The National Youth Advisory Board says it is not about numbers because even if there were one or two people boycotting the Youth Conference on Thursday, their concerns should still have been noted.
About 20 youths including members of the National Youth Advisory Board, youth advocates and conference delegates boycotted the event compared to the 400 youth delegates who continued to be part of it.
The 20 boycotted the conference after being told delegates were not given a chance to view the contents of a draft outcome statement of the conference.
National Youth Advisory Board Co-Chair Abdul Shaheed
National Youth Advisory Board Co-Chair Abdul Shaheed says they believe the outcome statement of the conference in its current form has the reflections of the youth delegates but they just want young people to have a look at the document before its finalised.
Some youth delegates who were part of the 400 at the conference we spoke to applauded the initiatives government has brought in for them as many of the young people have progressed through the grants provided by the Ministry.
Youth delegates at the National Youth Conference
They felt they have been appreciated and heard as they believe without support from the government; this would have not been possible.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports says the draft outcome statement of the conference was communicated to the 400 plus youths who were at the FMF Gymnasium on Thursday night.
An assurance has also been given by the Ministry that all stakeholders involved will be consulted before the final outcome statement is made.
One more week has now been given for youths who were part of the conference to submit their recommendations.
The submissions period ends next Friday.
Earlier Story:
Around 400 youths who were part of the National Youth and Sports Conference held at the FMF Gymnasium had a say and input and decision making in future plans the government has in‑place for them.
The Conference that was officiated by the Minister of Youths and Sports Parveen Bala was a three day journey for 50 youths from the Northern Division, 150 from the Central Division, 100 from the Eastern Division and 100 from the Western Division.
Speaking to Fijivillage, the youth delegates at the conference applauded the initiatives government has brought in for them as many of young people have progressed through the grants provided by the Ministry.
The youths felt they have been appreciated and heard as they believe without support from the government; this would have not been possible.
While these 400 youths took these initiatives into consideration and adopted the outcomes of the conference, there were about 20 youths boycotting the decisions.
They had sent out a statement beforehand that they will boycott Minister Bala's closing ceremony and will protest outside the gymnasium.
Those protesting included members from the National Youth and Advisory Board, youth activists and some delegates from the National Youth Conference.
The submission for youth to have their final input ends on the 5th of April.
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