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Identity and belonging in Fiji |
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Written by admin
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Wednesday, 11 February 2009 |
The Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA) will be launching a book titled: Living by bread alone: contemporary challenges associated with identity and belongingness in Fiji by Tui Rakuita. It will be launched by the Director Development Studies Programme of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Vijay Naidu. The launch will be at the ECREA office at 189 Rt. Sukuna Rd. on 13th February 2008 at 11:00am.
The book examines and offers critical insights on the nature of identity formation within different ethnic groups in Fiji. It also explores practical ways that can bring together different interests, positions, traditional and civic values as well as the aspirations of peoples to create and to set in motion a public process of dialogue among ethnic groups as a way of building a mutually gainful and meaningful society.
Sister Vitolia Mo’a, Faith & Society Programme Coordinator of ECREA said,
“Fiji is a deeply fragmented society on many levels but particularly on the issues of identity and belongingness. Who belongs, who doesn’t belong and how one belongs in Fiji are questions that quickly ignite ethno-centric emotions among Indigenous Fijians and feelings of perpetual dislocation among other ethnic groups particularly the Indo-Fijians. The people of ‘Fiji’ do not even have a ‘name’ to call themselves. There is a country called ‘Fiji’ but half of its citizens cannot claim ‘Fijian’ as a term of self-identification. How do these ‘others’ belong? How are issues of identity and belongingness related to nation building and to shared destiny?”
She added, “ECREA hopes this report will encourage active participation and collaboration on the part of cultural groups, churches, theological schools, civic institutions, NGOS and interfaith groups in promoting dialogue among ethnic groups on the challenges of identity and belongingness in Fiji. Such a task would help build Fiji as a nation”.
Sister Vitolia added, “The book challenges all people of Fiji to seriously engage in dialogue about these important issues that continue, in Rakuita’s words, ‘to threaten our collective life worlds’ and so prevent the people of Fiji from constructing a more ‘inclusive life-world’.
For further information about the book, please give us a call on 3307588 or email info[at]ecrea.org.fj
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 February 2009 )
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