Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697732689403.pdf (Fiji)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.
1.0 Fiji Parliament and the Sustainable Development Goals ........................... 1 2.0 Undertaking a self-assessment exercise ..................................................... 2 – 3 3.0 Findings and Recommendations ................................................................. 4 3.1 Main Findings ............................................................................................ 4 – 5 3.2 Recommendations .................................................................................... 5 – 6 3.3 Recommendation – Action Plan .............................................................. 7 – 8 4.0 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 8 Annexes Annex 1 – Fiji Parliament SDG Self-Assessment Meetings Schedule ............ 1 – 9 Annex 2 – Guiding Questions for the Self-Assessment Exercise ................... 10 – 12 Annex 3 – Note – focus groups during SDG Self-Assessment Exercise ....... 19 Page i SDGs Self‐Assessment Report “In Fiji, Parliament is not carrying on with business as usual.
We have expanded our role and created activities to strengthen our support to the implementation of the SDGs.” “We need strong, inclusive leadership from the international, state and local community level to successfully implement the SDGs and to ensure that no one is left behind.” Honourable Dr. Jiko Luveni, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, 48th Annual Conference for Presiding Officers and Clerks, New South Wales Parliament in Sydney, Australia, 3 July 2017 1.0 Fiji Parliament and the Sustainable Development Goals Legislatures have an essential role in representing citizens, enacting laws and adopting budgets, as well as in ensuring accountability of the effective for its action, including in its capacity to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Over the recent years, Fiji Parliament has expanded its role and initiated activities to strengthen its support towards the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the South Pacific region, Fiji has been taking the lead in engaging with the SDGs.

Beginning in 2016, the Parliament has undertaken initiatives promoting and ensuring progress of the implementation of the SDGs.
These included amongst other activities, capacity‐building exercises of Members and staff, development of a gender analysis toolkit and the promotion of the SDGs with the public through the organisation of “Speaker’s Debates”.
The Parliament is also closely engaging with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, through its Fiji Parliament Support Project) and the Inter‐Parliamentary Union (IPU) for support towards mainstreaming the SDGs and conducting capacity‐building for MPs to strengthen their role of oversight of the Executive in the implementation of the goals.
In 2016, UNDP and IPU have published guidelines (a “toolkit”) on how parliaments could “start their own process of internal benchmarking and to assess their state of preparedness for engagement with the SDGs”1.

The self‐assessment exercise provides a good opportunity for the Parliament to review this engagement, identify gaps or challenges, and identify prospects for strengthening its commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
In 2017, UNDP, GOPAC and the Islamic Bank published a manual for Members of Parliaments and Parliamentary secretariat staff on “Parliament’s role in implementing the SDGs”2.

It introduces the Agenda 2030 and lists good practices and tools from around the world that can be adapted, as needed, depending on the national context.

Parliamentarians around the globe are invited to use this handbook as a practical tool to promote engagement on the Sustainable Development Goals.
1 Parliaments and the Sustainable Development Goals – A Self-assessment toolkit, UNDP and IPU, 2016, p. 4.

2 Parliament’s role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals – A Parliamentary toolkit, UNDP, GOPAC and the Islamic Bank, 2017.

Page 1 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report 2.0 Undertaking a self‐assessment exercise The self‐assessment exercise was made possible through leadership support and endorsement of the Honourable Speaker, Dr. Jiko Luveni.
The Honourable Speaker noted that the self‐assessment exercise “gives us (Parliament) an opportunity for self‐reflection on our capacity to engage in SDG implementation.” The support of the Secretary‐General was equally important, particularly in organising the Secretariat to undertake and be part of the self‐assessment.

The whips, deputy whips and chairs of Parliamentary committees were also crucial in mobilising Members of Parliament to participate in the self‐assessment.
The Inter‐Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UNDP provided advisory support to the Parliament in preparation and during the self‐assessment exercise.

A joint IPU and UNDP Workshop for MPs on Parliamentary Engagement with the SDGs was held on 2nd October 2017, as a launching event to the self‐assessment exercise.

The workshop focussed on an update of the Fiji Parliament’s initiatives to engage with the SDGs and a SDGs refresher for MPs.
A session was held on the development of relevant indicators for the Pacific and the importance of baseline data for the monitoring of the SDGs.

Another session was held on “how can Parliament track progress and provide oversight of SDG implementation”.

Members of Parliament received valuable information from resource persons from UNESCAP, SPC, UNDP, IPU and GOPAC.3 In 2016 an external Needs Assessment on the SDGs and Gender Equality was conducted with the support of the Inter‐Parliamentary Union.
That assessment was made possible after a request by the Honourable Speaker to the IPU Secretary‐General in October 2015, shortly after Fiji became a member of the IPU.

One of the mission’s recommendations was that the Parliament of Fiji “should seek assistance to facilitate a self‐assessment on its capacity to call for and analyse, baseline data or benchmarks for Fiji on the SDGs.”4 The self‐assessment undertaken here however focussed in more general terms on the Parliament’s SDG work.
The self‐assessment exercise was led by the Research & Library Services Unit of the Parliament secretariat.

It was conducted on 3 – 6 October 2017 using focus‐group discussions [see Annex 1].

The team also relied on existing information such as information papers and presentations covering the Fiji Parliament’s work on the SDGs.

