World Conference on Youth 2014 Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Agenda: Inclusive Youth Development

Caption: Commander Naupoto and the United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi following the Minister’s bilateral meeting. Photo: SUPPLIED.

Colombo, Sri Lanka is buzzing with excitement as more than 1500 people gather from the 6th to the 10th of May for the World Conference on Youth 2014.

With the theme “Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Development Agenda”, delegates of the Conference aim to work together to finalize an outcome document known as the Colombo Declaration on Youth that should hopefully feed into the post- 2015 international framework for development, which will succeed the Millennium Development Goals of 2000.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Commander Viliame Naupoto, was present at the first day of the Conference and in his address to the delegates and World Leaders present, spoke of steps taken in Fiji to include youth in development, stating that we were at a cross road in our history as we lay the foundation of the post 2015 global development agenda.

“What we agree on at the end of this week will demonstrate our collective resolve as a planet to elevate youth as an integral component of the post 2015 agenda. We therefore acknowledge the decisive role of national strategic policies in promoting youth access to services.”

“Fiji’s National Youth Policy aims to provide an enabling environment where youth development is mainstreamed into the various focal areas of national development.”

Commander Naupoto went on to add his support for the inclusion of youth focused goals in the post 2015 development framework.

 “Youth should not be recognized or seen as a stand-alone issue in the post 2015 development agenda, it should be integrated as a cross cutting issue. I therefore support and call for youth focused targets and indicators in the post 2015 development process and inclusion of youth focused goals in the post 2015 development framework.”

Commander Naupoto further acknowledged the work of the Conference and stated his commitment to working with the agencies and colleagues in a constructive manner to achieve an outcome to this Conference.

The World Conference on Youth is also attended by Director for Youth and Sports, Mr. William Naisara, Fiji National Delegate Mr. Jone Nawaikula, World Conference on Youth International Facilitator Mr. Sevuloni Ratu, Invited Guest Speaker Mr. Krishniel Narayan and Social Media Fellow Mr. Fenton Lutunatabua.

MEDIA RELEASE

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