Culture of silence at the root of Fiji's social ills - Rev Tugi - The Fiji Times

Source: The Fiji Times
Author: Sainimili Magimagi

The Fiji Council of Churches (FCC) says at the root of the country's social ills is the culture of silence.

The council's general secretary, the Rev Simione Tugi, said people turned their back on issues and preferred to mind their own business when problems arose.

In an open dialogue facilitated by the council and the Fiji College of General Practitioners following recent drug finds, Mr Tugi said youths today were no longer afraid to do things openly.

"If our youths are not frightened of drugs now, imagine our future," he said.

"These youths are our future, the jewels of the sea.

"It's not enough to preach in church because 90 per cent of the people are already on the right track.

"How about those people who are not coming to church anymore? This is our target group, and we need to get them to the church and temple."

Mr Tugi called for a collaborative approach to address social issues with the church, vanua and the Government working together to help alleviate social issues.

"The Government can't do this alone; vanua and the church cannot do this alone," Mr Tugi said.

"We need everybody's combined effort.

"Otherwise, we are really going in the wrong direction, and we are doomed."