Support was provided by a team consisting of resource persons from UNDP, IPU and GOPAC.
The self‐assessment team was composed of:  Mr Josua Namoce, Manager Research & Library Services;  Ms Shobhna Rani, Senior Research Officer (Natural Resources/Public Accounts); and  Ms Tirisiane Logavatu, Senior Research Officer (Economic Affairs) 3 UNESCAP – United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; SPC – Secretariat of the Pacific Community; GOPAC – Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption.
4 Inter-Parliament Union Report, Needs Assessment Mission to the Parliament of Fiji on the SDGs and Gender Equality, 25 – 29 July 2016 (unpublished).
Page 2 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report Furthermore, the team was supported by external advisors:  Ms Sherrill Whittington, IPU consultant;  Mr John Hyde, GOPAC Oceania chair and UNDP consultant;  Mr Jean‐Raphaël Giuliani, Parliamentary Development Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office; and  Ms Luisa Senibulu, Programme Analyst – Effective Governance, UNDP Pacific Office As MPs were engaged in Committee meetings over this period, the team decided to use the opportunity to use the Committees as focus groups, allowing it to reach to the majority of MPs.
In the Fiji Parliament, the six Standing Committees are: the Social Affairs committee, Economic Affairs committee, Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Justice Law & Human Rights Committee, Foreign Affairs & Defence Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.

In addition to the Members and support staff to committees, selected staff of the relevant units of the secretariat were engaged.

These were the Committees unit, Inter‐Parliamentary Relations & Protocol and Civic Education & Media units.
The team chose these secretariat units due to their direct support role to the Committees and Members of Parliament.

The team also involved political party staff from the Government and Opposition caucuses.

The self‐assessment generally focussed on the progress of the Fiji Parliament’s engagement with the SDGs and aimed at identifying some of the opportunities and challenges faced by Members of Parliament, parliamentary committees and secretariat.
Focus‐group sessions aimed at identifying baselines; parliament’s efforts and effectiveness in SDGs work; challenges and opportunities; suggestions for enhancing parliament’s SDGs work; committee scrutiny and extent of engagement with the SDGs; and capacity‐building.

A set of guiding questions was employed by the team [see Annex 2].
The self‐assessment was undertaken along the main areas for reflection identified by the UNDP‐IPU toolkit:  Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament;  Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level;  Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms;  Making laws in support of the SDGs;  Financing the SDGs;  Monitoring SDGs implementation;  Engaging with the public; and  Ensuring the SDGs serve the most vulnerable.
The preliminary findings of the self‐assessment were presented on 6 October to the Honourable Speaker of Parliament, as well as to the Secretary‐General, Deputy Secretary‐ General and senior parliament staff.

Page 3 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report 3.0 Findings and Recommendations The self‐assessment exercise noted the strengths and gaps of the Fiji Parliament’s capacity to engage the Sustainable Development Goals and formulated recommendations.
[It must be noted here that at the time (October 2017) the self‐assessment exercise was undertaken, Fiji’s National Development Plan (NDP) was yet to be published and launched.

Members of Parliament had made references to the NDP as an important document through which they would be able to conduct effective oversight on Government’s commitment to the SDGs.
The NDP (5‐year and 20‐year development plans) was launched in November and some of the views of MPs outlined in the findings below may have changed since then.]

A summary of common comments and suggestions from the focus groups is provided in Annex 3.
3.1 Main findings 3.1.1 Building understanding of the SDGs in parliament Despite receiving several trainings and seminar workshops (both national and international) on the SDGs since 2016, Members of Parliament (MPs) have no access to reliable data and information, making scrutiny on SDGs implementation difficult due to the absence of baselines.
There was strong emphasis on the value of reliable data to progress on SDGs: to help MPs set goals and targets, monitor progress and evaluate impacts of their SDG‐related efforts.

The lack of reliable data and information essentially means Parliament (and government) lack an essential tool of good governance that would in turn provide MPs the means to assess what government does and help them participate directly in the development process.
Additionally, the absence of a National Development Plan (at the time of this assessment) meant MPs could not ascertain whether Fiji’s development goals and policies were aligned to the SDGs.

3.1.2 Bringing the SDGs from the global to the Local level In Fiji, SDGs are not localised which is indicative of a lack of national action plan and targets.
Localizing the SDGs means more than just “landing” internationally‐agreed goals at the local level, rather, making the aspirations of the SDGs become real to local communities, households and individuals, particularly the most vulnerable in Fijian society.
Reflecting on the lessons of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), MPs noted that progress towards the SDGs must draw on the actions of local partners and galvanize participation from all actors in society reflecting Fiji’s specific capacities, constraints and challenges.

There is an apparent lack of understanding, both generally and on specific information, on the SDGs by MPs and staff.
MPs noted the importance of a clear understanding of the benefits of aligning national and sub‐national plans and policy‐making processes with the SDGs, as well as their role in promoting ownership of it among people, including the marginalised, as it provides the foundation for good outcomes.

Page 4 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report 3.1.3 Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms At the moment, there is no government focal Ministry or Parliament group solely responsible for the SDGs in Fiji.
There is also a lack of in‐house information sharing on current parliamentary engagement with the SDGs and follow up on activities (and a plan) on how Parliament will progress.

