MSG Arts & Culture Programme consultations in Fiji Positive
Standing L to R – Mr. Simione Sevudredre Principle Officer- iTaukei institute of Language and Culture, Mr. Josefa Toganivalu Deputy Chief Executive Officer iTaukei Affairs Board, Mr. Simione Tuimalega MSG Arts and Cultural Officer, Mr. Elia Nakoro Archaeological Unit -Fiji Museum Seated L to R - Ratu Isireli Vananalagi Vesikula Chairman iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission, Mr. Peter Eafeare Deputy Director General Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat, Mrs Merilyn Tagicakibau Director Institute of iTaukei Language and Culture
27 August 2019
The Sports, Arts and Culture programs team under the leadership of Mr. Peter Eafeare Deputy Director General of the MSG Secretariat traveled to Fiji last week conducting consultations with various stakeholders representing each sector. Consultations with the Fiji Arts and Culture Forum along with Directors and CEOs of various iTaukei agencies revealed some promising ways on which Melanesian Arts and Culture can move forward and maintain our prosperity plan of one Melanesia.
Executives of the Fiji Arts Council (FAC), shared some important points with the team about being a member of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) and the importance of the MSG forming its own sub-regional group through IFACCA to enable Melanesian art and culture to be seen and acknowledged internationally. In September 2018 an MOU between the MSG Secretariat and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) was signed. The document is being looked at closely in order to turn it into a working document for the benefit of the Melanesian sub-region.
Deputy Director General Eafeare, who is leading the consultations on behalf of the Director General Amena Yauvoli in his remarks during discussions stated “Culture and Tradition is not just about the way we dress, the style we sing and dance, in fact it is a holistic approach that our Youths, in this idle time must know who we are, where we came from and where we are heading.” He added the importance of the Secretariat’s role in steering these important programs “The Secretariat is here to facilitate these programs, our leaders have mandated the Secretariat to deliver these programs within our member countries to ensure we align ourselves with the Sustainable Development Goals. The MSG Prosperity for All Plan, Chapter 3, Social Inclusivity and in Strategy 13, spells it out clearly and our draft Sports Strategic Plan 2022’s vision is, “Active Melanesia.”
Mr. Simione Tuimalega Arts and Culture Officer, Mr. Meleti Bainimarama Permanent Secretary Ministry of the iTaukei Affairs and Deputy Director General Mr. Peter Eafeare after consultations in Suva
DHe added the importance of the Secretariat’s role in steering these important programs “The Secretariat is here to facilitate these programs, our leaders have mandated the Secretariat to deliver these programs within our member countries to ensure we align ourselves with the Sustainable Development Goals. The MSG Prosperity for All Plan, Chapter 3, Social Inclusivity and in Strategy 13, spells it out clearly and our draft Sports Strategic Plan 2022’s vision is, “Active Melanesia.”
The agenda for the inaugural Arts and Culture programme consultations is to meet the cultural focal points in MSG Member States and discuss strategies to move forward and implement decisions made from the 6th meeting of the Ministers of Arts and Culture which took place in Solomon Island in 2018 and to prepare and confirm a date for the second Ministerial meeting in Papua New Guinea. The team will further discuss results of the Culture Symposium and 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival held in July 2018 and begin dialogue towards the preparation of the 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival which will be held in Vanuatu in 2022.
Traveling team member, Mr. Simione Tuimalega Arts & Culture Officer mentioned during consultations the importance of Melanesians working together toward promoting our rich Art and Culture, “Festivals currently being held are a wonderful way to enforce the importance of our arts and culture but there are also in other ways we need to tap into to encourage and empower our youth to participate in and be proud of our culture. This in turn helps them become strong advocates of our traditions in order for them to pass on our culture and arts to our future generations.”
Mr. Meleti Bainimarama, Permanent Secretary iTaukei Affairs, thanked Deputy Director General Eafeare and his team for their hard work and drive in visiting the Member States to present these initiatives before he acknowledged and commended the leadership of MSG Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli in ensuring the MSG Secretariat towards bringing the Melanesian people together as one. He confirmed his assurance that the Ministry of the iTaukei Affair will continue to support and assist the Secretariat if needed on how Arts and Culture is preserved, promoted and safeguarded by all member states.
The MSG Secretariat Sports, Arts and Culture team of Team Leader Mr. Peter Eafeare Deputy Director General, Mr. Simione Tuimalega, Arts and Culture Officer and Mr. Bill Henry, Sports Development Officer are holding consultations in PNG this week with the last round of consultations being held in Solomon Islands early next month.