Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
04/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2024 17:12
ASST. MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS & IMMIGRATION HON. RATU RAKUITA VAKALALABURE'S SPEECH AT THE...
The Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission
Representative from the New Zealand High Commission
Representative from the Asian Foundation
Fiji Immigration Management Team
Ladies & Gentlemen and
Newly appointed Immigration Officers
A very Good morning to you all.
It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I stand before you today to inaugurate this momentous event-the Induction Training for Immigration Officers at the Fiji Immigration Department.
Before we delve into the heart of today's proceedings, please allow me to take this opportunity to extend our deepest appreciation to our valued partners who have played a pivotal role in making this training possible.
It is with great pleasure and honour that we extend a warm welcome to the:
Australian High Commission delegations, led by the:
Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Clair McNamara;
Australian Border Force Officer, Mr Chris McKee;
Department of Home Affairs, Mr Ian Warne and Ms Vee Moser
Airline Liason Officer, Ms Penelope Wilmot
New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand Liaison Officer, Ms Stacey Payne
Representatives from The Asia Foundation
Mr Sevanaia Tuiwasa, Program Officer; and
Ms Nanise Rasuaki, Program Officer.
Your presence here today signifies the invaluable support and collaboration that our organisation has received from the Asia Foundation, the Australian and the New Zealand governments.
To the Deputy High Commissioner, we extend our sincere appreciation for the continued partnership and technical expertise that the Australian government has offered to the Government of Fiji and in particular the Fiji Immigration Department. Your ongoing support,guidance and collaboration have strengthened our efforts in the Border Security and Management project under the "Vuvale Agreement".
To the New Zealand government, we extend our deepest appreciation for your ongoing support and collaboration. Your commitment to the welfare and advancement of Fiji'simmigration sector is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the shared values weuphold. Together, under the Hakili Matangi agreement, we are forging a brighter future for allthose who seek to call Fiji home or embark on journeys beyond our shores
To the Asia Foundation representative, we express our deepest gratitude for the unwaveringcommitment and generous support that the Asia Foundation has provided to our initiatives. Your leadership and dedication to promoting good governance and capacity-building in ourregion have been instrumental in shaping the success of our endeavours.
The collaboration between each one of your organizations has not only strengthened ourcapabilities but has also fostered a spirit of cooperation and shared vision. Through your support, we have been able to implement initiatives that enhance the integrity and effectiveness of our immigration processes while ensuring the dignity and respect of allindividuals involved.
Your commitment to our cause is a testament to the enduring friendship between ournations and the shared values of compassion, fairness, and opportunity. Together, we arebuilding bridges that transcend borders, connecting people and communities in ways that enrich us all.
On behalf of Fiji Immigration and all those who benefit from our services, I extend our deepest gratitude to you for your unwavering support and partnership. May our collaboration continue to flourish, bringing positive change and prosperity to both our countries and the lives ofthose we serve.
We are truly privileged to have you with us, and we look forward to the insights andcontributions that you will undoubtedly share with us throughout the course of this training.
To our newly appointed Immigration Officers, today marks the beginning of an excitingjourney-a journey of learning, growth, and service to our nation. Over the course of this training program, you will have the opportunity to acquire essential skills, deepen yourunderstanding of immigration laws and procedures, and enhance your abilities to effectively carry out your duties with professionalism and integrity.
You will also interact with subject masters, so make sure to seize this opportunity to deepenyour understanding, expand your knowledge - ask as
many questions as you can! Engaging with subject masters provides a unique chance to clarifydoubts, gain insights, and enhance your expertise.
As Immigration Officers, you hold a crucial role in safeguarding our borders, ensuring national security, and facilitating the orderly movement of people across our borders. Your commitment to upholding the values of fairness, respect, and impartiality is paramount asyou carry out your responsibilities.
You are the countries' gatekeepers; your job is to protect a country's borders at the first or frontline. You are the first government officers - travelers meet upon arrival in a country - youare also the face of the country. The manner in which you behave affects, not only the safety of our fellow citizens and national security but also travelers' first impressions when entering the country. When travelers have a positive impression, it may even have an impact on the country's economy.
Therefore, your 3-day Induction training is very critical, you need to be well- trained on various topics which will enable you to perform your important assigned roles.
As mentioned, Immigration Officer - you play a crucial role in processing and handling the movement of people - You are the key decision-makers determining whether travelers may enter or leave a country.
As part of your responsibilities, you are tasked with ensuring the early detection of crimes in general, and specifically with regard to migrant smuggling and human trafficking. You areresponsible for identifying victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants - you play a crucial role in identifying vulnerable migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, you are responsible for providing information to aid in processing refugee and asylum seekerclaims.
I encourage you to embrace this training experience wholeheartedly, to engage actively with the materials and activities, and to seize every opportunity for growth and development. Remember that your role extends beyond mereenforcement to one of service and assistance to travelers and migrants and your actionshave a direct impact on the experiences and perceptions of those who enter our country.
In closing, I extend my sincerest wishes for a productive and enriching training experience. May this induction training mark the beginning of a fulfilling and impactful journey with the Fiji Immigration Department.
Once again, I express our deepest gratitude to our partners, the Australian High Commission (Australian Border Force), the New Zealand High Commission and the Asia Foundation, for their invaluable support and collaboration.
Together, let us work towards building a safer, more secure, and more welcoming Fiji for all.
