Welcome to the International Development section of the remote internship discovery phase. Here you will find an overview of International Development in Fiji, current developmental challenges and future goals of Development in Fiji.

This module will provide an overview of Fiji’s approach to development. As you will be aware, Fiji’s National Development Plan (FNDP) is the country’s agenda for growth and development across all sectors of development. The plan supports the goals laid out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and offers innovative and progressive solutions to some of the challenges Fiji faces. To first have an understanding for Fiji’s vision for growth will help as the modules progress and we begin to explore more specifics of Fiji’s development.

Later in this topic we will look at some the components of the FNDP in greater detail and you will have the chance to narrow down on a topic of your interest.

The major objective of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the provision of policy advice to the Government regarding the formulation and implementation of its foreign policies.

Roles of the Ministry:

• Records and advises on Fiji’s accession and ratification of treaties, conventions and agreements. 
• Carry out depository functions for various regional and international agreements. This function of the Ministry is obligatory under international law. 
• Deal with consular matters, including issues relating to the status of refugees, and political as well as diplomatic asylum. 
• Carry out protocol functions as accorded under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations [1961], the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations [1963] and Fiji’s Diplomatic Privileges & Immunities Act [1971].
• The promotion and establishment of external trade and economic relations through negotiation is an important function of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. However, the MOFA diplomatic missions abroad assist with the responsibility for trade policy implementation and co-ordination of trade promotion activities. 
• Identify and encourage potential foreign investors. 
• Laises with the private sector, Tourism Fiji and the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau in promoting and expanding Fiji’s trade and economic relations
• Plays an important role in areas such as the negotiation and administration of foreign development assistance and climate change. It is the Government’s official channel of communication, particularly with all foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations based in Fiji.

Partnership, as one of Fiji’s 5Ps of development and in support of SDG17, ‘Partnership for the Goals’, is crucial for the action of the MOFA, hence Fiji is a member of:

The United Nations, and its specialised agencies:

• ILO, FAO, WHO, UNDP, ITU, IFAD and WMO.

The Ministry of Commerce Trade Tourism & Transport of Fiji (MOCTTT) is responsible for formulating and implementing policies and strategies to facilitate growth for industries in Fiji, Investments in Fiji, Trade, Tourism, Co-operative Businesses, Micro and Small Enterprises; and enhance Metro-logy, Standards and Consumer Protection.

Vision – A Brighter Economic Future for All.

Mission – Creating Sustainable Growth of Commerce and Industry through Innovative and sound Policies that lead to Improved livelihoods for all Fijians.

In later modules we will explore some of the initiatives the MOCTTT are exploring to further the development of the relevant industries.

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Fiji has had a long and immensely interesting history much of which is lost in legend, often only shared through story, song or traditional dance (meke). In this section however, we will focus on the key events of the development era and explore the tumultuous past of Fiji’s political history.

It is recommended that you explore the History components of the culture modules first, to appreciate the significance of the events that later unfolded in Fiji’s modern history.

Fijians of Indian descent, often referred to as Indo-Fijians, were first introduced to Fiji in the late 1870s, where over 60,000 Indians came to Fiji to work in the cane plantations as indentured labourers. This was an influence of the British colonial powers which had huge ramifications for Fiji’s future political and social discourse. 

This historical labour system has left behind a legacy of racial conflict within Fijian society. By the 1940’s, Indo-Fijian’s made up the majority of Fiji’s population, outnumbering indigenous Fijians, fuelling racial segregation.

Out of fear of losing the indigenous culture a series of racially motivated political agendas arose to favour the indigenous populations. The racial oppression of the Indo-Fijians and escalating tensions led to significant emigration of the Indo-Fijian population. 

Whilst the current government has taken significant steps to create a more inclusive society, calling all Fijians, regardless of descent, Fijians, there still exists old scars and tensions from times past as the two populations work-out how to co-exist in the colonially-imposed circumstance.

The recent emigration of Indo-Fijians has had large scale impacts on Fiji’s economic development. The scale and speed of the loss of skilled workers has had detrimental effects on the state’s ability to provide basic social services like education and health.

Political unease, lack of job opportunities, struggling infrastructure are just some of the direct and indirect consequences of globalisation that are driving factors behind the high rates of labour migration occurring in the Fiji Islands. Second only to tourism, remittance payments, where migrants send money back to their home country, is a main contributor of foreign exchange earnings for the Fijian economy.

