The National Youth Council of Fiji says young people are being used as tokens in important issues like the flag change and they're calling for a bigger say in decisions of the state.
A billboard outside Vatuwaqa Primary School, authorised by the Fiji Government. Photo: Supplied
Entries for a competition to design a new flag closed on Friday and young people and children were especially encouraged to take part.
A spokesperson for the Council Miki Wali says it wants to see much more consultation and a referendum on the issue.
"You don't put the young people on the billboards, put them on TV shows, TV commercials just for the sake of tokenism. Young people need to be involved, to be engaged in the processes. They need to be informed. They need to know the history of the state. They need to know the importance of the flag and they need to know how they can participate and not just through competitions."
Miki Wali says it's a crucial period for making sure young people's voices are heard with discussion underway on the global post-2015 development agenda and regionalism a hot topic.
