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The review of the Dialogue Fiji proc-ess and the election of new commit-tee members are expected to be the highlights of the impending Citizens Assembly.

Organised annually since 2009, the Citizen’s Assembly gathers each year to assess the previous year’s dialogue process, progress and chart a way forward for the secretariat.

“We are looking at approximately 70 participants from all sectors and divisions including previous dialogue event participants ,” said DF Coordi-nator, Sandra Fong.

“Apart from reviewing the DF proc-ess and progress, the Citizen’s As-sembly will also provide the forum to discuss plans for the future, iden-tify opportunities that other organi-zations could play in Dialogue Fiji,” Sandra said.

“Elections for new committee mem-bers will also be held during the event,” she said.

The 2012 Citizen Assembly will be held at the Studio 6 conference room on February 9th from 9am.

Those interested in participating can contact the DF secretariat.

Contact details are highlighted in blue on the bottom right hand col-umn of this page.

www.dialoguefiji.com JANUARY 2012 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Momentum

Review of DF Processes at Citizens Assembly

Dialogue Fiji Vision:

A Fiji where people respect each others’ differences and share a common will to build a free, peaceful, and inclusive nation.

Dialogue Fiji

Mission:

Engage with others to build capacity in Fiji’s society to create inclu-sive spaces for dia-logue and peace build-ing.

Dialogue Fiji

Committee :

� Suliana Siwatibau

� Rev. Akuila Yabaki

� Virisila Buadromo

� Willie Kwansing

� Daryl Tarte

� Ratu Meli Vesikula

� Nemani Mati

� Nisha Buksh

� Kelerayani Gavidi

� Ricardo Morris

Inside this issue:

Youth Dialogues 2

Vacancies 4

10 Successful Outcomes 5

Community Posts 6

Callouts 3

CONTACT DETAILS Phone: (679) 3552255/ 9767968 E-mail: dialoguefiji3@gmail.com

ADDRESS

49 Gladstone Road G. P.O. Box 12642 Suva Fiji Islands www.dialoguefiji.com

Dialogue Fiji Committee member, Ricardo Morris explains a point during the 2011 Citizens Assembly in Suva

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PAGE 2 MOMENTUM

Youth Dialogues To Feature in 2012 DF Activity Calendar

Providing forums for youth conversations and dia-logues will be a new feature in DF’s 2012 calendar of activities.

Dialogue Fiji project officer, Zena Sherani said the youth dialogues came about as a result of the in-creased participation of youths in previous years’ dialogue events.

“Discussions emanating from previous dialogues indi-cate that youth are frustrated and feel they are mar-ginalised at all levels of decision-making processes,” Zena said.

“DF conducted scoping works late last year and the findings confirmed that whilst youths were frus-trated, they were ready and eager to participate and contribute to national development discussions,” she said.

She said the forums will be particularly welcomed by youths as they are being confronted with diverse po-litical, socio-cultural, economic and environmental

issues.

“One of the main objectives of the youth dialogue is to give youths an understanding of genuine dialogue and experience as they dialogue on issues that mat-ter to them.”

DF has planned two youth dialogues for 15 to 19year olds and 20 to 30 years olds respectively for later in the year.

“Each one will be held for a maximum of three days and we are expecting about 30 participants per dia-logue.”

These dialogues, she said, would serve as build up events to a national youth dialogue .

“The expected outcomes would be to have strength-ened relationships and engagement on divisional and national issues highlighted by participants in the dia-logue events,” she said.

Youth participants and DF staff on their way to the Central Eastern Division dialogue event last year

YOUTHS AT A GLANCE

• Govt officially recognises youth as those between 15 –35 years old

• 293045: Youth population as at 2007 census or 35% of Fiji’s total popula-tion

• 45% of youth population reside in rural areas

• Youth make up 35% of total offender population

• Youth unemployment is double that of Fiji’s unemployment rate

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PAGE 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

CALLOUTS: A conversation with DF committee member and youth artist Kelerayani Gavidi about her painting titled Dialogue in Colour. The painting featured on Dialogue Fiji’s 2012 calendar. 8000 copies of the calendar was distributed throughout country as an insert in the Fiji Times on 7th January 2012.

DF: How long did it take you to come up with the concept of the painting?

The concept took me two days to finally figure out.

DF: Can you describe the painting?

Its a painting done in acrylics. The painting high-lights the colourful nature of dialogue. Dialogue is an animated as well as a serious process that re-quires inclusiveness and openness. Various inter-est groups are represented by the persons sitting in a circle. They don’t just include men, there are women and young people as well. The faces look-ing in from all angles are members of society and the interest groups that the main characters rep-resent. They look hopefully to the process. Will it be effective and efficient? Dialogue can be exactly that DF: Are there reasons for the choice of col-ours you’ve used in this painting?

