- GOVT MEDIA OFFICERS BRIEFED ON ELECTIONS PROGRESS – Public relations personnel from government ministries and agencies were briefed today on the electoral developments taking place across the country.
- FIJI REPRESENTED AT GLOBAL MEET – The 4th Session of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information is currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- TEXTILE STAKEHOLDERS URGED TO MENTOR BUDDING MICRO ENTERPRISES – The Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary Mr Shaheen Ali has urged the key players of the Textile, Clothing and Footware (TCF) Council to encourage and mentor small micro and medium enterprises.
- FREE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING A SUCCESS – The Health Ministry in collaboration with Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club and VanMed Labs has successfully completed prostate screening for more than 500 men.
1 GOVT MEDIA OFFICERS BRIEFED ON ELECTIONS PROGRESS
Public relations personnel from government ministries and agencies were briefed today on the electoral developments taking place across the country.
The briefing is part of the Media Liaison Forum – an event organised quarterly by the Ministry of Information as part of efforts to strengthen government public relations. The event is also an opportunity for these officers to network amongst each other and look at ways of addressing challenges in terms of public relations.
The presentation was carried out by the Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem who highlighted to the participants that a crucial aspect of the work carried out by his team is to maximise publicity before the September 17 election. He pointed that this also ensured that Fijians across the country including those in rural areas have access to information regarding voting and elections.
The Ministry of Information permanent secretary Sharon Smith Johns said that today’s presentation by was an opportunity for these officers to understand the steps taken by the elections office including the polling process and the various processes that need to be adhered to.
“One of the role of these officers is that they’re always communicating directly with the public so its important that they understand the work that’s carried out at the elections office”, Ms Smith Johns said.
She added that the presentation today is also an opportunity for the officers to share with their colleagues and to their peers.
Today’s presentation forum was also an opportunity for the media officers to present on ways to strengthen government communication including its own communication with media outlets.
-ENDS-
2 FIJI REPRESENTED AT GLOBAL MEET
The 4th Session of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information is currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
“The Fourth Session of UN-GGIM will bring together senior executives from national geospatial information authorities within Member States, and international geospatial experts from across the globe. Discussions and outcomes will further recognise and determine the critical role of geospatial information management and the need for strengthened collaboration and joined initiatives, to advance the development and use of geospatial data and tools to support global sustainable development”, according to the United Nations.
“The United Nations Committee of Experts on GGIM welcomes the participation of Member States and relevant international organisations and entities to its Fourth Session as it continues to move forward in fulfilling its mandate to enhance collaboration and support the use of geospatial information to promote sustainable development globally.”
Fiji being the only country from the Small Island Developing States in the Pacific attending this important session, is represented by the Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Mr Tevita Boseiwaqa and the Director Land Use Unit Mr Samuela Naicegucegu.
One of the important agenda in this meet is the adoption of the Global Geodetic Reference Frame. The Fijian permanent secretary has conveyed the Fijian Government’s commitment and support for the resolution adopted and the subsequent proposal to submit it to ECOSOC for tabling in the coming General Assembly.
-ENDS-
3 TEXTILE STAKEHOLDERS URGED TO MENTOR BUDDING MICRO ENTERPRISES
The Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary Mr Shaheen Ali has urged the key players of the Textile, Clothing and Footware (TCF) Council to encourage and mentor small micro and medium enterprises.
“The new requirements of the international markets have made it much more difficult for our small markets to survive in the industry.
“It is time for all of you in the industry and big players to open up and allow small players to join the exporters’ league,” Mr Ali said.
Mr Ali said that government is willing to partner with the council in this endeavor to mentor small and medium businesses and will simply allow Fiji as a nation to take more complete advantage of the opportunities that are out there in the export market.
Fashion Council of Fiji president Ms Naziah Ali explained to the TCF Council members at the TCF council AGM this week, that the emerging fashion industry is looking into close cooperation with the council.
“We want to build strong relationships with key industry players like TCF council and hope in future that they will open dialogue and see how we could merge in terms of sharing ideas and tap into areas where manufacturers can supply the growing and able designers who are able to produce garments at a larger scale then for those who have just started off.
“Instead of looking at just here and now, we can look at the future being at the positive Instead of looking at just here and now, we can look at the future being at the positive,” Ms Ali said.
President of the TCF council, Mr Kaushik Kumar said that they will work more closely with the Fashion and look into the potential of local designers.
-ENDS-
4 FREE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING A SUCCESS
The Health Ministry in collaboration with Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club and VanMed Labs has successfully completed prostate screening for more than 500 men.
These screenings took place in Lautoka, Labasa and Suva. These free prostate cancer screenings were made possible through a donation made by the Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club to the Health Ministry amounting to $14,424.10 earlier this year.
During screenings, the Health Ministry also took the initiative to conduct a survey amongst men to capture the knowledge, attitude and practice on prostate cancer in Fiji.
Preliminary plans are in place to analyze, present and publish the data collected by November 2014. As the month of November, marks the International Month for Men’s Health.
Men’s health is an area that the Health Ministry is committed towards improving and creating more awareness on. Particularly as prostate cancer has been identified as a silent killer amongst men in Fiji.
The Health Ministry encourages men above the age of 40 to get screened for prostate as early detection.
This will allow appropriate treatment as prostate cancer is curable in its early stages.
-ENDS-
Find Ministry of Information on Facebook and be one of the 37,900 people who “like” our page. Updated news, picture and events.
Find our National Archives page on Facebook and be part of the growing numbers who are joining us on Facebook.
For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal www.fiji.gov.fj