Youth Festival underway

The biggest youth gathering in the Pacific region kicked off in the last hour in Suva with a march.

A total of over 600 youths from the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, American and Western Samoa, Wallis and Futuna along with two delegations from French Polynesia will take part in the week long Pacific Youth Festival.

Organizers have planned panel discussions through the whole week focusing on 5 main topics such as Pacific Identity, the Environment, Skills for Life, Healthy Living and Good Governance.

Meanwhile, close to 150 youths will be taking part in what will be a full traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony for the 600 Pacific Youth Festival participants.

Director of the Conservatorium of Music Lai Veikoso said they are working together with students from the Fiji Arts Council and they have been preparing for the past three months.

He said this will be a chance for people to see what takes place during a full welcoming ceremony as they will ensure that all stages of the Yaqona Ceremony takes place.

The Pacific Youth Festival will be officially opened by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo at 10 o'clock.