The Yasayasa Moala Youth Festival and Government Roadshow took place in Yaroi Village on Matuku Island, marking the fourth event in this series, which will continue in Vunisea, Kadavu, in December 2023. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports FIJI’s program aimed at youth and sports development.
The three-day program included a government roadshow and an awareness campaign conducted by a team from the Fiji Police Force, targeting young people from the islands of Tikina, Moala, Matuku, and Totoya, with Vanuavatu Island also being part of the outreach.
These festivals focus on promoting healthy lifestyles while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals associated with growth, employment, and fair labor practices, as well as combating drug use.
In his address to the youth and elders of Yasayasa Moala, Minister Saukuru highlighted that drug use, cultivation, production, and trade are significant challenges facing the country. He expressed concerns over increasing teenage pregnancies and youth issues such as street roaming and underscored the necessity of community collaboration to combat violence against women and young girls.
The minister affirmed that everyone deserves to live in a violence-free environment, attributing the rising crime rates to drug abuse. He emphasized that young people, constituting over 70% of the population, are a vital demographic and called for a realignment of strategies to meet contemporary challenges.
Minister Saukuru urged that the focus should be on a digital pathway for sustainable development, appealing to the youth to utilize their online skills positively. He expressed hope that, despite the negative perceptions, young people possess the potential to create a better future for Fiji.
He noted that such festivals aim to instill positive values in the youth and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to their welfare and development. The ministry is also promoting sustainable agriculture and providing platforms for showcasing talents in sports and cultural events.
According to Minister Saukuru, there has been a 59% reduction in drug users and cultivators on the island attributed to the Kadavu Youth Festival, showcasing a shift in youth perspectives regarding sports.
The minister stressed the importance of Lai Province’s youth recognizing their responsibilities and maintaining the province’s welfare as a priority. He cited data indicating that only two of the over 100 Lau youth incarcerated are from the islands.
He reaffirmed comments made by the chair of the Lau Provincial Council, encouraging youth with spare time in Viti Levu to return to their villages to participate actively in community development. Recent initiatives by the Ministry of Youth and Sports include the reevaluation of youth development policies, the establishment of the National Youth Council of Fiji, and the launch of a Youth Sexual Education App to provide reproductive health resources for the youth.
The ministry’s approach focuses on providing formal education, reducing unemployment, and encouraging interests in various fields such as technology, arts, sports, business, and climate change, aiming to offer young people meaningful opportunities.
Minister Saukuru concluded by expressing gratitude to the three tikinas in Yasayasa Moala for their support, as the festival and roadshow are set to conclude on Friday, August 23.