Peace is often understood as the absence of conflict. Yet for most Fijians, peace is experienced in more practical ways: when communities trust one another, when young people feel they belong, and when everyone has a stake in shaping the country's future.

As we mark this year’s International Day of Peace under the theme “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, we are reminded that peace is not a one-time achievement. It is an investment, made every day through trust, inclusion and participation.

In Fiji, that investment must begin with young people.

Through Fiji’s first nationwide Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Assessment, supported by the United Nations and national partners, we now have important evidence about the strengths that unite us and the challenges we must address to build a more resilient and peaceful society. 

One of its most encouraging findings is that Fiji’s young people are far from being disengaged.

Too often, young people are described as future leaders. The SCORE assessment shows us that they are already contributing today. Young people are actively participating in community life, engaging in talanoa, supporting disaster preparedness efforts, helping households in need, maintaining shared community resources and contributing to communal activities that strengthen social bonds. Many are attending community forums, participating in local decision-making and engaging with civil society initiatives. 

This matters because social cohesion is not built through policies alone. It is strengthened through relationships, trust and collective action. Young people are already helping build these foundations. The task now is to strengthen the opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives. 

There is also strong reason for optimism about how young Fijians see the country’s future.

Across communities, young Fijians overwhelmingly support a shared future. Majority believe that people can put aside ethnic differences to build a common future for Fiji, and that our shared values are stronger than the things that divide us. 

Support for reconciliation measures is similarly strong, including teaching reconciliation and cultural respect in schools, promoting dialogue and strengthening national efforts towards reconciliation. 

These findings show that Fiji’s future is being shaped by a generation that values inclusion, dialogue and coexistence.

At the same time, young people face significant pressures. The assessment points to greater exposure to climate-related shocks, socioeconomic hardship, community insecurity and violence among younger generations. It also highlights mental health pressures, particularly among young men, and the need for stronger systems that support wellbeing, resilience and social connection.

Importantly, the assessment cautions against viewing young people as a risk group. Instead, it highlights their dual reality: they are often among those most affected by social and economic pressures, while also being among the most important drivers of positive change. Investing in peace therefore requires investing in the wellbeing, participation and leadership of young people. 

The assessment also reinforces the importance of women’s full and equal participation in public life. While support for women in leadership roles across politics, business, schools and communities is encouragingly high, barriers remain. The assessment shows that support for women leaders can coexist alongside deeply rooted gender stereotypes, reminding us that advancing gender equality requires sustained effort and dialogue.