Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr. Paul Wilson,
Australian Volunteers International, Executive International Services Manager, Ms. Ipsita Wright,
Child Safe Volunteering Hub Project Lead, Ms. Fiona Williams,
Representatives of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Representatives of the Tourism Fiji, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Duvata Collective, Pacific Tourism Organisation and Industry Stakeholders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Fijian Government, we’re happy to continue our partnership with the Australian Government, and our stakeholders, in advocating Child Safe Tourism.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The last workshop we co-hosted with the Australian Volunteers International (AVI) Child Safe Volunteering (CSV) Hub, was almost two years ago.
We’re now in a much better place. Our borders have opened ahead of our competitors. We’ve welcomed over 70,000 visitors and thousands of jobs have been restored. And now, the Fijian economy is tracking well in its recovery.
This gives way for renewed partnership and renewed direction for the Fijian tourism industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For us – our greatest asset remains our people. We may share similar products like the sun, sea and sand with competing destinations. But our hospitality, our culture and our ingenuity sets us apart.
That means, we must take extra care and protect our human assets.
National Policies
Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues,
Protecting the rights of our children – who are often amongst the most vulnerable – is in-built in our national policies. And this right is protected by our supreme law – the Fijian Constitution.
Across Government — we try to inculcate a culture where our services are geared towards every Fijian — with our young and future generation at its heart.
In couple of days’ time, our Prime Minister will give recognition to Fijian youths that have excelled in various categories, under the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards
In Education, we have a volunteer school policy that sets minimum guidelines for volunteer organisations when engaging with local schools. Last year alone, over 900 teachers were trained to be Child Protection Officers in schools.
We’ve also established a national child helpline that’s available 24 hours toll free. The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is also leading a National Child Safeguarding Policy.
Child Safe Volunteering (CSV)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues,
We want to see child protection policies across all our sectors. Tourism being the largest and a leading sector of our economy, should be at the forefront.
It’s no secret, visitors today are drawn to more authentic, immersive experiences. This was a growing trend pre-COVID and today–has become even more popular. With this growing demand for engaging with local communities, comes greater exposure of children in tourism.
As tourism operators, and custodians of our guests, there’s a duty of care we owe to guests and locals alike. This requires child-sensitive products, and recognising children’s vulnerability.
What you learn today will equip you to provide child-safe experiences to tourists, whilst protecting Fijian children from the risks that come with service industries.
That’s why the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport is working with partners, like CSV Hub, to strengthen child safeguarding in tourism.
And we’re doing this by supporting tourism stakeholders in implementing child safe policies and giving you the training to build capacity amongst your teams.
Fijian Code of Conduct
Child Safe Tourism is part of the Fijian Government’s greater national commitment for the tourism industry.
The Ministry is currently leading a guideline that sets the Code of Conduct for tourism service providers. We’ve aligned our efforts to global standards, in line with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, and other best practices.
The Code of Conduct recognises the need for service providers to be responsible and conscious of their conduct with the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. This includes children.
What it does is — it sets out the values we hold dear and the standards of behaviour expected of us.
As technology changes, new issues of ethics arise, having a guide that points us to a set of principles is useful and necessary.
Child Safe Tourism Community Tool-kit
Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues,
Today, the CSV Hub will present a Child Safe Tourism Community Tool-Kit – the first for the Pacific.
The toolkit is specifically designed to provide Fijian communities guidance to strengthen child protection measures. It builds on an inclusive approach to child protection by creating a sense of empowerment and respect that drives community action. This, of course, aligns to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The intent was to launch the tool-kit initially. But what we want is a more robust—inclusive framework that has your experiences and your recommendations included.
Change on the ground
Frameworks such as Codes of Conduct, toolkits or policies aren’t effective when left just on paper. They need to drive a change in behaviour. We want to see everyone, including tourism operators and communities taking responsibility. These documents will mean nothing, if the users do not take it to heart and let it guide their actions.
Conclusion
Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues,
I’d like to thank our partners, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for their continued support. Through our partnership, we’re creating child safe ambassadors, who then make positive impacts in communities.
To our industry colleagues, you’re custodians of Fijian tourism – so you have a vested interest in adopting exemplary practices. The values that you hold will shape your organisational culture and the broader culture of our industry.
Our hospitality, and our desire for excellence, means we set a high standard for ourselves. Today’s workshop to progress Child Safe Tourism guidelines, the broader Code of Conduct and the Toolkit will continue to add value to the sector, in our efforts to maintain the image of Fiji as a safe and desired destination for all, well set apart from others.
With those few words, I now declare this Workshop open.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Thank you!