When we met Ratu Epeli Nailatikau yesterday at the little welcome ceremony of Australian Fiji people, I noticed how passionate and articulate he is about his concerns for health in the Pacific. Then this morning
I read tiis in Pacnews.
http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=173203539253cc3a0c13b295414dc6
Push on in the fight against AIDS: Fijian President Ratu Epeli
Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has called on world leaders to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS beyond 2015.
Speaking at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, the Fijian President said the fight against HIV does not stop with the end of the millennium development goals and now envisioning post 2015.
He told those present the vision is clearer and closer than ever before on achieving the bold declaration of UNAIDS, for zero new infections, zero stigma and discrimination and zero aids related deaths.
“With our dwindling resources, it is a critical time for me and my fellow leaders to be more engaged in the response to Aids. I know that the response to Aids is at a crossroad which means that our task must become substantially stronger and more strategic if our people are to be saved,” Ratu Epeli said.
“The response must be transformed to a strategic one and we as leaders, have a crucial role to play in helping to achieve this social transformation.”
On his part, Ratu Epeli said he would continue to speak about HIV/AIDS and take action and responsibility to initiate and promote the rights based response to aids.
“For this and to prove the saying, ‘walk the talk’, advocating for prevention and protection is my business and what i do best.
“I come from a country of less than a million in population. I am proud of my country and I do not want to see Fijians perish unnecessarily at a young age. That is the main reason why I take this advocacy seriously.” He urged the other leaders to do so as well as part of their responsibility to protect the people they lead and look after.
Ratu Epeli also shared with those present basic principles that he uses, including his visits to 149 local secondary schools, and also some of his experiences as an advocate of AIDS in Fiji and in the Pacific in the hope it would encourage others and those in the fight against the disease to continue the work they had committed to in 2011 at the UN General Assembly in New York.
He also encouraged leaders to share and exchange information about their experiences and practices that have either worked or not to aid in the fight against AIDS.
Meanwhile, Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was also recognized by the world AIDS community for his tireless efforts in his fights towards eliminating HIV/AIDS through his various methods which have been praised by the international community.
The Fijian Head of State was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his efforts not only as the President of the Republic of Fiji but also in his capacity as the United Nation's AIDS Ambassador to Fiji and formerly to the Pacific.
Ratu Epeli has become only the third recipient of the award this year with Indonesian Minister for Health Her Excellency Nafsia Mboi and the Melbourne City Mayor.
Executive director of UN AIDS HE Michele Sidibe presented the award to Ratu Epeli saying that the world is blessed to have a person of Ratu Epeli's calibre who has dedicated his work, time and life towards the fight against the epidemic.
“We are blessed and honored to have a person of your stature during our generation and your efforts have purely underpinned your commitment towards AIDS," he said.
“The work that you have carried out visiting almost 160 secondary schools is a testimony of your unique ability in reaching out to the masses and spreading the word. The world honours you with this award."
Mboi who was a recipient herself said the Fijian President was worthy of this recognition.
“What he has done in spreading the gospel to high schools students is a unique way of reaching out and I am honoured to be recognized with the Fijian President,” she said.
Ratu Epeli is currently Fiji's Special Representative on HIV/AIDS.
SOURCE: FIJI LIVE/ MINFO/PACNEWS
AND ALSO
Speaking at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, the Fijian President said the fight against HIV does not stop with the end of the millennium development goals and now envisioning post 2015.
He told those present the vision is clearer and closer than ever before on achieving the bold declaration of UNAIDS, for zero new infections, zero stigma and discrimination and zero aids related deaths.
“With our dwindling resources, it is a critical time for me and my fellow leaders to be more engaged in the response to Aids. I know that the response to Aids is at a crossroad which means that our task must become substantially stronger and more strategic if our people are to be saved,” Ratu Epeli said.
“The response must be transformed to a strategic one and we as leaders, have a crucial role to play in helping to achieve this social transformation.”
On his part, Ratu Epeli said he would continue to speak about HIV/AIDS and take action and responsibility to initiate and promote the rights based response to aids.
“For this and to prove the saying, ‘walk the talk’, advocating for prevention and protection is my business and what i do best.
“I come from a country of less than a million in population. I am proud of my country and I do not want to see Fijians perish unnecessarily at a young age. That is the main reason why I take this advocacy seriously.” He urged the other leaders to do so as well as part of their responsibility to protect the people they lead and look after.
Ratu Epeli also shared with those present basic principles that he uses, including his visits to 149 local secondary schools, and also some of his experiences as an advocate of AIDS in Fiji and in the Pacific in the hope it would encourage others and those in the fight against the disease to continue the work they had committed to in 2011 at the UN General Assembly in New York.
He also encouraged leaders to share and exchange information about their experiences and practices that have either worked or not to aid in the fight against AIDS.
Meanwhile, Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was also recognized by the world AIDS community for his tireless efforts in his fights towards eliminating HIV/AIDS through his various methods which have been praised by the international community.
The Fijian Head of State was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his efforts not only as the President of the Republic of Fiji but also in his capacity as the United Nation's AIDS Ambassador to Fiji and formerly to the Pacific.
Ratu Epeli has become only the third recipient of the award this year with Indonesian Minister for Health Her Excellency Nafsia Mboi and the Melbourne City Mayor.
Executive director of UN AIDS HE Michele Sidibe presented the award to Ratu Epeli saying that the world is blessed to have a person of Ratu Epeli's calibre who has dedicated his work, time and life towards the fight against the epidemic.
“We are blessed and honored to have a person of your stature during our generation and your efforts have purely underpinned your commitment towards AIDS," he said.
“The work that you have carried out visiting almost 160 secondary schools is a testimony of your unique ability in reaching out to the masses and spreading the word. The world honours you with this award."
Mboi who was a recipient herself said the Fijian President was worthy of this recognition.
“What he has done in spreading the gospel to high schools students is a unique way of reaching out and I am honoured to be recognized with the Fijian President,” she said.
Ratu Epeli is currently Fiji's Special Representative on HIV/AIDS.
SOURCE: FIJI LIVE/ MINFO/PACNEWS
AND ALSO
Sunday, July 20. Fijian President His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was today recognized by the world AIDS community for his tireless efforts in his fights towards eliminating HIV/AIDS through his various methods which have been praised by the international community.
The Fijian Head of State was this morning awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his efforts not only as the President of the Republic of Fiji but also in his capacity as the United Nation’s AIDS Ambassador to Fiji and formerly to the Pacific.
This award was presented today in Melbourne, Australia ahead of the 20th World AIDS conference which begins tomorrow.
Ratu Epeli has become only the third recipient of the award this year with Indonesian Minister for Health Her Excellency Nafsia Mboi and the Melbourne City Mayor.
Executive director of UN AIDS HE Michele Sidibe presented the award to Ratu Epeli saying that the world is blessed to have a person of Ratu Epeli’s calibre who has dedicated his work, time and life towards the fight against the epidemic.
“We are blessed and honored to have a person of your stature during our generation and your efforts have purely underpinned your commitment towards AIDS,” he said.
“The work that you have carried out visiting almost 160 secondary schools is a testimony of your unique ability in reaching out to the masses and spreading the word. The world honours you with this award.”
Mrs Mboi who was a recipient herself said the Fijian President was worthy of this recognition.
“What he has done in spreading the gospel to high schools students is a unique way of reaching out and I am honoured to be recognized with the Fijian President,” she said.
Ratu Epeli is currently Fiji’s Special Representative on HIV/AIDS.
MINFO
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