PACIFIC YOUTH FESTIVAL - 1st THOUGHTS
Over 1000 young people aged 16-30 attended the first Pacific Youth Festival held in Pape’ete in Tahiti from 17-22 July 2006. Aotearoa NZ had a delegation of 16 people (from the North and South islands, and the Chathams) , 8 of whom were selected by Just Focus to participate at our first international event.
Between April and July they all looked into ways to get sponsorship to cover the cost of the registration fee and flights, and JF also went hard on the fundraising to be able to help out with some extra $$.
The group worked together before the event to learn about the 9 themes which were the topics of the Festival.
Just Focus held a one day workshop in Auckland the day before departure, and invited the entire delegation to come and spend the day and night together.
We played games to get to know each other, as well as doing the serious stuff of preparing for what would happen while we were away and discussing the issues.
The Festival was a mix of workshops (run by young people from the various countries) and speeches by adults working in the areas cvered by the festival. Eva from Just Focus and Annie from the Peace Foundation ran a workshop on Peace, and Char and Omar from JF facilitated a discussion on “Decolonisation with Justice”. Both sessions got rave reviews and made it into the local newspapers!
There was a lof discussion about the many issues, including HIV/AIDS, the problems young people across the Pacific have in finding good jobs, sustainable development, and other issues which impact on the Pacific region.
In the evenings there were amazing cultural performances - traditional dances and music from all across the Pacific, from Rapanui (Easter Island) to Fiji to Melanesia and Polynesia.
All in all, we spent 9 days in Pape’ete, staying at a local school (sharing a classroom as our dorm, with mattresses on the floor!). The conference lasted 6 days, including a fantastic day off when we all went across the water on the ferry to stunningly beautiful Mo’orea where we spent the day at the beach just chilling out!
The other days were mostly spent talking, relaxing, shopping and lying on the beach - catching some of the Tahitian sunshine before heading home to winter!
There will be lots of articles to come from the JF gang, but in the meantime, while they are still busy reflecting and writing up their thoughts and experiences, here’s a few comments to give you a flavour of how they found it:
“The people stood out for me – the diversity of cultures and experiences was so interesting, making for compelling discussion, but also an opportunity to connect on so many different levels”
“I got a better cultural understanding of the Pacific – loved the performances”
“I’ve got a new awareness of colonisation issues in Aotearoa NZ, having seen colonisation through a French lens in the Pacific region”
“I’ve been able to participate in the sense of talking to people of other cultures about their own struggles. I learnt so much just talking.”
“I have learnt much more about the Pacific, Aotearoa NZ and our role in the Pacific”
“It was inspiring hearing people’s stories, listening to issues and possible solutions. It makes me want to get more involved.”
“I’ve gained more awareness of myself, my lifestyle, my country and my work”
All photos by Elise Broadbent.
With thanks to all the sponsors and supporters of the Aotearoa delegation to the Pacific Youth Festival:
Development Resource Centre
Ministry of Youth Development
Shore Youth Bank
Hokotehi Moriori Trust
Buller District Council
Bill Blackadder Trust
Presbyterian Support (Upper South Island)
Te Puni Kokiri
Council for International Development (CID)
Trade Aid
Craig Potton Publishing
Commonsense Organics (Wellington)
The Quakers Peace and Service Trust (Christchuch)
The Disarmament and Security Centre
The Peace and Disarmament Education Trust
Wellington City Council
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Old Girl’s Association
Just Action (Victoria University, Wellington)
Rotuman Congregation at Kingsland Trinity Methodist Church, Auckland
(And others)
