CCF staff and supporters during Fiji Peace Day 2010 © CCF

A community-level survey carried out in Fiji has shone light on pressing issues facing people on the Pacific island. Designed to measure and understand change in community attitudes, Scratching the surface addresses questions such as:

  • Why should all citizens be called Fijian?
  • Why don't citizens question the actions of their leaders and demand accountability?
  • Do human rights conflict with traditional and cultural rights?
  • How and where do people get their information on national issues to stay informed?

The baseline survey, carried out in three target provinces of Tailevu, Naitasiri and Ra by our partners at the Citizens' Constitutional Forum (CCF), looked at the knock-on effects of community workshops on opinions about human rights, good governance, and citizenship.

Promoting understanding of peaceful ways to resolve conflict

This survey is the latest initiative towards CCF's aim of encouraging discussion and empowering the citizens of Fiji to play an active role in their society.

At the turn of 2011, Fiji's Prime Minister Bainimarama announced the commencement of consultations on constitutional reform later this year, with elections to follow in 2014. CCF stresses that processes for formulating Fiji's next constitution must be led by the citizens of Fiji. They urge people to discuss the issues in their homes and wider communities and find out how to get constructively involved in Fiji's future.

A unique opportunity presents itself to all Fijians to build a sustainable democracy for this country through a Constitution which takes into account the dreams and aspirations of all the people of Fiji.

Reverend Akuila Yabaki, CCF

The importance CCF places on processes that are participatory and not just consultative echoes the recommendations of work we've carried out elsewhere along with Saferworld. Findings from the People's Peacemaking Perspectives project, funded by the EU and focusing on 18 conflict areas around the world, repeatedly demonstrate that people living amid tension and uncertainty need to have their concerns addressed if they are to have faith in their future prospects. A just and lasting peace becomes reality when people directly affected by conflict are involved in its resolution.

We've been working closely with CCF since 1995 and in recent years the project has benefitted from UK government funding through DfID's Governance Transparency Fund. Find out more about our work with partners in Fiji.