[PDFlist] [Opd-officemanagers] PDF – Pasifika Weekly Update 2025

Fri Aug 29 17:01:41 +12 2025

Dear Soloveni

Warm greetings from BVIPSI, and thank you for sharing the *PDF Pasifika
Weekly Updates*.

It’s inspiring to see the collective progress being made across the Pacific
to promote inclusion and empower persons with disabilities. The
updates—particularly the NDFSI livelihood initiatives in Savo Island and
the policy developments in Fiji and Kiribati—are encouraging and offer
valuable insights for our own work here at BVIPSI.

We truly appreciate the effort the Pacific Disability Forum is making to
keep us all informed and connected through these updates. Please keep them
coming!

Wishing you and the team a restful and blessed weekend as well.

Warm regards,
*Roselyn Babanisi*
Office Manager
*BVIPSI*

On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM Soloveni Vitoso <
Soloveni.Vitoso at pacificdisability.org> wrote:

> Warm Greetings from the Pacific Disability Forum.
> As PDF gears up into the last quarter of another year, we have decided to
> bring back *the PDF Pasifika Weekly Updates* to you so that we can be
> aware of what’s also happening in other pacific Islands and weigh its
> impact on persons with disabilities and at the same time learn from what
> others are doing and contextualise these learnings unto your own DPOs,
> communities and branches.
> Below are 8 updates for this week.
> 1)     *MFAT DFAT PDF Design Partnership Workshop*
> Pacific Disability Forum together with its core partners MFAT and DFAT are
> currently on the verge of developing principles of engagement through a
> shared a partnership approach for the new PDF Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
> The workshop was an important opportunity to reflect on partnership by
> looking at successes and lessons learnt from the past and building on
> emerging themes and opportunities to strengthen partnerships through proper
> alignment and coordination for the 5 years ahead.
> Key strategic risks from the PDF Risk Framework and MEL Framework were
> also discussed where the donors had the opportunity to share their comments
> on the current strategy and focusing on the next.
> There was also a lot of discussion on governance, leadership and finance.
> The week-long workshop which comes to an end today, has been robust and
> effective.
> The workshop is currently being held this week at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in
> Suva.
>
> *2)*
> *NDFSI Delivers 13 Livelihood Projects to Savo Island Communities - August
> 26, 2025*
> *Savo Island, Central Province –* A milestone achievement was marked this
> week as the National Disability Forum Solomon Islands (NDFSI) officially
> handed over 13 livelihood projects to communities across Savo Island. The
> initiative, funded by Australia Aid (AusAID), cost more than SBD
> $200,000 and focuses on pig fencing, supply of piglets, and local chicken
> farming. The aim of these projects is clear: to empower people with
> disabilities by creating opportunities for financial activities and
> self-sustenance. For many families in Savo, this support means a chance to
> actively participate in small-scale farming, generate income, and improve
> their quality of life. Read More
> <https://www.ndfsi.org/13-livelihood-projects-handed-over-savo-island/>
>
> *3)*
> *Gearing up for the 2025 Samoan general election -  August 25, 2025*
> Although seven political parties have officially registered to contest
> Samoa’s general election on 29 August, three have been politically visible
> through their campaign activities and are likely to share among them the
> biggest slice of the parliament’s 51 seats. The question on everyone’s lips
> is: which one of them will win enough seats to form the next government
> without the assistance of possible coalition partners? Read More
> <https://pina.com.fj/2025/08/25/gearing-up-for-the-2025-samoan-general-election/>
>
> *4)*
> *UN experts of the Committee on the rights of persons with disabilities
> commend Kiribati’s disability policy framework – August 20, 2025*
> The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Tuesday
> concluded its consideration of the initial report of Kiribati on its
> implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
> Disabilities. Committee Experts commended the State’s disability policy
> framework, while asking questions on the accessibility of infrastructure
> and services, and on the forced institutionalisation of persons with
> disabilities. Read More
> <https://pina.com.fj/2025/08/20/un-experts-of-the-committee-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-commend-kiribatis-disability-policy-framework/>
> *5)*
> *Disability support surges - August 15, 2025*
> Demand for disability support services is surging in Fiji, with the Frank
> Hilton Organization reporting a 14 percent increase in new cases and
> assessments in the first half of the year. Chief Executive Sureni Perera
> states the rise reflects growing awareness among families about early
> intervention. Read More
> <https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/disability-support-surges/>
> *6)*
> *New national disability policy endorsed, Opposition calls for action
> beyond promises -  August 6, 2025*
> The Fijian Government has announced the endorsement of the Fiji National
> Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2025–2030, a key
> milestone aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with
> disabilities through a human rights-based approach. Read More
> <https://www.fijivillage.com/news/New-national-disability-policy-endorsed-Opposition-calls-for-action-beyond-promises-5r84fx/>
> *7)*
> *Suffering in Silence - People with disability neglected in Solomon
> Islands - June 20, 2025*
> PEOPLE with disability in Solomon Islands are facing neglect, widespread
> stigma and limited access to basic services, according to a new report
> released by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI). The 2025 survey
> highlights the lack of inclusive infrastructure and social support forcing
> many people with disabilities into isolation, particularly in urban areas. Read
> More <https://theislandsun.com.sb/suffering-in-silence/>
> *8)*
> *Fiji’s Bold Move: New Policy Aims for Disability Inclusivity - June 4,
> 2025*
> The Fijian Cabinet has approved a revised Fiji National Disability Policy
> focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities. This policy aims to
> provide guidance for all stakeholders involved in enhancing the lives of
> individuals with disabilities through a human rights-based framework. It
> emphasizes the importance of promoting equity, protecting rights, and
> ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully included in society. Read
> More
> <https://fijiglobalnews.com/fijis-bold-move-new-policy-aims-for-disability-inclusivity/>
> Wishing you all a blessed Weekend!
> Warm regards,
>
>
> *Soloveni Vitoso | Public Relations & Communication Officer*
>
>
>
> Pacific Disability Forum | Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade
>
> GPO Box 18458 Suva, Fiji
>
> Phone (landline): (+679) 7730200, 3312008
>
> Phone (mobile): (+679) 8990134 | 9767236
>
>
>
> Email: *Soloveni.Vitoso at pacifcidisability.org
> <Soloveni.Vitoso at pacifcidisability.org>*
>           Website: www.pacificdisability.org
>
> Facebook: Pacific Disability Forum
>
> Twitter: @pdfsec
>
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