Ten youths inducted into the US Embassy Youth Council

Ten youths who will be representing their Pacific Island countries have been selected to be a part of the US Embassy Youth Council.

They are from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu and are part of a larger advisory network that will advise the Embassy on how to develop effective youth engagement, promote an inclusive and vibrant civil society, strengthen youth leadership, enhance community service activities and create a space to build a partnership between the countries.

US Ambassador to Fiji, Joseph Cella says members of the Youth Council will assist in guiding broad outreach programs and promote leadership skills.

He says together they will find innovative and appropriate solutions for youth challenges, strengthen youth leadership as well as amplify youth voices.

Fijian Council Member Broderick Mervyn says youth have the power to make a change in the world and they can be the driving force behind the development as well as the peaceful existence of any nation, or region.

He adds it is imperative to improve the image of our youth, both amongst themselves within the community and within society in general.

Another Fijian Council member, Moieez Ali from Awqaf Fiji says their engagement with the Embassy will allow them to work together on projects of common interest.

The members and the Ambassador also planted a dedicated tree on the Embassy grounds to symbolise the growing relationships that will stem from the Embassy Youth Council.