As we get closer to the start of Power Shift NZ-Pacific, and as young leaders from the region start stepping into the number one rugby playing nation on the planet, to be inspired by other young people from what could become “the” most historical summit for young people in Oceania, it is only a complete event when there are smiling, humble and genuine faces from the Fiji islands.
And at Power Shift, we have three very charming Fijians who will be flying their country’s flag at the Pacific youth climate event. Jone Sinavi, George Nacewa, and Kelvin Anthony will be the three participants from the island paradise who are eager to make a lot of positive contributions through their unique experiences in climate advocacy during and after Power Shift.
So let’s get to know Jone first.
Jone is one of those young leaders in Fiji who walks by unnoticed but his actions usually speaks volume of his character and his interest to work with rural youths, in villages, creating awareness on climate change.
“The opportunity presented sounds interesting and fascinates me as I read and watch video’s on Power Shift through social media,” says Jone. “I want to attend this forum to expand my networks to all the passionate young people and develop partnerships on climate related projects around the region.”
He wants to learn from esteemed and inspirational speakers who will be giving keynote messages at Power Shift, as well as the young Pacific leaders who are active in climate advocacy.
“The event itself is an amazing moment in history to which I am grateful to be a part of and to create an impact that will enable our future generation to live happily in our ancestral land,” he explains.
As a young person who comes from the rural areas, Jone believes that Power Shift is an opportune time to expand his knowledge on climate change and to listen and learn from the experiences young people are facing in the region.
Upon returning to Fiji, Jone has a lot of ideas he’d like to action.
“I would like to set up projects and take lead roles into organizing young people in rural communities to act sustainably, contextualize concepts learned from this experience to make it understandable and appreciative to them (rural youths) so they can identify themselves with it,” says Jone.
After Jone’s sharing on his work and his participation at Power Shift, it is clear that his focus focus leans ver much on rural young people in Fiji and he hopes that, “through such experience, I will be an agent of change for Power Shift in rural communities where majority of vulnerable community members are unaware of climate change.”
We are very happy to have Jone , George and Kelvin be part of Power Shift NZ-Pacific and sure to hear more from the other two Pacific friends in the coming days.
Bring it on Fiji!