MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
FIJI NEWS SUMMARY
24/10/13
4:00PM
-DON’T FORGET TO WIND YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD BY 1 HOUR WHEN DAYLIGHT SAVING BEGINS ON THE 27THOF OCTOBER (SUNDAY)-
1. VANUATU ANNOUNCES ASSISTANCE TO FIJI 2014 ELECTIONS – The Republic of Vanuatu has offered to assist Fiji in its preparations for elections in 2014.
2. FIRST INFANT SCHOOL OPENS IN VANUA LEVU – The opening of Fiji’s first infant school demonstrate Government’s commitment to provide basic education to all Fijians.
3. PUBLIC REMINDED ON DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – Government wishes to remind the public that daylight savings will take effectthis Sunday, the 27th of January.
4. SPECIAL STUDENTS OVERCOME DISSABILITIES TO GRADUATE – Nineteen disabled students of the Fiji Vocational & Technical Training Centre proved that difficulties can be overcome with determination.
5. FIJI ADDRESSES UNITED NATIONS ON EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION – Economic globalisation presents both opportunities and challenges for developing countries, a Fijian envoy has told the international community.
6. MINISTER KUBUABOLA PROMOTES PIDF IN SOUTH KOREA – Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has been promoting the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF) as an ideal regional mechanism for implementation of green economy and green growth related developments for Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDs).
7. RURAL WOMEN TO SHOWCASE DESIGNS ON FIJI CATWALK – Fijian women living in rural communities across the country have been invited to showcase their fashion designing talents at a fashion show in Suva.
8. LTA LAUNCHES SAFE TRANSPORT CAMPAIGN – A campaign to promote road safety targeting young adults was launched at the Land Transport Authority office in Valelevu today.
1.VANUATU ANNOUNCES ASSISTANCE TO FIJI 2014 ELECTIONS
The Republic of Vanuatu has offered to assist Fiji in its preparations for elections in 2014.
This was conveyed by the country’s Prime Minister the Hon. Moana Carcasses Kalosil, to Fiji’s President, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
The two leaders met in Port Vila this week to look at various opportunities that can boost relations between their countries.
“We are always here ready to assist Fiji whenever Fiji will need us and we are more than happy with the assenting of the new Constitution,” he said.
“I must commend the leaders of Fiji and its Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama for a very well documented Constitution.”
The President is in Vanuatu for an official visit and held talks with senior government officials as well as the Fijian community living in Port Vila.
“The meeting between Ratu Epeli was very fruitful and positive. We are very grateful and honoured to have the Fijian Head of State visit Vanuatu,” Prime Minister Kalosil said.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Kalosil said that the recent signing of a cooperation agreement with his Fijian counterpart should produce results for Vanuatu’s education sector.
“We recently signed a MOU with Fiji and we needed a lot of good teachers and the education system in Fiji is very good and we are hopeful that we will benefit from this agreement,” he said.
“I want to ensure that we give our citizens the best education and Fiji can provide us that opportunity.”
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2.FIRST INFANT SCHOOL OPENS IN VANUA LEVU
The opening of Fiji’s first infant school demonstrates Government’s commitment to provide basic education to all Fijians.
Ratu Peni Neumi Memorial Infant School was officially opened in Nakawakawa, Wainunu, Bua by the Minister of Education, Mr Filipe Bole who was also joined by landowners and neighbouring communities.
Minister Bole in his opening address highlighted the significance of the school and what it would bring to the many students in the Wainunu District.
“The objective of the project is to provide education closer to home for students in the age group six to eight years old who are boarding.
“The significance of this occasion extends beyond the establishment and opening of the school. The accessibility and delivery of quality education to the students and their parents now and in the years ahead is perhaps the most important dimension, Mr Bole said.
The Minister reiterated the importance of education for children at that age group (5-8 years) and the need to be close to their parents instead of in boarding schools not to miss out on early childhood family care, love and guidance.
