SUVA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government on Tuesday stressed the importance of volunteer, saying that volunteerism has been acknowledged globally as services provided to benefit another person, group or organization without financial gains and in turn allowing skill development and contributing to improved human quality of life.
Speaking at the commemoration of the International Volunteer Day in Suva on Tuesday, Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Salaseini Daunabuna said that to be a volunteer was to make a powerful, selfless contribution to the community as one of the first responders in a natural disaster and trained professionals carrying out services in medicine, education and emergency rescue.
Speaking on the topic "Big Ocean States -- Fijian Volunteers in the Pacific," Daunabuna said that the Fijian government through the National Employment Center (NEC) of the Employment Ministry have been providing volunteers to the Pacific region sharing their wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in the field of nursing and teaching.
"The Center provides opportunities for graduates to be exposed to the work environment and retirees as volunteers to share their skills and knowledge within the region. The regional component of the program is part of Fiji's development cooperation efforts to assist its island neighbors by facilitating their development needs through the enhancement of human resource capabilities," Daunabuna said.
Since the inception of the Fiji Volunteer Service in 2012 under the NEC, four regional countries Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Nauru and Marshall Islands have signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the placement of volunteer teachers at primary and secondary level and also volunteer nurses under the medical services, he added.
According to Daunabuna, a total of 49 regional volunteers are currently engaged under this program where 38 are volunteer teachers and 11 are volunteer nurses.
"The government recognizes the significant contribution our volunteers have made and envisage to expand our reach to beyond the regional frontiers and to share our skills with our Pacific neighbors as part of our Engaging with the Pacific commitment," Daunabuna said.
Daunaduna stressed that the Fijian government was committed to assist those who requested help in areas of trade, investment, education, transportation, culture and people to people relationships and contacts.
