It is regrettable that our youths are unable to focus on personal and life skills development as they are burdened by TELS - Gavoka

SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka says it is regrettable that our youths are unable to focus on their personal and life skills development and furthering their education as they are burdened with the debt-trap through the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme and lack of employment opportunities.

While speaking on International Youth Day, Gavoka says this is a major policy matter that SODELPA will immediately address when they are elected to government after the 2022 General Election.

He says our youth play a crucial role in nation-building and must be provided a stable support system enabling them to develop and contribute positively to society.

The party leader says Fiji is again at an important period as we gear towards the 2022 elections and our youths have the voting power and the importance of their participation has not come at a better time.

He says we must encourage young people to register and participate in this electoral process.

Gavoka has also paid tribute to the many young people, past and present that have immensely contributed to the development of our country in their various fields. He further says SODELPA is committed to support the development of a vibrant and transformative rural agriculture sector with the underlying objective of food and nutrition security and increased household income, wealth creation and well-being of the population.

Gavoka says this year’s International Youth Day focuses on creating awareness to achieve Sustainable Development Goals through the leveraging of the potential in all generations.

He says solidarity across generations is the key for sustainable development.

Gavoka also says since their former SDL days, the party has been consistent in ensuring that the voices of the youths are heard at all levels of governance.

He says this approach is enhanced through the party Constitution where youths have seats in the party’s governing body and the establishment of the Youth Forum which hosts membership of young people from all over Fiji.

Gavoka says through these avenues, the party is able to hear directly from the views of young people on governance, social, education and employment issues.

He says SODELPA is a political organization that is conservative, at the same time progressive towards the fast changing global environment.

Gavoka says young people have become easily acquainted with these changes and simultaneously recognize the inter-generational gap and mindset.