FIJI would be the way the world should be if every Fijian truly accepts each other's cultures, making it a heritage of all the people of Fiji, says Professor Yash Ghai.
Addressing a multicultural audience at the celebrations of the Fiji at 42, at Oceania Centre at the University of the South Pacific Thursday evening, Prof Ghai said different communities should embrace each others' cultures as this would take Fiji forward.
"If you look at the decree which sets up the process of constitution making now and if you read the speech of the Prime Minister on 9th March this year, there is a conception of Fiji where you easily, willingly transcend your ethnic affiliation to embrace a wider community — the community of Fiji," Prof Ghai said. He said Fiji had a rich culture and lessons could be learnt from diversity — and a good example was in the wonderful Fijian cuisine — there is Indian, Chinese, iTaukei which is enjoyed widely by everyone.
He said it was important to take this approach of the interaction of culture to other spheres — moral traditions, literary and musical achievements and friendships.
He said after listening to the people of Fiji during consultations, the commission felt that Fiji was in a period of great social transformation as people had different views and visions, some seeking inspiration from the past and others looking to a future with greater options, a part of the global community.