Fiji's Youth Minister calls for focus on measurable outcomes

Fiji's Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, has called for a shift in the ministry's approach, urging a move away from 'business as usual' towards a focus on tangible results for the nation's youth. Speaking at the Ministry’s Planning Workshop, Saukuru stressed that success should be measured by the real impact of programs on young people's lives, rather than simply the quantity of activities undertaken.

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He says the Ministry must measure its success by the real difference its programmes make in the lives of young people, rather than the number of activities conducted.

Saukuru outlined key areas where the ministry must demonstrate progress. These include generating more employment opportunities, enhancing educational retention rates, providing robust support for addiction recovery, actively preventing crime, and bolstering mental health outcomes. He believes these measurable achievements will better serve the needs of Fiji's young population.

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Saukuru says this should include creating more employment opportunities, improving education retention, supporting addiction recovery, preventing crime and strengthening mental health outcomes.

Furthermore, the minister underscored the critical importance of directly involving young people in the decisions that shape their futures. He also advocated for the strategic use of sports, viewing it as a powerful tool for instilling discipline, fostering mentorship, promoting inclusion, supporting mental well-being, and driving positive youth development.

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He has also stressed the importance of involving young people directly in decisions that affect them.

The planning workshop is expected to produce a practical roadmap designed to increase accountability, streamline service delivery, and ensure the ministry's efforts are responsive to the evolving needs of Fiji's youth.

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Saukuru says sport should be used as a tool for discipline, mentorship, inclusion, mental wellbeing and positive youth development.