Fiji does not have a strong sense of national identity that should be evident in the various communities feeling a sense of belonging to Fiji as a country, according to the National Council for Building a Better Fiji's consultation document.

The document said that racial compartmentalization in institutions such as schools, the communal electoral system, ethnic political parties, differences in religion and culture have tended to reinforce differences rather than commonality of interests, needs and a sense of place and identity.

It said the failure to identify with the national name "Fiji Islander" introduced in the 1997 constitution is a symptom of the weakness of national identity.

The consultation document for the people further said that the weakness of national identity is complicated by the strong sense of ethnic and national identity of the indigenous Fijians who believe that because of their indigenous status, the land and the nation of Fiji belong to them first. It says this belief translates into the idea of paramountcy of political power, that indigenous Fijians must be guaranteed political leadership in the state. According to the document, underlying this belief is a feeling of insecurity and fear of others, such as the Indo Fijian community, taking over their land and depriving them of development opportunities.

The NCBBF consultation document further said that Indo Fijians believe that they are regarded as foreigners in the land of their birth and that they are second class citizens in Fiji. It said the Indo Fijians' sense of insecurity is reinforced by their lack of ownership of, or secure access to, land, which drives them to focus on education and commercial opportunities as well as emigration to other countries.

The views of the people are now being taken on the consultation document after which a People's Charter will be drawn up. The deadline for the presentation of the Charter to President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo is October this year.