Bau Island hosts CCF’s first workshop for 2010
The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum’s (CCF) Education team received a warm welcome for their first workshop for 2010 at the chiefly island of Bau, on 2nd February.
A total number of 47 people including the former Vice President of Fiji, Ratu Jope Seniloli and the Vunivalu Ratu Apenisa Cakobau, participated at the workshop, conducted at Ulu Ni Vaka Hall at Bau Island.
CCF’s Education Support Officer, Wilfred Tukana said starting the workshop in Bau was an educational experience due to the historical significance of the island being the birthplace of Fiji’s “King” Ratu Seru Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Britain in 1874.
“Participants had misconceptions about human rights, seen as contradicting with culture and tradition, where some people are exercising their rights at the village level and not respecting the decisions of the village,” Tukana said.
He stressed that the session on human rights was greatly appreciated particularly by chiefs that were present at the workshop, as it clarified misconceptions for youths.
“The meaning and the principles of human rights, citizenship and good governance was explained and people received a good grasp of the concept,” he added.
CCF’s Community and Field Officer, Sereima Lutubula said the presence of key community leaders and chiefs was encouraging as they helped reinforce key messages to the people especially on the misconceptions regarding human rights to culture and traditions.
The team acknowledged the presence of Ratu Viwili Komaitai, the representative of the Tailevu Provincial Office, at the workshop.
This sets a promising year for the CCF Education Team.
2010 Upcoming Events
- February - Community venues yet to be confirmed.
- Workshops in Tailevu South – venues yet to be confirmed.
- March – Community Leaders Workshop
2009 Key Events
- Community Education Workshops on Human Rights
- the community-based workshops conducted by CCF’s education team cater for all communities within the three target areas: Naitasiri, Ra and Tailevu provinces. The workshops educate on human rights and responsibilities, responsible and active citizenship and good governance principles. In 2009, a total of 50 workshops were conducted of which 22 were done in Naitasiri, 14 in Ra and 14 also in Tailevu.
- Community Leaders Workshops
The Community Leaders Workshops educates key people in communities on human rights and good governance. These leaders influence others and can further educate broader sections communities in CCF’s target areas.
Tailevu – A one day workshop was conducted at the Tailevu Provincial Office. It was attended by 55 Turaga ni Koro (village headmen) from 56 villages in Tailevu South.
Ra – Two workshops were conducted through the Ra Provincial Office. The first workshop was held in Rewasa and was attended by Fijian community leaders from Raviravi, Naiyalayala and Rakiraki Tikinas as well as leaders from other ethnic groups in Rakiraki. The second workshop was held at the Nanukuloa Government station. It was attended by 50 community leaders from the three Tikinas: Saivoi, Nalaba and Tokaimalo.
Naitasiri- A half-day awareness of CCF’s Human Rights Education program was conducted through the Naitasiri Provincial Office at a meeting of the two Tikinas: Rara and Nabaitavo.
- NGOs Capacity Building Workshops
The NGOs Capacity Building Workshops educates community-based organizations in the target areas on human rights, good governance and citizenship, and how they can create social change in their own lives and for members of their organizations and communities. A two-day workshop was held in Tailevu. It was coordinated by the Ministry of Women in Nausori. A second two-day workshop was held at Kala Wati Building in Rakiraki town.
Essay Competition - Theme: Promoting Multiculturalism in schools
- An essay competition was organized by CCF for primary school students in the 13-14 year age group, living in the Naitasiri province. The winning essay was written by Litiana Romarakiwai, a Class 7 student of Naduruloulou Fijian School, Naitasiri. She received a prize of $100.00 and $100.00 was won by the school.
CCF EDUCATION PROGRAM
Education enhances lives, and better equips people with knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions in everyday life. Education is one of CCF’s major roles. CCF’s Education Program is committed to promoting peace and multiculturalism where people live in equality and respecting the rule of law.
AIM: Empowering people to acquire knowledge and understanding about democracy, human rights and responsibilities, citizenship and good governance to be able to make informed decisions in the governance of their lives.
Target areas: Tailevu, Naitasiri and Ra
Program Activities
Good Governance and Human Rights Education
Aims to educate the community to have greater understanding of democracy, human rights and responsibilities, citizenship and good governance, for active citizen participation in the governance of their lives.Targeting all ethnic groups, both urban and rural communities.
- Community Leaders Workshops
Targeting key leaders in the communities to gain understanding of democracy, human rights and responsibilities, citizenship and good governance and incorporating these concepts in their leadership roles in their respective groups and communities.
Building capacity of NGOs, CSOs, faith based organizations, community based organizations through training to acquire better understanding of their roles as NGOs in promoting democracy and human rights and responsibilities, citizenship and good governance in their own organizations and communities and applying the concepts in their community development work.
Curriculum – collaborative work with the Ministry of Education, contributing to the development of civic education curriculum promoting democracy and rights and responsibilities, multiculturalism and good governance.
School visits – reinforcing the message in primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Promoting the core message on human rights and responsibilities, democracy and good governance through youth forums in the target communities.
Countering Racism and Promoting Multiculturalism
- Advocacy for multiculturalism, cross cultural education, peace and stability through community training, youth groups, community based organizations, and essay competitions in schools.
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