MPs noted that whilst there have been several SDG related workshops and seminars, including the engagement with IPU in 2016, knowledge‐sharing amongst MPs and parliamentary staff is non‐existent.
While parliamentary oversight processes provide the opportunity to ensure that governments maintain commitments to gender equality, gender equality‐related activities are still not far reaching and remains largely the work of the women Parliamentarians.

3.1.4 Financing the SDGs Collectively, MPs were of the view that all development issues covered in the budget are intrinsically linked to all the SDGs, be it education, infrastructure, youth, water and sanitation or poverty.
In this light, SDGs are catered for in the national budget and are already the basis of Fiji’s development efforts.

3.1.5 Monitoring SDGs implementation As mentioned above, the absence of a National Development Plan (at the time of this assessment) makes it impossible to gauge government’s efforts and engagement on the SDGs.

At this stage, MPs do not know how Ministries and Departments are incorporating SDGs in their work.
3.1.6 Engaging with the public There is a lack of SDG resources and tools at the disposition of MPs and staff, including “localised” resources to be used at the community level.

MPs felt this was a major drawback in their ability to effectively promote and raise awareness on SDGs at the local level.

There is weak engagement with citizens on the SDGs, resulting in a lack of knowledge and understanding of the agenda, and its implications for the population.
MPs noted that building public awareness and engaging national, sub‐national and local stakeholders in the SDGs related work is a critical initial and ongoing step in their successful implementation.

Learning from the experiences of the MDGs, MPs agreed that greater efforts should be channelled, at this initial stage, towards engaging the wider community, including CSOs, to ensure their “buy‐ in” and ownership of the agenda.
3.2 Recommendations 3.2.1 Building understanding of the SDGs in parliament To enhance MPs and staff understanding and awareness of the SDGs, consideration should be given to include SDGs as a component of the induction courses for new MPs and staff.

Page 5 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report Additionally, there should be regular trainings and workshops on general and/or sectoral SDG topics to ensure they are regularly updated on related SDGs issues and developments.
Recognising that reliable data is critical to achieving SDGs, there is a need for strengthened cooperation, coordination and transparency between all key stakeholders: government, CSOs and international/regional organisations to ensure access to quality data.

3.2.2 Bringing the SDGs from the global to the Local level Government should promote the quick publication of a SDGs national action plan and national targets.
Subsequently, institutional annual corporate plans should systematically include references to SDGs to ensure a synchronized approach.

This would require the implementing/coordinating agency to establish a partnership as soon as practically possible with the agency that currently tracks progress indicators for the national development plan or strategy.
3.2.3 Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms Consideration should be given to the creation of a specific group of MPs on SDGs, an ad hoc (SDGs) committee or a working group that is broader based, allowing the participation of civil society.

Alternatively, a focal point / coordinator on SDGs should be appointed within the secretariat.
Amongst other things, the focal point would ensure that draft bills are systematically assessed through the SDG lens, and provide systematic linkage with SDGs in draft bills.

To ensure the impacts of gender‐related activities, Parliament should consider identifying male MPs “champions” and systematically include men in gender‐related activities.
As part of efforts to effectively track discussions on SDGs related commitments, Parliament should consider mandatory reporting for all (SDGs) related missions undertaken by MPs and staff, and that these reports are tabled or discussed in committees and/or plenary.

This will facilitate a culture of information sharing and learning amongst MPs, and ensures that commitments made by MPs abroad are followed through in parliamentary activities.
3.2.4 Engaging with the public Parliament should strengthen MPs capacity to effectively promote and raise awareness on SDGs at the local levels.

To this end, “localised” guidelines and toolkits on SDGs in iTaukei and Hindi versions should be developed for their use, along with checklists on SDGs for committees to guide them in their deliberations.
Related to this is the development of a SDG‐ related budget analysis tool that would allow parliament, audit institutions, and citizens to use budget information to monitor what government is doing to achieve the SDGs, and hold them accountable for results.

In this regard, Parliament could seek the support of development partners to share budgeting and monitoring practices used in other countries as models.
Fostering a bottom‐up approach, more consultations around relevant SDG themes should be organized with the public, especially those in the rural areas.

MPs should regularly participate on a bi‐partisan basis to these outreach activities to raise awareness and promote the profile of SDGs.

