Building social cohesion requires us to heal and reconcile our personal differences within our families, communities, and relationships, as emphasized by Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran during her speech at the conclusion of the Negotiations and Mediation Training held at the Pearl Resort on Friday.
Ms. Kiran remarked, “We can only offer what we have in us, so to make these skills useful, it is essential for each of us to practice these skills in our own lives, challenging ourselves and understanding how these processes impact us before we employ them on others.”
She stressed that as individuals cultivate their inner peace, they contribute to a larger universe of peace. The Prime Minister’s vision of an “ocean of peace” has garnered positive feedback from both regional and global partners. The Coalition Government is dedicated to fostering social cohesion and healing to pave a pathway to peace in Fiji.
Ms. Kiran shared that the consultation process for the Truth and Reconciliation Bill has been emotionally challenging, as participants openly expressed their deep-seated emotional wounds. “There is so much pain,” she noted, adding that young individuals highlighted the effects of the past, not just through stories but also by witnessing the suffering of their parents and grandparents.
Recognizing that Fiji has been carrying wounds and pain, Ms. Kiran called for the creation of safe spaces for sharing and healing. She remarked, “We hope to open these safe spaces with the establishment of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
If action is not taken, she warned that future generations might inherit narratives of pain. “Our future generations continue to live in the past narratives, robbing them of a hopeful and peaceful future.”