Speaker’s Debate: “Is Fiji’s economic growth benefitting all Fijians?”
On Monday August 1st, the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Dr Jiko Luveni will be hosting the third Speaker’s Debate at the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH).
The debate will tackle the question, ‘Is Fiji’s economic growth benefitting all Fijians’ and will take place from 5pm to 7pm.
The Speaker’s Debate is an initiative by the Speaker to encourage discussions and debate on key issues in Fiji. Two earlier debates focused on violence against women and girls and climate change, with large turn-outs and spirited discussions.
On Monday, the focus will be on economic development and poverty alleviation. A number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are linked to economic development and poverty alleviation. SDG 1 is to end poverty in all its forms. SDG 8 is to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. SDG 10 is to reduce inequality within and among countries with one of the targets being that ‘by 2030 [to] progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population at a rate higher than the national average.’ The debate will cover whether Fiji is on track to reach this target.
Panelists will include the Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Hon Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Member of Parliament, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Council, Ms Premila Kumar, Executive Director, Fiji Council of Social Services, Mr Neil Maharaj and President, Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr Dixon Seeto.
All members of the public are invited to attend at the Grand Pacific Hotel from 5pm – 7pm or watch on the livestream – www.parliamentlive.gov.fj.
