Abstract

In 2013, Fiji promulgated its fourth Constitution. This constitution was not free of controversy; the draft version was discarded by the then military government. Despite this the constitution consultation process offered citizens an opportunity to make submissions about the democratic challenges and aspirations for Fiji. Over 7000 submissions were received, of these 20 were from youth organisations and 269 from individuals aged between 18 and 25 years. Young people accounted for the minority of the submissions but were a visible social group in this process. This chapter analyses young people’s submissions to the Fiji constitution commission in 2012. This is significant for several reasons. First it contributes to the gap in research and literature about young people’s political participation in Fiji. Second it adds to the dearth in knowledge about young people’s involvement in constitutional process in Fiji and generally across the Pacific region. Third, it gives credence to the young people’s submissions addressing the absence of any mention of young people in the Constitution. Finally, it offers lessons on how young people can be better supported in government initiated consultation processes.