Macuata committee leaders taught how to best analyse information to better assist their communities
Macuata committee leaders and reps from faith-based groups have been advised not only to be good listeners, but to learn to analyse information that has been disseminated to them. The Macuata leaders were given this advice at a workshop organised by Transcend Oceania Transcend Oceania executive director Adi Vasu Levu said the participants have revealed the kind of problems they had been facing through group discussions at the Salvation Army Church hall in Labasa yesterday.
“Normally leaders learn and collect information provided to them, but they forget to analyse to find deeper meaning or truth and in due process, fail to share information with their members,” Ms Levu said. “For instance one group revealed in the rural areas the access to roads is not available and they identified the kind of problems people face.
“They brainstorm ideas and prepared SWOT analysis (an organised list of greatest strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) on how to overcome or highlight their need to get help.
“The workshop is a joint-collaboration between five consortium partners, for the implementation of the project titled Participative Democracy and Accountability (PDA) Action,” she added.
“The overall objective impact for the PDA is within the work in progress with the respective partners to strengthen democracy, governance in Fiji through effective and sustained participation of civil society and Fiji citizens in local and national policymaking.
“To continue the effective engagements creating safe spaces working in partnership to strengthen the role of civil society and community leaders in Fiji’s transition to a more inclusive and accountable governance structure, through increased participation in policy formulation processes and accountability mechanism.”
She said the four-day workshop was funded by the European Union (EU).
Adi Makitalena, president of Multicultural Women’s Group in Naleba, Labasa, was among the 40 participants and said she felt happy to be part of the programme.
“All these years I have never been told how to analyse information being provided to me,” Ms Makitalena said.
“This workshop has helped me be in a position to help my 10 active members on how they can be effective leaders and contribute to policy making.”