O n 19 May 2000, the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister of the Fiji Islands and his government, were overthrown in a "civilian" coup that
brought wide-spread civil unrest, international condemnation, and a subsequent attempted mutiny by some of Fiji's military resulting in the death of eight soldiers. This is the third coup in Fiji since 1987 and was justified by the perpetrators as necessary to protect the
Indigenous right of ethnic Fijians to be supreme in their land.
Since December 2000, PIDP has been conducting an ongoing series of high-level dialogues amongst the leaders in Fiji. Using the Polynesian concept of Talanoa as a foundational principle for the
dialogue, PIDP has conducted seven plenary Talanoa sessions and numerous sub-committee meetings, involving political leaders representing the diverse population of Fiji. The Talanoa process provides an open forum for addressing differing perspectives on sensitive issues such as land, constitutional
change, and race relations in Fiji’s multiracial society.
The Basis of Talanoa
Our talanoa is based on the principles of reconciliation, inclusion, sincerity, honesty, respect for each other as individuals, respect for the rich indigenous and other cultural traditions domiciled in Fiji, and respect for our national assets and institutions including spirituality, human values, aspirations for economic and social justice, and basic constitutional principles.
Our talanoa is forward-looking. Taking account of and learning from the reality of the past, we seek to establish the basis for national unity in the future based on social and political stability.
National unity requires both dialogue and actions to increase understanding among the peoples of Fiji and dialogue and actions to address basic problems that underlie disunity. National unity also requires the highest standards of leadership and good governance.
(Excerpt from the first Talanoa Statement on National Unity)
Dr. Sitiveni Halapua is leading the Talanoa process in Fiji.
Leaders statements from the Talanoa process:
