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.