- FIJI & JAPAN TO DEEPEN RELATIONS IN AREAS OF CLIMATE CHANGE – The recent visit to Fiji by Japan’s Minister for Environment, Honorable Nobiteru Ishihara was an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm the need to strengthen relations in the area of climate change.
- FOREIGN DELEGATION TO FIJI TO ESTABLISH NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR WOMEN – A high level delegation from the “All China Women’s Federation” will be in the country next month to identify new platforms of partnership in women development in Fiji.
- ROLE OF sports in FOSTERing unity HIGHLIGHTED – Sports is the only unifying factor that is used to bring all the different race of people together in a multi – racial country like Fiji, says His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELFARE BENEFICIARIES VITAL – The role of civil servants in carrying out the necessary work for providing welfare assistance was commended today by the Minister for Social Welfare Dr Jiko Luveni.
- NADROGA SCHOOL LEADERS CONVERGE FOR DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE – The Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal opened the conference for the Nadroga/Navosa school heads this morning.
1 FIJI & JAPAN TO DEEPEN RELATIONS IN AREAS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The recent visit to Fiji by Japan’s Minister for Environment, Honorable Nobiteru Ishihara was an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm the need to strengthen relations in the area of climate change.
The Honorable Minister met with Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola whilst on an official visit to Fiji. The meeting which took place at the headquarters of Fiji’s foreign ministry saw both leaders agree to continue their commitment towards working on mutual areas of interest relating to climate change and other environmental issues.
Minister Ishihara reiterated the support from the Government of Japan on the current progress made by Fiji towards democratic elections and welcomed the new constitution of Fiji. In addition to this, Minister Ishihara also confirmed his support on working with Fiji on environmental related issues including climate change.
In response, Minister Kubuabola thanked Minister Ishihara for the support provided to Fiji by the Government of Japan. He acknowledged the assistance provided by Japan through the ongoing PEC funding on environmental related projects.
Minister Kubuabola has also requested for the support and aid assistance from the Government of Japan in setting up of the Pacific Island Development Forum Secretariat.
Minister Ishihara who led a delegation of senior officials from Japan’s Government also paid a courtesy call to His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
(Photo Attached)
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2 FOREIGN DELEGATION TO FIJI TO ESTABLISH NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR WOMEN
A high level delegation from the “All China Women’s Federation” will be in the country next month to identify new platforms of partnership in women development in Fiji.
This high level visit aimed at improving the lives of all Fijian women has also been commended by the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni.
Minister Luveni said the 5 member delegation from the All China Women’s Federation (ACFW) will be in the country from 18th to 20th October, 2013.
“The Fiji Women’s Federation has a sister relationship with All China Women’s Federation. The ACFW has assisted Fiji through donation of 1600 sewing machines in 2010 and through their visit next month we hope there will be new platforms for strengthened partnership in women development,” Dr Luveni said.
The delegation will be visiting major women’s projects in rural communities and also visit some of the women resource centres in Fiji. Dr Luveni said the delegation is also expected to meet the Ba Women’s Forum and also visit Yasawa during the 3 days official visit to Fiji.
According to its website, the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) is a mass organization dedicated to the advancement of Chinese women of all ethnic groups in all walks of life. Its mission is to represent and to protect women’s rights and interests, and to promote equality between men and women.
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3 ROLE OF sports in FOSTERing unity HIGHLIGHTED
Sports is the only unifying factor that is used to bring all the different race of people together in a multi – racial country like Fiji, says His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
“In fact, with Fiji’s socio-political history, many of our people, particularly our young people – the youth – look to sports as the unifying factor, whether it be football, rugby or any other of the more-than-40 sports played in Fiji,” he said.
“Sports are also an integral part of our life, and today, through the FIFA world cup, we encourage Fijians to continue to be active in sports and to live a healthy and happy lifestyle.”
As the Head of State officiated at the arrival of the FIFA World Cup trophy at the Nadi airport on its tour, he said that Fijians “should use this to celebrate peace, happiness, respect, tolerance, friendship and excellence – the same values we hold close to our hearts”.
“I ask all Fijians to take advantage of the free entry participation at Churchill park, Lautoka this Saturday to celebrate not only the FIFA World Cup world-tour but also the Fiji football association’s 75th anniversary,” Ratu Epeli said.
“The FIFA world cup has arrived at a time when Fiji has just launched its new constitution that is aimed at transforming the country into one of the best democracies in the world.”
“We are a nation that is determined to attain a peaceful and prosperous co-existence and events like this will greatly strengthen our resolve to move forward as a nation, with the common goal of providing the best for all our people irrespective of our political ideologies, ethnicity, cultural background, or religious beliefs,” Ratu Epeli added.
(Photo Attached)
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4 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELFARE BENEFICIARIES VITAL
The role of civil servants in carrying out the necessary work for providing welfare assistance was commended today by the Minister for Social Welfare Dr Jiko Luveni.
In a message to her Ministry staff as they prepare for next year’s corporate plan, the Minister reminded them on Government’s position towards assisting Fijians who are at a disadvantaged position.
“As your Minister, I expect the best from you all and this calls for professional upskilling, refresher skills development, robust coaching and mentoring, and closer performance based assessments. M & E should be an integral part of all programs,” she told staff of the ministry who came from all over the country to attend the conference.
She encouraged them to propose innovative ways that can stimulate employment opportunities for those on welfare assistance; a program that is seeing positive results with current welfare beneficiaries.
“Impact assessment should be implemented for key social welfare programs and even for the income generating projects. The shift now is in performance based work and results.”
She urged the staff that their attitude should be towards providing the best service to the people.
“Your work attitudes must be that ready to serve the people with trust, respect, and accountability and with dignity. Better to this is to serve with the goodness of your hearts,” Dr Luveni said.
“All efforts must be shown for the identification of gaps in delivery and smart strategies devised to solve them.
In 2014, she said she wanted to see “the Ministry reaching to the people with greater efficiency and coverage”.
Dr Luveni added that in a people-driven government, one is expected to excel no lower than the expected and changed mindset so that results are convincingly demonstrated.
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5 NADROGA SCHOOL LEADERS CONVERGE FOR DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
The Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal opened the conference for the Nadroga/Navosa school heads this morning.
The objective of the conference was to focus of the professional development and capacity building of school heads in the Nadroga/Navosa education district. The conference involved Head Teachers and Principals of schools in the Nadroga/Navosa education district.
In addressing the school heads, the Permanent Secretary emphasized the need for school leaders to “possess self-discipline and be well versed with the objectives of the ministry as well as the objectives of your school”.
“Get your teachers in the right frame and work collaboratively towards achieving the desired output for your school and to the ministry as a whole,” Dr Lal said.
The theme for the one day conference is “Stepping Up for Education Excellence”. The theme is in line with the Ministry of Education’s 2013 theme of “Step Up”.
There was also a special appeal collected to assist the recently destroyed classrooms at Sigatoka Methodist Primary School. The Nadroga/Navosa school heads collected a total of $843.50 to assist in the rehabilitation at Sigatoka Methodist Primary School.
The Permanent Secretary also visited Saint Joan of Arc Primary School to look into the temporary classrooms used by Sigatoka Methodist Primary students.
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