IN an effort to fulfil the government's Look North Policy, Miss Labasa Town Council Loriza Naidu has vowed to encourage youths to rally against brain drain at the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North.
The week-long festival which starts on Saturday will be held at Subrail Park.
Ms Naidu, an aspiring sales and marketing manager, said people should achieve the highest level of education, get good jobs and return to their homes to develop the Northern economy.
She is among six queen contestants vying for the festival title this year.
"We can't develop the north if people continue to move to other parts of the country and abroad for their studies and work," the USP student said.
"The brain drain can only be stopped if facilities and employment are provided in our communities.
"With this, people can learn and work and their efforts will contribute to the development of the north."
Ms Naidu said her participation at the festival would be a good learning experience for her because it would give her a chance to increase awareness on brain drain.
Ms Naidu has urged the public to converge on Subrail Park in numbers because it would not only be a time of fun and excitement but also to learn about issues in society.