Over the past four days New Caledonia has played host to representatives from islands all around the Pacific as they learn more about sport for development and the issues affecting the Oceania region.
This afternoon all their hard work will culminate in the presentation of projects that use sport as a development tool to tackle the social issues affecting their respective communities, which will be presented in front of the Ministers for Youth and/or Sport from around Oceania.
Minister Fourneyron was fortunate to receive a sneak preview of the presentations from New Caledonia, Tahiti and Wallis & Futuna and was positive about what she heard.
“I am the Minister of Youth and Community Life, and community life is everything that you learn outside of school. Of course not everyone can win – but you have learnt so much while putting these projects together.
“Through the construction of these projects, you’ve also constructed your own paths.
“So the final message that I will share with you today is that we are putting our faith in youth, that we are confident our youth – you – have something important to say and to share.”
New Caledonia Minister of Youth and Sport Jean Claude Briault says it is an honour to have Minister Fourneyron in New Caledonia, and especially at the campus accommodation site.
“The Government of New Caledonia co-financed these buildings along with other partners for the Pacific Games in 2011 before handing it over to the University,” Briault shared.
“It’s in this context, and all around you today that we can see the story of the development of New Caledonia through sport.”
The projects are being presented now at the Arene du Sud in Paita, New Caledonia in front of government ministers from around the Pacific. Following the presentations the jury will retire for discussions before the award ceremony.

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