Page 6 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report 3.3 Recommendation – Action Plan The following actions and timelines are recommended.
3.3.1 Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament  Parliament seek technical assistance on the analysis of baseline data and monitoring of the SDGs components in the National Development Plan  Produce toolkits for MPs and Committees to undertake  monitoring and assessment of the SDGs Include the SDGs in the content of the new Induction Programme for incoming MPs April – June 2018 (secretariat) 3rd month of next Parliament May 2018  Parliament to strengthen interaction, cooperation and 2018 information exchanges with key stakeholders in Government, private sector and civil society 3.3.2 Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level  Parliament to encourage the Government to establish an SDGs national action plan that outlines the country’s SDG‐related national targets  Parliament to encourage Government ministries, state agencies and other institutions to incorporate SDG‐ related appropriate and relevant actions 2nd month of next Parliament 2nd month of next Parliament 3.3.3 Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms  Establish a Parliamentary Group to oversee and coordinate Parliament’s engagement with the SDGs.
 Standing Committees to focus on the SDGs related to their respective subject areas  Re‐activate the Gender Focus group to include more male MPs and identify male MPs champions  Develop an SDG‐related budget analysis tool for monitoring of national initiatives on the SDGs.
 Mandatory reports on inter‐parliamentary, international and regional engagements on the SDGs to be tabled or discussed in the House; in addition MPs undertaking these activities to share knowledge through knowledge‐ sharing sessions with colleagues 2nd month of next Parliament 2nd month of next Parliament 2nd month of next Parliament 3rd month of next Parliament 2018 (ongoing) Page 7 3.3.4 Engagement with the Public SDGs Self‐Assessment Report  Capacity‐building and competency training for MPs to allow them to promote and raise awareness on the SDGs at the local community level  MPs to undertake bi‐partisan outreach and community engagements on the SDGs  SDGs to be included in the Parliament/secretariat civic education and community awareness programs 3rd month of next Parliament (ongoing) 3rd month of next Parliament (ongoing) 2018 4.0 Conclusion Members of Parliament acknowledged that for Fiji to achieve the implementation of the SDGs, its institutional capacity, structures and work processes need to be strengthened; and Parliament should also develop new avenues of collaboration with government and external stakeholders.
There is also broad‐based bipartisan agreement that SDG monitoring and oversight should be mainstreamed into the Parliament’s work.

A key priority for Government in the short term is the localisation of the SDGs, which should include clear targets and baselines.

The next step is to present the assessment report to the Speaker for endorsement.

The report would then be tabled in Parliament.

It has also been discussed that an Action Plan providing clear steps on the way forward would be developed.
The Action plan would require the commitment of Members of Parliament, with appropriate secretariat support .
Page 8 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report ANNEX 1 Fiji Parliament SDG Self‐Assessment Meetings Schedule Tuesday 3rd October to Friday 6th October 2017 TIME FOCUS GROUP VENUE TUESDAY 3rd OCTOBER 9:50 am – 10:50am Public Accounts Committee Big Committee Room (BCR) 2 11:30pm – 12:30pm Civic Education and Media Unit 2:00pm – 3:00pm Social Affairs Committee 3:30pm – 4:30pm Inter‐Parliamentary Relations and Protocol Unit 9:45am – 10:45am Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee 11:30am – 12:30pm Government Caucus – Fiji First Party WEDNESDAY 4th OCTOBER Library BCR 1 Library BCR 1 Library 2:00pm – 3:00pm Justice, Law and Human Rights Committee Small Committee Room (SCR) 3:30pm – 4:30pm Opposition Caucus – SODELPA 9:00am – 10:00am Opposition Caucus –National Federation Party (NFP) 11:00am – 12:00pm Economic Affairs Committee 2:15pm – 3:15pm Natural Resources Committee THURSDAY 5th OCTOBER 9:00am – 10:00am Committees Unit FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER Page 9 Library Library SCR BCR 2 Library SDGs Self‐Assessment Report ANNEX 2 Guiding Questions for the Self‐Assessment Exercise What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

It is important to note the SDGs were developed by UN member countries as a response to their development challenges.

International organizations like UNDP merely play a supporting role to countries in their implementation.

As you may be aware, there are 17 goals in total that are interconnected.
The SDGs are an inclusive agenda that provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large.
GOAL 1: No Poverty GOAL 2: Zero Hunger GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being GOAL 4: Quality Education GOAL 5: Gender Equality GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production GOAL 13: Climate Action GOAL 14: Life Below Water GOAL 15: Life on Land GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal Self-Assessment Questions Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament Part A: identifying your baseline 1.
In the past 12 months: have parliamentarians received any training sessions on the SDGs?

If so how many sessions have been run and for how many MPs (men and women)?

Similarly, have training sessions or awareness-raising activities for parliamentary staff been organized?

If so, how many and for how many staff (men and women)?

Which departments or organisations were they from?

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 2.
Are you aware of any mechanisms or structures in place to enable MPs to discuss SDG issues (e.g.

parliamentary working group, caucus or task force on the SDGs)?

How effective are they?

Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level Part A: identifying your baseline 3.

Is there a national plan for the implementation of the SDGs?

If so, have links been drawn between that plan and existing sectoral plans (climate, education, health, etc.)?
Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts Page 10 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report 4.

How effectively are parliament and the government working together on SDGs?

 Is there a government Ministry (task force, working group, unit or other) responsible for SDG coordination or planning, with which parliament is working?

 To what extent does the government seek to engage parliament in implementing the SDGs?
 Are there any precedents for parliament engaging in government task forces on sustainable development issues from which parliament can learn lessons?

Question 3: Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms Part A: identifying your baseline 5.

Has parliament clearly assigned responsibility for the SDGs within its own structures?

 Has parliament given responsibility to an already existing parliamentary body or structure for coordinating work on the SDGs?

If so, which one?
If so, which one?

 Have the SDGs been included in the formal mandate of one or more committees?

If so, which ones?

 Has parliament created a committee dedicated to the SDGs?

 Are there informal cross-party mechanisms that focus on the SDGs (e.g.

caucuses, interest groups)?

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 6.

To what extent have the SDGs been successfully mainstreamed in parliament?
What adjustments, if any, are necessary to parliament’s structures and working methods to enable it to work more effectively on the SDGs?

 Apart from gender mainstreaming (Standing Orders, Gender Toolkit) are there any other strategies to promote SDG5 Gender Equality in the parliament?

