Passing the ball to the next generation: Youth leadership in Fiji’s democracy

By Filimone Jitoko and Munkhtuya Altangerel

Suva, Fiji-- Rugby is more than a sport across Fiji’s 330 islands, it is a way of life. When the crowd roars for the Drua, the Fijiana, or the Flying Fijians, it is not only a celebration; it is reverence.

For many young Fijians, these athletes are more than role models; they are living proof that greatness is possible. They are young, visible, and relatable. Their journeys from the village fields of Rakiraki or Somosomo to international stadiums are well-known and well-loved. They represent a dream that feels attainable.

The path from village fields to stadiums is well-lit and celebrated. But the path to political leadership–local, national, or regional–often feels hidden, reserved and unreachable.

This is where the Fiji Youth Parliament becomes critical. The first staging of the event in 10 years was marked earlier this month, offering a new kind of visibility: a chance for its 58 participants to see themselves not as spectators of democracy, but as participants and future leaders.

As Nicole Matavesi, who acted as prime minister in the program’s mock parliament sitting on its final day, said the Youth Parliament challenges the idea that leadership belongs only to those with decades of experience. Instead, it says: “You belong here, in the nation’s parliament.”

It offers young people the chance to speak, to listen to lead. In doing so, it begins to shift the narrative from one of distance to one of possibility.

Fiji is a young country, with a median age of just over 28. More than 400,000 (44 percent) of Fiji’s population are below the age of 25. Yet the demographics of parliament tell a different story.

While the average age of a parliamentarian in Fiji is 54, the relative scarcity of young voices in parliaments is a problem all around the world. In the Solomon Islands, by way of just one example, 70 percent of the population is under the age of 35, yet the nation’s 12th parliament sees the average age of aⁿ MP being 52.5.

How can we encourage more of our nation’s young people into the political fray?

There is no one, single answer, but here are three ways in which we can support our next generation of leaders:

Many young people feel disconnected from politics because they don’t understand how it works or how it affects their lives. Civic education, especially when localised and culturally grounded, can demystify governance and build confidence. This means better integrating civic education into school curricula, using participatory methods, like mock parliaments, debates, and community mapping.

Community-based workshops and talanoa sessions can build on Fiji’s existing governance traditions. With partners like the Fijian Elections Office, the Ministry of Education, and UNDP, young people are already becoming more engaged, democratic citizens.

Fiji may not have strict legal age barriers to leadership, but the pathway to politics is still far from straightforward. We can and should advocate for political parties to establish youth wings and mentorship pipelines that actively nurture young leaders.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union recommends aligning voting and candidacy ages to ensure parliaments reflect the demographics of their populations. In Fiji, creating pathways for youth to contest local government positions could serve as a practical and powerful entry point, normalising youth leadership and building a pipeline toward national representation.

We’ve already seen the strength of our country’s youth through their recent advocacy for the landmark International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Climate Change Obligations. The passion is there. The power is there. Now, let’s bring it to the table.

Young people are far more likely to engage when they see their peers in leadership roles and are invited to co-create solutions. The Youth Parliament is a powerful first step, a single tool in a broader suite of initiatives that can drive meaningful change. The National Youth Council continues to advocate for a stronger youth voice, and their work across the country deserves recognition.

The topics discussed across the week were rich and varied, from migration and population change to Fiji’s HIV epidemic, drug use, social media and AI, and youth unemployment.

Josaia Suqesuqevanua served as Deputy Prime Minister in the mock parliamentary session and said that tackling youth unemployment was crucial given the volume of young people without jobs, training, or hope.

“Addressing unemployment is therefore not just an economic policy, this is a social responsibility,” he said.

In rugby, every try begins with someone willing to roll the dice: a pass, a run, a moment of belief. Politics should be no different. When we open the field for our youth, we give them space to step up, carry the ball, and drive Fiji forward.

Because just as Fiji shines on the rugby field, so too can it shine in building a democracy where every generation has the chance to play, to lead, and to win.

Through the generous support of the people and governments of Australia, Japan and New Zealand, the Parliament of Fiji and the UN Development Programme joined hands for the third time with the Youth Parliament held in Suva from Sept. 8 to 12. (UNDP)

Filimone Jitoko is the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament. Munkhtuya Altangerel is the Resident Representative for the UN Development Programme’s Pacific Office.

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