Fiji, Suva— On March 17, 2022, U.S. Chargé d’affaires (CDA) Tony Greubel met virtually with members of the U.S. Embassy Youth Council (EYC) and other youth groups in the Western Division during an EYC planning offsite. CDA Greubel commended them for their hard work to support youth in preparing for the future and encouraged them to continue their efforts.
CDA Greubel said, “Youth are resourceful and bold! We look to you for innovative solutions to the challenges ahead of us: economic recovery post COVID-19, confronting the climate crisis, and most importantly, leading your communities across the region.”
The U.S. Embassy supported the EYC in holding their offsite from March 17-19 at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka so they can build their skills and establish an action plan for 2022 activities. The EYC members are divided into four thematic groups: democracy and good governance, environment and disaster management, arts and education, and entrepreneurship and economic development. The thematic groups will each complete one project in the calendar year.
U.S. Embassy Suva established the Embassy Youth Council as an advisory and implementing committee on October 23, 2020. The EYC advises the Embassy on how to develop effective youth engagement, promote an inclusive and vibrant civil society, strengthen youth leadership, enhance community service activities, and create a space to build robust partnership between the United States and Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu. In 2021, the EYC led a series of 12 Talanoa webinars and Youth Month virtual activities to discuss youth struggles during the COVID-19 crisis.