𝗥𝗙𝗠𝗙 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Reconciliation and Restoration Team attended the 3-day training facilitated by the Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding (PCP) on the theme “Supporting the RFMF’s path towards Truth and Reconciliation using Restorative Justice, Peacebuilding, and Restorative Justice Practices” at the Peninsula Hotel, Suva, from Tuesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The Executive Director of PCP, Mrs. Florence Swamy, stressed that the objective of this training is to support the RFMF reconciliation team in their efforts to help the victims by using the perspectives of relationship restoration, trauma management, and spiritual healing.

“The objective of the training is to assist the RFMF’s reconciliation team’s respective unit representatives in assisting the victims of the events that unfolded in the past through the actions of the RFMF and those that are faced on a daily basis,” Mrs. Swamy said.

“Different modules were covered during the training, with the context of the module being centered on spiritual healing, management of the traumatic experiences, and rebuilding relationships through reconciliation, transformation, healing, restoration, and building resilience.”

The Director of Human Resources and Management (DHRM) and the Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Colonel (Col) Jofiliti Talemaibau, stated that the training was highly beneficial and pertinent to the committee’s work; it improved our team’s comprehension of the appropriate instruments and techniques to employ when visiting the families of the victims.

“The training was very useful and relevant to the work of the Committee, and the modules covered would enable our team to deliver the right tone of assistance for traumatic experiences of victims, apply the right tools and methods at the appropriate time, be able to understand the unique positions of victims’ experiences, be able to understand the forgiveness process and reconciliation, relationship strengthening, and transformation,” Col. Talemaibau said.

Topics that were covered during the training included conflict analysis, stages of conflict, concepts of peacebuilding, mindful communication, active listening, stress and trauma management, victim empathy, and the circle process.

A total of 20 RFMF personnel attended this impactful training, underscoring the commitment of the RFMF to fostering healing and reconciliation within the community.