EDUCATION WILL HELP TRADITIONAL LEADERS COPE WITH MODERN SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGES
WE ARE IN THE GRIP OF A CLASH OF CULTURES BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INFLUENCES Our best bet is to create a friendly environment for families to thrive and prosper
We are in the midst of a cultural revolution.
This is not confined to us alone but it’s a world-wide phenomenon.
And unless we adapt, our cultures can be easily swamped by overwhelming international trends.
It is said that a vibrant culture is one that evolves and adapts itself to change.
Preparation
How do we prepare our cultures to survive the so-called revolution? One way is through education. On Monday, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama opened a leadership training seminar for traditional leaders of Nadroga/Navosa at Nadave, Bau Tailevu.
The participants represent the province, district and village leadership.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in the survival of a culture. It is essential in building a cohesive community. Mr Bainimarama talked about strong and decisive leadership. There is merit in the issues that he raised
Chiefs cannot operate in isolation and continue in the same old ways. Yes, some aspects of a culture must be retained as a matter of identity but others can be changed, modified and even discarded to allow it to survive. The ones that need to be left out are they that have become irrelevant and a burden to the people.
Those who lead should be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to discern what is good and bad for their people. They can detect areas for positive change and inspire their people to rise and overcome their challenges.
They should have the foresight to implement the necessary changes in consultation with the people. Mr Bainimarama made a pertinent point when he said leadership was not only for Government but also for provincial, district (tikina), village and family organisations.
Those who lead must set an example by the way they lead their families. If they can successfully manage their families then the transition to district and provincial leadership would be no problem.
Keeping up with modern ideas
Chiefs, who lead because of their hereditary right to the titles, need to keep abreast with modern ideas and changes through education. Those who lead in areas where there is a lot of land and natural resources, can inspire their subjects, to make commercial use of their assets. Leadership by inspiration is enhanced through training like the one being held at Nadave.
The curriculum for this training has been carefully drawn by education experts to bring our traditional leaders up to the same par as internationally accepted standards. It enables them to broaden their intellectual capacity so that they meet the challenges in modern Fiji.
Because of the socio-economic changes happening in our country, we cannot carry on and do some of same things we previously did.
We need to change certain things to successfully achieve positive outcomes for our development goals.
Training
This is the fourth training of this type.
Nadroga and Navosa are the latest province to benefit.
There are 10 more provinces remaining to attend the course.
Gone are the days when it was thought that traditional leaders did not need education.
Today, it is essential that they know what’s happening around them, why and how. It will help them make wellinformed decisions.
The ongoing clash of cultures, brought about by internet, videos, music and movies provides constant challenges for traditional leaders.
Challenge
Anti-social behaviour, serious crimes including sexual offences like rape, illicit drugs and alcohol abuse continue to worry traditional leaders.
The majority iTaukei inmate population in Correctionions facilities reflects the seriousness of the situation which can be traced back to the family.
The challenge for traditional leaders is to be able to come up with measures to help strengthen the institution of the family.
They have to review their traditional and cultural activities to ensure that families are not put under unnecessary pressure that could compromise family obligations.
Some of these activities take parents away from the home leaving children unsupervised for several hours.
The children are then left to their own devices.
The Nadave training takes a holistic look at leadership including at family level and creates an awareness of the enormity of the challenges that face us all.