The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, officially opened the 4th Oceania Peacebuilding Institute Annual Peacebuilding Training Program yesterday (Monday 26.08.24) at the Suva Grammar School Hall.
This year’s program, themed “Harnessing Justpeace Culture, Knowledge and Practices,” aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster peace and resilience in their communities.
The training program has attracted 50 participants from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Australia. This diverse group will engage in a series of workshops and discussions designed to promote understanding and collaboration in peacebuilding efforts.
In her opening remarks, Minister Tabuya commended the Oceania Peacebuilding Institute for implementing this training program, which emphasize the importance of peacebuilding in the Oceania region.
“We recognize the significant peacebuilding efforts taking place in the region, and here in Fiji, organizations such as Transcend Oceania have played a crucial role with their expertise and capacity in this field. Their work has already laid the groundwork for today’s officiation of the 4th Oceania Peacebuilding Institute. Together, we acknowledge these contributions and pray for the continued prevalence of peace throughout the region.”
The Oceania Peacebuilding Institute two-week training program is a multi-disciplinary approach, offering courses for 2024. It aims to create a platform for dialogue and learning, empowering participants to implement peacebuilding initiatives in their respective communities.
The program will cover a range of topics, including conflict resolution, community engagement, and the role of women in peacebuilding.