The colours are very random, They are there to show the differences in people. I wanted some-thing very bright and very retro to capture the eyes first and then capture the interest in the ob-vious dialogue.

DF: How did you feel about the finished product?

I'm happy with it.

DF: Have you ever received any formal art training if not, then how did you develop this talent/skill?

I did do a few art courses but I have always had this interest even before the training. I love art!

DF: Is this the first time your artwork has been distributed nationally through Fiji Times? If so, how did you feel about that?

In the Fiji times yes, but I have had previous art pieces produced on stamps, posters and books.

DF: As a youth representative on the commit-tee of DF, what are your feelings about the potential of using the arts to promote dia-logue particularly for youths?

I think the potential is enormous and cannot be denied! Using creative arts even in dialogue will make it interesting and it will allow for greater in-terpretation and understanding!

DF: Any other comments?

It was a pleasure doing this art piece for DFS.

Dialogue in Colour by Kelerayani Gavidi

DF Committee member and youth artist, Kelerayani Gavidi

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BITS AND PIECES

DF Forecasted Activities, Mini Announcements & Anything Interesting!

MOMENTUM VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Reporting to: 1. Dialogue Fiji Committee 2. Finance and Administration Sub Committee, 3. Communication Sub Committee Posts that this job manages: 1. Finance and Administrative Assistant 2. Project Officer 3. Communications Research Officer 4. Interns/Volunteers (if any) Job Purpose: Reporting to the Dialogue Fiji Committee, the Coordina-tor will be required to: • Take lead role in identifying, researching, financ-

ing and developing appropriate actions and key opportunities of relevance to Dialogue Fiji’s goal and objectives

• Take lead role in creating, researching, planning,

funding and implementation of the Dialogue Fiji Initiative which include programme management and systematic narrative and financial reporting on all activities

• Implement appropriate orientation and training

for Committee, staff and volunteers • Supervise secretariat staff and volunteers • Facilitate the work of the DF Committee Responsibilities • Organise and participate in program planning and

review meetings, and program coordination meetings with the DF committee and Subcommittees • Conduct the appropriate research, and collabora-

tion on emerging issues and key opportunities • Providing the overall supervision of the work of

the DF Secretariat • Ensure that programmes are designed and imple-

mented in a timely manner and in response to the peacebuilding context in Fiji

• Coordinate conflict analysis and scoping efforts to

inform project design • Monitor and report on expected results and budg-

ets for all programme activities while co-ordinating and supervising the overall dialogue process

• Prepare the overall annual program plans for DF utilizing input from staff and DF Committee

• Provide assistance and ensure individual staff

members prepare, use, report on results oriented work plans and budgets

• Identify training needs and in close collaboration

with the DF FASC, plan and implement appropri-ate and effective training as required

• Provide orientation and co-ordination for new

committee members, new staff and volunteers • In collaboration with the DF Finance Admin Sub

Committee , identify funding opportunities, plan, budget and write project proposals

• Represent Dialogue Fiji at meetings, forums and

processes • Networking with other NGO’s, government and

private sector organisations in Fiji and abroad Knowledge and Experience • Strong communication and inter-personal skills

essential • Strong organisational skills essential • Strong consensus building skills essential • Experience in project management an advantage • Ability to work independently while being a

strong team player • Ability to work in a fast paced environment re-

quiring multi-tasking and work under pressure • Knowledge and experience of peacebuilding and

dialogue processes an advantage Application deadlines and procedure: Applicants should send a detailed CV with 3 referees and a cover letter stating (a) reasons for applying and (b) how you meet the criteria stated above to: The Coordinator, Dialogue Fiji, G.P.O.Box 14725, Suva. Deadline for submission has been extended to Friday 10th February 2012. Previous applicants will be considered and do not need to reapply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Vacancy: Coordinator

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MOMENTUM VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Dialogue Fiji Committee Nominations

Dialogue Fiji seeks a balanced committee membership that mixes enthusiastic and committed individuals and invites nominations for Dialogue Fiji committee in 2012.

Based on the pool of nominees, the Dialogue Fiji com-mittee and secretariat will make recommendations to the Citizens Assembly on Thursday, 9th of February 2012 for the selection of two new committee mem-bers.

Nominations including self-nominations must include name, institution and a brief paragraph, describing the reason for nomination.

Nominations must include all requested information.

