rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

In addition, the Fiji Council of Social Services
(FCOSS) was established to provide a link
between the state and civil society organisations.
FCOSS manages programs such as
the Voluntary Youth Network, which aims to
create awareness of the effects of drug and
substance use and to identify and implement
preventative measures. 319 Programs have a
national focus and include early intervention
and awareness-raising activities targeted
toward children.
A need for more educational programs for
youth was highlighted in 2002. The Fiji
Community Education Association has recommended
that the government provide
additional resources to establish rehabilitation
centres. The youth part of the UNICEF
program suggested more innovative education
programs using posters, drama, skits,
interactive video, educational films, talanoa
(story-telling) sessions, and youth critical
thinking skills training. 320
4.6 Australian involvement
Australia has suspended parts of its aid program
in Fiji where it has assessed that the
effectiveness and integrity have been compromised.
These include public sector reform
programs and assistance to law and justice
sector agencies. Australia is one of Fiji’s top
five export partners. 321 Ongoing activities are
oriented toward civil society interventions.
Relevant programs include: the Community
Justice Support Program, Australian Civil
Society Support Program, and Health Sector
Improvement Program. 322
Australian Agency for
International Development
Fiji was included in the Pacific Regional
HIV Project (PRHP) which was completed in
November 2008. Many of the PRHP activities
will be continued with the support of
the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Activities under the PRHP included the pilot
Stepping Stones Program. 323 The Fiji Education
Sector Program has also supported the
Fiji Ministry of Education and the NSAAC to
deliver awareness workshops on substance
use and HIV risk. 324
67
319 FCOSS presentation to 3rd PDARN meeting, Fiji, July 2008.
320 Lewa above, fn.299.
321 Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of the Fiji Islands
Country Brief: (accessed April 2009).
322 AusAID, Aid activities in Fiji, available at: (accessed April 2009).
323 Evaluation results discussed above in section 4.4: Alcohol; see also SPC above, fn.298.
324 G. Ryan-Gadsden (2008), Ministry of Education supports drug awareness in Fiji. Cardno Connect,
1(4): 6–7.
Fiji