CONSTITUTIONS have become very ambitious — a lot of problems are presented to the people for resolution through the constitution.
Constitution Commission chairman Prof Yash Ghai made the statement early this week at public discussions at the University of the South Pacific.
"It has become extremely important to build substantial consensus to improve the values of the constitution and I don't see this happening very much in Fiji," Prof Ghai said.
"I don't see any group or groups taking responsibility for building a kind of consensus and the constitution, however good it is, and I promise you we will give you the best we can, may not have much validity in society unless there is substantial consensus behind the values and the institutions," he added.
Prof Ghai said the academic community played a critical role in providing the best resolution and consensus might emerge.
He hoped they would help the commission and help the country in not only addressing social issues but also emphasising national values.
Prof Ghai said unless they were focused on the national good, they were probably not going to get the constitution that was truly Fiji focused.