2020
GRADUATION
The achievements of the United Nations Association of Fiji (UNAF) in empowering Fiji’s youth to pursue their career aspirations as diplomats has been commended by the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Fiji MFA).
In a recent collaboration, the UNAF and Fiji MFA jointly coordinated the 2020 Graduation ceremony for 19 students from both secondary schools and tertiary institutions who were presented with certificates to recognise the art and skills on diplomacy, they have acquired through the Basic Diplomacy Training Programme. The Diplomatic Training 2020 graduation program was held at Fiji MFA Headquarters in Suva on Saturday 21st November, 2020.
The graduates have been trained with skills in preparing speeches and presenting in multilateral forums, preparing draft resolutions, negotiating with allies and adversaries, resolving conflicts and navigating through rules of procedure and understanding the dynamics of the international community on peace and security, human rights, the environment, climate change, economic development, and globalization.
Speaking at the UNAF graduation program, Fiji’s Roving Ambassador Mr Amena Yauvoli congratulated the graduates for their commitment in completing the course and encouraged them to continue working hard to pursue their career in diplomacy.
Whilst reflecting on his vast experience in diplomacy, Mr Yauvoli said that diplomats have an important responsibility when it comes to advancing the interests of their countries. He said diplomacy is an art that is essential in strengthening the bilateral and multilateral relations of a country amongst the world.
Mr Yauvoli said that working in dignity to promote the national interests of one’s country is the key step towards building relationships which is based on mutual respect, understanding and recognition. He said it’s proud to see that a nation like Fiji as being a small island state, punching above its weight at the international stage and Fiji is at the forefront in leading negotiations on important global issues of climate change, human rights, UN peacekeeping to name a few.
Ambassador Yauvoli commended the work of UNAF for its vision and commitment in promoting platforms for diplomacy training and its work towards community development and nation building.
President of United Nations Association of Fiji (UNAF) Mr Akmal Ali expressed his appreciation to the Fijian Government for its remarkable support towards this initiative and he stated that UNAF is working closely with Fiji MFA to enhance the existing areas of collaboration.
"I am truly grateful to the Fijian Government for its support through the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for making such an opportunity for this group of 19 graduates who have successfully completed Level 1 Basic Diplomacy Training Programme of UNAF. This is a real encouragement to these 19 Youths of Fiji. Special thanks also to the Chief Guest of the graduation program, Ambassador Mr. Amena Yauvoli for his inspiring message conveyed to the graduates.
“We are currently trying to reach the status of the leading policy voice on multilateralism in Fiji, our work currently is framed by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN to guide the international community until 2030.
“Our programs and activities celebrate diversity, empathy-based learning, and solution-seeking opportunities on shared challenges with human rights-based approaches as the backbone. We are dedicated to promoting constructive participation in the United Nations and elevating the principles of the UN Charter. Our area of work involves the issues affecting Fijians and the Pacific Islanders, such as climate change, nuclear testing, and its effects and equal citizenry and so forth.
“The major achievements of UNAF have been from 2015 approximately 250 to 300 participants have gone through the trainings, this number includes the current graduates. We have seen our graduates become young diplomats who have successfully participated in local and international conferences such as the International Civil Society Week 2017, ADB Meeting 2019, CAPP 2019, to name a few,” Mr Ali stated.
In sharing his experience, one of the graduates, Mr Prasit Narayan said the skills and confidence gained through the training complements his professional and personal development.
“Every little encounter and experience gained here at UNAF has been enriching and will remain within my memories for life. Each and everyone of us has something unique to offer to this diverse learning community. So let’s use the teachings we’ve got from here and make our communities and the Nation a better place to live in,” Mr Narayan said.
UNAF was founded on 19th May 2015 and it is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that exists to enhance the relationship between the people of Fiji and the United Nations to raise public awareness on the UN and its work, to promote the general goals of the UN.
The Vision of UNAF is valuable, capable, and knowledgeable members in a prosperous and sustainable Fiji. The Mission of this organization is to promote, facilitate, and assist in the development of members in terms of International and Global Diplomacy.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Fiji
COMMUNITY IMPACT PROJECT
The spirit of giving back to the society
"Humanity needs compassion and I hope that the UNAF members develop a spirit of giving back to their society and stay more connected to their community."
