The students at Fiji National University (FNU) were inspired by the work of the Fiji Red Cross Society during a recent lecture.

The event featured Director-General Ragigia Dawai as the guest speaker at the Nasinu campus in Valelevu, hosted by the College of Humanities and Education (CHE), Centre of Foundation and Preliminary Studies, and Ethics.

Dawai delivered a powerful talk on the theme “Ethical Courage in Crisis: Humanitarian Action and Real-Life Heroes.

“Our volunteers number more than 800 across Fiji. They live in our communities, so when any disaster strikes, they are already present and ready to respond,” Dawai said.

“We serve the needs of our communities through our 15 branches operated by volunteers.”

She emphasised the importance of ethics and values, urging students to hold them dear.

The students were able to watch videos of the history of the Fiji Red Cross, how it operates and its significance.

Dawai’s message covered several topics, including:

– Principles of Humanitarian Action: Bringing hope in dark times.
– Personal Integrity and Moral Courage: Standing strong in emergencies.

– Real-Life Stories: Ethical behavior in crisis
– Ethical Challenges: Tough decisions in humanitarian work
– Policies and Practices: Ensuring ethical conduct

The session was truly motivational for students, staff, and anyone passionate about making a difference.

Maria Buretini, a second-year Trade Diploma student in Information Technology, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.

“It is great to hear from someone in the field about the Red Cross. I hope we have more guest speakers; this is a valuable opportunity for us,” she said.

Fellow student Immanuel Rakesh echoed her sentiment, and many students were inspired to sign up as volunteers