 Have you undertaken or haven been part of a Standing Committee that has undertaken a gender impact assessment of proposed laws (bills)?

Is a gender audit of the budget undertaken?


  Has a parliamentary group on gender equality, comprising both women and male MPs been established?

 How does it function or how should it function?

Question 4: Making laws in support of the SDGs Part A: identifying your baseline 7.

Has any review been undertaken to identify the legislative reforms required to support the SDGs?

Is draft legislation accompanied by an assessment of the impact that it would have on implementing the SDGs?
  Are laws tabled with an explanatory memorandum that sets out the impact of the proposed law on relevant SDGs?

Does the ministerial speech introducing a law usually explain whether and how the proposed law will progress the SDGs?

In the past 12 months: How many laws have contained a specific reference to the SDGs?

How many proposed amendments have contained a specific reference to the SDGs?

How many of these amendments have been adopted?

 Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 8.
Can current staffing levels provide parliamentarians and committees with the legislative research, SDG impact analysis and other support that they need?

What tools or information would parliament need to be able to take the SDGs into account more effectively when legislating?

Question 5: Financing the SDGs Page 11 Part A: identifying your baseline SDGs Self‐Assessment Report 9.

Does Fiji receive or provide international development funding to support the SDGs?
Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 10.

To what extent does parliament consider the SDGs when discussing and adopting the budget?

 Does parliament have effective powers to recommend amendments to the government or to directly amend the budget in light of its conclusions?

Question 6: Monitoring SDG implementation Part A: identifying your baseline 11.

How many inquiries have been carried out related to the SDGs?

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 12.
How effective is parliamentary monitoring of the government’s development policy, whether as a “donor” or “recipient” of overseas development assistance?

 Are annual reports on disbursements or receipts of overseas development assistance submitted to parliament for consideration in plenary or in committee?

Question 7: Engaging with the public Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 13.

How effectively does parliament communicate to the public about its work in support of SDG implementation?
 Does parliament have a communications strategy that includes efforts to reach out to the public on SDG issues?

Is parliament’s website designed to easily identify the legislature’s SDG-related activities?

  Does parliament use social media to communicate about its SDG-related work?

Question 8: Ensuring the SDGs serve the most vulnerable Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts 14.

What steps has parliament taken to ensure that “no one is left behind” in the implementation of the SDGs?
 To what extent do parliamentarians have access to information on the economic and social conditions of vulnerable groups compared with the rest of the population; the main claims and demands of vulnerable groups in the country; and the main challenges preventing the rights of vulnerable groups from being fully realized (e.g.

: political, economic, cultural)?


 To what extent do parliamentarians make use of this information when developing legislation, adopting budgets and reviewing implementation of the SDGs?

Page 12 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report Annex 3 Notes – focus groups during SDG Self‐Assessment Exercise These are selected common responses from the focus groups meetings conducted by the team.
Question 1: Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament: Part A: Identifying your baseline COMMITTEE 1  Gender budgeting not followed by the executive.

The PAC is at the end of the budget process thus if gender analysis is not undertaken by the Executive, it will be difficult to conduct a gender analysis at the PAC stage.

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  We do not have advocates within Parties that are responsible for the SDGs.
 Difficult to address gender issues wearing the MP hat but it is easier to address it wearing the traditional hat at community level.

 The mechanisms and structures are there but just a matter of utilising them.

 There needs to be a collective effort by Parliament, Executive and NGOs to discuss SDG issues.

 MPs need to be made aware of the programmes undertaken by NGOs/CSOs in relation to SDG.

 Gender is a bit of a sensitive issue in the Pacific culture as the context of the social system varies.
Question 2: Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level: Part A: Identifying your baseline  (All Members) No commitment by other entities in promoting SDGs.

There is a need for a national plan.

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Parliament and Government are working separately.

 What are the outputs from Government in addressing the SDGs if there is no National Plan?

 There is no platform for genuine consultation.

 Need to avoid the top-down approach.


 Lack of consultation – usually one party decides and throws the decision at the other.

 Not aware of the actual work carried out by the Executive.

Parliament secretariat needs to inform MPs of the programmes undertaken by Government.

Question 3: Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms: Part A: identifying your baseline  Difficulty in conducting a gender analysis in writing reports for PAC using the Fiji Parliament Gender Toolkit.
 There is a need to promote bi-partisan in parliamentary committee outputs – can only be done if there is a change in the Constitution (Tunisia example).

 Committees need to be empowered.

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Not aware that a Parliamentary Committee was formed to address SDG 5 – Gender Equality.

 Ensure a good combination of Members from both Government and Opposition in the Parliament gender focal group.
 Gender-audit needs to be undertaken from the Executive in order to have a good gender analysis at the Parliament level.

Question 4: Making laws in support of the SDGs: Part A: identifying your baseline  Alternate member to Social Affairs Committee between April and May 2017 and there was none related to SDG while reviewing the bills being discussed.

 Discussed the SDGs when renewing Conventions.

SDG 16 was addressed in the workshops – introduced members to GOPAC issues.
Question 7: Engaging with the public: Part A: identifying your baseline  (Committee feedback) Parliament does not recognise the need for the PAC to conduct performance audit as site visits have not being approved.

