1. PRESIDENT RECEIVES HEADS OF MISSIONS – His Excellency, the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today received the Heads of Missions at Government House.
2. CHINESE DONATION TO ASSIST IN STATE VISIT – The Fijian Government is grateful for the timely donation made by the Chinese Government just a few days ahead of the high level visit of the President, His Excellency, Xi Jingping.
3. FIJI REPRESENTED AT ASIAN PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON GENDER EQUALITY HELD IN BANGKOK – A delegation from Fiji is in Bangkok, Thailand this week to represent Fiji at the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
4. PARTICIPANTS CALL FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE ICT SECTOR – The rapid development and growth of employment in Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector does not come with equal female-male representation.
5. NATIONAL CELEBRATION ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN – The Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has organised a national celebration in Suva to commemorate the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) campaign on Saturday November 22, 2014.
6. MORE TRAINING INSTITUTION FOR YOUTH – The Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Mr Laisenia Tuitubou has revealed that his ministry is looking to increasing the number of youth training centres around Fiji.
7. FREE HEALTH CHECKS AT YOUTH CAMP – A three-day youth camp from November 27 to 30 in Suva will provide free health checks to members of the public in the greater Suva area.
8. DREKETI ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS TO BE COMMISSIONED SOON – The current Dreketi electrification project undertaken by Fiji Electricity Authority in the Northern Division which includes 12 settlements will be commissioned soon by the end of this year.
9. FOREIGN JOURNALISTS ENTERTAINED IN NAWAKA – More than 100 journalists from around the Asia/Pacific region were last night welcomed in a traditional ceremony at Nawaka Village in Nadi.
1. PRESIDENT RECEIVES HEADS OF MISSIONS
His Excellency, the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today received the Heads of Missions at Government House.
The courtesy call allowed the Heads of Missions to brief the President on the progress of bilateral relations between their respective countries and Fiji.
Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Amena Yauvoli said that the consultations for the Heads of Missions were progressing well and the meeting was aimed at mapping a way forward as aligned to Government’s strategic direction.
“The meeting is also significant in that it is being conducted on the eve of the official visit of the Prime Minister of India and the State Visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China,” Mr Yauvoli said.
The Heads of Missions are currently attending a two day consultation meeting that ends today.
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2. CHINESE DONATION TO ASSIST IN STATE VISIT
The Fijian Government is grateful for the timely donation made by the Chinese Government just a few days ahead of the high level visit of the President, His Excellency, Xi Jingping.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Amena Yauvoli, received around FJD$270,000 from Chinese Ambassador Huang Yong in Suva yesterday.
The money received will help Government to defray some of the budgeted cost agreed to by Cabinet to facilitate President Xi’s visit.
Mr Yauvoli said the financial assistance was timely and they appreciated the thoughtful gesture by the Chinese Government.
Given the magnitude of the visit, Mr Yauvoli said it was crucial that they get all the assistance they could muster.
“Fiji and China has a very close relation and we are thankful to them for coming to our assistance,” Mr Yauvoli said.
“As a true friend of Fiji, China has always been forthcoming in their assistance to help us meet some of our development needs.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the lead coordinator of this high level visit is working hard with all its agencies and stakeholders to ensure the successful hosting of the State visit.
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3. FIJI REPRESENTED AT ASIAN PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON GENDER EQUALITY HELD IN BANGKOK
A delegation from Fiji is in Bangkok, Thailand this week to represent Fiji at the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
The conference held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok has been organised by UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific) in conjunction with UN Women.
The conference that started on Monday will enable delegates from Asia and Pacific region to comprehensively look at progress made and collaboratively map the way forward to intensify efforts by countries in promoting gender equality and women’s rights.
The Fiji Government delegation is headed by Director Women, Mrs Arieta Moceica and Mr Nilesh Prakash from National Planning along with Mr Pita Tagicakirewa, Counsellor with the Fiji High Commission in Malaysia. Ms Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Executive Director of FemLINKPACIFIC is Fiji’s Civil Society Organisation (CSO) representative accompanying the delegation.
The conference will review the progress made by Asia Pacific countries in line with the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) and it will also identify the way forward to strengthen gender equality commitments particularly to address the gender inequalities that prevail.
Fiji’s country statement would be presented by Director Women, Mrs Arieta Moceica on Wednesday 19th November 2014. This country statement will inform the international countries about the actions taken by Fijian Government in advancing women’s rights and socioeconomic empowerment of Fijian women.
