Work carried out by Government in the implementation of youth policies in the country was today presented at the 1st Pacific Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting by the Hon. Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou.
Minister Tuitubou said the Fijian Government had designed and developed a National Youth Policy under careful scrutiny to ensure that it was tangible to major national development policies, strategies and laws.
He said the drafting and formulation of a Fiji National Youth Policy was realised and mandated in 2003 after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders and was endorsed by Cabinet in 2004.
In addressing Youth Ministers, Commonwealth representatives, senior youth officials and delegates from the Pacific region he said, “The policy was reviewed twice in 2012 and again in 2015 and a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders and partners around the country was held, which includes six divisional youth forums and a National Youth and Sports Conference held in June 2014.”
“The policy in its current form had taken on board the interests of all stakeholders and sectors including the Government’s strategic direction for 2015 – 2018 as well as relevant regional and international youth declarations and commitments.”
Minister Tuitubou also informed the meeting about the national recognition of the youth policy and its importance to the realisation of youth development in the country.
“Our National Youth Policy is a recognised document and is mentioned in the latest developed Green Growth Framework of the Fiji Government as it recognises that Fijian youths are vital components of our national development amidst the many challenges they constantly encounter.
“To ensure that youth voices are heard, the policy mandates the setting up of District Councils, Provincial Councils and a higher forum, the National Youth Council of Fiji which was set up in 2012.The National Youth Council of Fiji is the umbrella body for youths and the platform to voice their concerns.”
He also elaborated on the effectiveness of the implementation and monitoring of the youth policy in the country.
“While the Ministry of Youth and Sports is the focal agency responsible for coordinating policy and program implementation, the policy requires multi-sectoral partnerships to effect implementation of initiatives on youth empowerment, youth employment and livelihood, youth health, research and other youth development aspects,” Hon. Tuitubou stated.
“To ensure coordination amongst various stakeholders a Multi-sector Coordination Committee was established and endorsed by Cabinet in 2012 with appropriate administrative arrangements to provide guidance on youth policy implementation, evaluation, monitoring and on matters of new policy direction and initiatives.”
Minister Tuitubou mentioned the challenges faced in the implementation of the National Youth Policy which included the geographical isolation of the country and the minimal resources available to realize its outcomes. He also outlined avenues to move forward with the policy’s implementation.
He also briefed members of the meeting that Fiji’s youth policy is aligned to two international commitments such as the World Programme of Action for Youth and the Baku Commitment.