The Great Council of Chiefs review team is reaching out to Indo-Fijian religious organisations and community groups to gather their input on the GCC.

GCC review team leader Jone Baledrokadroka emphasised the importance of hearing from all Fijians.

“Letters have been sent to groups such as the Sanatan Dharam, TISI Sangam, and Fiji Muslim League to seek their views. The team has also engaged with the District Advisory Council (DAC) and settlements where many Indo-Fijians reside, but more feedback is needed from the community,” Mr Baledrokadroka

“Submissions have already been received from the clan of the Luvena na Ratu of Bure Noco, Rewa, who are descendants of Indo-Fijians from Noco Rewa. The team hopes to receive more submissions like this from the Indo-Fijian community.”

Youths

Mr Baledrokadroka emphasized the importance of getting the views of Fijian youths, aged between 16 to 35, to ensure a balanced view in the consultation of the GCC review.

He stated that many youths do not even know what the GCC is about and it was necessary to solicit their views.

“The review team is hoping to make the focus of its consultations on youths in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

“We have found that views received so far have been heavily weighted towards the middle-aged and older cross-section of society.”

Mr Baledrokadroka acknowledged that there were distractions that may prevent the youths from participating, but he stressed on the need to get their views as it is part and parcel of Fijian life going into the future in this institution.

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