The Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG), Solomon Islands National Youth Congress (SINYC), and Plan International Solomon Islands (PISI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen youth empowerment efforts in Guadalcanal Province. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday at the GPG headquarters in Ritaleven, marking a significant step toward enhancing opportunities for young people in the province.
The MoU focuses on promoting youth economic empowerment and addressing the impacts of climate change, particularly for young women. It sets the framework for collaborative efforts aimed at equipping youth with the skills, knowledge, and platforms needed to become active contributors to their communities and the province’s sustainable development.
Speaking at the ceremony, SINYC General Secretary Josie-Anne Ashley highlighted the importance of the partnership, describing it as more than just a formal agreement. โThis MoU represents our unified commitment to youth development in Guadalcanal Province. It embodies our shared vision and dedication to empowering young people to lead and contribute meaningfully to economic and environmental initiatives,โ she said.
Ashley further emphasized that the initial focus of the partnership will be the implementation of the Youth Economic and Climate Action (YECA) project, delivered in collaboration with Plan International Solomon Islands. Through YECA, youth will gain access to new opportunities in economic development and climate actionโtwo critical areas for the provinceโs sustainable future. The project will target three key sites: Mataruka, Valesala, and Komukama.
In response, Guadalcanal Provincial Secretary Mr. Maesac Suia welcomed the initiative, assuring SINYC and PISI of the provincial government’s commitment to supporting the MoUโs implementation. He stressed that youth empowerment is essential for addressing future challenges, stating, โIf we strengthen our youth today, we will reduce the need to spend more resources on law enforcement in the future. Empowered youth are the solution to many of our provinceโs challenges.โ
Mr. Suia also highlighted the importance of grounding youth initiatives in cultural, spiritual, and environmental values. โWhen addressing youth matters at the provincial level, we must not disconnect them from three key pillars: culture, church, and environment. Let the youth be part of climate change activities and community projects, and empower them to lead,โ he added.
The SINYC, established under the Solomon Islands White Paper Policy (Parliamentary Paper No. 2/1980), serves as the national body for youth advocacy and coordination. It represents young people through provincial, church, and youth organizations, ensuring their voices are heard at the government level. SINYC also plays a key role in implementing the Solomon Islands Government’s National Youth Policy.
The YECA project is funded by Plan International Ireland, with support from the European Union (EU) Commission. It aims to provide youth with practical skills, leadership opportunities, and platforms to participate in community development while promoting climate resilience across Guadalcanal.
With this partnership now formalized, stakeholders are optimistic about transforming the MoU’s promises into tangible outcomes that will empower Guadalcanal’s youth and contribute to the province’s long-term growth and sustainability.
//End/
GP Media.
