2010 has kick started, exam results are out, many have mapped out their plans or resolutions for this New Year while others are still contemplating of what they will make of 2010. A group of people who will feel much of these hustle and bustle of this crossroad of transition are our young people, Be they school students, employees or school leavers a lot is at stake for our young people of this country. Defining a “youth” may vary in different spaces and contexts but the characteristics of young people as being vibrant, energetic and are willing to explore, however, is almost the same for every young person no matter in what context or situations they are. Fiji is no exception and perhaps the need to mould young people to be better leaders of our nation and to actively involve them in nation building is greater now than it has ever been before. There have been incentives carried out by the Ministry of Youth, Youth NGO’s, civil societies , community youth groups and religious youth groups in the belief that young people carry the hope of inventing now  a brighter tomorrow. As one lingers on the above phrase, one is led to discover that the call is, to make the present better instead of idly anticipating the future. Perhaps this is a challenge to the common adage that goes” young people are the leaders of tomorrow. Practically, we are looking at young people to take up the challenges now so that the future will be what everyone desires it to be. For this reason it is always important that young people are highlighted on their roles, the changes that they can bring and more so the hope that is vested upon them

                                   Young People in Fiji’s Society.
More often than not the question that our young people ask is “Where within the society hierarchy do they stand? The answer to this question is not often simple because different societies and communities place different emphasis on young people. While many would say that young people are placed at the most pivotal position in the society, it is also important to understand that equally of concern is when young people are not given what they deserve as their role in the society. This is representative of the fact that while the abilities and potential of young people are vital in terms of development and progress, it is so unfortunate that most of the time it is ignored or overlooked. Manifestations of the above arguments are evident in our society today where young people are seldom given chances to voice their concern, participate in decision making and also in leadership roles. It should be seen that it is important for young people to be exposed to these forms of leadership to prepare them for future responsibilities. The fact that older people assume titles of responsibility due to experiences and seniority is acceptable, but to be mindful that spaces of learning for young people should also be created. The potential and creativity of our young people to test their leadership abilities are often ignored and purely dismissed as incapable. As a result many of our young people today have forced themselves to believe that they play no roles in the society. Perhaps this is a reflection of our traditional culture where we have greater respect and obedience for those in authority – chiefs, teachers, and ministers of religion and fathers of families.  To some extent this is good.  Respect and obedience to those in authority is great, however, there is also a negative side to it because often it creates a “culture of silence”.  In this atmosphere they are not allowed to question those in authority about the decisions they have made.  Also they do not take the initiative and responsibility for doing things because culturally they must wait for those in authority to decide what must be done.  Their role is to listen, to obey and to do what they are told.  Consequently people who live in a “culture of silence” become over-submissive and over-dependent on those in authority. They lack initiative, responsibility, creativity and the ability to speak out and make decisions for themselves.
                         
                            Hopes for Youth.
Our country has been through as many coups in as many years now. The very group that we now call the “youth” of this nation are those whom during their development stages or nurturing years were exposed to these tumultuous experiences. So where is the hope for our young people now? One has only got to see the talents and potentials that our young people have in this country to be reminded that young people can bring about the changes that this country needs.. Be it sports, education, music, art, fashion or socialization our young people of Fiji have them all. Young People are doing what many adults are unable to do in this country. They enjoy social connections that transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries. They are actively struggling to integrate the modern and the traditional. Some are finding ways to make their voices heard, getting involved in Civil Society, and using their passion and creativity to advocate for a better Fiji. On the other hand it demands more collaborative efforts from the society at large. Over the so many years the media has capitalized on the downside of young people as they are involved in violence, robbery, rapes and other misdemeanors. What our young people need today is to hear more of the great deeds and the creativity of young people around the country. A few stories of young people appeared in the Fiji Times last week where some unemployed youths were retrieving onto the land for survival, some young people working on water projects and how young people from different ethnic backgrounds were cleaning around Suva for social networking. All these images are positive portrayals of what our young people are capable of achieving and as parents and societal leaders we need to encourage our young people to strive for these positive attributes.

 In Fiji we are so accustomed to seeing politicians from the 1970 who are still trying to hold on to power. They appear determined not to relinquish their positions to a younger generation or step aside to allow positive change. We need to develop a new generation of younger politicians who are well tuned-in to the dynamics of change in the 21st Century. Perhaps they would be in a better position to cross the boundaries that our aging leaders seem to find too laborious or politically inconvenient to traverse. Young people need to have a say in community meetings and as well as national level meetings. Today there are many educated young people as there were a few 40 years ago, they should be given chances to express their views and through the wisdom of the elders, more constructive decisions can be made.

For young people our challenge is to make Fiji the Way the World should be a reality today. For such a dream to be possible we need greater understanding of one another, a deeper sense of forgiveness, and a willingness to search for where our call lies..  We need to listen to one another and build a sense of trust.  We need a willingness to change - change of heart and a change of attitudes - and openness to new possibilities. Above all young people should be people of hope and with this hope let us make it count because only changed people can change the world.

Happy 2010 to all our Youths of Fiji

*Waisale Ramoce
Coordinator- Youth Peace and Development Programme
ECREA