Constitutional reform must look beyond the present and safeguard the interests of future generations as they will bear the long-term consequences of decisions made today, the National Youth Council has told the Constitution Review Commission.
Presenting the council’s submission this week, general secretary Ro Mereia Leano said the first chapter of the Constitution should expressly recognise that constitutional reform affected not only citizens but also children, young people and future generations.
“The Constitution is not a short-term political document. It is the highest law of the nation and must guide Fiji for many years to come.”
Ms Leano said young people were not passive beneficiaries of government decisions but constitutional stakeholders because they would live with the consequences of today’s decisions longer than anyone else.
“They will live the longest with the consequences of today’s decisions.
“A Constitution that does not expressly speak to future generations risks being too narrowly focused on present political arrangements.”
The council has recommended that chapter one be amended to include a constitutional principle requiring the State to protect the interests of children, young people and future generations in all major public decisions.
“This means that the state must make decisions today with proper regard to the rights, welfare and future security of those who will live with the consequences tomorrow.”
She said young people should not be treated only as future voters or future leaders because “they are citizens now” and were already affected by decisions on education, land, climate change, employment, governance, technology, health, culture and national development.
