The European Union funded civil society project Valuing Voices was launched in Suva yesterday, marking World Press Freedom Day.

It also begins the roll out of a series of new EU-funded initiatives designed to contribute to the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Valuing Voices project will be implemented over 30 months by the British Council and Save the Children Fiji, together with Dialogue Fiji and University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre.

Valuing Voices is an innovative arts-in-development project, designed to support human rights advocacy in relation to Fiji’s international commitments to media independence focusing on human rights defenders of women and children.

The project explores the rights and responsibilities of freedom of expression and the role that art and culture play in creating strong civil societies.

EU Ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs, who hosted the launch at his residence, said: “‘The Valuing Voices project which we are launching today is about valuing ALL voices in society.

“Valuing Voices is about supporting human rights advocacy through citizen journalism and the arts. It is based on an understanding that diversity of voice leads to better governance for everyone.

“It’s one of several projects recently supported by the European Union in Fiji aimed at contributing to the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

European Union

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