THE first group of Fijian volunteers to complete a groundbreaking seven-month civic service exchange in France under the Fonds Équipe France Rapid (FEF-R) program have returned home, marking an important milestone in Fiji–France cooperation.
To celebrate their return, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the French Embassy in Suva, Mr. Benjamin Delannoy and France Volontaires Support Officer for Fiji, Ms. Blandine Antonietti, hosted a reception at the French Residence in Suva. The event honored the four young Fijians who participated in the initiative: Makarita Nakavulevu, Manoa Keteca, Henry Hiramatsu, and Joshua Yee.
Funded by the French Ministry of Foreign in Suva and initiated by France Volontaires, the program focused on sports and development a key area of partnership between France and Fiji.
“Throughout their seven months, these young volunteers served in French associations where their work focused on making sports such as table tennis and rugby accessible to all, especially women and persons with disabilities,” said Mr. Delannoy.
He emphasized that this volunteer exchange programme strengthens the growing relationship between France and Fiji.
“It builds on our many cultural and sporting collaborations from rugby federations to museum exchanges and now opens a new pathway through youth mobility, cultural sharing, and professional development. This program is not only about international cooperation, but also about empowerment,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr. Delannoy expressed the Embassy’s commitment to ensuring reciprocity in the program by offering French participants, for instance from the Pacific, the opportunity to experience similar exchanges in Fiji. He noted ongoing work with the Fijian Government to establish a framework agreement to facilitate these opportunities.
Ms. Antonietti highlighted the long-term impact of the exchange for the volunteers.
“I hope this experience will help them find their path, serve their community, and bring back to Fiji the knowledge and skills they gained in France. They are now ambassadors, and I hope their stories will inspire a growing movement of youth engagement and cultural sharing,” Ms. Antonietti said.
She further underlined the importance of building a strong legal framework to ensure the sustainability and safety of future exchanges.
The Embassy and France Volontaires also extended their gratitude to the many partners who supported the initiative, including Romain Mendes, Kumon Tarawa (Fiji Paralympics), Solomone Rabuli (Selfless Fiji), Mrs. Mere Roden, Mr. Julian Vulakoro and Steve Reily. French associations such as Parcours le Monde, Scoope, GVHTT Table Tennis Club in Hennebont, Visions Mêlées, Drop de Béton, and Cool’eurs du Monde also played a pivotal role.
The return of this first cohort of Fijian volunteers marks the beginning of a new chapter in Fiji–France cooperation. The program opens the door for more young Fijians to engage in international volunteer opportunities in France, strengthening cultural exchange, solidarity, and shared growth.
