Kumar scoops youth leadership award

As many as 250 young people were part of the recent 13th Global Youth Peace Festival in India. Picture: https://www.chandigarhcitynews.com

By MEREONI MILI

The University of the South Pacific student, Aneet Kumar, has become the first Fijian to be awarded the Global Youth Leadership Award at the 13^th Global Youth Peace Festival (GYPF) in Chandigarh, India.

He received his award last week from the advocate head of international affairs at the University of New South Wales Australia and the advocate general of the State of Punjab.

As many as 250 young people gathered at the peace festival from 30 countries to forge youth partnerships for a better world and to share common ideas on ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Kumar, who is a politics, international affairs and history major, is the youth peace ambassador for the Peace Foundation in the Pacific and has represented Fiji and the Pacific at many conferences speaking on the SDGs, United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 2250) and the UN peace-building goals.

The Lautoka lad said he was excited when his name was announced and dedicated his achievement to his family, friends, USP and the Peace Foundation for their support and encouragement.

He also presented on SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals, in which he laid out future collaborative projects and innovative ideas of connecting globally as youth leaders.

He encouraged delegates to engage in projects around the agenda by 2030.

Kumar said the youth population was bigger than ever before and with diversity and pride, youths could work together to achieve the agenda 2030.

“We are one young world and if youths stand for what they believe in, we will have a sustainable future,” he said.

The former Tilak High School student said his goal was to work in the Pacific region to ensure a sustainable future and a peaceful world.

Kumar’s future goal is to become a diplomat in the areas of SDGs, security and humanitarian relief.

* Mereoni Mili is a final-year journalism student at The University of the South Pacific in Suva. 

Aneet Kumar with his Global Youth Leadership Award at the 13^th Global Youth Peace Festival (GYPF) in Chandigarh, India. Picture: SUPPLIED