Media Advisory: Workshop to Boost Fiji Fashion Industry
Around 50 participants involved in the Fiji fashion industry are attending a two and a half day workshop organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat from 10th – 12th June 2014 at the Forum Secretariat Conference Centre, Suva.
The workshop is part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Cultures + project, funded by the European Union and managed by SPC, which is designed to strengthen the cultural industry in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
The Fiji fashion industry workshop would address the immediate needs of the Fashion Council of Fiji as the peak representative body of the fashion industry in Fiji.
“There is much economic potential in the cultural and creative industry in the Pacific region but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to be able to realise this economic value,” says Shiu Raj, Director Economic Governance Programme at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
“The EU funded ACP Cultures + project is designed to address the gaps at both the private sector and government levels, by involving industry players and government officials.”
“With a new strategic plan and a clearer membership model, the Fashion Council of Fiji will be better equipped to carry out is primary roles and responsibilities,” Mr Raj said.
Participants involved in the workshop include a cross section from the local fashion industry including Fiji Fashion executives, retailers, models, and designers. Observers from Samoa and Solomon Islands are also attending the workshop.
Background:
The main objective of this initiative is to promote a conducive national and regional environment for the cultural industries, particularly in the fashion industry, in the Pacific with a focus on Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands. Although the initiative will benefit the region as a whole, it will provide in-depth assistance to the three selected countries.
The initiative will be complemented by ongoing work in product development and marketing led by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat including through Pacific Islands Trade and Invest network of offices and by SPC’s ongoing work on cultural policy and cultural statistics development and heritage preservation and promotion. In order to make a real difference, the initiative will limit itself to three countries and focus particularly on the three sub-sectors which offer best potential over the next few years: arts/crafts; fashion; and performing arts.
The initiative will consist of seven steps that provide direct technical assistance to the target groups and consist of: A national strategic industry promotion workshop in each country. A capacity building workshop for councils, associations and networks responsible for promotion of the cultural industries in each country, followed by one focused on fashion in which the three countries will participate. A copyright awareness campaign and an enforcement workshop with law enforcement and border control officials in each country. A technical assistance mission in each country by the Applicant and the regional partner. An entrepreneurship workshop for cultural producers in each country. A scoping in the three countries of their human resources development needs in the area of the cultural industries. A trade promotion event for selected cultural producers of the three countries. (Ends)
For further information, please contact media@forumsec.org
Media Advisory:
Workshop to Boost Fiji Fashion Industry
Media agencies are invited to cover this workshop on 10-12 June, 2014 and join us for the networking event on: Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2014 Time: 5.30pm Venue: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s main conference room in Suva, Fiji
You are invited to send a reporter and camera person/photographer to cover this event. Please confirm your attendance via email to media@forumsec.org or contact Zubnah Khan; Public Affairs Unit on (679) 932 4817
