Youths rise for ‘Pacific Pawa’

School students show their support for Rise for Pacific Pawa campaign at the 2018 USP Open Day. Picture: SUPPLIED

By VIRASHNA SINGH

September 8, 2018 was the global day of action for 350.Org. The organization planned to hold thousands of rallies in countries around the world to urge the local leaders to commit to building a fossil fuel free world that puts people before profits.

“350.Org is a global climate movement that brings together leaders from grassroots, from frontline communities that are working to publically stigmatize the fossil fuel industry,” said Fenton Lutunatabua, the Pacific communications and regional co-ordinator.

The organisation has empowered youth in fighting against climate change and developing leadership skills by forming student networks in various countries.

Mr Lutunatabua, who is the Pacific campaigner, is working very closely with the student networks to make sure their voices are heard.

“I am a big believer in young people and the role of young people in providing solutions to a lot of social issues that society changes, not just climate change but a spectrum of social issues, I think young people are pivotal and central to its solutions,” he said.

The 350 Fiji co-ordinator, George Nacewa, revealed that 350.org Student Network Fiji has been a huge help in carrying out Rise for Pacific Pawa campaign.

“We had never explored that avenue of having students from the universities being part of the campaign,” he said.

The 350.org Student Network projects co-ordinator, Shivneel Chandra (left) with vice-treasurer Adelene Peter. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Nacewa said the Student Network had been very helpful in collecting signatures for the Rise for Pacific Pawa campaign.

The signatures are for a petition which will be delivered to Government, various organisations and local institutions to show that people supported the move away from fossil fuels and towards 100 per cent renewable energy.

“The Pacific Pawa campaign is a three-year campaign and it’s one that will carry on. It will be good to have the student network take on more responsibility,” said Mr. Nacewa.

“The student network is capable of doing much greater things if molded and stirred in the right direction which they are already on. If you nurture passion into something that is attainable definitely a lot can be achieved.”

The volunteers of 350.Org Student Network Fiji are honoured to have been given such an opportunity by an international organisation.

“The youths are the leaders of tomorrow – the phrase has been taught to students from a very early age, however, youth in the Pacific are rarely given the opportunity to develop leadership skills outside the school settings,” said Shyleen Devi, head co-ordinator of 350.Org Student Network Fiji.

According to Ms Devi, the establishment of the Student Network was a good movement towards acquiring youth empowerment especially enhancing leadership qualities in youths.

“In terms of youth empowerment, I think yes, it comprises students and we are actually empowering youths in ways like encouraging them to take a stand for what they believe in with the help of 350.Org Fiji,” she said.

The Student Network Fiji co-ordinator also believes that the organisation promotes women empowerment as five of the six administrative executives are women. About 75 per cent of the volunteers are also women who have been given an equal chance to voice their opinions.

The Student Network Fiji has obtained 1806 signatures from around Viti Levu of people who are supporting to go fossil fuel free and move towards 100 per cent renewable energy.

* Virashna Singh is a second-year journalism student at The University of the South Pacific in Suva.