|
Small
Islands Voice Youth Internet Forum
In
2003, Live and Learn Environmental Education, a non-governmental
organisation, working in the Pacific and with an office in Fiji,
took part in Small Islands Voice by extending the range of the
internet-based youth
forum. Three schools were selected to participate in Phase
2 of the forum to share their views on a wide spectrum of environmental
issues, as well as take part in an interchange of culture and
tradition with youths from other small islands. These schools
were Rakiraki Public High School, Rakiraki; Nadi Muslim College,
Nadi; Assemblies of God High School, Suva. Around 60 students
and 15 teachers took part in the forum activities.
Live and Learn
Environmental Education held training workshops with the teachers
and students and provided follow-up support. Their Evaluation
and Social Research Officer assisted with assessing the impact
of participation in the youth forum on students' understanding
of environmental, socio-economic and cultural issues. A report
describing the students' involvement in the forum showed considerable
support for the forum by the students and the teachers. Some constraints
were mentioned, these included limited internet access and a lack
of time for forum activities due to the emphasis placed on end
of year school exams in Fiji.
In 2004, Fijian
students continued to participate in the forum. The students from
Rakiraki High School submitted the main theme article on the subject
'Money
in my pocket - economic and employment opportunities' (username
view and password only). This article urged the Fijian government
to concentrate on its human capital and particularly to create
more job and educational opportunities for all young people. During
2004, some further schools joined the forum: Drasa Secondary School,
Western Division of Viti Levu and All Saints Secondary School
in Vanua Levu.
Small Islands
Voice is also collaborating with the Banaban
community on Rabi Island, Fiji to try and get youth there
on line and involved in the SIV Youth Internet forum.
|
