Fiji : the challenges and opportunities of diversity

Material from this publication may be reproduced for teaching or for other non-commercial purposes. No part of it may be reproduced in any form for commercial purposes without the prior express permission of the copyright holders. For further information please contact MRG. A CIP catalogue record of this publication is available from the British Library. Fiji: the challenges and opportunities of diversity is published by MRG as a contribution to public understanding of the issue which forms its subject. The text and views of the author do not necessarily represent in every detail and all its aspects, the collective view of MRG. Acknowledgements This report is part of an MRG/Citizens' Constitutional Forum programme to improve inter-ethnic relations and reduce discrimination in Fiji, funded by the European Union under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of MRG, and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank representatives of several civil society organizations including the Citizens' Constitutional Forum (CCF), the Women's Crisis Centre, trade unions, religious organizations, political parties, national and local government officials, former government ministers, university students and academics, Suva-based diplomats and officials of UN and other bilateral and multilateral agencies and many other Fiji citizens from a variety of backgrounds who very kindly agreed to be interviewed for this study. Our deep appreciation is extended to MRG for making the study possible and to CCF for its facilitative support. He has researched and published extensively on ethnicity and racism, higher education, electoral politics, land tenure, economic growth and other development issues. He has served as a consultant to government, NGOs and to UN agencies. In Fiji, he has served in the Constituency Boundaries Commission and the Legal Aid Commission. He is actively involved in the civil society movement as a Director of the Citizens' Constitutional Forum and a member of the Fiji Human Rights Group, and Dialogue Fiji. Research Assistants Anawaite Matadradra is originally from Deuba, Serua on the island of Viti Levu. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics from the USP and is currently completing her Master of Arts in Development Studies on child poverty in Fiji at USP. Josaia Osborne is from Lomati, Cicia in the Lau Group of Fiji. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and …