The St Joseph’s Secondary School Alumni are using their reunion to mentor young women and tackle important issues around women’s leadership, law, governance and health.
Alumni President Lavinia Kaumaitotoya highlighted this to fijivillage News saying this year’s reunion is about more than getting together socially, with programmes designed to create meaningful conversations between different generations of alumnae.
Kaumaitotoya says a Law and Governance session was held at the Fiji Museum this morning, where four alumnae, including Lisa Apted and Imrana Jalal, shared their experiences and views.
She says discussions focused on how law and governance have shaped their work, protecting women, advocating for women’s issues and pushing for greater women’s leadership in the corporate world and other sectors.
Kaumaitotoya says the speakers shared valuable lessons and experiences that younger alumnae can learn from.
She says the session was organised by alumnae from the 1990s, and similar sessions are being held throughout the week to allow older and younger generations to learn from each other.
Kaumaitotoya says some of this week’s programmes are specifically targeted at alumnae from the 2000s onwards as they try to create mentoring spaces for the younger generation.
She says the reunion is celebrating seven decades of women’s sisterhood and leadership, but they cannot celebrate that achievement without also investing in women who are still developing as leaders.
Meanwhile, about 150 alumnae visited the State House today following an invitation from the President.
Kaumaitotoya says the visit is primarily for alumnae who have travelled from overseas, and the President is expected to continue discussions around today’s theme of law and governance.
She says they are grateful that the country’s leadership has recognised the alumni and provided them with the opportunity to visit the State House.
Insert: Kaumaitotoya on Sisterhood 8th Sept 26Â
The celebrations will continue tonight with Waimanu Road to the World at the St Joseph’s Secondary School Hall.
Kaumaitotoya says alumnae will choose a country and wear attire representing that country, while those travelling from overseas will also have an opportunity to share aspects of where they are now living.
She says one alumna has travelled from Hong Kong specifically to be part of the reunion and celebrate their sisterhood.
Tonight’s programme is being organised by alumnae from the 2010s to the present, giving younger members the opportunity to organise an event that reflects their generation.
The programme continues tomorrow morning with a health walk, where participants are being encouraged to wear their St Joseph’s T-shirts.
This will be followed by a discussion led by alumnae working in the medical field on women’s health and issues that can help women live longer and healthier lives.
