Focus on human development applauded
AMULTI Faith Centre for Human Development, Love and Service is greatly necessary at such a time when there are ever-changing complexities on the global, regional and national platforms.
The President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, while opening the Sai Prema Foundations’ Multi Faith Centre for Human Development, Love and Service in Navua this week, said such a centre was timely as the global pandemic among other socio-economic matters has begun to overwhelm Fijians
“I encourage all Fijians to wholeheartedly participate and support the cause of holistic human development,” President Katonivere said.
In highlighting that the Sai Prema Foundation
was part of a global mission of service to mankind, he said such foundations bring together an international community of organisations which share the common goal of alleviating human suffering, promoting environmental responsibility and creating new opportunities for those in need.
President Katonivere said there were a number of leading institutions that have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Sai Prema Foundation to take advantage of the opportunity to have their staff undertake human values classes in this centre.
“I am told that amongst a multitude of service activities that this centre shall undertake, it will also in the not too distant future carry out human values classes that shall be conducted by international experts in the field to be facilitated by the foundation,” he said.
President Katonivere also acknowledged the role Sai Prema Foundation has played in Fiji’s health sector, particularly in the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva, a worldclass hospital specialising in the treatment of congenital heart disease in children.
“Last week the Honourable Prime Minister officially opened the hospital and three days later, lifesaving heart surgeries commenced on Fijian children with congenital heart disease (CHD) by a leading team of international heart surgeons and medical professionals from the United States of America and Australia.”
“Today, these life-saving surgeries continue, and I am confident that they have given renewed hope and great joy to the parents and families of these children; most importantly to all Fijians.”
Similar centres are also present in 12 countries across the world including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Sri Lanka, Italy, Turkey, the United States of America, Argentina, Nigeria, Laos and now in Fiji.
These Centres of Human Development transcend the global barriers of gender, caste, creed, ethnicity, nationality, and colour.