The International Youth Fellowship (IYF) encouraged Fijian youths to develop their minds and will power so that they can face the challenges of everyday life.

This was highlighted in the opening speech by President Jioji Konrote at the International Youth Fellowship World Culture Camp in Thurston Gardens on Monday night.

The IYF has forged a partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma.

“Part of this mission is to help young people develop holistically and intellectually,” he said.

“I also encourage you to develop another aspect and that is health.”

He told the youths to display leadership capabilities by looking after their own health, family’s health which in turn will ensure the community’s health.

“All the efforts made by the nation would go to waste if the population does not take care of their health,” said Mr Konrote.

Non-communicable disease is rampant in the Pacific and Fiji is no exception. About 80 per cent of deaths are NCD related with the age group below 70 years of age.

“Families have to spend about $400 each year on NCD related treatments,” he added.

If Fiji does not address the problem of NCDs then its productivity as individuals and as a nation is affected  reiterated Mr Konrote.

Furthermore, Mr Konrote said the provision of training camps such as the IYF camp helped youths to be empowered to fight against NCDs.

Participants at the conference are youth groups from Fiji, New Zealand, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and South Korea.

Edited by Percy Kean