Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has urged Fijians to choose genuine dialogue over social media polarisation, warning of the need to protect the strong bonds that have united Fiji’s diverse communities for generations.
Speaking following a Diwali gathering with traditional chiefs, custodians and faith leaders, Ms Kiran said Fiji’s strength lay in its ability to embrace different religions, cultures and traditions while upholding shared values.
“Let us choose genuine Talanoa over social media polarization,” she said.
Ms Kiran said Fiji’s communities had lived alongside one another for more than 150 years, practising different faiths while sharing the universal values of kindness, dignity and generosity.
She highlighted findings from the Fiji SCORE Index, which showed that faith and traditional leaders enjoyed high levels of trust within their communities.
“Recent data from the Fiji SCORE Index shows that Faith and Vanua leaders have the greatest trust in their communities and over 80% of each ethnic group in Fiji deeply trusts one another,” she said.
Ms Kiran said this spirit of unity was evident in communities where neighbours continued to care for elderly residents whose children had migrated overseas.
She said such acts of kindness regularly crossed ethnic and religious boundaries, reflecting the strength of Fiji’s social relationships.
To preserve these bonds, Ms Kiran said discussions at the gathering had highlighted the need for regular engagement between faith leaders, traditional leaders, young people, women and community representatives.
The dialogue also explored the development of an institutionalised Social Cohesion Framework aimed at strengthening relationships between Fiji’s communities.
Under the proposed approach, community spaces and schools could become centres for learning about different languages, cultures and traditions.
Ms Kiran said traditional and faith leaders had an important role in guiding the country towards lasting peace and understanding.
“We much appreciate the wisdom of our Traditional leaders and collective conscience of our Faith Leaders as they guide our Nation towards sustainable peace,” she said.
She stressed that maintaining Fiji’s social harmony required continued dialogue, mutual respect and a willingness to understand one another rather than allowing divisions to deepen through social media.
