Building effective Provincial Youth Councils (PYCs)

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Taro, Choiseul Province, September 10 – The UN Development Programme, in cooperation with the National Youth Congress and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, led the process of revitalizing the Provincial Youth Council in Choiseul through a week-long programme.

A leadership workshop involved 16 young representatives from different wards and aimed to empower youth and strengthen their participation in decision-making. As part of the revitalization, Choiseul Youth Council Executives’ elections were held at the end of the programme.

Last year, in close partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, UNDP and National Youth Congress launched the revitalization process in four provinces. After the successful restoration of Provincial Youth Councils in Guadalcanal, Western and Malaita Provinces, the fourth Provincial Youth Council in Choiseul is being re-established to fulfil the role vested upon National Youth Congress.

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Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Aaron Olofia, Chairman of the National Youth Congress, underlined the significant role young people play in building an inclusive, united and peaceful nation, stressing that such initiatives help educate young people to unite in a more coordinated manner and more actively communicate their experiences in the youth work sector.

“We need to continue our collective work to provide youth with the opportunity to grow and think inclusively, and in turn, contribute to the development and peacebuilding of our country.”

“This is a worthy initiative, and the National Youth Congress welcomes this, and I know it will become an integral part of the wider youth development programmes,” Mr. Olofia further concluded.