Required Nomination Information

Name:

Organization:

Contact Details (ph/email/mobile):

Reason for nomination:

Available for a minimum of 2 hrs for monthly meet-

ings: YES/NO

Have regular email access and able to contribute to email discussion and email

decision making: YES/NO

Approval has been sought for nomination: YES/NO

Nominations can be sent to dialoguefiji@gmail.com and should be received no later than Friday the 27th of January 2012.

Commitment:

-2 hour monthly meetings (more if a sub committee)

-Regular email communication

Responsibilities include:

-Over viewing and directing the work of Dialogue Fiji secretariat

-Aid in promoting the initiative

-Aid in encouraging dialogue participants to attend dialogue event

BITS AND PIECES (cont)

DF Forecasted Activities, Mini Announcements

& Anything Interesting

POSITIVE OUTCOMES FROM SUCCESFUL DIALOGUE PROCESSES

From the field of deliberative democracy, Philip Thomas lists winning outcomes involving large num-bers of ordinary citizens in public deliberation . (An excerpt from the book, Democratic Dialogue—A Handbook for Practitioners by B Pruitt & P Thomas)

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1. Closing the gap between experts and the public

2. Moving from distorted, simplistic understanding and accepting the complexity of societal chal-lenges

3. Setting higher standards for public discourse

4. Shifting focus from competing interests to the common good

5. Strengthening the public’s capacity for reasoned decision-making

6. Bringing values into deliberation and decision-making

7. Increasing citizen’s sense of efficacy

8. Strengthening relationships among citizens, is-sues, institutions and the political system

9. Placing responsibility for public policy with the public

10. Creating opportunities for transformative learning and systemic change

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Community Posts DF welcomes past participants, stakeholders and supporters input into Momentum and will use Community Posts section to feature comments and feedback.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 MOMENTUM

Team at DF,

This is one of the best Newsletters I have seen lately. Very basic, simple but lots of substance. Congratulations.

You all have a merry Christmas and a happy New year. We are enjoying our-selves here in NZ.

Loloma yani

Paulo Baleinakorodawa

Thanks. Interesting reading.

I look forward to the next issue.

Tevita Boseiwaqa

Thanks for the update.

Have a Merry Christmas to you and the DF team!

Jacob Wise

Woohooooo! Hi Dialogue Fiji!

This is really great! First newsletter I received from DF and yes,2011 is really a marvellous year for this small yet vi-brant organization.

big thank you to all….to Sandy, Zina, Tina and Vani!

Bulutani Matai

Seasons Greetings to all my Friends

Its really exciting to see the first edition of the monthly newsletter. Good work!!! Keep it up guys you all are wonderful people. Please include me in the listing of distribution.

Thank you for your support! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year.

Regards

Manoj Sharma

Lovely newsletter, thank you.

Season’s Greetings to you all!

Shirley Matau

Thank you for the first edition of Mo-mentum! It is very attractively laid out and interesting.

I think it will be useful to have a space for past participant or reader’s com-ments.

I liked the story of the cane farmers’ Sidar.

Best wishes to the staff for a well de-served restful and blessed Christmas holiday.

Suliana Siwatibau

Muju Cola Vina & Season’s Greetings to you all—Dialogue Fiji secretariat (Sandy, Tina, Zena and Vani)

Thanks so much for your email - very much appreciated.

Wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all

Kind regards

Mrs. Pariachi

Thank you for the update in the Newslet-ter. Great stuff!!!!!!!

Bua Provincial would like to have a hard copy if possible.

Loloma ops! before I forget,

Merry xmas and fruitful 2012.

Joe Tuqiri

Congratulations on the new website!

I realize it’s been up for a couple of months, but it was my first visit and I just wanted to let you know that I think it looks great and is really easy to use.

Cheers,

Tara Chetty

Hello dialogue Fiji Team!!

Congratulations on the newsletter it looks great.

Wishing you all the best for Christmas and we look forward to working with you all in 2012.

Koila Costello-Olsson

PAST PARTICIPANT UPDATES DF ON NADI FLOODS

While most of Suva’s population relied on mainstream media for picture up-dates of flood stricken Nadi areas , DF secretariat staff were able to get flood photos (above & below) as and when things happened from past participant and Nadi resident, Julekha Mustapha.

Emailing to DF Coordinator, Sandra Fong on January 24th , Mrs Mustapha sent several pictures of flooded Nadi roads, mosques and fields.

“Managed to get few shots in my area, ie Navakai and Fantasy road, at 11.00am today (of the Nadi January floods). Still raining,” she said.