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'It is important that we continue to strengthen our economic and political progress. We can achieve this only if we can make an effort to face our past to allow relief and dignity for those who have experienced violations and to ensure that that pain is acknowledged. The root cause to our experience must also be effectively dealt with. This will involve all of us right across our society.'

Ratu Josefa Iloilo#18

ProgressJusticePastSociety

About this quote

What does it mean?
Progress requires acknowledging past pain and addressing root causes.
In plain terms
Move forward by facing the past and dealing with causes of pain.
What can you take from it?
Address past violations to enable progress.

Where it applies

  • post conflict recovery
  • healing

Putting it to work

  • investigate past wrongs
  • implement reparations

Questions to consider

  • How do you face the past?
  • What causes pain?

Another view

Dealing with past issues can be divisive.

More from Ratu Josefa Iloilo

  1. 'We, the members of this country need to rectify this omission (of having failed to dedicate the Parliament to God previously) by dedicating the Parliament and…

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  2. 'It is not just about the need to identify victims of specific events and the experience but to also accept that this includes many others who consider themsel…

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. 'We hope and pray that by our efforts today and in the future the tenor of debate in this august house will greatly improve to carry the country forward in pea…

    Permalink to quote #16

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