The Pacific Arts Alliance

PACIFIC YOUTH FESTIVAL WILL BE A SAFE SPACE FOR EXPRESSING THE PACIFIC DREAM SAYS BOLE

(WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11TH 2009, No:0353/MOY) PACIFIC YOUTH FESTIVAL WILL BE A SAFE SPACE FOR EXPRESSING THE PACIFIC DREAM SAYS BOLE

A safe space for the expression of opinions and free speech is assured for regional youths expecting to participate in the Pacific Youth Festival in Suva in July says the Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Mr Filipe Bole. 

Responding to concerns raised by regional youths on matters of free expression and security, Mr Bole said the Fiji Government had already given its assurances that security of visitors would be top priority during the youth gathering.

"Of course the Fiji Government expects and anticipates that participants will highlight issues of concern and those that build a better Pacific and we welcome that."

"Fiji itself aspires to achieving and ensuring sustainable democracy and good and just governance as indicated in Pillar One of the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress."

Mr Bole said the charter highlights that people must be free to see, to hear and to speak on the affairs of the country to have perfect democratic governance in Fiji and effective democratic governance must place people at the centre.

"On a similar thinking, the theme - Actioning the Youth Agenda and the tentative programme of the one week gathering is being fashioned to do exactly that - give young people the platform to express their ideas about a better Pacific," he said.

He said the festival will also monitor and report on the progress of implementation of the Pacific Youth Charter adopted at the 1st Tahiti Pacific Youth Festival in 2006 and presented at the Mexico World Youth Festival in 2007.

"In August, we had clearly articulated our commitment to ensuring that visitors' security would be high on the agenda for the National Organising Committee. That commitment still stands," he said. Mr Bole said cabinet's approval of the hosting of the Pacific Youth Festival in Suva in July was in itself also an assurance by the Fiji Government of the security and welfare of visitors to our shores.

"We had faced similar queries in mid 2008 but we also clearly pointed out that Fiji has been host to many successful regional events wherein the provision of security has always been provided by the Fiji Government. Pacific Youth Festival is no less different."

"Furthermore, the opinions and ideas of youths have been largely incorporated into preparatory works for the event because we have active representation from the National Youth Advisory Board and the Pacific Youth Festival Fiji alumni."

Mr Bole said youth representatives and non governmental youth organizations officials have worked hand in hand with representatives from government organizations in sub committees progressing each component of the festival preparatory works.

More than 1400 participants from 30 regional countries and territories are expected to participate and congregate at the University of the South Pacific for the event in July.