The Saemaul Undong Program is significantly transforming rural communities in Fiji, enhancing leadership, resilience, and self-reliance among residents. During the Saemaul Undong Ministerial Conference in Gyeongju City, Korea, Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji’s Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, highlighted how the initiative is reshaping development in rural areas of Fiji through diligence, self-help, and cooperation, while expressing gratitude to the Korean Government for its crucial support.
The program’s achievements have been evident in pilot communities like Mau in Namosi and Silana and Namasimasi in Tailevu. It has led to marked improvements in village infrastructure through upgraded village halls, health facilities, and the construction of resilient evacuation centers. Additionally, new eco-tourism ventures have been launched and cooperative income projects have been established, with advancements in waste management, sanitation, and farming practices also realized.
Beyond physical infrastructure development, Ditoka emphasized that the program’s true success lies in bolstering community leadership, financial discipline, and self-reliance. The pilot villages have seen enhanced savings, improved governance, better financial literacy, and the support of sustainable income projects. These efforts form a community-driven development framework that can serve as a model for other regions in the Pacific, illustrating the sustainable growth achievable through such initiatives.
Central to the program’s success is the ability of communities to spearhead their own development, backed by transparency and accountability. Ditoka noted that consistent and transparent support from Korea is essential to maximizing the initiative’s benefits. Overall, these communities are now exemplars of how local initiatives can drive sustainable and inclusive growth, marrying infrastructure development with community empowerment.
This ambitious program not only highlights the success of the Saemaul Undong Program but also offers promising prospects for broader development across Fiji’s rural areas. By fostering strong local leadership and human capacity, Fiji is paving the way for resilient and self-reliant communities poised to succeed in an increasingly dynamic world.