A delegation from the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia arrived in Fiji on Wednesday this week, to attend to the 2nd Technical Working Group Meeting organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
The 5 member delegation from Republic of Indonesia was led by Kanya Eka Santi, Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation, Ministry of Social Affairs.
The 3 day program included visitations to major child welfare institutions and vocational training centres in Fiji to promote networking and strengthening cooperation for mutual benefits.
The programme also saw the delegation visiting QVS (Queen Victoria School), Seaweed cultivation farm in Kaba Island in Tailevu, Homes of Hope in Wailoku, Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons, St Christopher’s Home in Nakasi, Samabula Senior Citizens Home and Juvenile Rehabilitation and the Development Centre in Samabula, Suva.
While welcoming the delegation in Suva yesterday, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar thanked the Indonesian Government for its strengthened partnership in areas of women empowerment and child protection.
“The Bill of Rights in Fiji’s Constitution provides for unprecedented and a wide range of socio-economic rights. These rights include the rights of all individuals to education, access to health care, housing and sanitation, reasonable access to transportation, food security and safe water, and social security schemes. This 2nd Joint Technical Working Group discussion on Social Welfare between the two friendly nations is indeed welcomed as we maintain consistency and determination of the established cooperation based on principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit,” Minister Akbar said.
Minister Akbar said the increased collaboration would also create new inroads for enhanced development in Fiji.
“Fiji will benefit greatly from this opportunity to learn and share best practices in terms of improving human resources capacities to serve, developing social safety nets, providing accessible services, enhancing synergies amongst stakeholders, promoting social solidarity and conducting research on social welfare. The rebuilding project at Queen Victoria School (QVS) is a classic example of a wonderful opportunity which will enable our young people to resume education within an enabling environment. This has been made possible through the generosity of the Government of Indonesia,” Minister Akbar said.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mrs Kanya Eka Santi said they were also keen to work together with Fiji in areas of social protection policies and programs.
“This is a great opportunity for us to work with Fiji, we look forward to holding discussions on the key areas of cooperation through the Joint Technical Working Group. During this Joint Technical Working Group Meeting we will discuss and develop programs specific for community development. We also look forward to learning from the best practices in Fiji,” Mrs Santi said.
The entourage from the Ministry of Social Affairs will return to Indonesia on Saturday this week. Earlier this week, the Indonesian delegation led by the Minister for Women, Empowerment and Child Protection, Professor. Dr. Yohana Susana Yembise was also in the country and attended to the 2nd Joint Technical Group, focused in areas of women and child welfare development.