This was highlighted by the United Nations Association of Fiji's President Mr Akmal Ali who has been conducting a training with 19 participants who range from different works of life.
As part of Fiji's 50th anniversary (#Fiji50) of Independance Mr Ali led a team of 26 participants inclusive of the Executive Committee UNAF members and junior level trainees to do some volunteer work at the Sai Prema Foundation Fiji , Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Heart Hospital.
The participants assisted with cleaning up and setting up the hospital which is currently in its finishing stages before its official opening sometime next year.
The Sai Prema Foundation has dedicated their time and efforts in opening up this hospital which will aim to provide heart surgeries to under privileged children in Fiji and around the South Pacific for free.
This surgeries will be available to all children from the age of 0 to 16 years.
"Humanity needs compassion and for us to contribute in some way in a place that will treat thousands of poeple not only in Fiji but around the South Pacific is a noble course", said Mr Ali.
Mr Sumeet Tappoo a bollywood singer who is also the Director of the Sai Prema Foundation shared with the UNAF members why he decided to open up a hospital that would concentrate only on heart diseases amongst children for free.
He shared that in 2016 after the first set of surgeries were done he saw a beautiful 2-year-old child who had just undergone a heart surgery and after speaking to the mother he realised how valuable the surgery was to her.
he added that the woman who was a single mother surviving on a annual salary of $5000 was told that her baby needed a heart surgery abroad that would cost her around $100,000 when the child was just an year old.
Mr Tappoo said that the mother who could not afford this surgery given her financial status decided to quit her job in order to spend every single day with her baby waiting for him to die as the surgery was too expensive for her to afford.
"There are children dying every single week and we don't know the cause of it and mostly it is because of heart diseases.
"If it were your child would you wait for even a day to find a cure? This is why we decided to build the hospital now even though it was under a 10 year plan as we saw the urgency of the facility here," said Mr Tappoo.
Mr. Remal Tappoo who is the Secretary for the Foundation highlighted that in the past three years they have catered for 73 heart surgeries at the CWM hospital which has cost them around $7.3 million.
"We have screened more the 2000 children free of charge since 2018 and out of that we realised that there is an alarming number of children who have congenital heart disease.
"Its a very sad situation as most families can't afford heart surgeries for their children as at the moment to take a child to Australia or New Zealand for a heart surgery it will cost atleast $100,000", said Mr Tappoo.
He elaborated that their aim is to train nurses to go out to the rural areas and find more cases of children facing this heart disease as they found most of the cases are undiagnosed and by the time they find out it is to late.
It was stressed by Mr Tappoo that a congenital heart disease is a cureable heart problem if screened and treated early.
Many of these UNAF participants are secondary school students while others a working professionals.
(Press release of activity dated 3 October, 2020)
Ends.
#UNAF
#UNAFCreatingImpactfulLeaders
#SDG3
#ActiveFijianCitizens
#ActivePacificIslanders
#ActiveGlobalCitizens
#volunteering #charity #love #givingback
Fiji Council Of Social Services (FCOSS)
PIANGO Pacific 2030
Ms. Emeline Siale Ilolahia Executive Director of PIANGO Pacific 2030 conducted an introductory training on Adaptive Leadership with our BDTP Trainees. The training covered a practical leadership framework that helped individuals and organizations adapt and thrive in challenging environments. With local examples and stories, Ms. Siale was able to demonstrate to participants how one is being able to, both individually and collectively take on the gradual but meaningful process of change as leaders.
Our Trainees truly appreciated the tools taught and intent to take the learnings in the future to assist them in their positions of leadership at personal and professional levels.
The training was held at Dudley High School, Eden Street, Toorak Hill, Suva City, Republic of Fiji.
With Class, Dignity and Elegance
#UNA Fiji
#ActiveFijianCitizens
#ActiveGlobalCitizens
The Trainees witnessed a mock #MelanesianSpearheadGroup (MSG) summation that was organized by the UNA Fiji members . The senior members participated in the presence of the current trainees, to help prepare them for the summation at the end of their training period. The mock summation detailed the debate procedures and their alignment with the d’MUN Junior handbook.
The trainees learnt about #Motions, #Points, and the importance of #Time in the United Nations (UN) political platform.
With Class, Dignity and Elegance -
#UNAFiji
#ActiveFijianCitizen
#GlobalCitizenshipEducation