His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau this week launched the Honor Fiji Journey organised by the Econesian Society of the University of the South Pacific.

Ratu Nailatikau as the patron of the society officiated at the event which formed part of the fundraising drive for the society who emphasise and promotes the preservation of culture and heritage.

“In this times of enormous environmental, economic and political challenges, the in depth knowledge of the earth that indigenous peoples have gained over millennia can no longer be dismissed. It must be embraced as central to achieving sustainability,” Ratu Nailatikau told guests.

The President said that in Fiji there has been growing concern from Government regarding cultural revitalisation.

“This is reflected through continued support towards cultural heritage activities such as heritage site management, artistic promotion activities, developing creative industries, preservation and protection of artifacts and archaeological documentation, safeguarding and promotion of language,” he said.

Proffesor Vilisoni Hereniko is one of the honor ambassadors of the Econesian society and currently the Director of Oceania Centre for Arts Culture and Pacific Studies at USP.

“The Econesian Society is very concerned about the environment not just the land itself but also the ocean resources and the idea is to help preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Oceania peoples for future generation,” Professor Hereniko said.

“The fact that the President himself has endorsed the society, the fact that he is the patron and is willing to give up his very precious time to be with us here at this fund raising event tonight is a testimony of his interest in the preservation of the environment and also the natural and cultural heritage of Pacific Islanders,” Professor Hereniko said.

Former Miss Hibiscus and current Miss South Pacific and USP student Alisi Rabukawaqa is also an honor ambassador for the Econesian Society.

“The honor Fiji Journey is basically is about the preservation of our cultural and natural heritage. In any culture there have so much deep connection with land, animal, plants and ocean. What we want to do is to bring back the appreciation for that and also to learn and preserve this,” Rabukawaqa said.

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