LocationsFiji’s Youth Empowered: Parliament Bus Programme Continues to Pave the Way for Civic Education and Leadership for Rural Schools
March 7, 2024
Students of Nakauvadra High School check the display of information during the Parliament Bus Programme visit.
Rakiraki, Fiji - At the heart of every thriving society lies its youth, poised to inherit the mantle of leadership, and steer the course of their nation's future.
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, with support from the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and Japan has been working alongside the Parliament of Fiji since 2014.
Under the first and second phase of the Fiji Parliament Support project, the Parliament of Fiji’s civic education and media unit team established the Parliament Bus Programme. The initiative was started by former Speaker of Parliament, the late Jiko Luveni, with the current Speaker, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu continuing this legacy in support of conducting awareness in rural communities on parliament’s role and functions.
The programme is designed to reach students distant from Fiji’s capital, Suva, those who may not otherwise ordinarily interact with or see the day-to-day workings of the nation’s parliament. This is an important equity measure to ensure that civic education is not limited to those in Fiji’s larger centres.
To cultivate the country’s next generation of leaders, the Parliament Bus Programme's outreach team embarked on a mission to reach rural and maritime schools across Fiji, connecting directly with secondary school students, the cornerstone of the nation's future.
Seruwaia Kuru, a Year 13 student at Vatukaloko Secondary School in Rakiraki expressed her newfound sense of civic duty.
Vatukaloko Secondary School Year 13 student Seruwaia Kuru.
“Through this session, I learnt about my voting rights and responsibilities, how important my vote is and that my vote counts in choosing the leaders of this nation.
“As a student, I feel informed and ready to contribute to our democratic system responsibly,” she said.
Shrestha Kumar, a Year 13 student at Balata College in Tavua participated in the most-recent iteration of the programme and said that she learned that parliament makes decisions on important matters such as the passing of bills and making laws for the entire nation.
Balata College Year 13 student, Shrestha Kumar.
“Members of Parliament serve as our representatives, advocating for us and working towards the betterment of our country's future,” she said.
The objective of the programme is to educate students on the importance of parliamentary democracy, share further information on the day-to-day role of members of parliament, as well as provide information on the roles and functions of parliament in a modern democratic state.
In addition, the programme covers topics such as how parliament’s work directly impacts its citizens, with a focus on how citizens can best engage with a nation’s legislature in order to have their voices heard.
Balata College students picking up Fiji Parliament materials during the visit to the school.
The programme is specifically designed to bring first-hand parliamentary knowledge and information to the next generation of voters – with this work complementary to Fiji’s Ministry of Education social studies syllabi for Year 9 and Year 10 advocating civic education.
Following the 2022 General Elections, concerns were raised by the Fijian Elections Office on the significant lack of participation among the youth demographic. The Acting Supervisor of the Fijian Elections Office, Ms. Ana Mataiciwa highlighted to the media that a notable portion of young voters had failed to cast their ballots during the election.
Assumably, a contributing factor would be the lack of awareness to the young generations on the civic duty and importance of exercising their democratic rights. The Parliament Bus Programme initiative also addresses this while educating the students on their rights, the importance of their participation and their civic duties.
Students of Nilsen College actively listening to the presentation during the programme visit to their school.
Driven by the success of civic education activities in the Northern Division, the Parliament of Fiji's outreach team, alongside UNDP support staff, recently engaged with over 1,500 students in 11 schools between Rakiraki and Tavua. Through interactive sessions, these students explored the critical role of Parliament in shaping their nation's future, including its function in making impactful decisions and amplifying citizens' voices.
UNDP Parliamentary Project manager Thomas Gregory said it is inspiring to witness young Fijians so engaged in learning about how their democracy works, and their appreciation for the responsibilities of engaged citizenship.
“By reaching out to schools through an initiative like the Parliament Bus Programme, we are empowering youth with the knowledge and understanding necessary for active participation in the democratic process.
“This collaboration between the Fiji Parliament, schools and UNDP reflects a shared commitment to fostering informed and engaged citizens,” he said.
This resonated deeply with students such as Shivan Singh, who is in Year 9 at Nadarivatu High School in Tavua. He said:
“The Parliament Bus Programme enlightened me and developed my knowledge further on how Parliament works and how the laws are made.
“It is also about changing the way the world perceives strength. I salute the women leaders who have the courage to stand for public office despite all the criticism,” he said.
Nadarivatu High School Year 9 student Shivan Singh.
The upcoming Local Government Elections later this year – held for the first time since 2005 – will mark a significant moment as many school-aged children will reach voting age, allowing them to participate in their first electoral event. Empowering students with the necessary information therefore becomes crucial in order to help them understand the reasons behind voting, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed choices on election day.
Students of Balata College during the presentation of Parliament Bus Programme.
Students of Nakauvadra High School during the presentation of Parliament Bus Programme.
The enthusiastic responses from students like Shrestha Kumar, Shivan Singh, and Seruwaia Kuru reflect the program’s success in enlightening and empowering young people.
The Parliament Bus Programme, guided by Fiji Parliament has not only educated students on the workings of democracy but has ignited a sense of responsibility and active citizenship.
This approach actively reaches out to marginalized and vulnerable communities, amplifying all voices in the democratic discourse. This work falls in line with UNDP’s commitment to sustainable development, a focus is on creating a more accountable and transparent decision-making process, ensuring that no one is left behind.
For media queries, please contact:
Ashna Kumar | Communications Associate | UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | Email: ashna.kumar@undp.org
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