The new Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs will not be for “scholarships”.
This was stressed by Dr Rajendra Prasad, a former Fiji resident and social policy expert from New Zealand who is working on the framework for the new ministry.
He said the misconception was that the ministry would focus on scholarships or resume activities of the previous multi-ethnic ministry.
Dr Prasad said they had consultations with various stakeholders in Fiji, including representative and heads from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, leaders of various ethnic groups, the head of the vanua, head of the State and business committees from the Central, Western, Northern and Eastern parts of Fiji.
According to Dr Prasad, they had received feedback on the culture of silence, leadership, data collection, and providing a place for different ethnic groups to voice their issues and concerns.
When asked if the ministry’s role will be to foster ethnic cooperation, Dr Prasad said it would, and added that it would also promote social cohesion and inclusiveness.
Another consultant, Radhe Nand, said they wanted to promote integration of ethnic groups as pluralism was already present in Fiji and this concept was enshrined in the daily lives of citizens.
He used the example of Diwali and said it was celebrated by all rather than just the ethnic Hindu group.
They also stated that the ministry and setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission were two separate things.
Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs said they were expecting the two consultants to return to Fiji with a completed report, which would form the basis of workshops with a number of communities, organisations and individuals to fine-tune the framework.
“It is anticipated that once this is completed, we will proceed at speed to approve the work program of the new ministry and launch it as a fully-fledged new ministry that all ethnic communities can be proud of as a port of call for having their unique needs addressed,” he said.
“More than 40 consultations have been undertaken in Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and Labasa with a wide range of individuals and organisations.”
