Young people are not only the future but the present, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica told youth leaders at the Youth Peace Forum in Nasese yesterday.
Speaking under the theme, “Investing in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, Mr Kamikamica warned against token youth participation in decision-making.
“Sometimes governments, institutions and organisations invite young people into a room, give them a microphone, take some photos, issue a communiqué and then return to making the decisions exactly they intended before the young people arrived,” he said.
“That is participation without influence. That is representation without responsibility. That is consultation without consequence and ultimately risks becoming tokenism.
“Young people do not need to be merely invited to decorate decision-making. You need to become part of decision-making.”
Mr Kamikamica said young people were already contributing as entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, farmers, engineers, artists, and community leaders, and were increasingly occupying important positions.
He cited youth innovators including George Fong, who designed Ticketmax, now used for sporting events in Fiji, and Rishi Samwade, who developed a homestay application for Fijian villages similar to Airbnb’s.
Mr Kamikamica urged young people to learn, participate, protect one another, lead with integrity, and choose dialogue before hostility.
“Do not wait for permission to care.
“Do not wait for permission to serve. Do not wait for permission to lead.”
