THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
MR LAISENIA TUITUBOU
Address at Launch of Video - Multicultural Youth Engagement Fiji on Friday 24th March at 2.00pm at the Fiji Museum, Suva.
The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Osnat Lubrani;
Honourable Chief Justice;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Government Ministers and Senior Officials;
Invited Guests;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Let me begin by saying that we must become bigger than what we have been: more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must boldly become members of a united universal race of humanity, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not only to our beautiful nation but to our fellow men and women within our communities.
I am indeed pleased to be here today to launch this video documentary which amplifies the voices of our youth on several issues so important to us in Fiji. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is always grateful for the relationship we have developed with the UNDP over the past years. We look forward to strengthening our relationship further on many fronts in the future.
The UNDP supported Multicultural Youth Engagement workshops under the “Strengthening Citizen Engagement in Fiji Initiative” conducted in the four divisions. This brought together young people from different communities around Fiji. Youths at this forum engaged in meaningful, perhaps difficult, conversations as they explored and discovered different ways of living in harmony, recognising and accepting our unique and rich diversity throughout our community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In September 2013, the former President of the Republic of Fiji Islands, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, gave his address on the Assent of the 2013 Constitution and said; “On any fair reading, the 2013 Constitution safeguards the rights of every Fijian and finally lays the basis for the development of a modern, progressive and enlightened state. It no longer entrenches privilege or the rights of some citizens over others. It is the Constitution we had to have for us to join the ranks of the world’s great democracies. Unlike previous Constitutions, it does not define and divide us by ethnicity. It bestows the title of Fijian on every citizen, while celebrating and recognizing our cultures. This is a magnificent achievement based on the most fundamental of democratic principles – that all men and women are created equal,” Unquote.
Almost four years down the road, we have progressed well as a nation although there is still much we have to do. We have grown to appreciate our national identity based upon our multi-cultural diversity. Since September 2013, under Fiji’s supreme law, we are now all Fijians.
We indeed have become bigger. In 2013, we started a journey of eliminating discrimination, an illogical distinction between one person and another. We began with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens, equal citizens, of one nation.
The great Greek philosopher, Plato, once said and I quote; “Is there anything worse for a state than to be split and disunited or anything better than cohesion and unity?” unquote. Our 2013 Constitution embraced Plato’s statement that we cannot stand divided as a nation. We are all one nation. We are all Fijians.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Government has taken bold steps to implement international best practice to ensure that everyone is treated equally and fairly under the law, and our freedoms are protected from any form of discrimination against race, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and so on. The promotion of equal citizenry is critical for social cohesion and peace.
To understand and respect each other’s culture is to contribute to social cohesion. Social cohesion refers to positive social relationships and tolerance. Social cohesion is the ‘glue’ that binds people and a nation together. Government envisages Fiji being a socially cohesive society, which works every day towards the wellbeing of all its citizens, fights exclusion and marginalisation, creates a sense of belonging, promotes trust and offers its citizens the opportunity of upward mobility; as embraced in the 2013 Constitution.
We saw a glimpse of complete social inclusion when our 7s champions won the gold medal in Rio. However, social cohesion cannot be an isolated occurrence once in four years. We have to entrench it into every day of our lives and the lives of our children.
We are aware that maintaining such cohesion can be a challenge. The video that launched today highlights critical lessons that we as citizens and residents of Fiji must seriously consider as it involves stepping out of our comfort zones to address our insecurities. The key message for us as individuals is how we can be inclusive in our approach towards other people. It is about how can we be open minded to learning and really getting to know those who are different from us.
We should aspire to learn the cultures, traditions, language, history and practices of our ethnic communities. We should be willing to share our stories, histories, and traditions and also learn of theirs. It is indeed true that peace and social cohesion can only be achieved when people of all races understand and know each other.
It is a journey along the road of knowledge that we must undertake hand in hand. It is through interaction that we learn and it is through learning that we understand. From understanding, we become friends and not just acquaintances. From understanding, we truly become Fijian united through what brings us together, our common humanity.
It is unacceptable that a young Muslim woman walking down the street is spat at simply for being Muslim. It is unacceptable in so many ways as it shows ignorance of the faith of Islam, a faith of peace. It shows simple bad manners. It shows that some of us are not prepared to stand up for others; to promote understanding and unity. That is our challenge – to throw off our ignorance because it is comfortable but misinformed; to understand better to challenge our preconceptions and misconceptions.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is committed to our mission to educate young Fijians to be knowledgeable and understand the 2013 Constitution and basic Human Rights. I believe that this is essential and we should all take ownership of creating civic education and pride within our young people, respect for our diversity, and help foster tolerance within our communities. I look forward to working with the UNDP and other agencies to achieve this vision as we reach out to all our youth as we are a Ministry for all youth.
Last Friday, I closed the Human Rights & Gender-Based Violence training for more than 50 youth representatives from the maritime islands of the Eastern Division. I emphasised to them that violence against vulnerable groups is not acceptable in our country and that we must all work together to stop it in its tracks. We believe that it is a critical message to break the silence that exists about this unacceptable behaviour.
The Ministry is a strong advocate of unity under our Constitution and for youths to appreciate that our diversity is our strength. Our nation has succeeded culturally, politically and economically because of our diversity, and not in spite of it. Through our programs and commitment, we want to empower youths and prove clearly and unflinchingly that, together, we can – and will - create a better future for us all.
We are liaising closely with the Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Commission, Fiji Elections Office and Parliament to partner in civic education – and educate our youth about their basic human rights and pass on other necessary tangible knowledge to succeed in our new contemporary society.
Education is the key to social cohesion, creating our Fijian identity even though we are from different ethnic origins and religious backgrounds. Fijians all have the same blue blood and we sing the same national anthem; we laugh and we cry together.
Participation in all aspects of Fijian life by all Fijians will ensure true democracy – democracy that is defined as government of the people by the people. Our common humanity is our commitment to peace, to working for a better life and future for all citizens. We need to define our common destiny based on mutual respect – and this is a vital role our youths can and will play. The past is past but it serves a reminder of how far we have come as Fijians and as a nation in four years.
I acknowledge the important support of the European Union and UNDP in supporting Government’s efforts to promote multi-culturalism and unity in Fiji, by supporting advocacy efforts such as this video. This will no doubt trigger conversations and debates around important issues of human rights. I also acknowledge the support of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs for this initiative.
I wish to leave you with a quotation from Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations who once said and I quote; “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society's margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies.” Unquote.
We need to empower our youth with knowledge, respect and tolerance so that we do not leave our country impoverished. I hope, I know, that you will join with us as we take on this challenge. Our beloved country demands it and our youth deserve it.
I herewith launch the video.
Vinaka. Danyabad. Shokran. Xie xie. Thank you.