FAO and rural youth organisations

FAO have long been involved in facilitating youth group organisations. Here are some shared experiences in the publication Improving Youth Organisations in Asia. No doubt it contains many relevant lessons for initiating similar groups in the Pacific.

For further information contact Dr Malcolm Hazelman at FAO (malcolm.hazelman@fao.org)

Foreaitch (4H)!

4H (Head, Heart, Hands and Health) although seen as a US initiative does have clubs in the Philippines and Thailand and possibly others. The organization serves over 6.5 million members from ages 5 to 19 in approximately 90,000 clubs. The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, and life skills of youth through mostly experiential learning programs. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today encourages members to learn about many topics, such as youth leadership, youth-adult partnership, and communication skills.

Any such groups in the Pacific, the northern Pacific possibly?

Youth peer groups supporting agricultural livelihoods

Young farmer clubs are well known examples of youth peer group organisations. Young farmer clubs can greatly assist in mobilising and supporting youth in developing a livelihood through agriculture through supporting enterprise and entrepreneurial skills as well as a range of other skills.

What examples of such youth peer groups and young farmer clubs exist in the Pacific Islands?