At the 1995, Fourth World Conference on Women held Beijing, the Fiji government adopted the Beijing Platform for Action. Thereafter, the work carried out by the Ministry for Women is aligned with Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) and Millennium Development (MDG) Goal, “Promoting Gender Equality” along with Women’s Plan of Action (2010 to 2015) and Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development.
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4. PARTICIPANTS CALL FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE ICT SECTOR
The rapid development and growth of employment in Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector does not come with equal female-male representation.
This was revealed by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mrs Rosy Sofia Akbar during the opening of the Pacific Media Partnership Media conference held in Nadi yesterday.
“In fact with a boost in the ICT industry, the gender imbalance becomes more obvious. Surely we can change that through country commitments and frameworks of actions monitored for performance based results,” Mrs Akbar said.
“While Information, Communications and Technologies(ICT) may not be an end in itself, our Pacific leaders recognize that it has a key role to play in our economic development and at the same time promote and enhance social cohesion, cultural enrichment and environmental conservation,” she said.
Mrs Akbar highlighted that Pacific Ministers for ICT have committed to using it as a key tool for the development, governance and sustainable livelihood of the people in the region.
“There are challenges faced in the Pacific when we plan for universal coverage for telecommunication access,” Mrs Akbar said.
“The lack of infrastructure, isolation of certain communities, scattered population distribution in maritime areas and other geographical barriers do contribute to the high costs in implementing connectivity plans,” she added.
Head of International Communication Union Mrs Aurora A Rubio highlighted during her presentation that rural women in particular need to be encouraged to learn more about ICT.
“Women are generally engaged in weaving however in order to introduce them to Internet, pre-training consultations should be organized,” Mrs Rubio said.
“Packaging of training programme ready for broadcast and this should be replicated in other communities,” she added.
Meanwhile, Fijian Government recognizes the importance of and the potential that ICTs offer in realizing our vision of empowered Fijians and a modern economy.
We have taken a number of steps such as the liberalization of the telecommunication sector, the launch of the national broad-band policy, which is the first for any South Pacific Island nation and the provision of free tele-centers.
The implementation of the spectrum plan which has, amongst other things, allowed for another free to air television; and the growing interaction and collaboration by the Fijian Government with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
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5. NATIONAL CELEBRATION ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN
The Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has organised a national celebration in Suva to commemorate the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) campaign on Saturday November 22, 2014.
Thousands of children and parents along with the Ministry staff will take part in a street march that has been organised from flea market to Sukuna Park in Suva City. The national theme for this year’s PCAN campaign is, ““Make Time to Guide a Child.”
The national event will be officially opened by Hon. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Sofia Akbar. Ms Akbar said that child protection and welfare is one of the key priorities for her Ministry.
“We don’t want any child to be subjected to violence or child abuse and neglect. During the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) campaign, various awareness programs has been organised by the Ministry in partnership with Non-Government Organisations to increase community awareness on positive parenting. We are urging families and communities to look after their children as they are the leaders of tomorrow,” Ms Akbar said.
“The Ministry through the National Coordinating Committee on Children will intensify efforts to ensure that all the children in Fiji are given the highest level of care and support they need,” she added.
The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect was first launched by Women’s World Summit Foundation in 2000. The day is commemorated every 19 November in synergy with the anniversary of the International Day for the Rights of the Child which falls on 20th November.
The Ministry has organised the following programs to create awareness on PCAN Campaign:
· Monday 17th November,2014 at the Samabula Gospel Church in Belo Street
· Wednesday 19th November,2014 at the Wailoku Hall, Suva
· Thursday 20th November, 2014 at the Nabua Public Rental Board (PRB) Hall at Mead Road, Suva
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6. MORE TRAINING INSTITUTION FOR YOUTH
The Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Mr Laisenia Tuitubou has revealed that his ministry is looking to increasing the number of youth training centres around Fiji.
Mr Tuitubou made the statement as chief guest at the Nasinu Secondary School annual prize-giving ceremony last Friday.
“Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports will remain committed to the empowerment of Fijian youths especially the high school dropouts,” Mr Tuitubou said.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports aims to establish more training institutions in the rural areas around Fiji to provide vocational and life-skills training for youths.
“The trainings provided will be accredited so trainees may attain higher qualification at tertiary institution to boost their chances of employment or enter into entrepreneurship,” he added.
