FIJI is deeply divided with a whole range of unresolved issues that need to be discussed, that is why we decided to hold a forum for social cohesion.

This was the word from Dialogue Fiji chairman Nemani Buresova during the opening of the two-day forum at The Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour, yesterday.

“The Dialogue on Social Cohesion is aimed at congregating relevant stakeholders in Fijian society to robustly deliberate on various aspects impacting social cohesion in the country,” he said.

“Recognising that Fiji is deeply divided on issues with a host of unresolved issues posing serious challenges to build a vibrant, pluralist and cohesive societies, we have strived to put on the dialogue table some issues which hold great currency in today’s context.”

Mr Buresova said after consultation with international partners, state institutions, academics and civil society organisations — the issue of elections and electoral reform were selected as key issues.

“Given that we are in the aftermath of national elections and the extent to which elections tend to polarise Fijian society, engagements of this nature are necessary to forge ways in which to improve electoral systems and processes, and to initiate discourse on electoral imperatives in deeply divided societies like Fiji.

“Moreover, issues such as hate speech and fake speech which are on the rise in Fiji, with the growing popularity of social media are also critical problems gnawing away at the fragile social fabric of society.”