Constitutional Public Lecture
Implementing the Constitution: Challenges and Opportunities
After two years of implementing the 2013 constitution the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) took the opportunity to reflect on constitutional progress and discuss the direction for constitutional governance and development in Fiji.
Hosted by the University of the South Pacific in partnership with CCF and Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) the Constitutional Public Lecture that was held on 7th October 2015 addressed the theme “Implementing the Fiji Constitution – Challenges and Opportunities”
CCF Chief Executive Officer, Bulutani Mataitawakilai says that the Public Lecture is an opportune event to discuss the constitution.
“Being three days away from our 45th year of independence, this is an opportune occasion to address the need for Fiji’s people to be more involved in issues related to Constitution buildling, and the prospects that it provides,” he said.
CCF believes that it should now be a priority of the government, opposition and policy-makers to bring life to the Constitution.
“A constitution gives a State its identity, it is seen as a way to promote democracy and enhance social cohesion. Constitutions and elections are just small steps into the doorway of democracy; the significant test of a democracy is its capacity to empower its citizens to play a meaningful role in furthering its government’s progress.
“A public lecture on the implementation of Fiji’s Constitution is fundamental to understand the constitutional progress till date and discuss the direction for constitutional governance and the prospects of development in Fiji,” says Mr Mataitawakilai.
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