Adi Sivia Qoro’s goals June 15, 2013 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom By ROSI DOVIVERATA People’s Democratic Party interim leader Adi Sivia Qoro says she had set her goal to enter parliament 20 years ago. That goal was fulfilled in 2006 when she stood in the Yasawa Nawaka constituency on a Fiji Labour Party ticket. Adi Sivia won and became Minister for Commerce and Industries in the multi-party cabinet of Laisenia Qarase. Assisting her was Pio Tabaiwalu, the General Secretary of the Social Democratic Liberal Party. “The decision to enter politics was not overnight. It was driven by a passion to serve people and to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said yesterday. “In a way this conviction was shaped by the environment I grew up in and my values and principles. Hence, most of the things I did from then on, was shaped by this goal or in certain cases I found myself in environments or positions that, on reflection, was pushing me along, I believe, towards that direction.” Adi Sivia believes that she had a good run and had the confidence of her colleagues and the constituency she served. “At the same time it was challenging because it was a 24/7 job. Five days was on ministerial/Cabinet work and the weekend was dedicated to Constituency work.” Adi Sivia said as a new member of Parliament, it was a steep learning curve and at the same time you were expected to perform and to deliver. The Yasawa native has no regrets about her decision to enter politics. “For me it is a calling. I believe I was there for a reason and served to the best of my abilities those that we were called to serve. It is putting to good use the knowledge and experiences I have had. That calling has also brought quite a memorable experience for Adi Sivia. “The rapport one makes with people, serving them and the personal friends one makes,” she said. “The network one forms amongst colleagues, sharing of knowledge and experiences.” Support of family and friends Adi Sivia said she is part of a family where members were allowed to make their own decisions independently. But at the same time retain core family, community and cultural values. “ I knew the support was always there from the immediate and extended families, maybe not overtly expressed but one knows – it is there when needed. “Of course there were friends and families who tried to discourage me but these were not major.” Decision to lead the People’s Democratic Party “Before making that decision, even for this interim position, I had to consult my family and prayed about it. “I had to consider a number of things and the implications of the decision. But I believe the number one overriding rationale was about serving others. “One has to have a passion for doing this type of work.” Adi Sivia says it is not about status or oneself but the giving of oneself to serve others. “In general this is how I view life. I reiterate that for me it provides again an opportunity to facilitate a pathway for like-minded individuals to come together and whose priority is to serve people.” She added that an election of office holders will be held once the party’s registration, including the declaration of assets, is completed. Strengths of People’s Democratic Party “It is a truly multiracial group.It is a group made up of those who are experienced – representing the thinking past, and the youths who have a different type of experience. “We promote and adhere to gender equality principles with our Think Tank made up of both women and men. “Amongst us we bring together a combination of different skills – management and organisation skills, those who can campaign on issues, activists, orators and writers,” Adi Sivia said. “As individuals with different skills, experience and technical knowledge we form a diverse group of people who may have ideological differences but are prepared to articulate them and move ahead for the common purpose and good of all. “We accommodate differences.” She added that party members are friends and colleagues. “We have different strengths that we bring to the table and provides added value to the whole process and the quality of the Party. “It is the valuing of the person and their contribution that matters.” Immediate party plans Adi Sivia said detail planning on national and regional/divisional structures is currently developed to be rolled out. Future candidates “PDP’s goal is to be truly representative of the people, their interests and aspirations. “Therefore representatives would be from walks of life including workers from within the formal and informal sectors, the rural and urban community, academia, youth, men and women,” Adi Sivia said. Youth PDP Constitution and Policy emphasises the role of young men and women leaders, an important feature of the Party, she said. Adi Sivia said young people will be actively engaged and part of the decision making process. “This process has started. “Gender equality is written into our guiding documents and every attempt will be made that these do not remain in the ‘pages’ of these documents but are actually implemented.” Forming an alliance “Yes PDP will consider forming an alliance provided there are synergies in terms of values, principles and alignment of policies. “Additionally, members of the Party will have to be consulted and agree,” Adi Sivia said. ADI SIVIA QORO Qualifications: MA Foreign Affairs & Trade Monash University, Victoria, Australia BA Economics & Management University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Diploma, Administrative Studies University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Pursuing an LLB Graduate Programme from the University of the South Pacific which is temporarily on hold Professional Experience: Now working as a consultant. In the Fijian Government for more than 30 years: • Prime Minister’s Office, • Governor General / President’s Office, • Ministry of Finance (Aid Division), and • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (both HQ and as a Diplomat) • Ministry of Education • Ministry of Women • Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) based Noumea, New Caledonia, as the Women’s Development Adviser • Minister of Commerce and Industries in 2006.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:52:26 +0000
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