YOUNG people are being encouraged to use digital storytelling to show how communities can build stronger connections across social and cultural groups.
Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, presenter Josateki Nailati unveiled a new FBC and UNDP television and digital production on social cohesion at the International Day of Peace Youth Forum at Pacifika Communities University at Nasese.
Mr Nailati said the production was still in its ideation stage and would seek youth input because the space belonged to them.
He said young people did not need expensive equipment or professional production experience to tell stories about social cohesion.
“Anyone can tell cohesion stories using phones, CapCut and Premiere Pro,” he said.
Mr Nailati, who has a background in biology, said a mushroom and its hidden mycelium network beneath the soil inspired the visual concept for the show.
“The mushroom is the fruiting body that we only see on top of the soil. What you don’t see is the complex network that connects them beneath the soil, where they communicate with each other.”
He said the network reflected how social cohesion connected people across different groups.
“Understanding that people are part of different groups that overlap eventually. It gives us more a sense of belonging, shared trust, and fostering camaraderie, familiarity and relatability.”
Mr Nailati said storytelling remained particularly relevant to Pacific communities despite the growth of social media.
“That’s very innate for us, as iTaukei, as Fijians, as Pacific islanders. We were not a written down culture. It was expressive arts, through dance, masi printing, weaving and oral traditions.
“It is in our blood.”
