IYD 2015. Press release.

ACT FIJI HOSTS FIRST PUBLIC EVENT: International Youth Day 2015 Poetry Slam

Advocacy through Creative Techniques (ACT) Fiji hit a new milestone during International Youth Day 2015 (IYD) celebrations by hosting its first public event at the FNU Raiwai Campus last Friday.

With the theme “Youth Civic Engagement”, ACT held a poetry slam to create spaces for young people’s voices. Twelve youth participated in the event using poetry and monologues to discuss different social issues including climate change, political participation, gender equality and religion.

ACT Fiji is a youth-led organization based in Suva focused on using creative arts to advocate on social issues.

Founder of ACT Fiji, Alzima Elisha Bano and Fiji’s first recipient of the Queens Young Leaders Award (2015) said IYD was a reminder of how important it was to involve young people in decision-making roles.

“We keep getting told that young people are the future of tomorrow but the reality is we’re here right now. Make use of our skills, our expertise, our knowledge, our talent, our energy,” she said.

As part of the IYD celebrations, ACT Fiji launched its “International Youth Day 2015 video message” with Chief Guest British High Commissioner Mr. Roderick Drummond in attendance.

While IYD falls on August 12^th, ACT Fiji delayed the event due to venue issues. Mrs Bano said they were fortunate to have FNU sponsor the venue and refreshments.

“We would like to thank the Acting Vice Chancellor of FNU, Professor Ian Rouse for being such a wonderful youth supporter and encouraging us to continue to host such events. Additionally, we would like to thank His Excellency, Mr. Roderick Drummond, the British High Commissioner who graced our event and shared a few words of encouragement,” she said.

Similar projects to promote and encourage the youths to take part will be held over the next few months.

ACT Fiji Video Message Link: 

For more information contact:

Aatika Patel | Media Officer | ACT: Fiji

Phone:                 9962528

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Event poster_ IYD 2015