On June 24-26, a joint high-level delegation from the Government, the European Union and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) visited the island of Rotuma.

The objective of the mission was to launch a youth empowerment and leadership programme for Rotuma youth and to engage with the chiefs, community leaders and island youth of Rotuma on employment and commercial opportunities as well as livelihoods issues for sustainable development.

The mission also met with the Rotuma Women’s Association to hear their views in support of inclusive development.

“I return from Rotuma inspired by the young people I met. The optimism and potential of Fiji’s youth augur very well for the country’s future,” EU Head of Delegation for the Pacific, Ambassador Andrew Jacobs, said.

“It was a unique opportunity to get three Government Ministers, the EU and UNDP to engage with the communities in Rotuma with a particular focus on youth and women.”

UNDP was happy to continue facilitating these dialogues through its Strengthening Citizens Engagement in Fiji Initiative (SCEFI), Sonja Bachmann, SCEFI co-ordinator said.

“We were most fortunate to have the high level delegation visit our small island of Rotuma. The youths of Rotuma are in high spirits and will maximise the wealth of knowledge gained through this experience,” Betty Inia, the youth co-ordinator for Rotuma highlighted.

The youth programme is focused on strengthening the capacity and confidence of Rotuma youths through training and dialogue on participatory development, responsible citizenry, youth rights and responsibilities and sustainable peace and development. It also aims to create spaces for sustained dialogue on youth issues between Leaders, youth and key community, church and Government stakeholders.

This programme is supported by the UNDP SCEFI Programme (Citizen’s Engagement in Fiji Programme) funded by the European Union.

The mission included Jioji Konrote, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Iliesa Delana, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Joeli Cawaki, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Osnat Lubrani, UN resident co-ordinator, Mr Jacobs, Ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union and Ms Bachmann, UNDP senior advisor on peacebuilding.