It is necessary for PAC to have site visits to actually see Page 13 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report the work done and not only hear and read from submissions to the Committee.

SDG 9,10,11,12 reflects the need to go out and see if there is any wastage of Government funds.
If there is wastage, it can be concluded that there is no sustainability.

Question 8: Ensuring the SDGs serve the most vulnerable: Part A: identifying your baseline  Reference to the recent Census, with the 100+ questions being asked, I now have a better understanding of the exercise as these questions encompasses every detail in each household which is beneficial for Government and Parliament to have baseline statistics on which direction policies/laws should be made.
 Also captures the subject matter on disability – also captured by the Fiji Elections Office.

 Engagement with SDGs are mainly through workshops and seminars.

Sometimes it is a struggle to do work with the public, otherwise we do our own work – Govt.

does its own, Opp.

does its own, in the end, only the Govt.

process is followed.

 Need to compare our Standing Orders with other countries, whether it is part of the Constitution or not.

 There is not enough access to information.


We need to know where we are going.

How do we ensure that the SDG is serving its intended purpose?

How can we ensure we are on the right track?

What are all the costs involved in auctioning the SDGs.

More awareness and consultations through bi-partisan approach as these are universal goals.

 Have Parliament focal groups for all other priority SDGs for Fiji, e.g.

greener environment, paper usage, etc.

Be part of UN Commemoration days.


COMMITTEE 2 Question 1: Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament: Part A: Identifying your baseline  SDGs not covered in seminars/speakers debate/workshops are SDG 17, 16, 11, 12, 7, 8& 9.

There was a maximum of 4 or 5 workshops in a year.

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Topical issues are raised with Opposition Caucus and then raised with UNDP to have a seminar on issues raised.
 The bi-partisan women caucus groups in partnership with CSO have been formed, however, have not really actualised.

 Need for a male advocate in gender topics.

Question 2: Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level: Part A: Identifying your baseline  No holistic approach in linking the SDGs to the NDP and oversight role of Parliament.

 Need to realign the Standing Orders to address SDGs.

 How can we measure ourselves when there is no measuring mechanism in place?
 No NDP to assess the annual reports.

 No more SFCCO.

How are the Ministries measuring themselves?

Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Opposition constantly requests for bi-partisan Committees to look at National issues.

 Regardless of portfolios held, there should be fairness and balance in the selection of delegations attending regional and international forums.
Question 3: Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms: Part A: identifying your baseline  Need for an ad-hoc Committee to look after SDGs.

A good example would be to follow the Sri Lankan model on Parliament Committee on SDGs.

 Need for an ad-hoc Committee to look after SDGs  If there are clear guidelines in the NDP and sectoral plans, then we can know what priorities to be focussed on.

At the moment, unable to measure ourselves.


Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Can follow East-Timor model on gender budgeting  Continue having a male MP as the gender champion  Fiji can reprioritise on the SDGs.
 Have ad-hoc Committees, starting with Climate Change  Not aware of the gender focal group Page 14 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report Question 4: Making laws in support of the SDGs: Part A: identifying your baseline International Solar Alliance   Amendment to the NEC  Higher Education Amendment Bill  Rotuma Bill  Amendment to Public Order, Electoral Reform (SDG 16)  Not much effort in reviewing the bills based on SDG or identify the links  Bills that are fast tracked through SO51 cannot be thoroughly scrutinised or conduct an SDG analysis Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  All members  More staff needed to conduct in-depth research  Staff resources particularly in areas of Law to assist with analysing bills  Proper infrastructure and software provided to Research to conduct in-depth analysis Question 5: Financing the SDGs  There is a miss-match with allocation to SDGs  Have gender budgeting unit in Parliament  Are the priorities in the budget reflecting the needs of the people?
Question 7: Engaging with the public  Need long range media stations that reach out to the Maritime and Highlands.

 Need to be resourced accordingly for MPs to be part of the Parliament outreach programmes headed by Speaker.

 Parliament should provide resources to MPs to do constituency work.

 If MPs do not participate in outreach programmes, then the public will not take ownership of the work of Parliamentarians, especially in regards to SDGs.
COMMITTEE 3 Question 1: Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament Part A: Identifying your baseline  Apart from seminars, also attended side meetings at regional and international meetings on SDG related issues  Suggest Parliament to draw up a reporting template where MPs can use when attending overseas meetings as a guide help Secretariat in doing the report.

 Need more capacity building on each of the SDGs.


Question 2: Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level: Part A: Identifying your baseline  Govt.

programmes have SDGs encompassed in them.

 Parliament to see legislations in national budgeting reflecting the SDGs  Empower Committees to monitor SDGs and summon Ministries to provide updates on action taken to address SDGs  Need more engagement with CSOs/NGOs to provide monitoring on SDG actions taken by the Govt.
Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Room for improvement to work with Govt.

 Monitoring is still an issue.

 Need to have a NDP to assess outputs and decrease problems highlighted in the SDGs.

 Outreach is important for people at the grassroots level to be aware of the SDG.

  Workshops.

 Need more workshops with other Ministries.

 Roadshows - sharing information to people about SDGs.

Information sharing with Committees through submissions.
Question 3: Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms: Part A: identifying your baseline  Have an ad-hoc committee on SDGs  Disagree.

Need for a Parliamentary Committee so that MPs take ownership of the SDGs  Need to review Standing Orders to have a permanent Committee.

