Youths told to strive for positive outcomes, recognise their strengths and do not be afraid of failure

To become leaders of tomorrow, be diligent followers today.

This was the inspirational message by the Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou at the International Youth Fellowship World Culture Camp opening ceremony Mind Lecture at Thurston Gardens in Suva on Tuesday.

Speaking to more than 100 youths, Mr Tuitubou said he always believed that youths were destined for greater things if they set their sights on the right course of action and tenaciously strove towards it.

“You need to set goals,” he said.

He added that there would always be challenges along the way, but there was always a way to achieving your goals.

“Do not lose heart because overcoming each challenge will build your character and experience,” Minister Tuitubou said.

“One thing we as adults sometimes forget is that we faced challenges, risks, and difficult situations as adolescents as well. They probably looked a little different, maybe, but they were challenges nonetheless.”

Mr Tuitubou said the Government through his ministry recognised that it was essential to include youth as active participants in any youth development initiative with aims to create supportive and enriching environments for all youth which lead to the desired positive outcomes as well as reduce negative outcomes.

“Most of the time we are inundated with negative news, events and statistics,” he said.

“We worry about young people, their behaviour and pathways. We want to see them succeed, to become successful productive adults.

He encouraged the youths to strive for positive outcomes, recognise their strengths and do not be afraid of failure.

“The International Youth Fellowship [IYF] will help you understand the ‘World of the Heart’ through  ‘Mind Lectures’ during this three-day training,” he said.

“It trains the young leaders of the next generation to have more globalised minds and directs them to have wholesome values through healthy international exchange.”

Meanwhile, in 2015, the ministry sent 26 youths to Korea for five weeks under the International Youth Fellowship programme.

Most of these youths were members of the Youth Training Centre at Valelevu.

Mr Tuitubou said upon their return to Fiji, 20 out of the 26 youths from the group were absorbed into the Republic of Fiji Military Forces band.

The International Youth Fellowship is a Non-Government Organisation dedicated to building young minds and introducing them to the ‘World of the Heart’ through mind lectures.

It was established in Korea in 2002 and was introduced in Fiji on January 2013. Edited by Percy Kean

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