Women from South East Asia and Pacific countries will meet in Fiji to discuss issues relating to managing home environment, food security and disaster management.
The 25th Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association International Conference (PPSEAWA) will be held for a week at Novotel in Suva from August 24 – 31, 2013.
Minister of Women and Social Welfare Dr Jiko Luveni said Government is happy to support the international conference and has given a grant of $50,000 for the meeting.
This provides an opportunity for women to share information and experiences on various policies and programs based on the theme, “Managing the environment for a sustainable and peaceful world.”
“It will be an excellent opportunity for women in Fiji to participate at the highest international level in planning and discussions on issues of concern,” Dr Luveni said.
“Our right to host this meeting reflects that Fiji has been recognised and embraced as a deserving member of PPSEAWA.”
According to PPSEAWA (Fiji) vice president, Mrs Ravesi Johnston, since its inception in 1928, this is going to be the first time for Fiji to host this international conference.
“We are grateful to the government particularly to the Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni for her support in providing this timely assistance. We are expecting about 200 participants from Fiji and South East Asia including Russia,” Mrs Johnston said.
The conference will focus on three major sub-themes, “Disaster management and food security”, “Our biodiversity, our identity, our responsibility” and “Managing the home environment for a peaceful and happy family existence”
“We hope that the exchange of experiences, information and ideas, the coming conference will assist and educate the members to utilize coping strategies and return to their countries with information and knowledge to make a difference in their communities,” Mrs Johnston said.
PPSEAWA is a non-political, voluntary organisation, which has adopted the vision of promoting peace, through dialogue, understanding and friendship amongst the women in the Asia-Pacific region.
Originally founded as Pan Pacific Women’s Association, the organisation expanded in 1955 to include women from South East Asian countries.
MINFO