Engaging Pacific youth leaders as peace-builders should be recognized by society - Ignite4Change co-founder

Building the ability of Pacific youth leaders who are civically engaged as they become peace-builders in their communities is the goal and should be recognized by society.

These were the sentiments shared by the co-founder for Ignite4Change Broderick Mervyn at the recent United States Institute of Peace Generation Change Fellows Program in Nadi.

Mervyn says opportunities for Pacific youth participation are still insufficient as many of the younger generation in the Pacific of peace-builders indicate that neither the general people nor the powerful accept their involvement and their vulnerability to discrimination, sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, and underage marriage is further increased by their exclusion from political decision-making.

He says the significance, efficacy, and influence of projects, programs, and decisions related to peace and security should be enhanced by the meaningful participation and influence of Pacific youths.

Mervyn adds the idea that Pacific youths can contribute significantly to the prevention, resolution, and establishment of long-lasting peace should become more widely accepted.

He says the unassailable right of Pacific youths to engage in political, electoral, or peace processes, as well as informal community and internet engagement, is to contribute to the upkeep of peace and security as Pacific youth leaders keep demonstrating that they are ready and able to do their fair part of the job and their vital role as change agents and to expedite inclusive methods to peace-building and maintaining peace must be acknowledged.