Bala Stresses Youths Role in Climate Change
With climate change being one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, the Government recognises our youths’ effort in prioritising the issue.
According to the Minister for Youth and Sports, Praveen Bala, youths were among the profoundest examples in the world of the power of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to inspire and motivate people across borders, across oceans and across societies.
Mr Bala made the comment when closing a three-day workshop on Pacific Youth Engagement in Human Rights and Climate Change Pacific at Radisson Blu Resort, Denarau in Nadi.
The minister encouraged the youths to prioritise what they had learned and make an impact on their communities as well as in nation building.
“I know you have many relevant takeaways from this workshop. I look forward to its implementation and impact on our youths and by the extension to a wide community and nation building, Mr Bala said.
“We also recognise the active participation of youths is vital to avert the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, such as unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.” Mr Bala also clarified the position of the National Youth Council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“Let me get this straight, the National Youth Council is the supreme and legal body under the ministry for youths and sports,” he said. “The ministry is more committed to more research and development work in this area to improve consultation reporting these as the means of empowering youths in the process toward a systematic culture of independent youth groups across Fiji.”