International Youth Day in Port Vila
Saturday 12th August we celebrated International Youth Day in a Vanuatu way! The Vanuatu Military Forces brass band led a parade through the main street of Port Vila commencing at the Anchor Inn and passing through town to Independence Park. A string band provided entertainment interspersed by speeches from the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, a young woman from Youth Challenge and a song from another young woman to commemorate the day.
The theme was ‘Tackling Poverty’ and this theme is very relevant for youth in Vanuatu. There is over 40% youth unemployment and very few opportunities for young people in Vanuatu to earn money. Urban youth are particularly affected by poverty because the environment in which they live demands that they have access to money to survive.
Vanuatu is a developing country. Education is valued, employment is sought after and the gentle, wonderful people of Vanuatu are embracing commerce, tourism and economic development. They are proud of their new found reputation as the ‘happiest people on the planet’ and many I speak to look forward to the opportunities presented for future generations. At the same time there is a strong sense of the importance of traditional values and culture, and a pride in the uniqueness of their custom practices and lifestyle.
Ni-Vanuatu are an easy going people and this was demonstrated when the march reached the park. A cricket match was in full swing and yet space was made for the band and the parade to walk across the field and take up the stands. The match went blithely on while the ceremonies were happening on the edge of the out field. Tolerance and flexibility generously exhibited.
I haven’t had a banner in my hands for many years but I felt quite comfortable representing Youth Challenge International, standing amongst and beside youth from this lovely place, bringing attention to the need for ‘Tackling Poverty’
The theme was ‘Tackling Poverty’ and this theme is very relevant for youth in Vanuatu. There is over 40% youth unemployment and very few opportunities for young people in Vanuatu to earn money. Urban youth are particularly affected by poverty because the environment in which they live demands that they have access to money to survive.
Vanuatu is a developing country. Education is valued, employment is sought after and the gentle, wonderful people of Vanuatu are embracing commerce, tourism and economic development. They are proud of their new found reputation as the ‘happiest people on the planet’ and many I speak to look forward to the opportunities presented for future generations. At the same time there is a strong sense of the importance of traditional values and culture, and a pride in the uniqueness of their custom practices and lifestyle.
Ni-Vanuatu are an easy going people and this was demonstrated when the march reached the park. A cricket match was in full swing and yet space was made for the band and the parade to walk across the field and take up the stands. The match went blithely on while the ceremonies were happening on the edge of the out field. Tolerance and flexibility generously exhibited.
I haven’t had a banner in my hands for many years but I felt quite comfortable representing Youth Challenge International, standing amongst and beside youth from this lovely place, bringing attention to the need for ‘Tackling Poverty’
posted by Cheryl and Ron at 10:59 pm
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