Joni Madraiwiwi: Quotes about communication

Joni Madraiwiwi was Fijian politician. Explore interesting quotes on communication.
Joni Madraiwiwi: 124 quotes1 like

“We celebrate who we are although we come from different communities. We are one nation, one people. We have differences and these cause problems and tension at times but we are not on the brink of inter ethnic strife.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address, Fiji Week celebrations, 7 October 2005.

“There is some suggestion that the Fijian model ought to be adopted as being the first people, the host culture, the landowners and the majority of the population. I have no issue with that proposition, so long as it is acceptable to all other communities as well.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address, Fiji Week celebrations, 7 October 2005.

“Until that point (where national unity prevails) is reached, the journey to it must be seen and appreciated for what it is: in a society such as ours where divisions exist both inter-ethnically and within communities the process of nation building of which the rule of law is an integral part requires a deft balancing of priorities in a fair and inclusive manner. This allows everyone to be a part of the challenges that we need to face together. The path to this point has been tortuous and at times strained because we have invariably compromised some of the detail of the rule of law by honouring the letter if not the spirit of the decisions handed down by the courts. However, it has also been a critical learning experience where we have had to combine political reality with legal principle. The result is an imperfect one but the rule of law is stronger for having weathered these sustained assaults on it.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Siwati Memorial Lecture, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 24 September 2004 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0409/S00253.htm.

“However social integration cannot be forced and not proceed at the pace that the community considers uncomfortable.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Nadi, 6 September 2005.

“In order to build a common identity, we must find a name with which all of us are comfortable. While I personally have no problem with the term ‘Fijian’, I recognize many others in my community are not. But let us not leave it there, let us find other options.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Calling for a national dialogue on an inclusive nationality adjective for all Fiji citizens <br class="br"> Speech to the Lautoka Rotary Club (Centenary Dinner), 12 March 2005 http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/printer_4326.shtml.

“Relationships between our ethnic communities are generally good but we need to continue weaving connections to the point where they are interwoven and unbreakable.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Nadi, 6 September 2005.

“It (insecurity) is a feeling that is deeply felt and is shared by most members of my community, irrespective of religion, status, education, background or place of origin.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Speech to the Fiji Law Society, 2 July 2005.

“When we exclude part of the community, we deny ourselves the participation and contribution of those left out. We allow the possibility of conflict in some future time, neither scenario we can afford. Everyone, irrespective of ethnicity, has a contribution to make no matter how humble or small.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address to the Leadership Fiji 2006 program, 9 March 2006.

“Inclusiveness is disguised by the ability to offer a sometimes disturbed community a vision of themselves and the means to achieve it together.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Nadi, 6 September 2005.

“Our ethnicity is part of us, however, it should not isolate or distance us from the community in which we live. People of different cultures cannot not live peacefully together unless they have respect for each other. I accept that seeking further integration is a challenge and it cannot be imposed or done under duress; the feeling has to come from within ourselves. To create an environment for that to happen, we have to develop situations and opportunities that place people in a position to make choices and this is one of them. And unless we begin to see our neighbours as people, as human beings rather than by ethnicity, it is difficult to shed our stereotypes of each other.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address to the Leadership Fiji 2006 program, 9 March 2006.

“All our communities have to make the effort to reach out to each other rather than waiting passively for gestures that may never be made. We need to write our stories and sing our songs together not necessarily in unison or in tune but in a way that makes space for all of us.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Opening address to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Nadi, 6 September 2005.

“I trust you will bear in mind the deeply-held fears and insecurities Fijian have as an ethnic community. This is a subject I dwell on repeatedly because, while I do not share them, I am sufficiently Fijian to appreciate the depths of these emotions.”

Joni Madraiwiwi

Speech to the Lautoka Rotary Club (Centenary Dinner), 12 March 2005 http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/printer_4326.shtml.