“There are a number of areas where religious organisations have such a great influence and for any government to ignore the influence of our religious organisations in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, such as ours, would be foolhardy.”

This was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Prof. Biman Prasad during the consultations on the 3-year, 5-year and 20-year National Development Plan with religious bodies and faith based groups at Ro Lalabalavu House this afternoon. 

Prasad added many of the religious bodies are advocates in their own right, where they promote social cohesion and peace building.

“Any national development plan without social cohesion, without peace, and without building will not produce the results,” he said.

“The second most important contribution that our religious bodies and organisations have made in this country is education and literacy.” 

The DPM added their contribution and views on education and literacy has been vital to development through the years.

Source – Fiji Government