Whilst workforce emigration can create more job opportunities, open up exports for community businesses and increase traffic for international travel, there is a significant impact from the emigration of skilled workforce.

Thought Task: What are some of the negative consequences of workforce emigration? Consider this on a social and economic level.

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In this section we encourage you to explore the relationships Fiji has with different UN member states and gain an understanding of the importance these relationships have in contributing towards Fiji’s development. With that information you can then look into how Fiji intends to maximise international trade and relations in its 5 year and 20 year plan.

As a member of the United Nations, Fiji also has significant relationships and investments with other member states.

Explore the relationships of the countries listed below to appreciate the role overseas states have in supporting the development of Fiji. We will then explore what Fiji is doing to maximise these relationships.

Bainimarama praised the understanding of the Chinese government in what was a time of political unease during the 2006 coup, issuing a statement:

Having explored some of the big players when it comes to Fiji’s foreign relations and trade partners. The next step is to look how do these fit in to Fiji’s plan for growth and development. The FNDP, understandably, has a majority focus on national level development. However, it also explores the role of and vision for Fiji in an International context.

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In recent years, Fiji has undertaken major structural and economic reforms to promote economic growth and development. As a result, the Fijian economy is experiencing one of the best growth cycles since its independence. In 2018 Fiji recorded its ninth consecutive year of growth. Major factors which contributed to the sustained increase in growth of the economy are derived from creating a business friendly environment and private sector growth. In particular, initiatives by the Government (including tax concessions and incentives) and accommodative policies have also played a part in higher levels of investment.

The Fijian economy is predominantly made up of services (71%) followed by the industries sector (19%) and the primary sectors (10%) including agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

In these modules we will touch on the prominent influence of trade and tourism while exploring the Fijian government’s initiatives for boosting its economy and access to wealth for its citizens. 

An overview:

In 2018 Fiji was the number 154 economy in the world in terms of GDP (constant 2011 international USD), the number 153 in total exports, and the number 149 in total imports. In 2018, Fiji exported $951M and imported $2.88B, resulting in a negative trade balance of -$1.93B. In 2018, Fiji’s exports per capita were $1.08k and its imports per capita were $3.26k.

Fiji’s exports have shifted from being predominantly agricultural commodities to now more manufactured goods. Sugar was brought to Fiji by the British and for a long time the British Empire was able to capitalise off of Fiji’s fertile lands. As mentioned earlier, the Colonial Sugar Refining Company was taken over in 1972 (post independence) by Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited. This ownership was critical for the development of the Fijian economy and a huge driver for its development as an independent nation, particularly during the 1970s. Fiji now capitalises on a number of high-value niche markets (e.g. Fiji Water, Pure Fiji) as well as having a strong export market for manufactured basic goods (e.g. processed flour and snack products). The key players here are FMF food and Punjas biscuits.

The overall objectives of the Fijian Made-Buy Fijian Campaign are to:

• Build a sense of loyalty amongst the Fijians to buy locally produced products to assist employment generation and the expansion of the manufacturing and agricultural sectors;
• Reduce the import bill and improve Fiji’s balance of payment; and
• Position Fijian made products in the international markets to promote and strengthen Fijian exports.

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Fiji has the largest tourism sector in the whole of the South Pacific region and is an important driver of the Fijian economy. In 2017, Fiji received more than 842,000 visitors, who spent $1.9 billion across the industry, employing approximately 118,500 Fijians. The industry contributed approximately 34% towards Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Fijian Government has identified tourism as an important future driver for economic activity in Fiji. As the sector moves into a more complex phase of its development with growing visitor arrivals, tourism development will require greater coordination amongst stakeholders to ensure the potential of the sector is optimised.

Tourism has been a long-lasting safety net for pacific Islands such as Fiji, enabling them to remain afloat through crises such as the global financial crisis, cyclones (cyclone winston 2016) and coup d’etats. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the vast weaknesses this dependence holds. 

As has been the case across the globe a high number of workers are being laid off as organisations hope to resist collapse in light of the pandemic. Fiji is no different and has lended FJ$53.6 million from retirement funds and allowed the now unemployed workers to withdraw superannuation savings from their National Provident Funds. Fiji has taken on more debt to cope. Its debt-to-GDP ratio, which ideally should sit below 40 per cent for developing economies, has risen from 48.9 percent before the pandemic to 60.9 per cent. It’s likely to increase further.

People are coping in the short term by reviving subsistence farming, fishing and bartering for goods and services. Many are still suffering, however, due to limited state welfare systems.

