PIANGO

The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) is a regional network of NGO focal points or coordinating bodies representing 22 Pacific Island countries and territories. PIANGO was formally established in 1991 to assist NGOs in the Pacific to initiate action, give voice to their concerns and work collaboratively with other development actors for just and sustainable human development. PIANGO's primary role is to be a catalyst for collective action, to facilitate and support coalitions and alliances on issues of common concern, and to strengthen the influence and impact of NGO efforts in the region.

PIANGO represent a number of national bodies involved in youth work and could be a strategic partner in developing and implementing a youth and agriculture strategy.

Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP)

The Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP), composed of the heads of the Pacific Island intergovernmental organisations and permanently chaired by the Forum Secretariat, discusses and coordinates the work-programmes and policies of the different regional agencies to avoid either duplication or gaps in the provision of services to member countries.

A number of these organisations are involved in youth development work.

FAO and rural youth development

FAO have been supporting rural youth activities and programmes for some time. FAO Rural Youth Development provides more details. A wealth of practical experience has accumulated over the past 100 years related to working with rural young people through education and training. FAO itself has been a part of this effort for at least the past four decades. Today, youth development, with its strong research/knowledge base, and adequate policy and resource support, can become a powerful force in empowering large numbers of rural young people in developing countries to take an active role in sustainable agriculture and rural development as a major contributor to the overall progress in their respective countries. The mission of FAO's rural youth development work is to strengthen and expand young people's capacities, knowledge and skills through education and training to enable them to become productive and contributing citizens of their local communities.

United Nations Agencies in the Pacific and youth development

The United Nations (UN) agencies in the Pacific have recently completed a collective strategic planning process resulting in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Within this Framework, youth has been identified as a key focal area for UN assistance, leading to the development of a specific coordinating mechanism for UN youth programmes. The UN agencies will continue to implement the agency-based progammes in youth development across all areas of the UN agencies' work, but with an increasing emphasis on partnerships and joint delivery mechanisms. Read more here. The Annex of this document lists the various UN Agencies operating and with offices in the Pacific region.

Of particular interest in the development of a strategy for involvement of youth in agriculture might be ILO, FAO, IFAD and UNESCO.

If anyone can share some information on what UN agencies in the region are doing to strengthen youth livelihoods through agriculture/rural development that would be very much appreciated.

International Labour Organization Suva

The International Labour Organization (ILO) office in Suva aims to assist Governments', Employers' and Workers' Organisations of the Pacific Island Countries in their efforts to reduce Decent Work deficits (as part of a global goal) and to pursue development for dignity through the achievements of rights at work; employment; social protection and social dialogue.

The ILO have also established the Youth Employment Network (YEN) to develop and implement strategies that give young people everywhere a real chance to find decent and productive work.

FSPI, a regional network of non-governmental organisations

The Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI) is a network of South Pacific island non-governmental organisations and overseas affiliates working in partnership across the South Pacific and involved in community-based activities that also focus on youth.

FSPI's Youth and Mental Health Project addresses issues related to youth and sustainable livelihoods. Read more here.

FSPI is also implementing the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovations (MORDI) Programme which could complement much of the work of SPC and other organisations striving to improve youth livelihoods. The MORDI Programme will look at ways to support innovative work (e.g. niche product development and new crop development: coconut oil, market flowers, off-season pineapple etc) where knowledge and infrastructure already exist in communities. In addition, the Programme will work to build the capacity of community members to engage effectively with government and service providers – to access sources of funding, information and support – to turn these rural innovations into sources of sustainable income. We would love to hear from anyone involved in the MORDI programme regarding any such activities that particularly focus on, or involve youth.

Human Development Programme SPC

SPC's Human Development Programme (HDP) has a particular focus on bringing gender, youth, culture and community education to the forefront of development. The programme aims to nurture an all-inclusive approach across all sectors to maximise the development potential of the entire community and help people achieve a better quality of life.

Rose Maebiru is the Youth Adviser within the HDP. The youth section of the HDP website has an excellent collection of documents and links related to youth issues in the Pacific.

Land Resources Division SPC

Land Resources Division (LRD) is the newest division of SPC and brings together two previously separate programmes dealing with agriculture and forestry. LRD’s goal is to strengthen livelihoods of Pacific islanders by improving food security, increasing trade and assisting the Pacific Community to be more prosperous and healthy and manage their agricultural and forest resources in a sustainable way.

How LRD functions is largely governed by SPC member countries through the regional Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services (HOAFs). At the last HOAFs meeting in 2006 it was recommended that LRD:

Develop with relevant partners a strategy to promote agriculture among young people

LRD is made up of a number of Thematic Groups and is guided by its Strategic Plan.