DEPUTY PM HON. BIMAN PRASAD’S OPENING ADDRESS CONSULTATION REFLECTION ON THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CULTURE SECTOR

The Custodians of the Land, the vanua of Louvatu, the turaga Na Ka Levu;
Honorable Minister and Assistant Minister of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts,
Distinguished Speakers
Senior Officials
Ladies and Gentlemen
Ni bula vinaka, Cola Vina, Noa’ia, Namaste and good morning to you all.

I am extremely delighted to have been invited to deliver the Opening Address at this Consultation Reflection on the National Strategic Development Plan for the Culture Sector.  I would like to pay my utmost respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we are gathered, the vanua of LOUVATU, NA TURAGA NA KA LEVU. The tribal owners the ITAUKEI KORONIKULA of YADUA.

This consultation is timely, as government commences implementation of its new National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050.  I wish to record my appreciation to those of you present at this consultation, who took the time to contribute to the National Development Plan Technical Working Group on Human development,Culture and Heritage.  

Ladies and gentlemen, our new National Development Plan advocates the adoption of a cross sectoral approach to cultural integration by promoting impactful development interventions that uplift the socio-economic well-being of the people through cultural inclusion in public policies, education, health, economic development, sustainability, environment, disaster risk reduction and mitigation and international cooperation as key areas. 

 I wish to remind the Ministry, that our Strategic Planning Office is currently in the process of collating the NDP Implementation Books (IBs) of all Government ministries, statutory bodies and constitutional offices.  The Implementation Book outlines in detail the implementation plan for each Chapter of the NDP to strengthen accountability and transparency in policy implementation.

 I wish to urge the organizers of this forum, to take time to review and finalize this important documentwhich is due in March.  I wish to further underscore the point that project and programs by Ministries and Departmentsmight not be prioritised in the National Budget 2025/2026, if there are nocorresponding  Implementation Books.

Ladies and gentlemen, Culture is the embodiment of our rich history, our legacies, our heritage – whether tangible or intangible, our creative expressions which helps build inclusive, resilient and innovative communities. Fiji is a multi cultural society with each ethnicity having their own rich belief systems, arts, customs, capabilities, attitudes, and habits passed on from generations to generations.  

Our rich culturaldiversity and tapestry acts as a bond that unites us together as a nation.  Our various ethnic groups contribute to our nation’s unique cultural mix and distinct identities.

 Each year we celebrate Girmit Day, Ratu Sukuna Day, Fiji Day, Easter and Diwali, where all sections of our communities come together to pay respect and homage to our unique cultural identities. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the acknowledgement and acceptance of cultural diversity is a fundamental building blocktowards our nation’s cohesion as a nation working together, learning from our historyand charting a sustainable pathway into the future.

We are bonded by a rich heritage oflanguages, food, festivals, rituals, artistic promotion, heritage site management, creative industries, artefacts preservation, archaeological documentation, and language holding intrinsic value for both present and future generations.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, the identification and recording of our traditional knowledge,expression of culture and value systems cannot be understated and is very critical to the protection and preservation of our diverseculture, arts and heritage.  

Government is fully committed to supporting and funding the Cultural Mapping Programme, which has proven to have successfully revivedintangible cultural heritage which were at some point at risk of becoming extinct.  Consistent with this endeavour, is the effort by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs to fill vacant customary positions to create an enabling environment of ownership and the stability amongst villages. 

Ladies and gentlemen, as you ponder and reflect on the objectives of your consultations, I wish to draw your attention to our culture and heritage laws and regulations.  One law that comes to mind is the Preservation of Objects of Archaeological Paleontological Interest Act of 1940.  Our laws governing culture and heritage needs to be reviewed and amended, to take account of current developments and challenges. These include the Review of iTaukei Affairs Act, Fiji Museum Act and National Heritage Act.
 
