Racism weakens nations, drives talent away — Lal

Racial discrimination weakens a nation's economy, erodes trust, and drives people to leave the country, Dialogue Fiji executive director Nilesh Lal has warned.

Mr Lal made the remarks at the National Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, held at the Suva Civic Centre.

The event, organised by Dialogue Fiji in collaboration with the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, brought together civil society groups, diplomats, university representatives, and youth.

"Division weakens investment confidence, disrupts social stability, fuels migration, drains talent out of the country, slows down development," Mr Lal said.

"A divided society is not able to develop to its potential."

He said Fiji's history was marked by division and political upheaval, and that commitments to social cohesion must be reflected in decisions and institutions — not just speeches.

"There always has to be alignment between rhetoric and action," he said.

Mr Lal also called on young people to drive change, saying the overwhelming response to the event's National Youth Oratory Competition — which drew more applicants than could be accommodated — showed young Fijians were ready to engage on difficult issues.

Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu, who also spoke at the event, said racism and division could only be overcome through truth-telling, dialogue, and a whole-of-society commitment.

"We must choose dialogue over division, empathy over prejudice, and unity over fear," Mr Naqiolevu said.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is marked globally on March 21. The day remembers the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, where 69 people were killed during a peaceful protest against apartheid — a system of racial segregation and oppression.