LocationsCommunity leaders representing the District Councils of Social Services attended the Access and Agency Forum 2021 (Photo: FCOSS)
Suva, Fiji - The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) has partnered with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji and the UK government to develop a diagnostic tool for improved access to information and open data through a co-design process that will be jointly identified between civil society and government institutions.
Supported through the UNDP Project - Strengthening Anticorruption, Transparency and Accountability in Pacific Island Countries (“Pacific Anti-Corruption Project”) funded by the UK government, FCOSS will carry out this effort under the “Kacivaka Project” which was launched on 8 December during the Access and Agency Forum 2021 by the British High Commission’s Head of Pacific Conflict, Stability and Security Programme, Nicola Noble, in Pacific Harbour.
Ms. Noble launched the programme in front of 30 participants who have gathered to discuss and co-design the diagnostic tool, with around other 10 government department representatives, throughout this week in a partnership approach.
Ms. Noble said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Fiji Council of Social Services through UNDP to deliver a project to support local community leaders, civil society organizations and relevant government ministries to further increase disclosure and communication of information. I encourage all participants to utilize this opportunity to actively engage in peer-to-peer exchange to identify solutions on open data principles and the right to information.
(L-R) Ms Nicola Noble, British High Commission’s Head of Pacific Conflict, Stability and Security Programme and Mr Avaneesh Raman, Governance Consultant, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. (Photo: FCOSS)
(From left) FCOSS Executive Director, Ms Vani Catanasiga; UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Governance Consultant, Mr Avaneesh Raman; British High Commission’s Head of Pacific Conflict, Stability and Security Programme, Ms Nicola Noble; and FCOSS Board Chair, Ms Cema Bolabola. (Photo: FCOSS)
FCOSS executive director, Vani Catanasiga said participants attending the Access and Agency Forum 2021 over three days will sensitize and orientate 50 plus District Councils of Social Services (DCOSS) representatives from the four divisions about relevant Fiji legislations such as the Online Safety Act, Information Act, Statistics Act, Electoral Act etc. as well as the International Open Data Charter and New Zealand Data and Information Management Principles.
“Participants will combine their understanding of the above policies and standards with FCOSS generated data from past surveys –to establish the focus and design the tool for improved access to information,” Ms. Catanasiga said.
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Anti-Corruption Adviser, Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska said that we aim to promote the values of right to information and multi-stakeholder partnerships for achieving shared development outcomes, including in relation to achieving anti-corruption results.
“UNDP hopes that this project will allow for productive discussions and unleashing of innovative potentials that would benefit the citizens of Fiji,” said Ms. Stefanovska-Trajanoska.
On 9 December, the workshop also served to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day.
The three-day Access and Agency Forum 2021 ends on Friday.
For more information, or media interviews please contact:
FCOSS Team Leader Research, Josaia Tokoni on 679 9224289/fcossresearch@gmail.com
Tomoko Kashiwazaki, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji; email: tomoko.kashiwazaki@undp.org
