Peace concept must include stability and development: Ratu Joni
Apr 11, 2006, 16:30
The concept of a genuine peace must necessarily include stability and development if it is to have any meaning.
This was the remark made by the Vice President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi at the People’s Strategy for Peace, Stability and Development seminar held at the Raffles Tradewinds Convention Center on Friday, April 7.
Ratu Joni said this was so because “peace” has a positive connotation in the minds of most people.
“Therefore, besides the absence of conflict, there must be a process in place that provides for the continuing betterment of society.”
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| Father Kevin Barr shares his views at the People’s Strategy for Peace, Stability and Development workshop. |
He said that whether this was measured by millennium development goals, or some other universally recognized standard, was immaterial.
Howsoever, he said, people must feel assured their lives and their children’s are improving. “This is a great challenge in societies that have experienced some conflict such as ours. Dialogue is a critical element in this process. Without it, one cannot even begin it.”
But, he said, it must have some structure and form to enable an outcome.
“It will often be painful and confrontational because strong, conflicting opinions may be exchanged. That is all to the good. Because of our respective sensitivities, we are sometimes not honest enough with each other.”
He said “we reserved our most damning assessments of other communities within our own groups. They emerge publicly in debates that take on ethnic undertones.”
Ratu Joni added that dialogue is more than a recitation of one’s position. It means engaging the other party and requires the capacity to listen and to reflect on what is being said.
“We do not do enough of that. We distill what is being said through the prism of our own prejudices.”
Dialogue, he said, is not the easy option it appears to be. Undertaken with no ulterior motives, it can be a searing but ultimately beneficial experience.
This he said that in a multiethnic country like ours, inclusiveness was as important as dialogue.
For him, Ratu Joni said it meant the extent to which all of our communities feel they are recognized and affirmed as belonging to Fiji. Also, that they are an important part of the national fabric.
He furthered that it was not a matter of numbers but was an issue of sentiment.
“My community consistently asks to be understood and given some leeway as the indigenous people of this land. By the same token, their position as the major landowners and the majority population places great responsibility on their shoulders. They have a corresponding duty to make everyone else feel welcome.
“I do not make light of their fears about marginalisation and disadvantage.”
He said that it was not a fate unique to Fijians. He added that it afflicted all communities and, structurally, was better solved in an integrated approach rather than in the piecemeal manner as presently pursued.
“Inclusiveness is a state of mind. It is consciously making room for others who belong here.”
Ratu Joni supported his views with observations such as the ANZ Bank façade not having an IndoFijian child; The Telecom directory for 2006 having mostly Fijians on the cover; and on state occasions only Christian religious leaders appearing to participate.
These, he said, were largely cosmetic concerns, but “they are symptomatic of our lack of inclusiveness, because I could than cite substantive cases to illustrate my point.”
He reiterated that democracy was not only about numbers, especially in a multicultural and multiethnic nation like ours.
“Any issue that is controversial or divisive requires extensive consultation and debate. Because it is not about the right of a Government to govern, although that is important.
“It concerns the need to maintain the social fabric of society which is more fragile in States that are not homogenous.”
Ratu Joni said where a proposition is legislated on the basis of significant support from only one section of the community, it creates continuing tensions even when passed into law.
He added that he spoke generally and not just about the Reconciliation, Truth and Promotion of Unity Bill. Ratu Joni maintained that there were mandates and mandates but there were no substitutes for the process of consultation.
“The true essence of democracy is the full and meaningful participation in decision making of all sectors of society. The House of Representatives as the elected forum of the people, is of course, the most obvious reflection of our will. But it is not necessarily as representative as it might be.”
Hence, he said, engagement at other levels with a wider cross-section is essential. This, he said, lengthens the stratagems, and even renders them tedious, but that is the nature of democracy.
Decision-making, Ratu Joni reiterated, at all levels must be broadened to take in as wide a cross-section as possible.
In his view regarding Parliament Ratu Joni said that he was firmly of the view that there should be quotas for women and perhaps for young people.
“The arguments about a level playing field are unconvincing. There is none.”
He said that men will not give up their entrenched position voluntarily and that women bring a unique perspective to problems. As do young people.
“It is therefore troubling that the voting age remains at 21 as does the legal age for drinking. It does not reflect reality. One makes people more mature by giving them more responsibility, not denying them a role.”
Ratu Joni added that in making these observations, he was referring to community involvement across the board.
“There are those who consider this a recipe for anarchy. I respectfully disagree.”
He said it was about giving as wide a cross-section as possible, a voice in our affairs. He said he did not only mean women and the young but also included the disabled, homosexuals and other groups as well.
“The young form the largest section of the population. I see no reason why they should not have some means to be heard.”
Education, Ratu Joni said, apart from religion, is the single most powerful transforming agent of change.
“I cite education particularly because it is a field in which the State has a legitimate concern, unlike religion. Social cohesion is a vital interest of any Government. Accordingly, education is a valid instrument to be used for that end.”
He informed that since the home remains the most formative influence on children, the schools must be involved in broadening that perspective.
“What is required is a comprehensive interethnic studies curriculum that begins in the first year of school and culminates in seventh form. It must be more than learning about other communities’ culture and history.By the senior years, students should be examining their own prejudices, ascertaining how they were formed and how they can be overcome.”
Ratu Joni said that he was constantly taken aback at the profound ignorance people here had about their own backgrounds and histories, never mind that of other communities.
He said that promoting dialogue, broadening involvement and generating confidence is important for all to recognize as a continuing process, just as nation building is.
He added that this challenge taking place against the backdrop of an intense election campaign was for him doubly encouraging.
“Whichever party is voted into office, it will have to deal with these issues, irrespective of its own agenda. For they constitute the basis on which we determine the present as well as the future.”
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