Youth Forum: Youth have the Power to Change the World

The Youth Forum sessions commenced today at the EFKS Youth Hall at Mulinu’u. The Forum began with a breathtaking cultural performance led by Miss Pacific Islands, Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke and Miss Sāmoa, Litara Ieremia Allan advocating through dance and music the urgency of our fight and voice as youth of the Commonwealth in safeguarding and protecting our oceans and lands.

Opening remarks and presentations reemphasized youth empowerment and gender equality as core values in this meeting and the need to meet the youth where they are, recognizing the things that make us different and uplifting the youth where they should be – on the decision-making table.

Long term goals that were shared included a call to increase youth engagement not just as participants but as decision makers and creators within government sectors as the youth are the leaders of today and not tomorrow, ensuring our region is safe in every sense. Using politics as a tool for transformation as well as educating young people more about human rights and introducing them to the basics of democracy early on are effective approaches to guarantee youth participation. 

ATA: Youth Forum Opening at EFKS Hall Sogi. The Commonwealth.