CAPTION: (L-R) Ilisapeci Vakacegu, Ronil Narayan, Andra Whiteside, Nicollette Goulding, Seini Saulave, Lavione Jime recipient & PSPSC, Parmesh Chand.
- VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION – Eight (8) Junior or Graduate Volunteers were today presented with certificates from the Permanent Secretary Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr Parmesh Chand after completing their voluntary service.
- Fiji’s leadership commended AT INTERNATIONAL SUGAR MEET – Fiji leadership on the international stage was commended today by delegates attending the 43rd Council Session of the International Sugar Organisation which continues at the Sofitel Fiji Resort in Nadi.
- RUGBY GROUP RECEIVES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM SPORTING COMMISSION – The Fiji Touch Rugby recently received a financial boost when the Fiji National Sports Commission presented a $6000.00 cheque to assist them in their preparations for the upcoming Trans Pacific Touch Tournament.
- CLIMATE CHANGE REACHES A NEW AUDIENCE – THERE is a need to produce literature on climate change to be more child-friendly so that awareness on the issue is raised.
- PUBLIC REMINDED OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ENVIRONMENT – Stakeholders, environmentalists and the general public were challenged to take ownership of the environment and to work with stakeholders when approaching effective management of Fiji’s natural resources.
- NEW FORM 7 BLOCK FOR ROTUMA HIGH SCHOOL – Rotuma High School recently opened a new Form 7 block at the school which was made possible through the small grant scheme provision for schools by the Prime Minister’s Office.
1 VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
Eight (8) Junior or Graduate Volunteers were today presented with certificates from the Permanent Secretary Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr Parmesh Chand after completing their voluntary service.
In presenting the certificates, Mr Chand thanked the volunteers for sacrificing their time to volunteer and give selflessly.
“You have worked diligently and served in areas of community and public interest with minimal allowances. I wish to thank you for your hard work and sacrifice. It is our hope that the experience gained will contribute immensely to the career path that you are going to tread on in future,” Mr Chand said.
The Volunteers were engaged through the Fiji Volunteer Scheme (FVS) administered by the PSC. In the past year, the FVS has engaged 35 local volunteers and 11 graduate volunteers have been issued with certificates.
The FVS was established to ensure that opportunities were provided for graduates to be exposed to the work environment, create a culture of giving and instil a sense of pride and patriotism.
Those interested in registering as a Volunteer will have to first register with the National Employment Centre (NEC), before contacting the FVS team based at the Old Fiji Visitors Bureau building on the corner of Thomson and Scott Street, Suva.
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2 Fiji’s leadership commended AT INTERNATIONAL SUGAR MEET
Fiji leadership on the international stage was commended today by delegates attending the 43rd Council Session of the International Sugar Organisation which continues at the Sofitel Fiji Resort in Nadi.
Jamaican representative and vice – chairman of the ISO Dr Derrick Heaven said the treatment Fiji has provided guests with is “second to none that he has received”.
“I think Fiji has the ability to grow in stature because a small island nation you maybe like ours, but the will and passion is there and Small Islands such as Jamaica really admire the efforts put in by Fiji in organizing yourselves to treating the more than 100 delegates that are here.”
While Jamaica will succeed Fiji in November this year as the new ISO Chair, Mr Heaven said that a lot of work needs to be done in order to achieve the collective realisation of the ISO.
“As an African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nation we are also faced with the same challenges that Fiji faces in our sugar industries as we also export our sugar to the European Union and we will need to continue to collectively quest for our ACP sugar,” he added.
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3 RUGBY GROUP RECEIVES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM SPORTING COMMISSION
The Fiji Touch Rugby recently received a financial boost when the Fiji National Sports Commission presented a $6000.00 cheque to assist them in their preparations for the upcoming Trans Pacific Touch Tournament.
The $6000.00 donation is part of a total allocation of $32,600 approved for Fiji Touch by the Commission for the tournament.
This support once again highlights the Commission’s ongoing support for the hosting of international tournaments on our shores recognising the associated socio-economic benefits. It also demonstrates The Fiji National Sports Commissions desire to support and raise the profile of minor sports.
