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From Fiji Times Online (31 August 2013) Youths meet in Barbados by Shayal Devi Fiji's representative Emily Erasito said young people make up a large part of the populations of SIDS countries. "If youth leaders are to be the national leaders of tomorrow, they need to be involved today and participate in processes such as the SIDS dialogue," she said. "The experience of being involved in the Jamaica Youth Workshop allowed me to share knowledge with other young people from the Caribbean, participate in capacity-building and work collaboratively to develop common solutions for the issues faced by SIDS youths," said Alex Cumberbatch of Barbados. Communications specialist for UNICEF Donna Hoerder said after the conclusion of the meeting in Barbados, nine youths would represent Maldives, Comoros, Mauritius, Samoa, Fiji Islands, Dominica and Barbados as SIDS youth representatives at the inter-regional preparatory meeting next week. "These young people were selected from the 70 youth participants from 30 SIDS countries and territories who participated in the My World, My SIDS workshops," she said. "Combining the outcomes from the three regional workshops, an inter-regional SIDS youth outcome document entitled Empowering Youth as Partners in Sustainable Small Island Development has been prepared. "Through this statement, these youths aim to represent the voices of young people from SIDS." © Fiji Times Ltd. From Joe Atu in Brisbane (29 August 2013) Rotuman Community of Queensland On the weekend of Saturday, 10 August 2013, the community had a triple celebration. We must pay tribute to all the ladies who worked tirelessly in the kitchen and the food tables to ensure we all had a sumptuous feast. Photos from birthday and anniversary celebrations From Fijilive (24 August 2013) Ravoi crowned Hibiscus King
By Reginald Chandar 20-year-old Gregory Ravoi was tonight crowned Fiji Hibiscus King at Albert Park in Suva. Sponsored by Ayaan Security, the second year University of the South Pacific Journalism and Political Science student beat nine other contestants for the top crown. Ravoi won the Best Talent and Best Dressed awards earlier in the contest. © Fijilive.com From Fijivillage (22 August 2013) New constitution made public The final version of the 2013 Constitution has been made public with some significant amendments that relate to itaukei, Rotuman and Banaban land. . . As the fourth constitution was unveiled by the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum earlier today, he said the final version differs from the draft constitution by containing specific provisions that guarantee and strengthen the protection of iTaukei, Rotuman and Banaban lands. A new section in the 2013 constitution states that the ownership of all iTaukei land shall remain with the customary owners of that land and iTaukei land shall not be permanently alienated, whether by sale, grant, transfer or exchange, except to the state. It further states that any iTaukei land acquired by the State for a public purpose after the commencement of the Constitution or under any written law shall revert to the customary owners if the land is no longer required by the State. The same applies for all Rotuman and Banaban land. . . From Fiji Times Online (10 August 2013) Agro hope for island by Dawn Gibson ONE of the main agricultural targets for the government is to improve agro-production in Rotuma. This is one of the focus areas for the Rotuma Affairs Unit under the Prime Minister's Office, a statement issued by the Ministry of Information on Thursday stated. Consultant in the Prime Minister's office Tomasi Tui said this followed the quarantine treatment of non-fruit fly commodities such as pineapples and water melons. "These fruits have to be treated first before any export to Tuvalu can be carried out," Mr Tui said in the statement. "Vegetables such as dalo leaves, bele and cabbage will also be treated." Rotuma Export Council chairman Hiagi Foraete said exports to Tuvalu began in 2011 with five shipments. He said a total of 38 tonnes of root crops, mostly dalo, was exported during the five shipments with a revenue of $69,000. "Fruits and vegetables have been given the green light to be exported to Tuvalu and we look forward to have root crop, fruits and vegetables in our next export shipment," Mr Foraete said. He said they were liaising with the importers in Tuvalu for their August orders. © Fiji Times Ltd. From Fiji Times Online (9 August 2013) Consultant: Treat fruits before export By Dawn Gibson MORE emphasis is being put on the need to quarantine fruits and vegetables exported from Rotuma to Tuvalu. This was revealed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information yesterday in which a consultant in the Prime Ministers office said non-fruit fly commodities also required quarantine treatment. "These fruits have to be treated first before any export to Tuvalu can be carried out," the consultant Tomasi Tui said. In the statement, Rotuma Export Council chairman Hiagi Foraete said exports to Tuvalu began in 2011 with five shipments. "We are liaising with the importers in Tuvalu for their orders for the August shipment," he said. © Fiji Times Ltd. From Fijivillage (2 August 2013) New vessel to help people in the outer islands by Watisoni Butabua The purchase of a new inter island shipping vessel next year will address problems faced by the people in the outer islands. Commissioner Eastern Lieutenant Colonel Netani Rika said the government is now putting together plans for the purchase of a new vessel. He said with the new vessel, the delivery of cargo to Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti and Rotuma would be made easier. He added the lack of maritime travel is an issue the government is trying to address for the Eastern Division. |
