The Ministry and Department of Youth Development, Sports and Training in collaboration with the Youth@Work Programme of the Pacific Community (SPC) held the Building Youth Capacity for Economic Empowerment Forum in Port Vila this week.
The aim of the forum was to contribute to the development of a National Youth Employment and Empowerment Framework through the process of sharing information and identifying points of collaboration with partners to collectively achieve goals for youth development through economic empowerment.
“We need to see a concrete plan of action with quality indicators to guide the Government and other youth stakeholders towards achieving two key outcomes: the capacity of youth to make wise and informed decisions; and, their ability to earn an income,” declared Acting Director General of the Ministry of Youth Development, Sports and Training, George Maeltoka during the forum.
There is an incredible wealth of expertise among the various agencies working with youth in Vanuatu but there is a critical need to improve inter-agency learning, coordination and partnerships.
Vira Taivakalo, coordinator of the forum and the Senior Employment Officer at the Department of Youth Development, Sports & Training (DYDST) is passionate about developing youth through entrepreneurship, and creating avenues for young people to market their products and find opportunities to realise their full potential regardless of where they live or who they are. “We hope to work together in partnership with other agencies to support our young people to find fair and decent employment, start new businesses or standardise existing businesses, and become proactive towards achieving economic empowerment,” said Vira.
Likewise, the Department’s Youth Empowerment section plays a crucial role through developing the capacity of youth in a number of the areas such as training, economic productivity, networking and social and professional integration.
The forum was attended by over 25 representatives from a range of actors including the Department of Forestry, Department of Agriculture, Oxfam in Vanuatu, Ola Fou, Vanuatu National Youth Council, Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vanuatu Christian Council, Vanuatu Women’s Centre, Human Capacity Development International, Department of Women’s Affairs, Australia-Pacific Technical College, Peace Corps and the Pacific Community. These actors engage with youth through their services and programmes, whether it be livelihood support and promotion, education, training, work placements, entrepreneurship development or crisis counselling.
One of the key issues raised during the forum was ensuring the sustainability of youth economic empowerment initiatives. Attendees agreed that developing partnerships, particularly with the Government through the Ministry and Department of Youth, are essential to guarantee that programmes and services aimed at youth have local ownership and investment in the long-term. Sereki Korocowri, Regional Coordinator of the Ola Fou Youth Development Programme expressed that, “Our survival is based on working together in partnership and latching on to the existing initiatives happening in the country.”
A National Youth Employment and Empowerment Framework will be developed based on the findings of the forum, for endorsement by the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Training, provincial governments and core partners, and this will form the basis for strategic planning for the next three years of youth development in Vanuatu.
Photo Vanuatu National Youth Council