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🇫🇯 Fiji /Culture & Society

Fiji Youth Council Tasked with Tackling Drug Abuse and HIV Awareness

From FBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The newly formed Lomaiviti Urban Youth Council in Fiji has been challenged to address critical issues like drug abuse and HIV awareness.
  • Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga urged young people to take responsibility and prepare to become future leaders.
  • The council's five-year development plan focuses on empowerment through leadership, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.

Young people in Fiji's Lomaiviti region have been urged to actively confront pressing social challenges, including the pervasive issues of drug abuse and the critical need for HIV awareness. The call to action came during the launch of the Lomaiviti Urban Youth Council and its comprehensive five-year development plan.

Acting Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, addressed the council, emphasizing that the responsibility extends beyond merely preparing for future leadership roles. He stressed the immediate need for young people to take ownership of current issues affecting their communities. "The question before us today is not whether young people will become leaders. The question is, what kind of leaders will they become? What kind of future will they create?" Turaga stated, highlighting the profound impact of their current actions.

The question before us today is not whether young people will become leaders. The question is, what kind of leaders will they become? What kind of future will they create?

— Siromi TuragaThe Acting Attorney General emphasized the importance of current actions in shaping future leadership and societal outcomes.

Turaga specifically pointed to the serious impact of drugs on young people as a major concern for communities. He underscored that tackling these complex issues requires a collective effort, involving not only the government but also families, churches, schools, and the youth themselves. "Who is responsible for addressing this issue? The answer is simple. It is all of us," he declared, promoting a sense of shared responsibility.

The Lomaiviti Urban Youth Council's Integrated Strategic Development Plan for 2027–2031 outlines a clear path forward. The plan centers on empowering youth through enhanced leadership skills, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the promotion of sustainable development practices. The council has committed to collaborating with various youth groups and local communities to generate more opportunities for young people throughout the Lomaiviti province, ensuring their ideas are transformed into tangible actions with adequate guidance and support.

Who is responsible for addressing this issue? The answer is simple. It is all of us.

— Siromi TuragaThe Acting Attorney General stressed the need for collective responsibility in tackling community challenges like drug abuse.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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