What do we really think about how decisions are made in
the family, the community and national level?
Does consensus-seeking
in village or town meetings provide another real model of democracy?
What kinds of
rules/laws guide your conduct?
What types of
leadership actually exist on the ground in Fiji, what do both ‘ordinary’ people and elites think about
these types, and what they think are desirable, legitimate forms of
leadership?
What is the current understanding of citizenship among
Fijians today?
This afternoon (Wednesday) the results of a research
project to identify ways in which the people of Fiji would like to be governed
will be released in a book titled, “Voices of the People: Perceptions and
Preconditions for Democratic Development in Fiji”.
The research was undertaken in 2011 and 2012 by the
Pacific Theological College’s Institute for Research and Social Analysis,
conducted through 41 focus group discussions involving 330 participants, and
conducting 82 in-depth interviews, on the issues decision-making, leadership,
citizenship, the rule of law, and democracy in order to understand what the
people of Fiji think of, and what their vision is, for good governance - in the
form of democracy, or otherwise.
IRSA is the research arm of PTC, specializing in applied
social research, and capacity-building activities for churches and NGOs in the
region.
Local and international researchers interviewed representatives
of the Government, politicians, traditional leaders, religious leaders,
diplomats, academics, those in business and those working in NGOs, amongst
others.
At the same time focus group discussions were conducted
throughout Viti Levu and Vanua Levu by representatives of four local NGOs.
These focus groups included participants from rural, semi-urban and urban
areas; as well as men, women and youth – a consultation with people from all
walks of life in Fiji.
Dr. Manfred
Ernst, Director of the Institute of Research and Social Analysis and Co-author
and Co-editor of the book said, “In writing this report, we have tried our
utmost to reproduce faithfully the voices of Fijian people as we heard them
during the focus group discussions and interviews. This report reflects both
those things which people find positive in the current situation, as well as
those things that they struggle with, and worry about. We hope that these
findings will provoke thoughtful and reasoned debate on the issues outlined
therein, and will enrich the dialogue begun under the current government
through the process of making submissions towards the new constitution, as well
as provide food for thought for politicians and voters alike in the run-up to
the next elections.”
In determining
the sample for both focus groups and interviews, great care was taken to
accurately reflect the composition of Fijian society in terms of gender,
religion, ethnicity, age, education, status, living conditions and geographical
distribution.
The aim of the
report is to present the perceptions and visions of the people of Fiji for
future democratic development, as well as their opinions as to the
preconditions required for this development. To achieve this aim, researchers
assessed the following five key areas: (1) Democracy; (2) Rule of Law; (3)
Leadership; (4) Decision-Making; and (5) Citizenship.
Given that in the
next few weeks the Constituent Assembly is to be named and convened, “Voices of
the People” may be a valuable tool for Assembly members who wish to consider
how locals understand the issues that may be elements of a new constitution and what a Fijian model of
democracy may be like.
The book is more than just results of the research. It
also includes a scholarly and theoretic discussion and key recommendations.
According to the
book’s authors, “where proposals for democratic reform are made in this report,
it is important to view these as urging the provision of opportunities for the
people to articulate and develop a form of democratic governance that is
appropriate to and suitable for Fiji’s cultural, religious and political
conditions, while being mindful of the fundamental ideals and values of
democracy.”
Although the publication
is primarily academic, this publication will be a useful contribution to the process of establishing a home-grown and
appropriate form of sustainable democracy in Fiji.
Given that for the first time, voters may include young
people still in school or tertiary study (18 years and over) this book will be
of significant interest to senior students.
The launch for the book will be held at the Suva Civic
Auditorium on at 5pm this afternoon (Wednesday) and is open to all.
For those who are not able to attend the launch or get a
copy of the book, over the next 6 weeks, I will summarise the study’s findings
in the five key areas and present the key recommendations that resulted from
the study.
The study may shed new light on issues we have been
grappling with for the last 3 decades, if not longer. At the very least, it
gives us the opportunity to hear the voices of others who may or may not be
singing in the same key as us.
“Simplicity, Serenity, Spontaneity”
ENDS.
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