Sigatoka DCOSS Community Forum.
Fiji Council of Social Services [FCOSS] is one of the most effective platforms to address social and policy issues for the betterment of grassroots people says the FCOSS Executive President Mr Samuel Reuben.
Speaking at the Nadroga District Council of Social Services [DCOSS] Community Forum on Monday, June 2, Mr Reuben said that FCOSS platform and its DCOSS Structure has been in existence for over 57 years during which millions of dollars of social assistance has been provided.
In 1957 national NGOs and Government came together to form a collective voice and it was then when FCOSS was formed.
Many registered national NGOs including those who are not registered under the charitable trust act such as mothers club, youth groups, faith based organisations, community associations and other social service organisations remain collective voice under FCOSS platform.
Over the years FCOSS has played key role of coordination, networking and advocacy on behalf of grassroots people and national NGOs and various social issues were best collected and addressed through DCOSS structure which still remains effective structure.
FCOSS has very active role in many government committees including National Council of Older Persons [NCOP] as NGO voice working at policy level and is mandated NGO by legislation such as in National Disaster Management Act 1998 to play important role.
FCOSS is recognised in regional platforms including Pacific Island Association of Non-Governmental Organisations [PIANGO] and in many international platforms.
Thus FCOSS platform is unique in its own way and must be utilised and further strengthened by its members and stakeholders.
Currently FCOSS Executive President Mr Samuel Reuben and FCOSS Officer-In-Charge Mr Neil Maharaj are traveling in western division to strengthen DCOSS, conducting membership drive and consulting key stakeholders on how best FCOSS can deliver improved services.
This move is undertaken as FCOSS gears towards preparing for a new strategic plan in coming months.
PRESS RELEASE