I now declare this training "OPEN".
Vinaka vakalevu, Dhanyavaad and Thank you.
Representative from the New Zealand High Commission
Representative from the Asian Foundation
Fiji Immigration Management Team
Ladies & Gentlemen and
Newly appointed Immigration Officers
A very Good morning to you all.
It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I stand before you today to inaugurate this momentous event-the Induction Training for Immigration Officers at the Fiji Immigration Department.
Before we delve into the heart of today's proceedings, please allow me to take this opportunity to extend our deepest appreciation to our valued partners who have played a pivotal role in making this training possible.
It is with great pleasure and honour that we extend a warm welcome to the:
Australian High Commission delegations, led by the:
Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Clair McNamara;
Australian Border Force Officer, Mr Chris McKee;
Department of Home Affairs, Mr Ian Warne and Ms Vee Moser
Airline Liason Officer, Ms Penelope Wilmot
New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand Liaison Officer, Ms Stacey Payne
Representatives from The Asia Foundation
Mr Sevanaia Tuiwasa, Program Officer; and
Ms Nanise Rasuaki, Program Officer.
Your presence here today signifies the invaluable support and collaboration that our organisation has received from the Asia Foundation, the Australian and the New Zealand governments.
To the Deputy High Commissioner, we extend our sincere appreciation for the continued partnership and technical expertise that the Australian government has offered to the Government of Fiji and in particular the Fiji Immigration Department. Your ongoing support,guidance and collaboration have strengthened our efforts in the Border Security and Management project under the "Vuvale Agreement".
To the New Zealand government, we extend our deepest appreciation for your ongoing support and collaboration. Your commitment to the welfare and advancement of Fiji'simmigration sector is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the shared values weuphold. Together, under the Hakili Matangi agreement, we are forging a brighter future for allthose who seek to call Fiji home or embark on journeys beyond our shores
To the Asia Foundation representative, we express our deepest gratitude for the unwaveringcommitment and generous support that the Asia Foundation has provided to our initiatives. Your leadership and dedication to promoting good governance and capacity-building in ourregion have been instrumental in shaping the success of our endeavours.
The collaboration between each one of your organizations has not only strengthened ourcapabilities but has also fostered a spirit of cooperation and shared vision. Through your support, we have been able to implement initiatives that enhance the integrity and effectiveness of our immigration processes while ensuring the dignity and respect of allindividuals involved.
Your commitment to our cause is a testament to the enduring friendship between ournations and the shared values of compassion, fairness, and opportunity. Together, we arebuilding bridges that transcend borders, connecting people and communities in ways that enrich us all.
On behalf of Fiji Immigration and all those who benefit from our services, I extend our deepest gratitude to you for your unwavering support and partnership. May our collaboration continue to flourish, bringing positive change and prosperity to both our countries and the lives ofthose we serve.
We are truly privileged to have you with us, and we look forward to the insights andcontributions that you will undoubtedly share with us throughout the course of this training.
To our newly appointed Immigration Officers, today marks the beginning of an excitingjourney-a journey of learning, growth, and service to our nation. Over the course of this training program, you will have the opportunity to acquire essential skills, deepen yourunderstanding of immigration laws and procedures, and enhance your abilities to effectively carry out your duties with professionalism and integrity.
You will also interact with subject masters, so make sure to seize this opportunity to deepenyour understanding, expand your knowledge - ask as
many questions as you can! Engaging with subject masters provides a unique chance to clarifydoubts, gain insights, and enhance your expertise.
As Immigration Officers, you hold a crucial role in safeguarding our borders, ensuring national security, and facilitating the orderly movement of people across our borders. Your commitment to upholding the values of fairness, respect, and impartiality is paramount asyou carry out your responsibilities.
You are the countries' gatekeepers; your job is to protect a country's borders at the first or frontline. You are the first government officers - travelers meet upon arrival in a country - youare also the face of the country. The manner in which you behave affects, not only the safety of our fellow citizens and national security but also travelers' first impressions when entering the country. When travelers have a positive impression, it may even have an impact on the country's economy.
Therefore, your 3-day Induction training is very critical, you need to be well- trained on various topics which will enable you to perform your important assigned roles.
As mentioned, Immigration Officer - you play a crucial role in processing and handling the movement of people - You are the key decision-makers determining whether travelers may enter or leave a country.
As part of your responsibilities, you are tasked with ensuring the early detection of crimes in general, and specifically with regard to migrant smuggling and human trafficking. You areresponsible for identifying victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants - you play a crucial role in identifying vulnerable migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, you are responsible for providing information to aid in processing refugee and asylum seekerclaims.
I encourage you to embrace this training experience wholeheartedly, to engage actively with the materials and activities, and to seize every opportunity for growth and development. Remember that your role extends beyond mereenforcement to one of service and assistance to travelers and migrants and your actionshave a direct impact on the experiences and perceptions of those who enter our country.
In closing, I extend my sincerest wishes for a productive and enriching training experience. May this induction training mark the beginning of a fulfilling and impactful journey with the Fiji Immigration Department.
Once again, I express our deepest gratitude to our partners, the Australian High Commission (Australian Border Force), the New Zealand High Commission and the Asia Foundation, for their invaluable support and collaboration.
Together, let us work towards building a safer, more secure, and more welcoming Fiji for all.
I now declare this training "OPEN".
Vinaka vakalevu, Dhanyavaad and Thank you.