By RIYA BHAGWAN
MINISTER for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has made a strong call to move beyond focusing solely on racial divides and to instead acknowledge the unity that has long existed within Fijian communities.
Ms Kiran asserted it is ‘easier to talk about divides,’ which is why there has been less emphasis on recognising the social cohesion within communities.
She was speaking at the opening of the workshop on “The Role of Media in Contributing to Social Cohesion, Gender and Human Rights in Fiji” on Thursday 19 June at the Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour.
Ms Kiran reflected on times of disaster, when people from diverse ethnic backgrounds came together in unity.
“I have been at front lines of many disaster relief programmes, whether it was Winston or COVID. I have seen people standing by each other, supporting each other without any ethnic bias,” she said.
“We often use our political upheavals as a talk of division but there are many (alternative ) stories. While some people were looting, others were protecting people and taking staff of other ethnic groups safely home, and when some were lighting fires, others from the same ethnic group were providing shelter.
“There are good and bad elements in every society, yet we often paint entire ethnic groups, provinces, or divisions with the same brush, as we often stereotype.”
She pointed out that communities in Fiji are socially cohesive, but this is often overlooked.
Ms Kiran highlighted that a lack of education and awareness about different ethnic groups and their practices often fueled narratives of racial division, when in reality, it stemmed from unfamiliarity with cultural diversity.
“There is a constant disrespect of culture, not because of ethnic division, but because we have never tried to educate ourselves about the other and get caught in racial slurs.”
Ms Kiran said many diverse ethnic groups shared similarities they may not even realise, and that education was critical to enable a better understanding and recognition of these commonalities.
In his remarks, Dr. Shailendra Singh, Head of the Journalism programme at The University of the South Pacific (USP), highlighted the economic cost of the lack of social cohesion and societal conflict, which he said were part of the reasons for Fiji’s coup culture.
Dr Singh quoted professor in economics Wadan Narsey, who has estimated that the four Fiji coups have cost the nation more than $5 billion.
He described the workshop as a timely intervention, stressing the growing importance of social cohesion which should be supported by every sector in the country, including the news media.
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Regional Representative for the Pacific, Heike Alefson, said the workshop provided a platform to reinforce the media’s role in upholding human rights and fostering a more cohesive, equal, and just society.
Ms Alefson described the repeal of the Media Industry Development Act as a positive step toward strengthening human rights and freedom of expression, but stressed that challenges remain.
She highlighted ongoing issues such as sexual and gender-based violence, which continue to threaten human rights.
Ms Alefson stressed the importance of addressing these challenges to strengthen social cohesion in Fiji, and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting this effort — with the workshop serving as a step toward that goal.
Another speaker, Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Manager News Felix Chaudhary echoed similar sentiments, calling the workshop a timely undertaking.
Speaking on the completion of the Commission of Inquiry and the recent leak of its report, Chaudhary said the situation was “filling the hearts and minds of many Fijians with uncertainty and, for some, even fear of what might unfold if it is not properly managed”.
He said this uncertainty was contributing to suspicion and, if left unchecked, could lead to division.
In light of these recent challenges, Chaudhary described the workshop as a meaningful effort to build unity, promote social cohesion, and celebrate diversity.
The two-day workshop, attended by more than 30 participants including journalists, media partners, and USP journalism students and was jointly organised by the OHCHR, the USP Journalism Programme and the Fijian Media Association.
Riya Bhagwan is a final year journalism student at The University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus.
Trinesh Chaudhary is a final year journalism student at USP, Laucala Campus.
