Coordinating the youth strategy in Micronesia

Many of you will be aware that SPC has established a sub-regional office in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen SPC activities and outreach in the Northern Pacific. A number of programmes and projects are already well established in the Northern Pacific region including the Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific (DSAP) project. Mereseini Seniloli, coordinates DSAP activities in the Northern Pacific region under the guidance of the DSAP Headquarters in Suva, Fiji. The DSAP Project is working closely with youth groups for example in Marshall Islands the project works with the Youth to Youth NGO, in FSM the youth groups of the municipalities, and also in Palau . Mereseini with her wealth of experience of youth issues and needs in the region and potential partners has kindly agreed to be an important focal point for the development of the 'youth and agriculture' strategy in the Northern Pacific.

Pacific Youth Statement on the Pacific Plan

Youth of 13 Pacific Island countries met at the Pacific Youth Summit for the Millennium Development goals at Tofamamao in Samoa in May 2005. As part of their deliberations they were able to review a draft of the Pacific Plan. The youth commended Pacific leaders on their initiative in developing the Pacific Plan. At the same time they recommended that the Pacific Plan Task Force consider some key youth issues for inclusion. Read more here.

The Pacific Plan and youth development

The Pacific Plan , which has key statements in support of the enhanced involvement of youth in sustainable development, was endorsed by Leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in October 2005. It is a ‘living’ document ensuring flexibility so that the Vision of the Leaders and the goal of regional integration extend far into the future. This revised version of the Pacific Plan follows decisions taken by Leaders at the Forum meeting in October 2006 where they welcomed the considerable progress made in implementing the Pacific Plan, noted the key challenges that need to be overcome in order for the Plan to continue to be effectively implemented, and agreed on a number of key commitments in order to move the Plan forward.

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.

Pacific Youth Environment Network

The Pacific Youth Environment Network (PYEN) was formed in 1999. It is a network of young environmentalists (16-30 years old) from the South Pacific region who are actively involved in environment, sustainable development and youth projects in their own countries and further abroad. The group exists to facilitate communication, collaboration and cooperation between the young people of the region. In 2001, the first Pacific Youth Caucus on the Environment was held at the University of Wollongong in Australia with 25 delegates attending from 12 Pacific Island countries.

Unfortuntely PYEN does not appear to have its own dedicated website and there is not much information available on the internet. If anyone has up-to-date information regarding current PYEN activities, membership and copntact details we would love to hear from you.