“Young people are often seen as the future leaders, however, they are here today, with the desire and the potential to contribute in shaping Fiji’s direction” says Waisale Ramoce the programme coordinator of ECREA’s Youth Peace and Development Programme, ahead of a week long Leadership Workshop. The activity will start on Tuesday the 27th of July and ends on Friday the 30th of July 2010 at the Northern Friendly Inn conference room in Labasa.

The four day Workshop on the theme Building Leadership Capacity for Youths will be attended by 16 young people from around Fiji who are ethnically and religiously diverse that make up a group of Youth Peace facilitators for the Youth Peace and Development Programme of ECREA. Mr. Ramoce added that “youths enjoy social connections that transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries. They are actively struggling to integrate the modern and the traditional and 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. These synergies are what young people need to explore and nurture for a peaceful and a multicultural Fiji.”

Furthermore he stated “youths need to explore leadership models that will bring about changes for the better and this will only come about if they are encouraged to shoulder responsibilities at this stage. Fiji has had great leaders who have contributed in nation building and in the same respect young people should be empowered to take up leadership roles that will better influence their families, communities and Fiji as a nation.”

The Youth Peace and Development Programme is one of ECREA’s Programmes that focuses on the empowerment of young people to break through racial discrimination, improve inter-ethnic relationship and enhance capacity for nation building.

For further information contact Georgina Young or Waisale Ramoce on Phone-
9925025 or 9290695.