Simon Kofe, Henry Puna and Yemesrach Workie (left to right) join hands with two others for the launch of the Pacific Youth Advisory Board on Governance. Photo: Supplied/Josaia Nanuqa
The University of the South Pacific Students' Association (USPSA) has launched a Youth Advisory Board on Governance.
The initiative is in partnership with the United Nations' Development Programme.
The hope is the new board will increase the policy and decision-making influence of students and young people from across the Pacific.
"We all talk about involving young people in policy spaces, but we often forget, what are the mechanisms that are available?" event organiser and Deputy Secretary General for USPSA Aneet Kumar said.
It was supposed to be launched last year but it has taken a little longer. The board will be made up of young people from three sub regional groupings - the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the Polynesian Leaders Group and the Micronesian Presidents Summit.
Each sub regional grouping will nominate two young people, one male and one female.
The Pacific Islands Forum will also nominate one young person and there is an open call for any two young people from across the region from any of the 18 Forum member countries, Kumar said.
"We are here now, they are going to have a two-year term - they are going to work very closely with the Pacific Islands Forum to advance the governance agenda.
"That becomes the structured dialogue mechanism that is going to help advance the region's good governance agenda under the 2050 Blue Pacific strategy," Kumar said.
From Left: University of Papua New Guinea Student Representative Council President Luther Kising, Commonwealth Students Association Pacific regional rep Dr Bradley Yombon-Copio and USP Professor Elisabeth Holland at the launch of the Pacific Youth Advisory Board on Governance. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis
'We can all learn from each other's experiences'
The two-day the Pacific Conference on Good Governance in Auckland which launched the project brought together policymakers and youth delegates in an effort to bring fresh ideas to the fore.
"We can all learn from each other's experiences, and in saying so I do believe that it would be an honour for the secretariat, your secretariat, to work with this board moving forward," Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna said at the launch dinner in Auckland.
In a statement a USPSA spokesperson said the platform would be used to get across the ideas and concerns of young people regarding good governance.
"The intersection of corruption and climate change is a complex and pressing issue that needs the attention of policymakers."
Tuvalu Minister for Justice, Communication, and Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe was also at the launch.
"Corruption undermines efforts to address climate change, while the impacts of climate change create conditions for corruption to thrive," Kofe said.
At the conference it was evident youth were at the centre, the room was dotted with high level policy and decision makers, but instead of sitting at the front of the room and leading discussions, the likes of Henry Puna, Simon Kofe, Eliam Tangirongo, Feue Tipu and Louisa Wall and many more listened to what the next generation of leaders had to say.
The message was clear, the young people have the drive and vision and now just need the backing from those who have the power to make things happen.
Deputy Secretary General for the University of the South Pacific Student Association Aneet Kumar. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis
Pacific youth delegates with Nanaia Mahuta in Auckland. Photo: Supplied/Josaia Nanuqa