Book ‘a compilation of deliberations’
MULTIRACIALISM sounds ideal in theory but it is incredibly complicated in process.
This was the sentiment shared by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism program co-ordinator Dr Shailendra Singh during the launch of a book titled Ethnic Relations in Fiji: Threats and Opportunities last Friday.
Co-authored by Dr Singh, the publication was put together by civil society organisation, Dialogue Fiji, after its Dialogue on Ethnic Relations organised in consortium with Conciliation Resources and the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum in November, 2017.
He said the book was a compilation of deliberations from learned individuals with a wide range of experiences. Dr Singh said what made the stories more compelling was the fact that the presenters shared experiences not merely from their respective fields. He said they also spoke from their hearts “which was indeed very powerful”.
“The lack of social cohesion that is Fiji’s Achilles heel needs to be addressed in a multipronged manner,” said Dr Singh.
“Multiracialism sounds ideal in theory but it’s incredibly complicated in process, and this is the common thread in the book. Hence, multiracialism needs to be work in progress perpetually and must never be taken for granted.”
Dialogue Fiji chairman Nemani Buresova said the book was part of the organisation’s ongoing attempts to foster discussion on critical issues.
“I would like to emphasise that this is a unique publication in the sense that it is a remarkable product of a civil society organisation that is genuinely committed to peacebuilding, inclusive and participatory decision-making, democratic transition and good governance,” he said.
Dialogue Fiji executive director Nilesh Lal said non-State actors had very important roles to play “in bringing about desired social change in order to sustain a multiethnic and multicultural society.
“Achieving this social change, especially in a politically charged environment where CSOs can very easily be accused of having political proclivities is not an easy task,” he said.
Multiracialism sounds ideal in theory but it’s incredibly complicated in process, and this is the common thread in the book. Dr Shailendra Singh