FRIEND marks 25 years with call for unity and reconciliation

The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) marked its 25th anniversary last Friday with a renewed call for unity, reconciliation and social cohesion.

Speaking at FRIEND Village in Tuvu, Lautoka, Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) chairperson Joaquim Da Fonseca said lasting harmony in Fiji depended on empathy and equity.

Mr Da Fonseca was the keynote speaker at a national dialogue on peace and racial harmony, held to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The event brought together participants from FRIEND’s Trauma and Peacebuilding Project, who shared personal experiences of overcoming division and rebuilding trust within communities.

Mr Da Fonseca said FRIEND’s work over the past 25 years aligned closely with the national reconciliation agenda.

“Reconciliation is not a task for a single commission; it is a shared responsibility,” he said.

Since its establishment in 2001, FRIEND has combined community development with peacebuilding efforts, focusing on both economic empowerment and emotional recovery.

A key milestone highlighted was the Rewa Peacebuilding Process, which marked its 10th anniversary.

In 2016, during Rewa Day celebrations, the Vanua of Rewa formally recognised descendants of Girmitiyas through the traditional Luvedra Na Ratu blessing, symbolising inclusion and unity.

Mr Da Fonseca said the initiative demonstrated how traditional leadership and grassroots dialogue could help bridge long-standing divisions.

He said such efforts remained critical to Fiji’s national recovery.

“Every story shared is a step towards a more inclusive Fiji,” he said.

FRIEND associate director Melaia Salacakau said the organisation’s silver jubilee was both a celebration and a commitment to continue its work.

“Our 25th anniversary is not just a reflection on the past, but a recommitment to building peace and strengthening communities,” she said.