The Trans-Pacific Touch Tournament will be showcasing Fiji’s finest Touch Rugby Players matching up against teams from New Zealand, Australia and Samoa, from the 18th – 21st of September at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Touch Fiji has been in close contact with the overseas teams assisting them with preparations toward this tournament which sees over 300 – 400 touch players flooding the Jet Set town and is continuing to seek support from the corporate sector.
In a statement at the launching of the sport’s 2011 world cup campaign at the Holiday Inn in Suva, His Excellency the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, stated:
“Not often do we find a sport that can be played by anyone, male and female, young and old as it is played in beaches, village greens and communities around the country…a sport that brings the family and community together to play each other in a game that offers both a competitive as well as a social mix with a unifying force that helps to foster team work, discipline as well as social cohesion and community solidarity which are important ingredients for nation building.”
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4 CLIMATE CHANGE REACHES A NEW AUDIENCE
There is a need to produce literature on climate change to be more child-friendly so that awareness on the issue is raised.
This was the basis for the production of Fiji’s first Environment Alphabet Poster and Climate Change Educational/Awareness materials which will feature local wildlife so that children can learn about this important topic in a more fun and interesting way.
The Ministry of Education’s director Technical, Vocational Education and Training Ms Alumeci Tuisawau said there is a need to filter knowledge on climate change to children in a language that they understand.
This, she said, is crucial as the climate change effects will leave these children at its mercy in the not so distant future.
“Education is a mechanism that can be utilised to be bridge the gap between children’s knowledge on climate change.”
“It can play an active role in bolstering people’s ability and stimulate the next generation to demand, generate, interpret and apply information on current and future climate and to be able to cope with the challenges of global warming,” Ms Tuisawau said.
The climate change material by SPC/GIZ features interesting stories of fictitious characters Pou and Miri in a colourful and glossy book together with an alphabet poster that has local wildlife.
As the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)/GIZ Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region Program advisor, Hanna Sabass, put it, “why learn about apples and elephants when you have bananas, parrots and turtles as local examples”.
This was handed over to the Ministry today and will be distributed to all schools this week.
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5 PUBLIC REMINDED OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ENVIRONMENT
Stakeholders, environmentalists and the general public were challenged to take ownership of the environment and to work with stakeholders when approaching effective management of Fiji’s natural resources.
This was relayed today by the Minister for Local Government Samuela Saumatua at the launch of the week-long World Environment Day which is celebrated globally.
“This program has great potential to inspire, encourage, and promote cleaner and more effective environment governance at the local level”, Minister Saumatua said.
He stressed that over the years, while approaches have been adopted to protect Fiji’s environment, this is rarely taken seriously by some members of the public.
“In this area of public awareness, the Ministry is going to focus on youth and children and they are closely working with the Ministry of Education to introduce environment into the school curriculum,” he said.
With activities planned for the week, stakeholders are optimistic that these programs will inspire greater environment integrity for the country.
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6 NEW FORM 7 BLOCK FOR ROTUMA HIGH SCHOOL
Rotuma High School recently opened a new Form 7 block at the school which was made possible through the small grant scheme provision for schools by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Principal Education Officer for Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Education, Mr Apao Solomone officiated on behalf of government an emphasised the need for students to recognise government’s own commitment to making education accessible.
“I am particularly appreciative of the commitment and the unity exhibited by the seven districts of Rotuma in the construction of the Form 7 building. I am also thrilled to learn that the finishing touches of the form 7 building was done by the Carpentry and Joinery students of Rotuma High School,” he said.
The school’s Principal, Mr Perry Gabriel acknowledged the assistance from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Education for writing a new chapter for Rotuma High School. The school received a total of $18,000 through the small grant scheme to construct the new From 7 block.
The 21 pioneer form 7 students of Rotuma High School were delighted with their new classroom during its opening. They were reminded by the chief guest to work hard and to develop a positive attitude towards their studies.
Meanwhile schools in Rotuma recently had access to a careers exhibition for the first time which was attended by students from five schools from the island.
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