experience this shift. It’s painful to see.” 

In response to these challenges, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working closely with stakeholders and community leaders to design a climate migration package, providing steps to help protect the identity of Tuvaluans migrating abroad. This initiative aims to equip Tuvaluans with the information and guidance needed to migrate safely in search of work. Lillian plays a vital role, helping to establish networks for Tuvaluans abroad, particularly in Australia. 

IOM, through its country office in Funafuti, has established strong ties with crucial partners throughout Tuvalu in efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change and its impacts on migration and human security.  

Through the Pacific Climate Change Mobility and Human Security (PCCMHS) programme, IOM works to ensure that migration becomes a pathway to resilience rather than a response to desperation. In collaboration with local leaders like Lilian, IOM also facilitates programmes that bridge the gap between Tuvalu’s traditional communal values and the realities of living abroad.  

These efforts not only safeguard the welfare of Tuvaluan migrants but also empower them to act as cultural ambassadors, reinforcing their ties to Tuvalu and ensuring their heritage endures across borders. As Lilian gazes away, she responds, “The PCCMS programme by IOM represents the hope that we can maintain Tuvalu’s identity in this rapidly changing world.” 

Then, she takes a deep breath and sighs. “My greatest fear is losing our identity. We’re resilient, but how much can we adapt before we forget who we are?” 

For Lilian, the fight to preserve Tuvalu’s culture and identity is not just a personal mission – it is a call to her people. “We must remember where we come from and who we are. No matter where life takes us, we are always Tuvaluan,” she concludes. 

In her tireless dedication, Lilian Tine is more than a coordinator or advocate. She is a guardian of Tuvalu’s pulse, ensuring that the voices and resolves of Tuvaluan people are carried across oceans in generations to come. 

This story was written by Roneel Lal, Senior Communications and Media Assistant at IOM Fiji, rlal@iom.int