For the first time, 2,000 young people from 15 South Pacific nations gathered outside Australia for a regional youth congress, which was opened Dec. 30 by the Hon. Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister of Fiji.

The Prime Minister and Mrs. Qarase interrupted their vacation to welcome congress participants on behalf of Fiji, flying from their home island specifically for this event. Mr. Qarase was greeted with a traditional welcoming ceremony. He thanked organizers for choosing Fiji to host such an event. “I thank them for their confidence in us and for all the hard work they have put in to make this congress possible,” he said.

For those visiting Fiji for the first time, Mr. Qarase said, “We hope it will provide enduring memories that will bring you back again.”

Lead by congress director Pastor Gilbert Cangy, delegates marked a minute’s silence and prayed for the millions affected by the Asian tsunami tragedy.

Mr. Qarase thanked the Adventist Church for its work in Fiji, highlighting a current proposal from the church to develop a program for youth in crisis.

Commenting on recent world tragedies, Mr. Qarase said, “It would be easy to envisage not only our youth, but an entire planet in crisis. We should always remember that the picture painted by the media—while undeniably real and genuinely disturbing—is actually an incomplete one.

“We should not forget that there is a fundamental goodness in humanity and much that is wholesome and pleasant in the world. I can feel this goodness here,” the Prime Minister said.

The Congress is meeting each evening at the FMF Dome in Suva and will continue until Jan. 4.