The University of Fiji has today launched the National Recreational Reading in the Park Campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government.
While speaking during the launch, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem says the university recognises that education is derived from books, not the classroom, and they want students to discuss the ideas and expressions.
Professor Shameem says through this campaign, all municipal parks in the country that are maintained by the Local Government will have a space for people to come and read and relax their minds.
She says Read 'Global, Act Local' is their slogan for their campaign.
The Vice Chancellor says this launch is held today to commemorate World Education Day, which is identified by all the countries in the UN system.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Professor Shameem says this campaign is known internationally, and they wanted to take this idea forward for Fiji.
She says the campaign will take place every Saturday from 2pm to 5pm where a place will be allocated for Fijians to read.
She says this will be a great time for family and friends where they can get their mats and enjoy the reading time.
The Vice Chancellor further says they are hoping that this will encourage others to support the campaign by coming and reading.
She adds that the problem they thought would be the availability of parks; however, every park under the municipalities will have a space for readers.
Meanwhile, the Director of Local Government, Bindula Devi says parks are areas that have the potential to improve the lives of all Fijians and are essential to the health of our communities.
Devi says this is a great opportunity for the Local Councils to promote and support leisure reading in parks.
She says the way forward is to make parks more inclusive, bring in technology and re-imagine features.
