An aspiring diplomat Broderick Mervyn, who recently represented Fiji at the 6th Asia – Pacific Youth Parliament for Water (APYPW). The Fiji Sun Aspire got the chance to ask Mr Mervyn about his participation at this event.
Give a brief summary about yourself
Broderick Mervyn, currently at third year student at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus completing my Bachelor of Laws and Diploma in Leadership, Governance and Human Rights.
I’m a volunteer for Scripture Union Fiji and Project Survival Pacific, a member of the Pacific Youth Against Corruption.
Give a brief summary of the event
At the sixth Asia-Pacific Youth Parliament for Water (APYPW), the theme for this Conference is “Raise Your Voice Towards Global Water Issues” and it will be held in Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), in the Republic of South Korea having a total number of 60 Asia-Pacific participants at this event.
The event commences on the 14th and ended on the 17th of August.
What was the feeling like being selected to be part of this event?
I was indeed humbled and honoured to be selected. It was a great opportunity for me as an emerging leader to interact with youth leaders from all walks of life.
I thank God Almighty for his constant favour on my life.
I want to thank the Ministry of Environment from the Republic of South Korea and the Korea Water Forum for selecting me.
What are the areas of focus and main objective of the meet?
The 6th APYPW had commissions which all had different themes respectively for parliamentarians to discuss.
I focused on water affecting youths and the parliamentarians were grouped into different delegations of countries and each of them consisted of 15 to 20 people.
Parliamentarians discussed current issues on water representing their country.
The themes of commission sessions will be decided by the steering committee after gathering the ideas of all participants. The issues are focused on water and accessibility of water.
Were you the only one representing Fiji and what is the main aim of being part of the meet?
Yes, I will be the only one representing Fiji.
I think the main aim of being part of this event was that I want to minimise the water cuts that are occurring in our country and what measures can be done to prevent it.
I have already prepared the country report as well as a powerpoint presentation on Fiji and the water issues that we face.
What advice would you give to youths to encourage them to be active members of society?
Just want to encourage our youths to make a change and not let others make that change for you.
I also want to advise the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education and tertiary institutions to implement workshops, conferences and seminars for youths.
Many of them are not aware of these fully- funded programmes.
And when selecting people to represent the country, I advise them to avoid biased and select individuals that have vast experience and not those that are just going for the first time.
Your area is law. So where do you see yourself three to four years from now?
I want to be part of the Fiji Access to Justice Project team under UNDP and strengthen their work in ensuring that all Fijians have access to justice particularly those in the rural areas in our country and later on, work my way to becoming the Fijian Ambassador to the United Nations.
Who is your greatest inspiration and supporters?
Greatest inspirations are:
1) Jesus Christ
2) Senior Pastor Jacob Masiyaka and Jemimah Masiyaka
The greatest supporters in my life are:
1) My family especially my mother, Harrieta Fonmanu who has been there constantly since day one of my life
2) My friends in Scripture Union Fiji Western and Central Division
3) The volunteers for Youths for Integrity and Radio Pasifik (89.4FM) at USP Laucala Campus
4) Anaseini Naulivou
5) Apenisa Ralulu
Feedback: mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj
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