The Fijian government is increasingly alarmed by the rise in illegal and illicit trade involving traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. This concern was voiced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Biman Prasad, during the opening of the Consultation Reflection on the National Strategic Development Plan for the Culture Sector at Yadua Bay Resort.
Prasad emphasized the importance of embedding cultural elements within a range of national policies, including education, health, and economic growth, as part of the implementation of the National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050. He stated that Fiji’s rich cultural diversity, which includes the traditions of various ethnic groups, plays a significant role in unifying the nation.
Moreover, he warned that climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events threaten sacred traditional sites and heritage buildings, urging local communities to engage in sustainable practices that align with traditional knowledge to mitigate these impacts. Prasad highlighted the financial loss Fiji suffers from commercial entities misappropriating traditional knowledge without consent and stressed the urgent need for a legal framework, namely the Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture Bill, to safeguard these cultural assets.
The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that one of the coalition government’s objectives is to develop educational curricula that instill cultural values in younger generations. The establishment of a multi-ethnic policy framework is intended to guide strategic objectives and programs that encompass all ethnic communities within Fiji.
The sentiments expressed by Prasad align with broader governmental commitments to elevate cultural awareness and integration into various sectors in Fiji. This initiative resonates with measures undertaken by the Department of Culture, Heritage, and Arts, which is also focusing on creating a Cultural Statistics Framework that can influence evidence-based policy making.
Overall, the current emphasis on cultural preservation, education, and community engagement suggests a promising pathway for sustaining Fiji’s rich heritage while fostering national unity and resilience in the face of contemporary challenges. As the government promotes these cultural initiatives, there is hope for a vibrant future in which Fiji’s diverse cultural practices are protected and celebrated.
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