Lautoka Becomes First Local Government in Oceania to Adopt Resolution Supporting the DPCW
Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lautoka to Promote a Culture of Peace
Lautoka, Fiji, has officially adopted a resolution supporting the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). This marks the first time a local government in the Oceania region has adopted a resolution supporting the DPCW.
On July 21, the Lautoka City Council adopted the “Lautoka City Council Resolution on Supporting a Culture of Peace and the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)” based on its cooperation with HWPL Global 11 Fiji Branch (hereinafter, Fiji Branch). Along with this, the city council declared Lautoka a “City of Peace,” expressing its commitment to spreading the values of peace throughout the local community.
From the Peace Drawing Contest to the Adoption of the Resolution
The resolution follows a series of peace initiatives conducted by the Fiji Branch in cooperation with Lautoka City Council and the Lautoka District Education Office.
The Fiji Branch previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lautoka City Council to promote a culture of peace. Under this partnership, the organizations worked together to organize a Peace Drawing Contest, giving children an opportunity to express the values of peace and coexistence through art.
On May 30, the “HWPL Peace Drawing Contest Launching & DPCW Event” was held in the Lautoka City Council meeting room. A total of 21 people attended, including Taitusi Rasoki, an official from the Lautoka City Council; Shalend Singh, Head of Health Services; Lemeki Ratudamu, Senior Education Adviser at the Lautoka Education Office; and contest applicants.
During the event, the Fiji Branch presented the main principles of the DPCW and discussed the importance of peace education. Participants explored peace activities involving students and members of the community, as well as approaches to peace education that could be proposed to the Fiji Ministry of Education.
The resolution does not incorporate the DPCW into municipal law. Instead, it formally expresses the council’s support for the declaration’s principles and its intention to promote a culture of peace at the community level.
Bimal Deo, Senior Advisor to the HWPL Global 11 Branch, said the resolution represented an important step toward expanding peace activities in Fiji.
“Peace begins with each one of us. We are all messengers of peace, and we are one,” he said.
Deo also expressed his intention to expand peace education and community-based peace programs beyond Lautoka. These efforts would seek to strengthen cooperation among schools, local governments, and other institutions while creating more opportunities for the youth to participate.
The adoption of the resolution in Lautoka was also supported by the ongoing efforts to promote unity among religious and youth leaders. Along with the resolution, the Lautoka City Council declared Lautoka a “City of Peace,” officially expressing its commitment to spreading a culture of peace at the community level.
The Fiji Branch plans to continue working with the Lautoka City Council and local partner organizations to conduct peace education and citizen participation programs, while promoting the values of the DPCW and a culture of peace throughout communities in Fiji.