Patriarchal cultures and gendered-differentiated access to economic and political resources prevail for Fijian women, particularly in rural communities which maintain more traditional gender norms than urban communities. This is due to the fact that there are fewer opportunities for rural women to earn their own incomes and therefore be independent from their families. 

Men often dominate the chiefly system whilst women may have limited decision-making roles and inheritance rights. In most rural communities, women are expected to be responsible for the majority of caregiving; work within the household and participate in community activities such as church, community meetings and ceremonial events. 

In addition, land is a key economic resource in Fiji and gender-bias within traditional decision-making about land use negatively influences women’s economic status in Fiji. 

Thought Task: In contrast to some of the structures we see today, the traditional role of women in pre-globalised Fiji was one of equal status but of very different responsibility. Consider the above quote. How has globalisation oppressed women in community-minded societies, and what might be a community-minded approach to reinstate equality?

Tip: Take a look at the document ‘understanding women and their spaces’ to get a full understanding for women in traditional Fijian society

The UN’s SDGs are making efforts to highlight the consequences that climate change has on the poorest and most vulnerable people. 

Climate change, caused by human activity, poses growing risks to people and the environment. Rising temperatures have made storms and droughts more severe. Catastrophic storms destroy lives and homes. Sea level rise threatens low-lying areas. Women and children bear much of the brunt, being 14 times more likely than men to die during a disaster.

UN Women acts to combat climate change by advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment in all efforts, including global climate talks, to mitigate and adapt to it. To reduce the number of women impacted by disasters, we promote disaster-risk reduction planning and training to help women become more resilient and informed.

Case Study: Cyclone Winston 2016

• The farming and agricultural losses post-Cyclone Winston are adding to the enormous constraints that women face in the dominant patriarchal Fijian culture.
• There is a huge imbalance in loss of education for girls vs boys and girls frequently missing school to serve their gendered household duties including their responsibility for collecting food, firewood and water as well as taking on additional post-disaster clean up in their communities.

Further reading:

Fawcett (2018) #OURTIMENOW: THE FIJI WOMEN’S RIGHTS MOVEMENT

We Are Women in Asia. (2013). Women in Agriculture in Fiji.

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Fijians pride themselves on being an ‘islander’. However, social labels bestowed upon us by ourselves and others can have huge impacts on our wellbeing, both positively and negatively, be it social, financial, mental, physical and more.  

In Fiji, identity is so ingrained in their customs that the first question asked will often be “iko sa lako mai vei?” meaning, “where are you from?”.

• Where an individual originates from within Fiji is determined by the childhood village of their father. 
• Incredibly, within Fijian culture this can reveal vital information such as what they are to be called, how they are to be treated, or even something more specific such as what foods can, or more crucially can not, be eaten in front of them. 
• A portion of an Indigenous Fijian’s (I-taukei) identity is determined in their first sentence, and even more is revealed as questions of family name, village clan (Mataqali), and the relationship these infer, to name a few, are asked. 

With this strong sense of identity and therefore belonging, it is no surprise that Fiji has such wealth in family, community and culture. 

Tajfel (1979) proposed the idea that we categorise ourselves and others into social groups in order to make sense of the world around us. 

Examples of social groups may include: sports teams, family, social class…

By associating people with these groups, we divide ourselves and others into ‘us’ and ‘them’ (social categorisation). Then we identify with our group, wearing clothes our group wears or acting in similar ways (social identification). We see the group we belong to as different from ‘them’ and we draw comparisons between such groups (social comparison).

For more understanding on the Social Identity Theory check this link out – https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html

One of the knock-on effects of globalisation can be loss of culture and identity 

Task: Have a think about the following questions whilst remembering that a Fijians community, village of origin and family relationships is what determines a Fijian’s identity. 

• What are some elements of globalisation that might devalue community and cultural wealth?
• How might globalisation and a shift from community-minded development towards individualistic development have negative consequences for island communities? 

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Fiji is a phenomenal country with a growing presence in the world. People are becoming more aware for Fiji’s beautiful landscape, seascapes and culture. A culture of community, family and belonging, intertwined with modern Christian values. After a long history of political turmoil, it appears that Fiji has regained faith from the UN member states and the current government is making great contributions towards the development of Fiji across multiple sectors of education, access to health care, economy and equality.

The documents below are a great resource to see what Fiji intends to achieve and what they already have. Explore the topics of development that are of the greatest interest to you and see what Fiji has in store for those.