Forum for Cook Islands youth confirmed

The steering group charged with organising and facilitating a Youth Forum for young people aged 15-25 from Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke and Rarotonga has confirmed the initiative will be held on Tuesday 13 March 2012 on Rarotonga.
Youth Forum 2012 steering group chair, Vania Kenning said today the Forum will provide a ‘youth-centric’ space where young people can share their views, opinions, concerns and practical solutions with each other to help overcome the challenges they face today.
“As a result of coming together it is hoped that the discussions and sharing of our young people will provide the impetus and information to help establish tangible systems that support their needs.”
This week the steering group will contact outer island representatives regarding the selection of young people to attend the Forum with the expectation that at least 20 young people from the outer islands will join 100 youth from Rarotonga.
“It is imperative that we get the right people here,” said Vania. “We want youth representatives from across the spectrum, including students selected by their schools and others who may or may not be in the workforce.”
Young students are involved in helping to develop a theme for the Forum, “which will have a positive focus and living life abundantly,” said Vania. “Although this initiative has come about because of recent events involving young people taking their lives, the emphasis of the Forum is on supporting and maintaining the wellbeing of our young people by listening to them so the support provided will help them deal with/overcome the challenges of the world they are growing up in.”
A programme and venue is expected to be confirmed shortly and the steering group is also responsible through the Ministry of Education for expenditure of a $30k budget which will cover the costs of airfares, accommodation, transport, catering and venue hire as well as promotional activities and the production of resources for youth attending the Forum.
Vania said the steering group members had been working very hard to get the Forum up and running at short notice and were committed to ensuring that its’ momentum would be maintained beyond next month’s gathering . “We want some sense of confidence and assurance that the ideas and results generated by the Forum are carried out and maintained after the forum – and that this is not perceived as just another talkfest or a one-off event.”
She said government agencies in particular policymakers, service providers, community groups, parents, schools and private sector groups all had a role and contribution to make - and so far their support for the Forum had been very positive.
“To build on this enthusiasm we will continue to talk with those in the community who have signalled their willingness and showed an enthusiasm to be involved and support our youth at and beyond the Forum.”
Members of the steering group include representatives of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands National Youth Council, Ministry of Health, Cook Islands Police, Cook Islands Sports Academy and the Office of the Prime Minister.

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