Page 15 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report  Need to have a SDG Committee to look into commitments made and follow-up done.

Question 4: Making laws in support of the SDGs  Research briefs to identify SDG links to budgets.
 Need specific team in Research unit tasked to research information on SDG.

 SDG analysis in annual report briefs and work referred to Committees.

 Finding Pacific solutions to SDGs and find traditional ways linked to action the goals.

 Marvellous job by Committee and Research team, however, there is a need to increase staffing levels.

Important for staff to be up skilled.

  Research Unit to be more resourced to provide more adequate work.
Question 5: Financing the SDGs  Parliament needs to provide the budget for MPs to carry out SDG work.

Question 7: Engaging with the public (All members) Agreed to be part of the Parliament outreach programmes   Have talkback shows on TV and radio and talk on SDGs  Not much SDG information in website and Parliament App.

 Whips outreach – trial run in Suva area.

Need to expand to other areas around Fiji.


 Assist with helping public to attend trainings on microfinance and business   Need to have a male advocate for gender to have a successful voice in regards to gender equality.

 Need to have a link the website about Parliament and the SDGs – what Parliament is doing in Important to balance the priorities of SDGs.

addressing SDGs?

 Need more news articles and information in the website – more information rather than just pictures.
 Content to be improves in the Parliament website.

 On Speakers Debate, need to move to other means like television shows and radio talk back shows.

 Improve social media outreach e.g.

What can Parliament do about SDGs?

– this provides a way forward on what Parliament can do from the answers given by the public.

Question 8: Ensuring the SDGs serve the most vulnerable Important to balance the SDGs.

  More focus on the first 5 SDGs.


SDG 4 is the most important one as it encompasses all other 16 goals.

Having a Standing Committee will address all the SDGs.

 Should work more on SDG 16, being representatives for the people.

 Need for change in Standing Orders to have Ministerial Statements that shows how ministries incorporate the SDGs.

 Six-month reporting by the Executive on what actions Government is taking to address the SDGs.
COMMITTEE 4 Question 1: Building understanding of the SDGs in Parliament: Part A: Identifying your baseline  Need for bottom-up approach.

 Suggest MPs to accompany the Speaker on the Parliament outreach programme as part of addressing the SDGs.

 Need to take training right down to grassroots level – suggest the use of sports as a tool to advocate the SDGs.

 Knowledge gained from trainings must be utilised in Parliament activities.
If it is not implemented then what is the point in attending these trainings – Parliament needs to be very vocal and carry out what the goals are.

 There needs to be a structure in place for a partnership approach in addressing the SDGs – encompassing both sides of the House.

 MPs should link their debates in the House to SDGs.

 SDGs is the common ground where issues can be discussed.
Question 2: Bringing the SDGs from the global to the local level: Part A: identifying your baseline  No set rules where Parliament and Government can link up with to address the SDGs.

 Ministers do not attend the workshops/trainings on SDGs, only MPs attend.

 Knowledge sharing to the grassroots level needs to be well-defined.

 No connection between Parliament and Government on SDG.

 Use skits/plays to tell how to promote the SDGs in the Parliament outreach programmes.
Page 16 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report Question 3: Mainstreaming the SDGs within parliamentary mechanisms: Part A: Identifying your baseline  Discussions of SDGs have been done during public consultations - especially right to grassroots level.

 Good idea to have a Committee to address the SDGs.

 May need to change the Standing Orders to reflect the commitments to SDGs – may expand the number of seats in Parliament to handle the extra workload.
 No need to form another Committee – just need to mainstream SDGs in current Committees – focussing on targets and indicators, it will be easier to address the goals.

 No need to have SDGs in Standing Orders as it is in the Constitution.

 The structure is there but it is the matter of putting it into legislations.

 (All Members) Unaware of the gender focal group in Parliament.
Part B: reflecting on the impact of your efforts  Need more training and understanding in using the gender toolkit – need mentoring and coaching in applying the toolkit in Committee work.

 Need more training on the practicality of the gender toolkit.

Question 4: Making laws in support of the SDGs In the research briefs, need more practical comparisons to other countries – example and results.

  Need more in-depth materials.


 Budget briefs can be improved – more in-depth information, not just what is already available in the budget documents.

 More staff needed in research.

 More materials and intelligence in the briefs.

 SDGs should be reflected in the education curriculums.

 More staff to take on the work of SDG in Parliament to assist MPs.

 SDG assessment to be explained in the Explanatory Notes in the bills tabled.
COMMITTEE 5 Capacity Building  Familiar with SDGs as previously was the Permanent Secretary for Education involved in the MDGs.

 Have attended international seminars and presented report to Secretary-General to Parliament – made recommendations for more awareness in local communities as people are unknowingly doing SDG- related activities, share SDGs in public gatherings platform – incorporated SDGs in the Scouts training programme that is applicable to Fiji.
Involve MPs in outreach programmes – allow MPs to speak on SDGs – not only be confined to Parliament.

 Speakers Debate  Not enough time to speak  Format to change – prefer town hall meetings  Fear the SDGs do not become like the MDGs – speaking from private sector perspective.

 Committees to be given opportunity to self-initiate work related to SDG, however, we subconsciously note SDG in scrutinising Committee work.

 SDG to be fully embraced by the general public.

