Government will move towards a targeted approach this year towards youths especially those selected youth groups based on merit to provide training and other up-skilling programmes in partnership with other stakeholders.
This was made known during the western division annual youth Summit which is currently underway in Lautoka.
Opened by the Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Mr Josefa Sania, the forum has been introduced to lay a platform for youths to voice their opinions on issues.
“This is just to ensure that maximum results are achieved and the youth clubs or groups’ projects or activities are sustained and it brings about a change in their livelihood and has direct impact in the society and Fiji as a whole,” he said.
“Let me emphasise again that this forum is really a platform for you as youth stakeholders to thrash existing youth development policies and design collaborative means that will directly have a positive impact on our young people.”
Youths have never before been given such prominence on national issues however Mr Sania said the Bainimarama government always had the youth sector in mind during its discussions and planning.
“We should take an analytical and holistic approach towards the services we provide. Assistance and empowerment should be directed at a targeted manner to ensure maximum and sustainable results – be it farming, sports or any other form of activity,” Mr Sania added.
“Our diverse background today gives the greatest advantage for an effective service delivery. Today you all bring together these different experiences with a common vision and that is to empower and enrich young people. I plead with you that you put all innovative ideas today on the table and let’s find ways to collaborate and work effectively together.”
More than 100 youth from Ra, Ba, Nadroga and Navosa are attending the forum.
-ENDS-