$14,000 USD Grant from the U.S. Embassy Suva U.S. Department of State

Today we were awarded a grant of US $14 000 from the U.S. Embassy Suva U.S. Department of State to run our flagship capacity-building programme The Basic Diplomacy Training Programme (BDTP) 2023.

The BDTP is 144 hours of training which results in 15 classes including 1 day of orientation, 1 day of activism, and 2 days of summation with a final day of graduation. Trainees learn essential skills such as research, speech writing, public speaking, consensus building, solving problems, and negotiating with allies and adversaries. Additionally, the trainees learn the value of drawing on history, experience, and common values to generate solutions to common problems. The programme also involves peacebuilding and mindfulness classes to be used as major tools by the trainees in dialoguing for solutions.

We have to date trained approximately 370 Fijians from the age of 15 and above.

We are truly proud that in 2023 the BDTP will be proudly supported and funded by the US Embassy/ U.S. State Department. This funding will also provide partial sponsorship for individual trainees' costs towards the Programme.

The President of the UNA Fiji Hon. Mr. Akmal Ali has thanked the Embassy of the United States of America for this grant. “I am thankful to the Embassy of the United States of America for always being there for us and coming on our training sessions to enlighten the trainees on diplomacy and the work of diplomat".

Mr. Ali further elaborated that this grant will help UNA Fiji in enabling more Active Fijian Citizens through the work of evidence-based policy advocacy, principles of human rights and through the art of Diplomacy.

We also acknowledge the continues support from the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We also acknowledge Dudley High School for providing continued support to UNA Fiji and BDTP since 2020.

The applications for entry in the programme shall open on Saturday, 10 December 2022 by 4:00 p.m. The announcement will include the all necessary details, costs and criteria for the programme.

We offer the highest of Esteem, Consideration and Gratitude to all our Partners and especially the US Government at this time.

With Class, Dignity, & Elegance

Team UNA Fiji

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