A DELEGATION from the government of Tonga is in the country to study the framework of the Fiji Volunteer Services, and its legislation and operations to be able to establish a volunteer scheme for retired teachers in Tonga in the near future.
A Government statement issued this afternoon said the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Salaseini Daunabuna, met the Minister for Education and Training of the Government of Tonga, Penisimani Epenisa Fifita, today to discuss future collaboration on the Volunteer Scheme for retired teachers that is presently administered by the Fiji Volunteer Services of the National Employment Centre.
“The Tongan delegation was informed of the growing recognition of volunteerism in Fiji, which was evident through increased funding by Government since its establishment in 2012, and the successful placement of volunteer teachers and nurses in Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, and Nauru,” the statement said.
The Tongan Minister for Education and Training who was accompanied by the deputy chief executive officer (Corporate Services/UNESCO Affairs Division), Lucy Moala-Mafi, of the Ministry of Education and Training in Nuku’alofa was very appreciative of the information shared on the establishment of the Fiji Volunteer Services, particularly on the engagement of graduates, skilled unemployed persons and retirees serving society in the spirit of volunteering in any local or regional undertakings.
At the end of the information sharing, both governments agreed on strengthening ties for future partnership and collaboration.