The ministry has five training centres namely Naleba in Labasa, Naqere in Savusavu, Nasau in Sigatoka, Yavitu in Kadavu and in Valalevu, Nasinu.
The Minister reiterated the Hon. Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy’s earlier announcement this year to parents and teachers that most external exams will return in 2015.
“May I remind the Year 9 that you will sit the Fiji Junior Certificate next year,” Mr Tuitubou said.
“For those that will return next year, your parents, guardians and teachers hope you will return in 2015 with good health with greater rejuvenation to learn.”
He also told the teachers that the education ministry is reviewing and will reduce their workload “to allow them to concentrate on teaching and looking after the academic welfare of students as a priority”.
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7. FREE HEALTH CHECKS AT YOUTH CAMP
A three-day youth camp from November 27 to 30 in Suva will provide free health checks to members of the public in the greater Suva area.
The youth camp is organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with the International Youth Fellowship of Korea (IYF).
The youth camp aims to provide basic IT knowledge and also medical treatment, supplies and relief to people suffering from untreated diseases.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports permanent secretary, Josefa Sania said; “There will be free health checks provided at the FMF National Gymnasium from the 28th to the 30th of this month.”
“A team of qualified and enthusiastic medical professionals will serve in internal and external medicine, paediatrics, dermatology, neurology, urology, gynaecology, ophthalmology, pain management, dentistry, eastern medicine, and general health education in the few days at the main camp venue,” he added.
“We will be promoting more of these available services at the youth camp so members of the public can come and take advantage of this free services and get help.”
The IT camp will include basic IT courses, taekwondo classes, mind lectures based on Christian principles and free medical checks for members of the public at the FMF Gymnasium in Laucala.
The Honorable Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou said this was a great opportunity for members of the public and they should take full advantage this.
“Government is very grateful of this initiative by IYF and for securing the services of these medical professionals to come and provide services in Fiji for free.”
“We are also hopeful that we will develop further relations with the Republic of South Korea in regards to youth and sports development in the future,” Mr Tuitubou said.
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8. DREKETI ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS TO BE COMMISSIONED SOON
The current Dreketi electrification project undertaken by Fiji Electricity Authority in the Northern Division which includes 12 settlements will be commissioned soon by the end of this year.
District superintendent north Niranjan Sharma said six of these projects are to be commissioned by November 30 while the other five settlements should have electricity by December 31.
“A major electrification project we hope to complete is the supply of electricity to the Dreketi Rewa Rice Irrigation Mill in Dreketi,” Mr Sharma said.
“This is a major project, it is quiet big and we are hoping to complete this by next April end.”
Mr Sharma added that the 33KV high voltage line that was constructed from Cawaira Power Station in Labasa to Dreketi has provided great relief to the people and they hope to complete works of their projects to supply better service to the people.
Meanwhile; there are 13 rural electrification projects undertaken and 11 projects have been completed.
“These 11 projects have been completed and commissioned and these are areas in Labasa, Tabia and Waiqele,” Mr Sharma said.
Mr Sharma said Ngata Settlement and Lawaki Village in Labasa are yet to be completed.
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9. FOREIGN JOURNALISTS ENTERTAINED IN NAWAKA
More than 100 journalists from around the Asia/Pacific region were last night welcomed in a traditional ceremony at Nawaka Village in Nadi.
The journalists are in the country to attend a three – day Pacific Media Partnership Conference which is currently being held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort and Spa hosted by the Department of Information.
The journalists were also entertained by the village meke group before they took part in a lovo dinner prepared by the villagers.
Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) Director Technology Dr Amal Punchihewa said the visit to Nawaka has been an eye opener which has provided visitors from overseas with an exciting cultural exchange with the locals.
“The visitation to Nawaka and the entertainment has been wonderful as it has also helped up understand the Fijian culture which were evident through the programme,” Mr
Punchihewa said.
“Though it was just for a few hours, participants to the PMPC 2014 were able to appreciate the love, affection and the true Fijian hospitality which we have so often heard of.”
Nadi district officer , Jiuta Waqavonovono said the village visitation was part of a programme which Government together with stakeholders had supported to assist journalists better understand the Fijian culture.
“Fiji is where happiness finds you and what better way to show our visitors what a true Fijian hospitality is like with the visit to Nawaka and lovo feasting,” Mr Waqavonovono said.
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