We also need to be very mindful that our country is ecologically vulnerable to a multitude of challenges that did not exist decades ago.  Climate change, sea level riseand extreme weather events pose existential threat to our very existence and pose serious impacts on our sacred traditional sites, andheritage buildings.  Prolonged exposure to constant climate change and natural disasters erodes the significance and existence of these unique sites.

I also call upon our local communities to play a more active role in the development of traditionally practised strategies to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.  We need to revive traditionally practiced eco-friendly living and conservation practices based on traditional knowledge, contributing to climate action. 

Ladies and gentlemen, of serious concern to government, is the growing illegaland illicit trade, and misappropriation of our traditional knowledge and expressions of culture.   

Each year, we lose significant income to unscrupulous commercial operators who acquire traditional knowledge and expressions without the expressed consent of its traditional owners. For this reason, it is critical to ensure that Fiji’sTraditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture Bill is tabled in Parliament. 

 This legal framework provides the protection necessary to regulate against misappropriation and abuse, ensuring that the traditional owners and holders benefit from the use of their traditional knowledge and expressions. 

Our current cultural mapping exercise is therefore critical towards this endeavour, by mapping out and maintaining a database of the rightful owners of the traditional designs, music, dance, art, names, signs and symbols, performances, ceremonies, architectural forms, handicrafts and narratives. A central National Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) database would be critical to protecting and preserving our culture, customs and identities for the benefit of future as it will to store cultural information, revitalization programs, educational programmes, communities’ access, research and government development projects.

Ladies and gentlemen, Fiji’s unique cultural diversity is recognized in the global tourism market, particularly cultural tourism. It stands as one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in the world. Destinations worldwide are increasingly leveraging cultural and creative industries to enhance their appeal and marketability. The increasing use of culture and creativity to Fiji’s market destinations is also adding to the pressure of differentiating regional identities and images. Diverse cultural elements are now employed to brand and market the region effectively.  

We need to be mindful that the increased employment of our iTaukei people in the tourism industry has significantly impacted traditional practices and belief systems.

There are concerns over a decline in indigenous knowledge, a diminished appreciation for cultural heritage, and a loss of skills essential for survival in the natural environment using traditional knowledge. Striking a balance between the pursuit of cultural tourism and the preservation of culture and heritage becomes essential for both the local community and the tourism industry. 

Ladies and gentlemen, it follows that as Fiji strives for modernity, the need to maintain balance between educational goals and preservation of cultural identity becomes increasingly important.  

Education is criticalfor preserving Fiji’s rich cultural heritage. Education in Fiji profoundly influences culture through various mechanisms playing a pivotal role in cultural preservation, transmission, promotion and adaptation to evolving cultural dynamics fostering communal unity.

Culture based education has revitalized the identity of communities by teaching culture to connect and reconnect with each other. Teaching through culturallybased education, harnesses the educators to impart not only knowledge and skills but also cultivate a profound understanding on cultural imperatives thereby reinforcing Fiji’s cultural identity. 

Ladies and gentlemen, one of the key focusses of the Coalition Government is developing formal and non-formal education curriculum to instil values and cultural identity in the younger generations. 

The development of the Multiethnic policy framework by the Coalition Government is an effort to outline the strategic framework to guide the structure, strategic objectives and programmes for all ethnic communities in Fiji. 

Ladies and gentlemen, our unique culture and custom in Fiji possesses the transformative power to impact entire societies, fortify local communities, and establish a sense of identity and belonging for people of all ages. Serving as a catalyst for youth development and civic engagement, culture plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable social and economic development for future generations.

Efforts to address these challenges involves a combination of education, community involvement, sustainable tourism practices and policies that promote cultural preservation and appreciation to ensure socioeconomic wellbeing of all Fijians. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to conclude by underscoring the importance of culture and heritage to our nation and urgeyou all to consider the emerging challenges confronting our country, as you discuss policies and laws in your dialogue and consultations. 

 I thank the organizers for the invitation, and I wish you all the best in your deliberations.  I have the honour of declaring open this Consultation Reflection on the National Strategic Development Plan for the Culture Sector.
 
Thank You!