The Education and Culture symposium held at the Holiday Inn in Suva on Wednesday this week commemorated and celebrated the life of Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna.
The event was filled with enthusiastic students from 15 schools in the Central Division, teachers and officials from the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs.
With the main focus on this year’s theme: ‘Celebrating Visionary Leadership for Fiji Through Education and Culture’, it allowed students to participate in a panel discussion on three main objectives: Indigenous Identity, culture and education and battle valour.
Queen Victoria School deputy head boy Benjamin Lewaqai said he was proud to be present at the event and hoped to take back what he had learned from the symposium to his brothers back in school.
“I am looking forward to take back the knowledge I’ve gained from today’s symposium to remind my brothers back in school about the importance of this man – that we’re celebrating today,” he said.
“My understanding on Indigenous Identity relating to Ratu Sukuna is that he was able to show us the cultural changes and how westernisation can be. He has also proved many nations wrong and has shown great example and influence by keeping his identity even when he went overseas for education.”
Benjamin says Ratu Sukuna was a man of two worlds and that keeping his indigenous identity was something he was well known for.
“For Ratu Sukuna, Indigenous Identity was not a static concept but one that could evolve to meet the challenges of the times.”
“He believed in preserving the essence of Fijian culture while also embracing progress and modernisation.”
The young leader from Sabeto in Nadi shared his understanding about the late statesman, saying he was a statesman and and true visionary leader for our beloved Fiji.
“Ratu Sukuna also recognised the importance of embracing change and adapting to the realities of a rapidly globalising world.”
The year 13 student shared that Ratu Sukuna believed in the value of education and encouraged indigenous Fijians to pursue higher education and gain knowledge and skills to help them succeed in the modern world without losing their identity.
“Ratu Sukuna also often spoke about the need for indigenous Fijians to have a strong sense of cultural pride and identity while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the modern world,” he said.
