Published On: 21/03/2025
A cohort of 4 staff from the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs have successfully graduated in the third cohort of the Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme, a 5 week block introductory level course sponsored by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT) through its Manaaki Scholarships scheme, and managed by Education New Zealand (ENZ).
The Ministry congratulates Mrs. Rhoda Banner, Mr. Edwin Naidu, Ms. Vilimaina Nakalevu and Mr Luke Letewale for their commitment in successfully completing the 5 weeks course that had the first 3 week block training held in Wellington, New Zealand from Monday 18th November to Friday 6th December 2024. Followed by 2 week block training held in Suva Fiji and then Apia Samoa from Monday 10th March to Friday 21st March 2025.
Similarly, the Ministry conveys its sincere appreciation to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand High Commission, Suva, Fiji for their incredible support and partnership in facilitating this important programme for the diplomats from Fiji and the broader Pacific region. The initiative reflects on New Zealand’s commitment to capacity building and it’s among the many great collaboration and support New Zealand continues to provide to Fiji through the Duavata Partnership.
Fiji joined the Pacific Island nations in participating in this programme aimed at building capacity in the Pacific foreign services and to encourage closer cooperation amongst Pacific diplomats and officials. The programme focuses on practical aspects of working with the partners across the Pacific family.
This Programme provides foundational skills in diplomatic tradecraft that will be useful throughout the lifetime of a diplomatic career. It also builds an important network of diplomats from across the Blue Pacific region who can work together on the current and future priorities of our countries.
Its outcomes are focused on: strengthening capability in diplomatic tradecraft for Pacific Foreign Affairs officers, improve service delivery and performance at an organisational level, improve the ability to transact regional business across a range of foreign policy issues, strengthen relationships between New Zealand and Pacific Departments of Foreign Affairs and related agencies, and enhance regional networking to improve policy development across a range of foreign policy issues of relevance to the Pacific.
In support of this programme, the New Zealand High Commission in Suva had recently hosted a reception to acknowledge the next generation of the Pacific region’s diplomatic talent, hosting the participants of the 3rd cohort of New Zealand’s Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme.
The New Zealand High Commission was also very pleased to welcome Pacific country diplomatic missions in Suva to the event to support their nationals taking part in the Programme, as well as representatives from Forum Dialogue Partner missions in Suva for them to connect with the Programme participants.
