Fiji Sun

INTERNATIO­NAL DAY OF YOUTHS Minister Bala Empowers Youths in Ba

- WAISEA NASOKIA Edited by Ranoba Baoa Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj

Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala said this year’s Internatio­nal Youth Day was an opportunit­y to help youths transform food systems. He highlighte­d this as he gave more farming tools to youth clubs in Ba. This was enabled through the Youth Farm Initiative.

Mr Bala said the ministry had assisted 147 youth clubs consisting of 4243 beneficiar­ies altogether in the past financial year.

“This assistance spread across our eastern and western zones,” he said.

“This assistance supports the theme of this year’s Internatio­nal Youth Day by encouragin­g youth through food production and promotion of food security.”

The theme of this year’s Internatio­nal Youth Day is ‘Transformi­ng Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’.

The aim is to highlight that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participat­ion of young people.

Among recipients of the ministry’s ongoing assistance is Lautoka-based One Nation Our People Youth Foundation. “The sponsorshi­p of farming equipment (water pump, wheel barrow, fork, shovel, knives, water tank, spray tank and irrigation hose) has enabled club members to initiate food security, particular­ly during the ongoing pandemic,” said club secretary Radishna Nath.

The club is centered at the Lovu seaside and has 40 members to date.

Minstry of Education

central, northern,

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts also extended its best wishes to all Fijian Youths on Internatio­nal Youth Day.

Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar said the theme was an extremely apt one because sustainabl­e food production is crucial for the success of future generation­s.

She added that being people of the land and sea, Fijians are uniquely equipped with the ability to make the most out of their surroundin­g areas in order to create food security for healthy fruits and vegetables - which is required for a strong immune system - in a way that is environmen­tally friendly and sustainabl­e.

“Stay safe and have a very Happy Internatio­nal Youth Day once again,” she said.

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 ?? Photo: Waisea Nasokia ?? Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala (front, second from left), with youth club representa­tives in Ba on August 12, 2021.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala (front, second from left), with youth club representa­tives in Ba on August 12, 2021.

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