Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou opened the National Youth and Sports Conference at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva yesterday.

Tuitubou said Fiji has undergone major reforms especially after a year of democratic elections.

“Young people now more than an ever are given under the Constitution with the lowering of the voting age to 18 as it ensures that more young people are now given the opportunity to influence national policy,” Mr Tuitubou said.

He reminded the youths that the right given to young people must not only come with responsibility but also with adequate information, preparation and capacity for youth to be effective in decision making.

“For young people, to become active participants in decision making is about creating opportunities for you to be involved in influencing, shaping, designing and contributing to policy and the development of services and programmes,” Tuitubou said.

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