Columban Fr. Shay Cullen founded the PREDA foundation to support youth and children’s access to residential and empowerment services (PC: preda.org)
International Youth Day is commemorated globally on the 12th of August, it invites us to stop, to listen and to recognize the new energy, resilience and vision that young people bring to our world. The UN theme for this year is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations". It is a reminder that even with different local realities and different experiences, the aspirations of young people are similar – the theme affirms that young people seek dignity, opportunity, meaningful participation and a sustainable future. This day of commemoration for young voices also calls us to deepen our commitment to synodality, to listen to the voices of young people and to welcome their fresh perspectives.
In Fiji alone, according to a 2025 report, around 23.7% of Fijian youth aged 15-25, which is nearly 1 in 4 are NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training, whilst youth unemployment stands at 18.3%, leaving close to 30,000 youths vulnerable. In a Pacific survey from 2023, it was found that over 60% to 70% of young people identify health distress, educational pressures, lack of employment and substance abuse. These numbers paint a picture of the struggles faced by youths today, underscoring the need for creating safe spaces and active listening to the issues that impact young people.
In the Gospel, being a young person means someone is in their “becoming phase”, and because of their youth, they bring new life, energy, and presence to all they do. Saint Paul writes to Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4: 12). This echoes the message of the late Pope Francis when he addressed youths at the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama, you are not the future of the church, you are the church NOW!
Pope Leo in concluding the Jubilee of Youth in Rome said: “Dear young people, aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less. There you will see the light of the Gospel grow every day, within you and around you.”
CLM Nanise Mounga with youths from around Suva at a recent Beach Clean-up (PC: Columban Fiji)
He reminds Catholic young people that true joy comes from seeking justice, serving the poor, and bringing Christ’s light into their unique local contexts.
The Columbans have been a living example of this vision in action. To work across diverse cultural and geographic contexts, from the Pacific Islands to South America and Asia, the Columbans have embodied the spirit of accompanying young people. It is this spirit that led Columban Irish priest and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Fr. Shay Cullen, to establish the PREDA Foundation in the Philippines. In his advocate work of empowering vulnerable youth, the Columbans have for over 50 years protected homeless children and victims of child labour, to have access to residential and services of care. Through rescue and rehabilitation of children and youth, Fr. Shay enables the restoration of dignity to youth and empowering them to become leaders who fight for justice, children’s rights, and human dignity.
When we equip, empower and accompany young people, we become active listeners to their aspirations, even with our contrasting contexts and experiences, we can still help. Fr. Shay’s exemplary work in the Philippines is a reminder that working alongside the most vulnerable in our communities, is an act of love, and an act of love of neighbour. As we celebrate International Youth Day, let us trust the leadership of our youth in creating a vibrant “NOW” of our church and world.
Happy International Youth Day!
Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator (Region of Oceania)
