FOR Nicole Matavesi, sustainability is more than a conversation about the environment — it is a conversation about the future.
A 22-year-old final-year student at the University of the South Pacific, she is using her platform as one of this year’s Hibiscus Festival Queen contestants to champion sustainability, with youth empowerment at the centre of her advocacy.
Speaking in an interview, Ms Matavesi said that with young people making up about 60 per cent of the population, greater investment in youth was essential to ensuring they were equipped to shape the future.
Ms Matavesi said youth empowerment was not simply about giving young people a voice but about creating opportunities for them to develop their skills, confidence and potential.
An only child, Ms Matavesi hails from Taveuni and has Indian heritage.
She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in International Relations and Politics, and International Business and Marketing.
Her interest in leadership has already seen her take on significant responsibilities at a young age.
Last year, Ms Matavesi served as the Youth Prime Minister during Fiji’s Youth Parliament, an experience she describes as her biggest achievement so far.
Having grown up in Suva, she considers herself fortunate to be raised in a diverse household that exposed her to different cultures and perspectives.
She said her upbringing helped shape the person she is today and taught her to appreciate the best of both worlds.
She lists former Hibiscus Festival Queen Merewalesi Nailatikau as one of her biggest inspirations, particularly for the example she has set as a young Fijian woman.
Outside of her studies and advocacy work for NGOs, Ms Matavesi enjoys making lamingtons and cooking up a spicy pot of curry.
She decided to contest this year’s Hibiscus Festival because of its historic significance, with the festival marking its 70th anniversary.
The week-long celebration will be held at Albert Park from August 29 to September 5.
