Professor in Constitutional Law from the Australian National University, Professor Anthony James Regan speaking during the Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Seminar Series at the Nasinu Campus yesterday.
Professor Anthony James Regan underscored the critical role of public consultation and meticulous constitutional design in nation-building for Fiji.
These were the sentiments of the Professor in Constitutional Law from the Australian National University (ANU), who spoke on “Constitutional Change in Fiji: Looking to the Future,” at the Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Seminar Series at the Nasinu Campus last night and at the Namaka Campus today.
A distinguished authority on constitution-making, Professor Regan offered expert insights into the complexities of constitutional reform.
With a distinguished career advising on constitution-making and review processes across the Pacific, Professor Regan brought unparalleled expertise to the discussion. The seminar attracted a high-level audience, including Fiji’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka, government ministers, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhary, government dignitaries, representatives from the security forces, legal professionals, and members of the public.
Government ministers, government dignitaries and guests at the Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Seminar Series at the Nasinu Campus yesterday.
“Constitutional design and the choices of the Constitution are particularly important in colonial, postcolonial and conflict prevention, and resolution situations. The broadest possible range of interest groups and the extent to which the ordinary people of the country gain an understanding of the process and the Constitution,” Professor Regan said.
“Have a huge impact on whether a constitution meets the needs of that country, where constitutions are made by elite negotiation or imposed by a particular group. It’s almost inevitable that the resulting content of the constitution will be unlikely to really meet the broad range of needs. One of the advantages of the process that was followed in Fiji was in making the 97 constitutions. And in making Bougainville’s fourth constitution, the only one that never became a constitution, that’s the 2012 constitution. Both of those had that advantage of being very inclusive of processes.”
His research and teaching focuses on the intersection of constitution-making, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding, primarily in the Pacific and select Asian states.
With expertise in both the process and content of constitutional development, he provides advisory services and conducts research on these critical areas.
Professor Regan’s academic responsibilities encompass undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, PhD supervision, and administrative duties.
Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, emphasised that national universities should prioritise national concerns. This includes focusing on these issues in teaching, learning, research, and public discourse.
“National universities are also distinguished because they emphasise national priorities. Cultural heritages, such as climate change, research, and knowledge, teaching and exchange that addresses national challenges,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.
“As a National University, we are duty bound to engage in knowledge pursuit of all types, including seminars and knowledge exchange, teaching and learning, addressing pertinent issues of a nation.
“Professor Reagan’s presence is a testament to your commitment to knowledge sharing, contributing to meaningful. Dialogue across Oceania and the world, we are truly honoured, Sir, to have you here as a guest speaker.”
Professor in Constitutional Law from the Australian National University, Professor Anthony James Regan with the Fiji National University Natabua Campus choir following the FNU Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Seminar Series at the Namaka Campus today.