17 May 2007

Support in Fiji for proposed National Council

4:39 pm on 17 May 2007

There is support in Fiji for a proposed National Council made up of members of the private sector, civil society and the interim administration.

The director of Development Studies at the University of the South Pacific, Professor Vijay Naidu, says the council would discuss the issues confronting Fiji and map ways forward.

Professor Naidu advised the interim administration on the proposal and says he believes it is a good idea.

"The council would comprise about 40 people, that's the suggestion, with 26 of these individuals coming from civil society, outside of government. And, there is a suggestion that there be a co-chairing of this process and the People's Charter is something that will come out of this process."

Professor Naidu says the idea behind the charter is to provide a document which works as a guiding light for future governments.