Standing Committees
FDPA has two separate standing committees on Women and Youth who coordinates the activities of women and youth across the affiliates and branches.
The organization believes that it cannot achieve its vision without recognizing the contribution of youth and women. It strives to maintain that these committees are well managed and resourced to enable them to lead fulfilling lives.
It also encourages continuous participation of young people and women to be part of the decision making processes at all levels of the organizations. This is done be ensuring that these groups are educated on rights and responsibilities that cater for their welfare and promote this in all their activities.
Youth Achievements in 2010 Recognised.
The International Year of Youth began from 12 August 2010 to 12 August 2011 with the theme " Dialogue and Mutual Understanding ". On March 10th,the FDPA Youth committee organised an event to celebrate young peoples achievement for the past year.The Chief Guest at the event was the Chief Executive Officer for the Pacific Disability Forum,Mr Setareki Macanawai. In his keynote address he highlighted that while role models are good,youths need to believe in themselves and their abilities.They also need to work hard,willing to serve and be responsible at all times.Guests also include youth officers from the Department of Youth and the media.
Fiji Disabled Peoples Association Advocacy Training
Fiji Disabled Peoples Association organized an Advocacy Training from 9th – 20th May, 2011 and was funded by the Australian Pacific International Disability Support (APIDS). This two weeklong training brought together 14 participants from our different branches and affiliates from the west and in the central division.
This training was conducted by Robyn James Secretary of APIDS for a full two weeks program. Participants were trained and educated in advocacy, the different types of advocacy, system advocacy principles and ways of using the media.
Robyn James is no stranger to the advocacy work with the organization since she has worked with FDPA previously in the years. She has created some strong advocates for the organization which have played a huge role in lobbying the government for changes to eventuate for people with disabilities in our country. During this training, participants had an opportunity in meeting relevant stakeholders and government departments in advocating issues that they strongly feel about which they feel is lacking the inclusion of persons with disabilities within their services. They also wrote letters of concern to the media which was published during the two weeks training. Thus, this had motivated these strong advocates to voice their opinions regardless of their impairments and to be well informed of policies and implementation taking place in government.
The training ended with the participants graduation at the Pacific Forum Secretariat Bure where the Regional Specialist, Disability Inclusion Development officer Ms. Christine from the Australian High Commission based at the Secretariat was the chief guest.
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Iliesa Delana recieving his certificate of achievement from Mr Macanawai
Lusiana Oli,young women in sports receiving her certificate of achievement.
Etika Ve,outstanding youth member and volunteer from the Fiji Association of the Deaf
Sainimili Naivalu,the talented mistress of ceremony and advocate from the Spinal Injury Association
FDPA Womens Group Celebrating International Womens Day on 8th of March 2011
The Womens Group will be celebrating the day today at the hall in the Fijji Vocational and Technical Training Center from 4pm to 6pm with the Theme :" Equal Access to Education,Training and Science and Technology: Pathway to decent work for women"
The highlights of the program include the launching of the Fiji Parallympic Committee Women in Sports program for Women with disabilities,Speakers from Fiji National Council of Disabled Persons and the Pacific Disability Forum.There will also be a display of handicrafts,sports activities and a tea party.