Chiefs unite against drugs
THE Great Council of Chief (GCC) has endorsed to work with the Government, and the church to address the escalating drug problem.
This was one of the resolutions announced by GCC chair, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, after the meeting yesterday.
Ratu Viliame said there was a need to preserve the indigenous culture and traditions.
In addition to this, the GCC has endorsed the draft action plan, or the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people and urged the secretariat to take the plan through a robust consultation.
Ratu Viliame said the GCC has also endorsed the formation of three GCC subcommittees.
He said during the discussions over the 11 articles, there were three subcommittees formed to look after governance, education and language and culture.
He adds they were to take the issues that were discussed and to report back to the GCC at a later date.
In view of the status of the iTaukei language, particularly among iTaukei youths, he said the GCC members were
And we discussed that the village council, various forums at the village levels and other relevant forums while acknowledging the various programs be implemented to address the matter – Ratu Viliame Seruvakula
encouraged by the concern of their respective vanua.
“And we discussed that the village council, various forums at the village levels and other relevant forums while acknowledging the various programs be implemented to address the matter,” Ratu Viliame said.
He added there was a great concern on the decrease of iTaukei speakers in society which the GCC would look into.