Youths Attend PACE Program hosted by the Attorney General’s Office

Youths from all walks of life turned up in numbers to participate in the Public Awareness and Civic Education (PACE) Program, hosted by the Office of the Attorney-General in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The two-day training, which began today, focused on preparing these young participants to take important information back to their communities and help raise awareness on the importance of participating in the Constitution review.

But beyond the presentations and notebooks, a bigger question quietly sat in the room:

How often do we really stop and think about the Constitution and what it means for us?

For some, this was their first time hearing the topic broken down in a way that actually made sense. For others, it sparked a different kind of curiosity.

Why does my voice matter?

Will people even listen?

And how do I explain something this big to my family back home?

The sessions quickly moved from formal presentations into open conversations.

There were questions, some serious, some unexpected, and a few that drew laughter across the room.

While opening the workshop, the Solicitor-General Mr Ropate Green reminded youths that while they are often called the leaders of tomorrow, the truth is they are already part of today.

“You are the future of tomorrow, but your voice matters now,” he said.

It was a simple message, but one that seemed to land. Because if not them, then who? And if not now, then when?

The Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Honourable Siromi Turaga, also joined the session and addressed the participants.

Honourable Turaga reminded youths about responsibility and challenged them to listen properly, to ask questions, and to really understand what they are being part of.

“People need to understand why their voice counts and you can help make that happen.”

Throughout the morning, the room moved between laughter and reflection.

One moment, participants were joking about how hard it might be to explain the Constitution to their friends; the next, they were deep in discussion about why participation matters.

Because the truth is this isn’t just about a training. It’s about what happens after and will these conversations continue once they leave Studio 6?

Will someone go home and actually sit down with their family and talk about the Constitution?

Will a young person stand up in their community and say, “Hey, this affects us too”?

The training is building confidence, sharpening communication skills, and encouraging these youths to step outside their comfort zones.

“Have you had your say?”