1:10 PM |
Tongan youth 'not aware' of political issues – urged to participate
Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Tupouseini Taumoepeau and Josephine Latu
This report is expanded from a report written by Tupouseini Taumoepeau, originally published in Te Waha Nui.
Young Tongans are being encouraged to be active in politics, as their country prepares for elections in November. However, some participants at the annual Amatakiloa tertiary youth camp held on the weekend said many young Tongans are "not very aware" of the issues.
"I think the youth are in their own world right now. We're more focused on our studies and having fun," said Laura Lolohea, 21, a business student at Waikato University.
Amatakiloa gathers Tongan students from universities and polytechnics around the country for a four day camp aimed at building networks and strengthening Pasifika Tongan presence at their schools.
"The politics you watch on TV is pretty much all you get," added Lolohea.
Senior lecturer for Pacific Studies at Auckland University Dr Melenaite Taumoefolau said there should be more awareness among people about these developments.
Being informed of the political changes back in the islands should be part of New Zealand's education, Taumoefolau told AUT's Te Waha Nui.
"It's important to know what is going on in your country," she said.
Young population
Most recent census statistics show that 57% of Tonga's 102,000 population is below age 25, with about 19% between 15 and 24. The median age is 21 – which is also the voting age.
In New Zealand, there are over 50,000 Tongans who make up the third largest Pasifika population. The median age is 19, compared to 21 for Pasifika people in general and 36 for the rest of the Kiwi population.
Canterbury University lecturer Dr Malakai Koloamatangi stated that "the future belongs to the youths", but they are often neglected during these political processes.
"There is a need for young people to unite in Tonga and overseas, to be active in lobbying government and to push forward their agendas," Koloamatangi said.
Youth views on reform
But while the young population is very high, cultural reasons and levels of awareness hinder political participation.
"There are some who are interested in lobbying, but I think most 18 year olds and [youth] leave that to their parents because they are older and wiser and know what they're talking about. We just worry about our education," said Lolohea.
Another political studies student from Waikato, Pauline Tafuna (25) said New Zealand-born Tongans were "not affected directly" by the reform process and thus less vocal than those in the islands.
However, Tafuna urged more youth to get politically involved.
"We need experience in that field. We can't stay unaware of what's happening and all of a sudden enter into that world of politics half-cooked. That's when you make mistakes and that's what's happening to some of our leaders now," she said.
Democratic monarchy
Both Lolohea and Tafuna said that they wished for the Tongan monarchy to remain as part of the new government.
"Democracy is needed but you can't turn Tonga into a democracy overnight," said Lolohea.
Tafuna said that both the monarchy and a democracy could co-exist in Tonga and it was the "role of youth" to "educate their parents" that this is possible.
Tafuna added that NZ-born youth were more interested in keeping traditional Tongan culture alive than those in Tonga because they had to "make a place" for themselves amongst a wide mix of people overseas.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said older Tongans cannot ignore Tongan youths and then expect them to perform to the expectations of the community.
"We have a lot of talented New Zealand-born Tongans who are well educated and can articulate on issues better than my generation," said Maka.
He said young people need to be "nurtured and assisted" throughout their path towards becoming the next generation of leaders.
This year's November elections in Tonga will mark the first time the majority of parliament will be elected by the people.
It will mark the transformation of a constitution which was created more that 135 years ago.
Tupouseini Taumoepeau is studying toward her Graduate Diploma in Journalism at AUT University.
Also, Josephine Latu is a postgraduate communication studies student from Tonga at AUT University's Pacific Media Centre who is also contributing editor of Pacific Media Watch.
Speaker: Helen Henry, secretary and manager of the local administration on Mangaia in Cook Islands
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