“This separation can strain the healthy development of the emotional bond that exists between the child and parents that could have a negative effect on the emotional development of the child.
“There is no better investment that the individual, parents and the nation can make than an investment in education of the highest possible quality,” Mr Bole highlighted.
Ratu Peni Neumi Memorial Infant School will cater for students from Nakawakawa, Saolo and Nabukanikadamu with three classroom buildings and furniture two new teachers’ quarters costing $454, 275.
The establishment of Infant Schools is one of the initiatives of the Bainimarama government that aims at supporting students who are faced with challenges in accessing students’ education.
The other five Infant schools include Navotua Infant in Nacula, Yasawa which will be officially opened next week, Nailou Infant in Cakaudrove, Kavula – Banikea Infant in Lekutu, Vatubalavu Infant in Navosa and Wainunu Infant in Cogea.
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3.PUBLIC REMINDED ON DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Government wishes to remind the public that daylight savings will take effect this Sunday, the 27th of January.
This decision by Cabinet means that the nation will move clocks forward by one hour from 2am to 3am normal time on Sunday 27th October, 2013.
Daylight savings will end in 2014.
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4.SPECIAL STUDENTS OVERCOME DISSABILITIES TO GRADUATE
Nineteen disabled students of the Fiji Vocational & Technical Training Centre proved that difficulties can be overcome with determination.
This is after they graduated this week with certificates which was funded through the Public Service Commission’s Scholarship Scheme for Special Children (SSSC).
The PSC permanent secretary, Mr Parmesh Chand, said Government was intent on providing assistance to students including candidates with disabilities with opportunities to educate themselves for a better livelihood.
“In this regards, with the kind consideration and approval of the Prime Minister, we have put in place the Scholarship Scheme for Special Children (SSSC) to help children attain the education and training they want,” Mr Chand said.
He congratulated the 19 graduates; whose studies ranged from basic computing to cabinet-making.
The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) director Mr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa highlighted that the graduation is a milestone event and proud moment for the families and the centre.
“Majority of the graduates are SSSC recipients and we are glad that the government representative (PS for PSC) is here with us to witness the work of their hands as he will spread the message to Fiji that persons with disabilities even though are challenged physically or intellectually are as able as any other person,” Mr Yanuyanutawa.
Ms Vilisi Vuniwaqa, one of the successful graduates expressed her gratitude to the government of for providing the scholarships to the students.
“I am thankful to the government for the opportunity to be awarded with the scholarship and even happier that I was able to complete the course at the Fiji National University (FNU).
“I look forward to furthering my studies in Diploma level next year and in the near future to find employment in an organisation to utilize my qualifications,” Ms Vilisi Vuniwaqa said.
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5.FIJI ADDRESSES UNITED NATIONS ON EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION
Economic globalisation presents both opportunities and challenges for developing countries, a Fijian envoy has told the international community.
Speaking in Fiji’s capacity as Chair of the 133-member Group of 77 and China, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Peter Thomson, addressed the UN’s Second Committee in New York today on the subject of economic globalisation.
Ambassador Thomson said that while economic globalisation primarily involves the financial and economic aspects of national endeavour, global interdependence almost inevitably affects national law-making systems and cultural identities.
He said that the Group of 77 recognises that economic globalisation provides opportunities to spread advanced technologies, foreign capital and management experience to all corners of the world. However he called for it, “to be shaped to ensure benefits are shared by everyone, facilitated by an inclusive multilateral system”.
Ambassador Thomson’s address called upon the UN to promote greater coordination and interaction with relevant international financial and economic institutions, to ensure coherence with the UN development agenda, particularly in the post-2015 era.
He said that the Group of 77 recognises “the vital role that science and technology, including environmentally sound technologies, can play in development and in facilitating efforts to confront global challenges”.
Ambassador Thomson extrapolated these global challenges to include: eradication of poverty, achievement of food security, the fighting of diseases, improvements in education, accelerating the pace of economic diversification and transformation, improving productivity and competitiveness, and protection of the environment.
