Fiji

Have you utilized the knowledge obtained in the course in your activities / projects?
If answer is “Yes”, please describe your activities / projects briefly.

1. Name of Activity / Project: Leader of the national disabled persons organization (Fiji Disabled people’s Association). PeriodF 2000-2006 (elected for two consecutive terms of 3 years per term) Your Responsibility: Leader of the organization. Chairperson of the management board, and main representative of the Association. How did you utilize it: Employing largely democratic, authoritative and affiliative leadership styles with major focus on empowering younger leaders and building the capacity of the Association to become a strong grassroots borganization.
2. Name of Activity / Project: Advocating for the rights, proper treatment, equal opportunities, and full participation of persons with disabilities in Fiji. Period: Your Responsibility: Speaker and advocate, initiating contact, fundraising and role model to other disabled persons. How did you utilize it: I advised the management board of FDPA on Government, private sector and community bodies which require education and awareness raising on disability-related matters, prepare advocacy campaigns and materials, submit funding proposals if necessary, participate in the advocacy programs and provide ongoing communication with targeted groups.
3. Name of Activity / Project: Empowering members of FDPA at management board, branch, affiliate and grassroots levels. Period: Your Responsibility: Resource person or workshop facilitator How did you utilize it: Prepare and submit funding proposals to appropriate donors locally and abroad to cover related expenses, share knowledge and experience on workshop topics, invite other suitable resource persons to make presentations and travel to other parts of the country to facilitate such workshops.

Describe your needs and expectations for the follow-up program.

The follow-up program should focus on specific skills and knowledge to enhance our leadership skills. Such areas include advocacy, negotiation, conflict-resolution, management and organizational development, networking, alliance building and accessible ICT.

Describe your future plans in the disability field if any.

To continue my present role of advocating for equal treatment, equal opportunity, recognition and protection of the rights, and a better quality of life for disabled persons in Fiji, and the Asian/Pacific Region. Also intending to pursue a political career to champion the course of disabled persons and other marginalized groups, better quality.