Youth leaders from Fiji have expressed their commitment to collaborating with fellow Pacific youth leaders across Commonwealth nations to develop policy recommendations, emphasizing the importance of youth participation in addressing significant social, economic, and environmental challenges.
This commitment was made during the Commonwealth Youth Forum’s opening on Monday in Apia, Samoa.
Dr. Arjoon Sudhoo, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, commended the young people for their initiatives that are “shaping the world.” He noted, “The 13th Commonwealth Youth Forum is not merely the next chapter in our journey but also a celebration of our achievements this year.”
Dr. Sudhoo highlighted the collaborative efforts made from Rwanda to Samoa to ensure that young voices are not only acknowledged but also take the lead in various matters. He remarked on the resilience, innovation, and dedication demonstrated by youth in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic while also encouraging looking ahead to future possibilities.
Heads of delegations are set to receive a new memorandum of understanding for the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which aims to ensure the sustainability of the secretariat’s engagement with young people over the next 50 years.