THE structure of the government should recognise the importance of the family, tokatoka, mataqali, yavusa and vanua.
Jone Vave of Sawana Village in Vanuabalavu said this in a submission to the Constitution Commission.
Mr Vave said the new constitution should ensure Fijians, regardless of gender, were empowered to order their own lives and provide for themselves and their families.
He proposed that a system integrating all races into the vanua structure should be adopted to including all ethnic communities in Fiji.
He said all Fijians must feel they were part of the new nation 'Viti'.
The constitution, he said, should ensure 'Viti' recognised that environmental sustainability was part of the global economic and social wellbeing.
"Exploitation of natural resources such as forests, land, water and fisheries shall be strictly prohibited to ensure those who depend on natural resources for their livelihood are not disadvantaged in any way," Mr Vave said.
"Everyone should have the opportunity to make a better life for themselves and have the basic right to attend school," said Mr Vave.