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BEYOND APATHY: A CRITICAL LOOK AT YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE 2014 ELECTIONS IN FIJI

“ Today we are witnessing a significant lack of trust of youth in the traditional institutions of democracy. No sustainable and inclusive democracy can be built without youth.” Joan Sawe , Acting Secretary General, International IDEA.

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BEYOND APATHY: A CRITICAL LOOK AT YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE 2014 ELECTIONS IN FIJI

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  1. “Today we are witnessing a significant lack of trust of youth in the traditional institutions of democracy. No sustainable and inclusive democracy can be built without youth.” Joan Sawe, Acting Secretary General, International IDEA BEYOND APATHY:A CRITICAL LOOK AT YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE 2014 ELECTIONS IN FIJI Romitesh KANT USP

  2. DEMOGRAPHICS 554,000 registered voters 43 % - 240,000 <35 years 28% - 155,000 1st time voters SOURCE: Fiji Times, 17th June 2014

  3. Many 1st time voters do not know any other leader apart from Bainimarama • Narrative set – “old politicians” “corrupt” “self Interested” • Pre-Election environment – not conducive to free & fair elections • Media restrictions • Freedom of expression and assembly

  4. FIJI YOUTH FOR DEMOCRACY • Stated in February 2013 • 12 youth activists – USP, FWRM, CCF, Femlink • 3 members administer “Letters to the Editor Uncensored” Facebook page • Organized 4 panel discussions at USP • Organized informal gatherings of youths to discuss topical issues • Organized a petition against the regimes draft constitution • Took part in protests – ascension of 2013 Govt Constitution, 2014 Budget

  5. Using Social Media

  6. Intimidation 2014 West Papua event –at USP

  7. “BE THE CHANGE” Campaign

  8. 32 year old • Progressive, feminist activist, Indo-Fijian • Educated – Law degree • Declared intention to stand in mid 2013 • Resigned Dec 2013 • CAMPAIGN • 100 % youths • Human rights/Feminist perspective • Transformational leadership • Using social media (Facebook) to canvass people’s views on issues apart from the traditional methods (community visits, door-to-door)

  9. Challenges 5 % threshold – same for political parties 1000 signatures, 1000$ deposit 1 nation-wide constituency, financial and logistical challenges Rhetoric of some analysts – WadanNarsey

  10. Harassment/Bullying

  11. Intimidation

  12. CONCLUSION Despite the intimidation, youths in Fiji remain resilient There is a need to translate their rhetoric on social media into action “Young people are interested in public affairs, in politics with a capital P. They may not be interested in political parties but they are interested in the issues. The challenge is to find ways to communicate the information in a way that young people can understand and relate to. It is not that we are apathetic; we are just not asked the right question.” Lars Johansson, Sweden. 1999 International IDEA Democracy Forum

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