Shalvi Shakshi and Timoci Naulusala, our young climate change champions, have been assured that their voices will be heard by their peers and leaders in the Commonwealth.

The assurance came from Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Baroness Patricia Scotland.

Ms Scotland yesterday received a document on climate change from the two on behalf of young Fijians on the beach at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi. She praised them and vowed to deliver their plea in April this year, as the United Kingdom will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Leaders from all the member countries are expected to gather in London and Windsor.

The two disembarked off a Fijian Drua (double hull canoe) on the beachfront, escorted by muscular iTaukei warriors and cheered on by tourists who are holidaying in the country.

Amid cheers and applause the duo handed over the document to Baroness Scotland.

Shakshi, 11, a Year six student of Nasarawaqa Primary School in Bua, said:  “In the Commonwealth, we are all part of the one big family spread across 53 countries around the world.”

“Some are big and some are small like Fiji. But as our own Prime Minister (Voreqe Bainimarama) says, we are all in same canoe when it comes to climate change. Timoci and I have come on this Drua to remind everyone that no matter where we live in the world, we are all affected and we have to act.

“On behalf of the young people of Fiji, we ask our commonwealth visitors to take this message home to your own young people. One day, it will be our turn as young people to lead his struggle. So to our Commonwealth brothers and sisters, we say: Let’s join hands to make a difference. Let’s fill the sail of our canoe with determination to finish this journey together.”

Her father, Surendra Raj is so proud of her daughter who looks up to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama as a role model.

Naulusala, 12, a Year eight student, also shared similar sentiments which they spoke about at the COP23 in Bonn, Germany, last November 8.

“It’s a proud moment for me to be part of this event once again in Denarau, We have to keep on making noises,” he said.

The event was held during the Commonwealth Education Ministers conference.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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