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The Discipline and Guidance of Children in FijiDownload this presentation (Part 1) - 422KB PDF AuthorPeter Chung, Ahmed Ali (co-author)SpeakerPeter ChungOrganisationKids Link Children FijiSuva, Fiji Islands In our multiracial society, there is diversity in the nature of attitudes in terms of the punishment of children. A study by Save the Children Fiji in 1998 titled Keeping Children in School, reflected that violence was common in schools and that it was practised by most cultures in Fiji. Current research relating to the Physical and Emotional Punishment of Children is in part a continuation of the findings of that report. Most people held the view that parents and teachers have the right to inflict violent physical punishment on children from issues such as misbehaving to poor academic performance. To a large extent, preliminary findings suggest that this outlook has not altered. Extensive media coverage over the past few years regarding the issue of corporal punishment in schools and violence against children indicates that violence against children still exists. The Ministry of Education has a policy against corporal punishment in schools, however preliminary findings suggest that it is still being practiced. Thus our aim is to share Fiji's perspective of the Discipline and Guidance of Children and it's effects. Violence against children is a concern that has been gaining momentum over the years. Save the Children's Regional Study on the Physical and Emotional Punishment of Children is part of a broader study conducted by the UN on Violence Against Children. The tools used in the research process are: With Children:
With Adults:
Although there is a general acceptance of social change towards modernism by most of our communities, there is still a widespread attitude of conservatism to be found on the issue of child education in some communities. The current research is timely due to the fact that the Ministry of Education is considering reintroducing corporal punishment into the school system. As such, there is an innate hope that the proper authorities will consider the findings that we hope to present comprehensively. The Research Team comprises of young people as the organisation promotes child and youth participation. Furthermore, it is evident that children and young people relate well to their peers particularly in a culture that accepts violence against children, due to tendencies being passed on from generation to generation. This is further influenced by national events that promote a culture of violence that adversely affects communities and their mindsets. Thus it becomes imperative for us as the future generation of this country to be involved in issues that deal with the welfare of our peers as well as to discover better avenues to address our problems with solutions provided by children and young people. PresentationPaperBiographyEducation2004 to present -University of the South Pacific, Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology and Demography.2003 -University of the South Pacific Foundation Programme 1999 -2002 Yat Sen Secondary 1991 -1998 Yat Sen Primary Work Experience1999 -Present: Volunteer Save the Children FijiYouth Experience 2005: Researcher for Save the Children Fiji's Country Report on Physical and Emotional Punishment to the Save the Children Regional Report that will later fit in to the United Nations Study on Violence against Children. 2005: Kids Link Fiji President. 2005: Member of the National Youth Advisory Board. 2005: Good Governance and Civil Responsibilities Workshop hosted by The Pacific Center for Public Integrity. 2005: National MDG Summit, Keep the Promise 2005: Participant at Kids Link Fiji Capacity Building Workshop. 2005: National Squad for Outrigger Canoeing to the 7th South Pacific Mini Games, Palau. 2000-2005: Member of The Chinese Youth Group. 2004: Editor for Kids Link Fiji in partnership with UNICEF Pacific DVD on Youth Visioning, "My Dream Isâ¦.." 2004: Kids Link Fiji President. 2004: Became a member with Vision Fiji. 2003: Delegate from South East Asia Pacific to the Preparatory Committee Meeting on Children, Bangkok, Thailand. 2003: Member of the Drafting Committee on the Bali Consensus on Children. 2003: Initiated and the founder of Kids Link Fiji. 2003: President of Kids Link Fiji. 2003: Developed radio transcripts on Physical and Sexual Abuse, and Negligence on Children in Fiji with The Pacific Children's Programme. 2003: Participant at the Save the Children Pacific Sub-Regional Committee Meeting, Suva, Fiji. 2002: Participant at The International Children Day Of Broadcasting (ICDB) Programme conducted by UNICEF Pacific. 2002: Fiji and the Pacific Delegate to the 3rd South East Asia and Pacific Children and Young People's Forum, Seoul, Republic of South Korea. 2002: Participant at the National Children's Forum, Suva, Fiji. 2002: Yat Sen Secondary Student Council Treasurer. 2001: Speaker at the World Commonwealth Day Celebration on Peace and Reconciliation in Fiji, British High Commissioner's Residence, Suva, Fiji. 2001: Save the Children Fiji Delegate to Save the Children Alliance Conference, Bucharest, Romania. 2000: Participant at Save the Children Fiji Child Advocacy Workshop. 1998: Participant at the International Scout Jamboree, Queen Victoria School, Tailevu, Fiji. Hobbies:
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