FIJI VOLUNTEER SCHEME RECEIVES A MILLION FOR 2014

20/11/2013

The Fiji Volunteer Scheme (FVS) has been allocated $1million in the 2014 National Budget.

The FVS is an initiative of the State to reform the management of employment creation services in Fiji and is administered by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

PSC permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand said the budget allocation for this programme since 2012 was $400,000.

“The increase to $1million next year which is also an increase of 150 per cent marks the significance of the scheme and the demand and interest shown domestically as well as by other Pacific Islands in the region,” Mr Chand said.

Mr Chand said that the engagement of volunteers provides young people with an exciting opportunity to gain work experience and knowledge for further pursuance of permanent career opportunities.

He said more experienced people are needed to impart their expert skills and knowledge to the organization and those that work around them.

“In the region, volunteers provide assistances that directly benefit the grassroot members of the community while their remittances benefit the economy and the volunteer families,” Mr Chand said.

He added that the Fiji Volunteer Scheme has drawn a lot of attention in the region especially when providing expert skills at minimal costs.

“Our people are also able to adapt better to living and work conditions in their respective neighbouring Pacific Island Countries compared to Volunteers from further afield,” Mr Chand said.

“As a result, our neighbouring countries such as Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tokelau and the Timor Leste are among those Islands that have shown interest in seeking such assistance in the spirit of friendship and development cooperation.”

Since its beginning in March 2012, the FVS has engaged a total of 78 Volunteers under the scheme following which six have been engaged on teaching assignments in the Republic of Nauru, twelve as volunteer teachers in the Republic of Marshall Islands while the remaining sixty (60) have been engaged locally.

The various sectors that the volunteers have been engaged in include: Health, Education, Climate Change and Environment, Forestry, Public Administration, Social Security and Rural Development, International Relations and Good Governance and Information and Technology. The various fields include; administration and logistical support, Community Rehabilitation Assistance Program, Teachers in the Primary and Secondary Schools, Social Welfare, International Relations, Climate Change, Forest Management, IT, Executive and Legislative Parliamentary support, Local Government (Review of the Local Government Act) and the National Council for Elder persons.

Volunteerism is giving selflessly as a means of engaging people in the phases of national, regional and international development.

The FVS contributes to Pillar 5 of the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress which is: “Achieving Higher Economic Growth while Ensuring Sustainability.”


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