Youths called on to take up NFIP spirit

Pacific youths were today challenged to take up the struggle of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Movement.

Whilst presenting a paper on the Strengths and Weaknesses for the NFIP Movement, activist Nic Maclellan stressed that one of the movement’s strengths was its personal networks- the family that had weaved everybody together and called on the movement to reach out and engage new supporters, in particular younger Pacific activists.

This is the first time a NFIP youth caucus has been held at the conference, giving the young people a platform to voice their concerns.

“The youth conference is already plotting and it is a sign that young people will not sit by while their elders make decisions that will have implications for the future organisations,” Maclellan said.

Maclellan also revealed plans in the pipeline to put out a book about the history of the NFIP Movement since it began in 1975.

“ It is vital that we document this amazing movement for the new generation of young people, because it has done amazing things because sadly, many of the founding generations are passing away.

The first day of the conference focused on the movement’s history and discussions on the future direction after 25 years of campaign and activism in the Pacific.

Maclellan highlighted that the movement played an important role in providing a voice, and making powerful contributions against nuclear activity in the Pacific and issues of indigenous rights and independence.

He also praised the movements consistency in seeing the Pacific issues through after many peace groups and green multi national organisations deemed them no longer ‘the flavour of the month.’

“NFIP has kept saying similar things even when they are not fashionable. Peace groups and green multi-national NGO’s took up action against nuclear testing at times but after 196, it was dropped off their agenda, yet the NFIP groups are continuing to highlight the nuclear legacy he said.

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