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Press Release: 2010 declared YEAR OF YOUTH
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 12 August 2010 – 11 August 2011 the International Year of Youth with the theme Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. "According
to the United Nations a “youth” is from the age of 15 to 24, with
approximately one billion youth live in the world today or 18% of the
world’s population are youth, but in Fiji youths can range from 16 to
30 with a huge youth population of over 40% , Fiji has a significant youth population" says YPCN president Peter Waqavonovono "and
this year is basically a call to action on all stakeholders from the
national to grass root level to engage young people, stand in
solidarity and allow for more youth inclusiveness". "This
is a bold declaration by the UN General Assembly and a recognition that
youth are important to the development of any nation and and can be
trusted with many decision or institutionalized The
YPCN which comprises of Youth Advocates and Activists throughout Fiji
hopes that this years theme will help in efforts to engage young people
and their leaders in national and community issues. "Already in our
society we have young people working to benefit and educate their
communities and are impacting change on the national level also. There
still needs to be a common understanding and relationship formed
between youth groups, community and national leaders" says Waqavonovono The YPCN renews its call for more support for youth development and solidarity, "We
enter into the Year of Youth, with young people in Fiji grappling with
huge issues , youth fill up our prisons, more young people are
unemployed, youth fill our statistics from Crime, Suicide, Substance
Abuse and Sexually Transmitted Infections" says the YPCN President. "By engaging young
people and letting them take more ownership over the fight to reduce
and eradicate these issues is a positive step towards youth development". The
YPCN is also hopeing that it can work hand in hand with the Department
of Youth in bettering the standards of youth and contributing to youth
progression in Fiji. "Since the purported abrogation of the 1997
Constitution and the continuation of the Public Emergency Regulation
Decree (PER) , the YPCN, its members and other youth advocates in Fiji
have faced heavy censorship and intimidation. The network and some of
its high profile members have been banned from workshops and important
youth gatherings. Permits have been denied or held in jeorpedy for
youth gatheirngs and learning forums because of certain youth
advocates/activists. And we have a few YPCN members and associates who
have been arrested and/or warned by members of the security forces" says Waqavonovono. "With
a long list of seasoned youth advocates and activists on the Interim
Governments blacklist and a refusal by government to engage with these
persons hinders the work that needs to be done in Fiji; Its time that
the PER and the refusal to engage policy by the government be thrown
out, to find better avenues and relationships that can positively
contribute to youth progression. Its interesting that our governments
wants to be included and engaged on a regional, diplomatic and
international level but refuses to do the same domestically" YPCN President adds. "Dialogue
is a two way process and involves alot of listening and the sharing of
ideas. it should not be constrained or forced into a certain direction
by preconceived agendas. We plead for this type of dialogue in Fiji if
we are to seriously move Fiji forward and restore our Democracy" Waqavonovono adds "its
time that all our national leaders to be responsible and start talking
to each other regardless of their past's. It's time for forgiveness also". The year will see various integral international youth gatherings like the World Youth Congress in Turkey (July), the World Conference for Youth in Mexico (August), the International Youth Partnerships formally known as the International Youth Parliament, which will be held in India (November) and the Youth Olympic Games in
Singapore (August). These are great events to look forward too and we
hope that youths from Fiji and the Pacific can be represented. This
year, the YPCN will continue its push for a National Youth Council. Vinaka - Peter Waqavonovono - President - Young Peoples Concerned Network