The Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) Ministerial Officials in Cluster Group 4 on School Engagements and awareness programmes for the Pacific Games 2023, met for the first time this morning (Monday 1 March 2021) in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to discuss their proposed work plan and activities for the upcoming Pacific Games 2023.
A Statement from the GSIC Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, stated that the Ministries who met this morning were from the Cluster Group 4 Ministries, which include the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Traditional Governance Peace and Ecclesrtical Affairs, National Hosting Authority, and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Statement added that these Ministries deal mainly with School involvement, awareness and advocacy programme within our community, provinces and the country, as a whole, as we prepare for the Games.
“We must now start raising awareness and programmes in our families, villages and communities, on what the Pacific Games meant to us and how we as a country can promote our culture, unity, peace, harmony and laws. The Pacific Games is not only about Games, but how we could use the event to promote and embrace our unity, peace stability, national consciousness, and prosperity”, according to the GSIC statement.
Solomon Islands will receive thousands of visitors, around the region for the games, and it is important that we promote our unity and identity to the outside world.
Both the Ministry of Traditional Governance Peace and Ecclesrtical Affairs and the Ministry of Justice And Legal Affairs informed the meeting of their plans to carry out awareness programmes and activities in promoting National Consciousness, unity and peace as well as understanding of our relevant laws in the country.
Hence, the importance of early planning and preparatory work with other line Ministries and stakeholders are important as we prepare our country for the games.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development also has an important task to play as well in preparing our schools for the Pacific Games in 2021.
The Pacific Games 2023 will involve a good number of our schools, staff and students in the country, and such early engagement with the Ministry is important for coordination, advanced planning and preparatory work with the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Line Ministries, Games Organizing Committee and the National Hosting Authority.
Meanwhile, the GSIC Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet noted the progress of work done to date, and plans in place, and encouraged Ministries to continue on their work and commitment in undertaking the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them, review options and planning, in preparation for Pacific Games 2023.
It also called on support and understanding all stakeholders, including Honiara City Council, Education Authorities, to support the work of these Government Ministries as they embarked on their important tasks.
The Cluster Group 4 Ministries are part of the eleven Cluster Groups where Ministries have been assigned to different functions and responsibilities to perform and support the Games Organizing Committee, the National Hosting Authority, and the Government to successfully deliver the Pacific Games in 2023.
ENDS///