Youth reporters at PIFLM53 – and soon to reunite at PMYM – are Hettie Sem, SPC Communications and Outreach Assistant, and Amylia Katoa of Talitha Project, and youth storyteller for the Pacific Girl programme.
This week, Pacific Ministers for Youth will be re-convening for the first time in eleven years - the culmination of a series of youth development focused dialogues throughout 2024.
In these difficult times – between the urgency of the climate crisis and global economic challenges – Pacific youth have set a pace for youth development to follow.
Casting the net anew, a reinvigorated Pacific Youth Council will be co-chairing the Pacific Ministers for Youth Meeting (PMYM) this week, bringing youth voice to the fore in a genuine and meaningful way.
Eager to catalyse change, youth are actively seeking to weave their own narrative of their inclusion, leadership, learning and success. That includes youth like Amylia “Amy” Katoa, youth mentor with the Talitha Project in Tonga and one of four Pacific Girl programme’s storytellers working across the region to gather stories about young people.
Last week, Amy was shadowing experienced journalists at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in her home country. She will be fresh from her first Pacific Girl assignment when she arrives in for PMYM in Nadi, Fiji, to accompany Mona, a Pacific Girl Reference Group member, who has been nominated by the Talitha Project to attend the PMYM:
“Here at the [PIF Leaders] Forum, they are focused on inclusive governance and regional cooperation,” she reflected. “There will be more youth dialogue in the PMYM... I hope to bring more focus on youth engagement and including young women and girls."
Improved, accessible and resilient menstrual hygiene facilities as well as specialised teachers or trainers for family life education in schools and communities have been at the top of the list for the Pacific Girl programme – key issues that emerged in 2018, during the programme’s design ‘by girls for girls’, that are still relevant today.
“I am also happy to get the opportunity to talk with the youth leaders and ministers, sharing ideas and building on what we can do now and also what can be done in the future,” Amy added.
At the Pacific Ministers for Youth Meeting (PMYM), regional youth ministers will discuss a proposed governance mechanism for youth development. This discussion will be informed by the review of the Pacific Youth Development Framework, overseen by the Pacific Community (SPC), and will align with youth development priorities outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The review of regional architecture (RRA) has been a central topic in nearly every regional dialogue this year, engaging officials and leaders alike. While this may seem like routine business for bureaucrats and diplomats, the RRA's significance extends far beyond these circles. Given its connection to the 2050 Strategy, the RRA is a matter of importance for all stakeholders in the Pacific region.
“The 2050 Strategy is our commitment to ensure that we will not leave our future to chance, and that together, we will be stronger and more resilient,” emphasised PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa in his opening remarks this week. “We own the strategic potential of our collective, and together, reaffirm that we act together from a position of strength. We must not forget this.”
Making the best use of the region’s resources – its people – requires a considered approach to balancing out the cycle of policy development, implementation and review.
Thus, the timing for charting a way forward for youth development governance mechanisms is progressing in complementarity with the rest of the People-Centred Development architecture - including mechanisms to advance gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) such as: the Pacific Platform for Action for Gender Equality and Women's Human Rights (PPA) for which SPC is also custodian; the revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED); and the Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
More details about this year’s Regional Youth Convenings: Regional Youth Convenings: Toe Timata le Ūpega - Balata Vou Tale Na Lawa - Cast the Net Anew | The Pacific Community (spc.int)
