Youth participation and security – the case of Fiji

Abstract

Young people exist at the heart of security debates. A common position is to view them as anarchists, victims or opportunities. These images are evoked at the global level via events like the Arab spring revolutions of 2011; in the Pacific through discussions about the ‘youth bulge’. In Fiji, following the reduction of the voting age to 18 years, young people were touted as opportunities. In his campaigns Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama appealed to young people that Fiji needed a new brand of politics and new politicians whilst other political parties were visibly receptive to youth involvement. Youth voter outcomes in the elections was difficult to ascertain, however, given the overwhelming support FijiFirst which campaigned mostly on development and ‘bread and butter’ issues it is safe to suggest that the majority of young people voted on the basis of securing their wellbeing.