Advocating for Integrity and Anti-Corruption in Fiji

 Meet TI's new national contact in Fiji: Integrity Fiji

Fiji has the biggest population (900k) and the largest economy in the South Pacific. It is considered the hub of the Pacific. There had previously been a TI chapter in Fiji, but it closed down in 2016. The new team members come from diverse backgrounds and are very enthusiastic about developing a dynamic culture of integrity and anti-corruption in Fiji.

As a rugby-crazy nation, we thankfully have one thing in common. When we meet at retreats and workshops, we find time to play some Sevens or Touch Rugby on the beach!

Describe in a tweet what you do as a team

We work with a number of partners (like the Fiji National University Faculty of Humanities, the Ministry of Economy Procurement Section and other state and non-state agencies) to advocate for strengthened anti-corruption policies. We have facilitated a free online anti-corruption course and like to fill our social media channels with our creative integrity and anti-corruption posts.

Share with us one of your latest proud moments as an organisation. Why this one?

Our youth leaders had been advocating on mainstream and social media against the draconian Draft Police Bill, which would have allowed the Police to search homes and workplaces without search warrants, amongst other repressive measures. The bill was suddenly withdrawn in March and the media report implied that the Prime Minister had withdrawn the Bill due to the advocacy of the Youth for Integrity Network in Fiji. We are proud to have inspired the Fijian public to stand up for their rights and to speak out.

What’s the best thing about working at CLCT (Civic Leaders for Clean Transactions) Integrity Fiji and being part of TI?

We are like one big family and are always zooming, vibering, messenging and texting each other with new initiatives, ideas, activities and strategies on anti-corruption in Fiji. There is always a lot of laughter, jokes and friendly arguments. We stand out in Fiji because we do a lot of advocacy work using videos, songs, tiktoks and more on social media.

And the most challenging?

We get asked to participate in events and help out with various initiatives by the Government Departments and CSOs and sadly, because of our limited budget and manpower, we are not able to say ‘yes’ to all these requests.

What’s the message you’d put on a billboard, if you knew the entire TI movement could see it?

For a nation like Fiji which had five coups since 1987 and is ruled by a government which takes authoritarian lines, our billboard message would be:

"If you believe it's right, then develop an anti-corruption strategy and just go for it!"

Anything else you’d like to share with us about your work?

We would like to thank everyone who have helped and continue to help us on our anti-corruption journey. Many thanks to Alejandro Salas from the TI Secretariat who came to Fiji towards the end of 2019 and inspired us to remain true to our calling. We are deeply grateful to TI New Zealand who have continued to work with us on our anti-corruption strategies. And to the TI movement we'd like to say ‘Vinaka Vakalevu’ (thank you very much!) for the friendship and support.

Contact Details:

Integrityfiji73@gmail.com

Launch of Civic Leaders for Clean Transactions - Integrity Fiji, the National Contact of Transparency International in Fiji

 Mariam Mathew (Transparency International)

Sakeo Moce (Board Secretary) with Joseph Veramu and Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Education at the Fiji National University Prof Una Nabobo-Baba

August 11, 2021, Suva, Fiji—At a virtual event in the presence of Fijian government officials, civil society and media, as well as key stakeholders in the international community, Integrity Fiji was launched as the national contact of Transparency International in Fiji. National and international anti-corruption stakeholders in Fiji welcomed the initiative and committed to cooperate with the Integrity Fiji in their fight against corruption.

Mr. Daniel Eriksson, Chief Executive Officer, who spoke at the event stated, “We welcome Integrity Fiji to the Global Movement and look forward to working closely with them on key priorities relevant to the Fiji national context”. Transparency International is a global network of locally established independent organisations in more than a hundred countries with an international secretariat in Berlin. Transparency International has been leading the fight against corruption for the last 27 years.

Mr. Jofiliti Veikoso, the Chairperson of Board of Directors of Integrity Fiji, stated, “Four years ago a group of us came together to advocate for transparency and accountability in Fiji. We really didn’t imagine we would get this far. We didn’t have any funding at all. We used our own resources, engaged on digital and traditional media on anti-corruption seeing the need for it, and learnt to be courageous along the way.”

Integrity Fiji is a registered non-profit organisation in Fiji. According to Dr. Veramu, Executive Director of Integrity Fiji, Transparency International Secretariat and the National Chapter in New Zealand with funding support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Government of New Zealand were important players in their initial establishment and growth. “We now look forward to expanding our partnerships in our anti-corruption and sustainable development agenda”.

As the National Contact and lead in Transparency International’s work in Fiji, Integrity Fiji will work closely with Transparency International and leverage its knowledge and expertise to support government strengthen its governance operations in the country. According to Mr. Veikoso, the organization’s vision is a Fiji freed from corruption through strong integrity systems. Through their current strategy ending 2025, the organisation will focus on public education and engagement, as well as advocacy and capacity building to strengthen governance in key sectors where corruption risks are higher.

For more information, please contact:
Joseph Veramu, Part Time Volunteer Executive Director, CLCT - Integrity Fiji
joseph.veramu@gmail.com

Annex: Priority Areas of CLCT – Integrity Fiji

1. Informed, Engaged and Active Demand for Accountability

Integrity Fiji aims to create a culture of intolerance towards corruption so that incidences of corruption are reported by the public. This will be achieved through public education via mainstream/social media, online anti-corruption courses and University anti-corruption programs to develop a citizenry that thinks critically and is willing to take action to curb corruption.

2. Responsive, Effective and Accountable Governance

Integrity Fiji will support key government line ministries and public institutions to strengthen their regulatory frameworks and monitoring mechanisms. The organization will also partner with key academic institutions to provide capacity building support to public officials, private sector and other non-state agencies on transparency and accountability to achieve stronger compliance of anti-corruption legislation.

3. Strong active advocacy role by Integrity Fiji nationally

Integrity Fiji will build a strong and committed youth group and support them to take on a strong anti-corruption advocacy role through resourcing and capacity building. Additionally, the organisation will undertake capacity building activities for its staff as well as engage proactively in fundraising activities to ensure that the organisation continues to be effective and sustainable.