 Debates localises the issues.


 Should be open-ended one where people are involved.

 Have not raised profile of SDGs to connect to local level as there are not specific structure to do it.

 Same group of people attend the debate thus some attend and ask questions focussed on party lines rather than the specific SDG being addressed.

 Prefer to have road shows to cover people at all levels – will receive a lot of information.
 Subconsciously being advocating the SDGs, however, communities are not aware – need to educate people especially the elderly, those in rural areas, etc.

 Take debates out to rural areas.

 Need to relook at panellist format – how are panellists selected?

Why not invite Government MPs?

How are the topics selected?

For example, in the topic on youth, no youth Parliamentarian was invited to speak.
Page 17 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report Mainstreaming the SDGs  All entities to include in Annual Corporate Plan actions to be taken to address the SDGs  All goes back to full Parliament democracy – review Standing Orders on Chair and Deputy Chair selection.

 No need to select another Committee.

The recommendation in the IPU Needs assessment report on page 6 is a good structure.

 Need to streamline SDGs into Committee work.

No cohesions in scrutinising other arms of Government.
Resources  Have a 12 months hands on training for current available staff will be good enough.

 Urgency to highlight SDG analysis in reports.

 Need for SDG awareness at village, district and provincial level.

 Whatever National Development Plan (NDP) is drafted that it is SDG friendly.

 Need to have a global perspective to the SDGs, the buy-in will be great.

 Executive 5year and 10year development plan to use as a guide to monitor the SDGs.
Economic Affairs Committee can be the overall Committee to monitor the progress of the SDGs – will only be possible if there is political will of both Government and Opposition.

 Up-skilling of staff or send for training.

 SDG assessments in briefs.

 Need to have a SDG analysis in Committee reports.

  Professional training by experts for MPs to incorporate SDGs in their work in Parliament and outside Include SDG in induction.

Parliament.
Parliament.

Capacity building COMMITTEE 6  Need more trainings to cover the 7 thematic areas that is mandated for Natural Resources – all have just being generic workshops on SDGs.

 More workshops according to the 7 thematic areas mandated for Natural Resources as these areas are very technical in nature.

Making laws in support of the SDGs  Analysing the Kava Bill from the SDG perspective addressing SDG 1 by having women involved in retail thus economic empowerment to reduce poverty.
 Analysed the Forestry Department Annual Report on how landowner benefit from the forestry programmes implemented.

 Need more targeted approach on the 7 thematic areas.

 Budget – how does Government formulate the priority areas?

 There is no statistical baseline- urgent need for data and access to information.

 There are different views on the SDGs – are we on the same par with the general public’s understanding of the SDGs.
 There is no NDP to being with to address the SDGs thus there are different understandings at the Executive level about SDGs.

 Need to take SDGs to all levels rural, private sector, NGOs, CSOs.

 Need to empower the general public to do things by themselves to address poverty issues and not rely on Government hand-outs.

 Cannot coordinate efforts to address SDGs if there is not NDP.

 Need for a bi-partisan approach in Parliament.


 There is uneven distribution of budget allocations – roads taking bulk of budget.

Parliament Structure  Agree with ad-hoc Committee.

 The problem is there is no baseline data available.

 Ministries to know of SDGs and report on the progress in addressing the SDGs to the Committee under the 7 thematic areas.

 Localising is a big challenge for Fiji.


 Parliament can only advocate – Committees do not have the authority to tell Ministries on how to address the SDGs.

 With the new OMRS guideline, it may be difficult to undertake the gender analysis.

Page 18 SDGs Self‐Assessment Report  Need a SDG checklist specific to the Committees mandates thematic areas.

 Need to include the Ministers in the seminars, not only MPs – need all MPs to be engaged.

 Include SDGs in induction.


Engagement with the Public  Need to move the Speakers Debate out of Suva.

 Refer to the topic and then identify the most appropriate place to have the debate – how effective is the look north policy?

 Need to focus more on the issue rather than use it as a platform to attack the Government.

SECRETARIAT Knowledge of SDGs Just knew about SDGs at the refresher workshop 3 weeks back.

Need more training.
Need more training.

 Subconsciously know but to identify each goal would take a bit of time.

  Challenge to make a linkage when come across a SDG.

 Usually focus on gender in Committees – need training to have SDG analysis in Committee work  Progressive understanding and knowledge of SDGs.

 Need on-going capacity building: o Training of trainers o Mentoring o Learning by doing  Need to develop a toolkit that will assist members to keep in check SDG related items in Committee work.
 Clerks to be focal point for each Committee to do analysis.

 A model to be followed, for example, is the Sri Lankan example  Secretariat can incorporate the SDGs in the Annual Corporate Plan CAUCUS STAFF Capacity building and knowledge of SDGs Information are still abstract in bill summary.

 Need continuous training.

 Need to set up a training programmed annually.

  Can make analysis while drafting the bill – especially in the explanatory notes.
 Parliament to have its own Parliamentary Council.

 Speakers debate need to expand to the whole of Fiji – better to have a town hall meeting.

 Revise induction programme.

 Use CSOs to challenge available data and information and also can provide more data – also can assess and monitor information on SDGs.

 Need for a political will in regards to make input when reporting back.
 Difficulty in accessing information from the Executive – only way is to use written questions in the House to have access to information.

Page 19