Government Officials Equipped with Skills on Media and Strategic Communications

The enhanced collaboration between Australia and Fiji through the Vuvale partnership is generating the exchange of skills and competency training opportunities for the government officials.

A 3-day training on “Media and Strategic Communications Essentials” has been organised this week through the cooperation between the Australian High Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The training is facilitated by DFAT Assistant Secretary Soft Power Communications and Scholarships, Mr Ray Marcelo.

The training, attended by 60 government officials, was officially opened on Tuesday, by the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Major General (Ret’d) Ioane Naivalurua and the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr John Feakes.

PS Naivalurua while speaking at the event said the training will complement the Ministry’s vision on “Building a better Fiji through Excellence in Foreign Services”.

“Being Fiji’s window to the world, the Ministry recognises the significant role that the media has and it provides an important platform to advancing public diplomacy.

This training aims to meet the following objectives of providing a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic roles of modern media and its importance in promoting diplomacy. The training will provide learning on principles of strategic communications and campaigns, media networking, creating media products, and the use of digital media platforms,” he said.

PS Naivalurua also thanked and commended the Australian Government for its great commitment towards the Vuvale partnership, in paving the way forward for deeper cooperation between Fiji and Australia.

Australian High Commissioner Feakes, said that Australia is pleased to provide this support to Fiji and the training will be a rewarding experience for the participants. The official closing of the training will take place tomorrow at the Australian High Commission.