The Brisbane based International Congress of Fiji Inc (ICFI) has refocused its aims and objectives to serve all people of Fijian origin, irrespective of their ethnicity.
The organisation was earlier known as the ‘International Congress of Fiji Indians’ (ICFI) but at its Annual General Meeting held in Sydney in February 2012, the members decided to change the name to represent all Fijians and their Diaspora throughout the world.
“The AGM decided that the new name was appropriate in view of the significant changes occurring in Fiji. The Electoral Reforms and the proposed new Constitution would ensure equal rights to all Fijians, irrespective of their ethnicity and hence our Organisation would be broad-based reflecting these changes. With the same acronym (ICFI), the global body will speak for all Fijians,” Ahemad Bhamji, the Founder-President in 2002, said.
The current office-bearers are Dr Krishna Prasad (President) Rajen Prakash, (Secretary), Surom Singh (Treasurer)- all based in Brisbane where the Secretariat has been established, Dr Karam Singh (Sydney) and Dr Uma Dutt (Adelaide), both Vice-Presidents.
Over the past ten years, the ICFI has been concentrating on helping the educational needs of poor children in Fiji.
So far, the organisation has mobilised more than $760,000 to assist students to pay for their tuition fees, uniforms and books and stationery.
An eight-member team was in Fiji recently to distribute funds to schoolchildren. (see separate story under Homelink).
Mr Bhamji said that the organisation has been proactive.
“Many of us are in the habit of digging a well after the fire has started. We formed the association to bring together the Indo-Fijian Diaspora residing in various parts of the world including New Zealand, Australia, US, Canada and UK. ‘Let us make a Difference’ is our motto,” Mr Bhamji said.
An inaugural Global Summit of Fiji Indians was held on July 1 and 2, 2000 in Sydney, Australia, he said.
Headed by Sydneysider Govind Sami, the meeting was attended by representatives from Australia (Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth), Canada (Vancouver), New Zealand, the Philippines, UK (London) US (Portland, Modesto, San Francisco), and Vietnam.
The meeting resolved to establish ICFI and a Trust to provide support and assistance to Indo-Fijians.
The meeting also elected a Steering Committee, authorising Mr Bhamji to co-opt more members if necessary and establish branches in major cities.
The Second Summit
The second Global Summit was held at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre (Mt Eden Terrace) in Auckland on September 23 and 24, 2000 at which then Foreign Minister Phil Goff launched the ICFI.
A Communique issued at the Conference said that ICFI would engage with the Indo-Fijian community in various parts of the world and establish a global entity to monitor all issues affecting the Indo-Fijian community.
The Organisation also aimed to raise awareness of the international community on matters relating to Fiji and support those raising their voice on any illegal and oppressive acts against the people in Fiji.
Mr Bhamji was elected to the post of President of ICFI, with five Vice-Presidents, including Balwant Singh (Auckland), Dr Karam Singh (Sydney), Muneshwar Prasad (Vancouver), Noor Dean (Melbourne), Raman Velji (Portland) and Professor Subramani (Fiji). Govind Sami was elected to the post of Organising Secretary.
The Summit viewed with grave concern the events that occurred in Fiji from May 19, 2000, including the breakdown of law and order and subjugation of Indo-Fijians to acts of violence, intimidation, looting and arson.
Redefined objective
The Resolution also condemned the ‘smart sanctions,’ discrimination against Indo-Fijians in Fiji and called on the UN to appoint a special envoy to provide a first-hand report on the atrocities inflicted upon Indo-Fijians and take punitive measures against the illegal interim regime.
Following the elections held in 2001, leading to the formation of a democratic government, the ICFI decided to shift its focus to the social and economic problems faced by ordinary Indo-Fijians in Fiji. The organisation identified education as the single most important sector that needed urgent attention.
Apart from education, victims of natural disasters needed support and assistance with immediate supplies, food items, clothing and temporary accommodation.
Relief work
ICFI was the first Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to organise relief work when tropical cyclone Amy ravaged Northern Fiji, flooding Labasa and other places. The organisation distributed 300 food parcels and arranged a team of doctors to attend to the medical needs of affected people.
Mr Bhamji said that ICFI will organise the first ‘Pravasi Fiji Divas,’ on the lines of the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ organised every year in January by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in India (see separate story on Page 1)
