Young people in Fiji are actively participating in public life and engaging with government, but almost one in five remain outside education, employment or training.
UNDP resident representative for the Pacific Office in Fiji, Munkhtuya Altangerel, said the findings highlighted both the contribution of young people to social cohesion and the need to ensure they were not left behind.
Speaking at the International Day of Peace Youth Forum at Pacific Communities University in Nasese yesterday, Ms Altangerel said nearly eight in 10 young people attended public forums, while more than 70 per cent engaged directly with local government.
“More than 93 per cent also believed ethnic differences could be set aside to build a comfortable future for Fiji,” she said.
The figures are from the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE), released in June following a UN Peacebuilding Program implemented in Fiji.
“These are very encouraging findings. They tell us that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, as we like to say, but they are already the leaders of today and they are contributing to peace, social cohesion and strong communities even now.”
However, Ms Altangerel said almost 20 per cent of young people were currently not in education, employment or training.
“We particularly encourage continued efforts to develop innovative programs for more than 20 per cent of young people who are currently not in education, employment, or training, ensuring that no young person is left behind.”
She said the Ministry of Youth and Sports was one of the most important drivers of social cohesion by bringing real hope and opportunities through employer engagement during the Peace Day celebration.
