"This is a good opportunity for us to improve social-welfare cooperation," Minister Al Jufri said here on Thursday.
He stated that the cooperation was aimed at strengthening the policies and programs on family allowances, poverty alleviation, adoption and child care.
The ministry prepared the one-year MoU when the Fijian Social Affairs Ministry visited the Indonesian Social Affairs Ministry.
"There are a number of agreements between Indonesia and the Republic of Fiji in the MoU, particularly on empowering poor communities," he said.
The ministry was mandated by Law No.11/2009 on Social Welfare to tackle social issues and provide services for the needy, such as poor and remote indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, as well as displaced children and senior citizens.
Moreover, the enforcement of Law No13/2011 on Poverty Alleviation emphasizes that the social-affairs ministry exists to alleviate poverty.
Al Jufri expressed hope that the cooperation would improve the quality of and professionalism in social services for the public in the two countries, while improving cooperation in the near future.
The meeting was also attended by the Social Affairs Minister`s General Secretary Toto Utomo Budi Santosa, special staff experts and Fijian delegations. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
