This year’s International Youth Day theme “Transforming Food System: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” paves the way forward for many youths in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Youths have turned to farming as a means to generate income for themselves and their families with the assistance of their parents and guardians during the school break.
The day, marked annually on August 12, allows youths to celebrate their achievements but due to the COVID-19 restrictions, youths have had to share their messages via the Ministry of Youth Facebook page.
A small celebration to mark the special day was held in Ba where the Youth and Sport Minister Parveen Kumar shared his views on the importance of youth’s development in any society.
Mr Kumar said most young people have turned to farming in order to make ends meet.
“This is a sustainable means of improving our food security and as the world continues to battle immediate challenges such as COVID-19, long term challenges like climate change, means we have to act now and address how we best feed our nation and entrench food security in our economic planning,” he said.
“We have reached out to youth clubs by providing them with farming materials for them to become productive contributors to national food security.
“It has also meant that more of our youth, instead of being aimless without any prospects in our urban areas, are returning to the land. This is an important initiative and one that has produced results.
“The end game should be that we need more youth to turn to the land, rather than the razzle-dazzle of the city bright lights.”
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Rovereto Nayacalevu, said the International Youth Day had and would continue to play a major role in the development of our youth sector.
“Over the past years, it continues with the aim of promoting youth as leaders,” he said.
“It is a platform that provides an opportunity to celebrate young peoples’ views and initiatives on a global scale.”
The Vuniyalayala Vedic Youth Club members in Labasa said it’s important for young individuals to plant vegetables during this tough time as it could provide them with a source of income which goes well with this year’s theme.
The Serua Youth Club members wished all youths in the country a happy International Day and highlighted that it is important for youths to ensure that their environment is sustainable.
The Serua Youth Club also added that it is their responsibility as youths to conserve natural resources and protect the global eco-system.
