A Pacific Youth Development Framework (PYDF) paper highlighting issues faced by the young people of the Oceania region including human rights, peace and drugs make up the discussion at the Senior Youth Leaders Meeting which is to be held in Nadi this week.
21 countries including territories from around the Pacific region will be at the meeting which is a prelude to the Pacific Ministers for Youth Meeting which is taking place in September.
The Pacific Youth Development Framework developed by the Pacific Community and supported by the Pacific Youth Council, which was created to support the implementation of youth policies and address barriers to progress.
Myles Young, SPC’s Director for Human Rights and Social Development Division said the PYDF looks
Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Ratu Meli Nacuva said the workshop will be a coming together of dynamic youth leaders from around the Pacific and will see the discussions of various topics crucial to the region.
“This is the platform where the youth leaders will work together to draw up their papers for the Pacific Youth Ministers meeting which will be held in Nadi also in September.”
Part of the discussions also will center on the influx of illicit drugs found in Fiji and in other Pacific island countries.
“The law enforcements are doing their bit in trying to curb its spread and bring to justice those who are involved in it but for the rest of us as stakeholders, we need to see the other major dynamics at play here. The contributing factors, what can be done to move the person away from wanting to take those drugs.”
Pacific Youth Council head Miliana Iga said the meeting will hear the voices of the Pacific and highlight issues most pressing to each country.
“This is their forum. So many dynamic leaders will discuss issues that are impacting their nations, their governments and their communities and this is the forum for it because come the leaders meeting in September, the voices of the youth of the Pacific will be a united one.”
Photo: Participants at a recent Pacific Youth Council meeting.