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6.MINISTER KUBUABOLA PROMOTES PIDF IN SOUTH KOREA
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has been promoting the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF) as an ideal regional mechanism for implementation of green economy and green growth related developments for Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDs).
In meetings with government and non-government entities in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Minister Kubuabola continued to champion PIDF as the appropriate regional entity for implementation of green and blue growth programmes in the region for PSIDs.
“PIDF is well placed to advocate and advance issues, initiatives and approaches for the region and partners willing to do business with PSIDs on such issues should take advantage of it right away,” he said.
At a meeting with Wisdom Foundation (W-Foundation), a non – profit organization established in May 2012 and accredited under a charter granted by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy of Korea and which aims to assist countries that have insufficient access to clean drinking water, Minister Kubuabola encouraged the Foundation to enter into partnership with PIDF.
“Wisdom Foundation will be able to achieve its objectives assisting Pacific island countries including Fiji which prone to global warming effectively in partnership with PIDF,” he said.
W-Foundation officials said they were happy to take up the offer since they are committed to accumulate global attention and efforts to alleviate the problem caused by global warming and inducing shortages of drinkable fresh drinking water.
The Foundation is carrying out various activities to attract attention and create awareness on the plight of PSIDs and will in partnership with PIDF investigate various options and strategies to achieve their objectives in the Pacific.
They are expected to begin formal discussions with PIDF secretariat on the partnership soon.
Minister Kubuabola also met with Korean investor Mr YG Chang and Tourism Fiji Korea Regional Director Ms Daisy Park.
Minister Kubuabola is transiting through Korea on his way to attend the PALM Ministerial Meeting in Japan.
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7.RURAL WOMEN TO SHOWCASE DESIGNS ON FIJI CATWALK
Fijian women living in rural communities across the country have been invited to showcase their fashion designing talents at a fashion show in Suva.
A partnership between the Ministry of Women and the Federation of Rural Women has seen both bodies organising the first-ever designer awards night; giving rural women around the country the opportunity to showcase their designs on Fiji’s catwalk.
The fashion show with the theme, “Women and Culture,” will be held this week on Saturday 26thOctober 2013, at Holiday Inn in Suva.
The Federation of Rural Women president and organiser for the show Mr Jojo Gluck Whippy said designers are the ones who have been assisted through the Ministry of Women’s Sewing Program.
“The Ministry’s partnership with the sponsors has been crucial in making this show come to reality. The designers have been selected from the competitions that were held earlier during the year in their respective districts and this grand final will see all the winners compete to win the best designer award,” he explained.
The main sponsors of this event are Courts Fiji Limited, Blue Gas, Nadi Farmers Club, Sigatoka Electrics, Procera Music, Kapui Creations, S.S Music World, Amaras Plant Hire and Bligh WaterShipping while the Holiday Inn has provided the venue free of charge to host the grand finals.
“It is truly encouraging to see that business communities are complementing the effort of the Ministry through sponsoring the women in their own districts to take part in the grand finals. We have just started the show this year and we will work to make it bigger and better every year.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni will be the chief guest for this event.
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8. LTA LAUNCHES SAFE TRANSPORT CAMPAIGN
A campaign to promote road safety targeting young adults was launched at the Land Transport Authority office in Valelevu today.
The Authority’s General Manager Operation, Mr Josefa Vosanibola said the LTA has teamed up with the police to conduct snap audit and awareness throughout the central division reminding road users on road safety.
“Road crash and accidents happen because of the simple mistakes we make in life – texting and speaking on the cell phone while driving, jaywalking, falling asleep on the steering wheel due to fatigue, acquiring a fraudulent license, excessive speeding and being drunk,” said Vosanibola.
Mr Vosanibola also said that accidents can be reduced through greater use of public transport contributing to a safer and cleaner environment.
The campaign will focus on drunk drivers, passengers wearing seatbelts, vehicle inspection and fraudulent licenses.
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