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The military council is sensoring the Pacific Youth Festival  program and organizing committee and facilitators, particularly pro-democracy/human rights activists.

This means that activists such as Jacque Koroi and Peter Waqavonovono will not be participating. They are starting with the locals then they will move onto the international speakers. The list will be finalized by the end of this week.

The theme of the PYF Agenda is "Actioning the Youth Agenda" and its five thematic components being:

1. Promoting Healthy Living/Lifestyles;
2. Pacific Identity;
3. Climate Change Adaptation;
4. Governance, Peace and Security; and
5. Skills for Life.

Over 16 countries are expected to participate in this event with attendance levels expected at around 1,500.

What does this mean for young people given the latest news?

Well you can expect the event to be an environment where young people will not be allowed to voice their opinions in relation to the current conflict not only in Fiji but in the region since 2006.

For exmple, the topic Governance, Peace and Security was strongly recommended to be part of the festival as a healthy discussion around what young people can do in taking responsibility and encouraging safer and secure communities in the region.

Yet again, young people's vital participation in the process of peace keeping and conflict resolution discussion is swept under the carpet. How long must young people's voices be stifled yet again. The PYF is obviously then going to be a forum where our youth are seen but not heard?

Mr Bole can then go to sleep better at night knowing that ahh yes, they came and danced and its a good thing those youth activists were not allowed to participate. Think again Mr Bole. These youth activists will not go away. These youth activists are tomorrow's leaders and will be shaping future policy and when it comes to the elderly in our country- they will not hesitate to be ruthless. I don't blame them given the way we have dealt historically with young people's issues not only in Fiji but across the region!

If anything the military regime has made another reactive move by dictating a festival for young people which will come back to bite them at the end of the day.

The research shows that when there is upheaval in any country, young people are the most vulnerable group to fuel civil disruption. By dictating to the PYF, the Military adds another layer to young people's disillusionment and disappointment and confirms the  slack leadership that this regime has evidently displayed in the last 3 years. What an utter disaapointment!

Tia Radrekusa
FDFM Secretary