A dialogue forum titled “Development in Indonesia: Lessons Learned from Papua and for the Pacific” recently took place in Suva, Fiji. The main objective of the event was to shed light on the developmental advances made in Papua, one of Indonesia’s provinces, while also celebrating its rich cultural heritage.
The forum featured a lineup of notable speakers from Papua, who provided valuable insights into the region’s social and economic advancements. Attendees included Church leaders, community group representatives, members of the Indonesia Scholarship Fiji Alumni, Fijian students, government officials, local NGOs, Indonesian students in Fiji, think tanks, media representatives, and members of the Fiji Indonesia Friendship Association, creating a diverse and interactive setting.
Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Simamora, emphasized the importance of the forum in facilitating engaging discussions aimed at generating innovative perspectives on sustainable development that could be relevant to both Papua and Fiji. Civil engineering professional and President of the Indonesia Scholarship Fiji Alumni, Sokovoli Ordovakavula, highlighted the uniqueness of Indonesia’s developmental plans, particularly in Papua. He expressed the potential for Fijian initiatives to benefit from these experiences, especially in remote areas.
Additionally, Serupepeli Udre, the Acting Director for Assets and Infrastructure Services at Fiji’s Ministry of Education, spoke on the value of previous and future bilateral collaborations between Indonesia and Fiji, suggesting promising opportunities for further development in Fiji’s national infrastructure.
This forum represents a proactive approach to international cooperation, highlighting the potential for cross-cultural learning and collaborative development efforts. It’s a hopeful sign for both Papua and Fiji as they explore pathways to sustainable growth together.
Summary: The forum in Fiji focused on sharing insights into Papua’s development, attended by various community stakeholders and officials. Discussions emphasized the potential for learning from Papua’s initiatives to enhance Fiji’s socio-economic progress and foster bilateral collaborations.
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