A seminar to develop best practices and ideologies that could be adapted to the needs of Oceania countries with lessons from South Korea was recently organised.

Korea’s Saemaul Undong Movement supported by the Korean Ministry of Interior in partnership with Fiji’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The seminar was attended by 82 participants from the region.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou said: “Korea has developed into a leading technological giant in the world through initially developing agriculture.

“Many Oceania countries are now placing a growing emphasis on agricultural development as a critical activity for reducing poverty and have introduced and are implementing our own programs to achieve development objectives, while also learning from other initiatives pursued elsewhere like the Saemaul Undong Movement.

“However, our desire to develop remains and is being implemented through this partnership with the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Korea, which is geared towards expanding our economies, reducing income gaps and improving the lives of our citizens,” said Mr Tuitubou.

He said the aim of the seminar was to develop best practices and ideologies that could be adapted to the needs of Oceania countries.

“The workshop is about stimulating innovative local development concepts to harness sustainable and successful development using SMU’s concept,” he said.

Mr Tuitubou urged government officials and Oceania representatives at the seminar “to develop strong partnerships between local authorities, rural communities and government agencies.”

Silana Village Visit

President of Saemaul Undong, So Jin-kwang, and his delegation, accompanied by Oceania members and Mr Tuitubou visited Silana village in Dawasamu last month.

“It was inspiring to see that rural Fijians and villages are practising SMU concepts,” said Mr So Jin-kwang.

“SMU concept will harness community development, which will be complemented by Government assistance.”

“I am really impressed with how you have set up structures and organised your village and this a positive sign of unity.”

Silana village leader, Sanaila Rokotuivuna, said; “TC Winston damaged most of our established projects and we are still in recovery and rehabilitation mode.

“The SMU concept works for us and complements our traditional ‘solesolevaki’ concept.”

Source: Ministry of Youth and Sports

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj