Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694826414579.pdf (Fiji)
38/2019 Hon.

Simione Rasova to ask the Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports – Can the Minister inform Parliament the number of Youth Exchange Programs in which Fiji has been engaged with another country in the last 3 years and provide particulars of those who benefited from these Youth Exchange programmes.
Honourable Speaker, the International Youth Exchange program was developed in 2016/2017 financial year to accommodate globally led and organized youth development forums and activities whereby local youths are exposed to cross cultural and foreign youth and sports development initiatives and trainings.

 Honourable Speaker, the program target is open to youth individuals within the ages of 15 – 35 years and youth groups or organizations that wishes to organize youth and sports development programs.
 Honourable Speaker, in 2016/17 the Ministry supported 4 locally organized youth programs involving overseas youth participation and sent 8 youths on separate occasions to Commonwealth Forums, International Youth Leadership Conferences, Educational training in dance arts and Volunteerism.
 Honourable Speaker, in 2017/18, we have assisted 45 youths and 2 faith based organisations by way of sending them overseas to attend youth forums and trainings and also supporting the Faith Based Organisations in organizing local Youth development programs involving overseas based youths as speakers.

 Honourable Speaker, this year 2018/19, so far we have assisted 31 youths in the same way by sending them overseas to attend conferences and forums, experience new cultural programs and exchange ideas.
 The Youth and Sports Exchange programs supported so far since 2016/17 Honourable Speaker includes attendance to: - Global Volunteering Program – China and New Zealand - Commonwealth Youth Summit - London - 11th Commonwealth Youth Festival - London - International Youth Exchange Program - Korea - Global Youth Leadership Training – Japan - Peace Boat’s Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Program - Mexico - 12th G20 Youth Forum – Dubai - 7th Africa Student and Youth Summit – South Africa - Global Ace Youth Forum – Bonn, Germany - Dance and Theater Arts Education Training - India - AISEC - Nepal - Global Diplomatic Forum – Malaysia - Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light - Korea - Model United Nations – Indonesia - Model United Nations - Washington - Global Goals Model United Nations – Kuala Lumpur - Asia Youth International Model United Nations – Bangkok - YUVSATTA Youth for Peace Program – India - International Youth Committee Program – Sri Lanka - Studec International – Malaysia - Friendship Ambassadors Foundation – New York  Honourable Speaker, the assistance provided ranges from airfare, conference fee, registration fee, venue hire, tent hire and training fees.
 Honourable Speaker, nomination is based on age, gender, ethnicity, urban vs rural youth and is always on a transparent and inclusive basis.

 For the past 3 years, we have assisted 84 Fijian youths through this program, 36 males and 48 females.

Out of the 84 participants, there were 31 youths from the rural/peri urban areas and 53 youths were from the urban areas.
 Honorable Speaker a point to note; all submissions requesting support under this programme must be aligned to the National Youth Policy, our International Exchange Grants Policy and MYS Strategic Plan.