Close to 700 youths from around the country are expected to attend the International Youth Fellowship IT Camp that is currently underway at the Civic Centre in Suva.
Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou while officiating at the International Youth Fellowship IT Camp conference last night encouraged young people to use the camp as a platform for addressing issues faced by youths of today.
“I am also pleased to note that this camp also has a similar objective which is to create awareness and identify solutions to the problems faced by youths of today,” Minister Tuitubou said.
“Taking into mind that this offers you the opportunity to address these issues by identifying solutions, I urge you to give your undivided attention to the programmes that you will participate in not only for your individual benefit but for that of your community as well.”
Minister Tuitubou paid tribute to the work that the IYF strives to accomplish which is to advance Christian mission work in developed and developing countries as well as to administer alternative methods of post-secondary education.
“Moreover the IYF also endeavours to create international awareness and cultural exchange and promote the value of meaningful performing arts while at the same time facilitate short-term and long-term volunteerism in order to develop leadership skills that are applied on a global level.”
Minister Tuitubou also spoke about his trip to attend the 5th Minister of Youth World Forum which was held in conjunction with the International Youth Fellowship World Culture Camp in South Korea.
Minister Tuitubou adds during the opening addresses, Pastor Ock Soo Park, the founder of the IYF emphasized the need for youths to attain a better life through a change of heart because the world of the heart is a very telling factor in the efforts to address issues that young people face such as drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol abuse and many others.
With activities planned for the three day conference, Minister Tuitubou is adamant youths will be able to exchange ideas on youth development.
DEPTFO